Net Neutrality - Tied in Committee

Well, the campaign to protect Internet freedom continues. Yesterday the Senate Commerce Committee voted 11-11 on the Snowe-Dorgan Amendment to preserve Net Neutrality. All the Democrats voted for it; all the Republicans but Snowe voted against it. Matt Stoller has more:

In terms of the vote, well, we pretty much expected this, though we weren't sure whether we could keep the Dems unified. They held under intense lobbying pressure from the telecoms. I think it's fair to say that we've reversed the momentum on this issue, turning it from a little noticed 23-8 subcommittee vote in the House on April 5 to today's 11-11 tie in Commerce Committee and clearly what will be a contentious floor fight.

Stoller also mentions that George Felix Allen Jr. and Conrad Burns, both facing re-election in November and both on the Committee, voted against Net Neutrality while in the process taking thousands in contributions from telecom companies. See, this is all minimum wage workers need to do if they want their voices heard in Washington. Just spread some money around a bit! I'm not talking a ton, just like $200 to each Senator. You know, a week's pay.

The news isn't all bad, however. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon is placing a hold on the legislation that did pass the committee, which could create a two-tiered Internet:

Mr. President, the major telecommunications legislation reported today by the Senate Commerce Committee is badly flawed. The bill makes a number of major changes in the country's telecommunications law but there is one provision that is nothing more than a license to discriminate. Without a clear policy preserving the neutrality of the Internet and without tough sanctions against those who would discriminate, the Internet will be forever changed for the worse.
This one provision threatens to divide the Internet into technology "haves" and "have nots." This one provision concentrates even more power in the hands of the special interests that own the pipelines to the Internet. This one provision codifies discrimination on the Internet by a handful of large telecommunications and cable providers. This one provision will allow large, special interests to saddle consumers and small businesses alike with new and discriminatory fees over and above what they already pay for Internet access. This one small provision is akin to hurling a giant wrecking ball at the Internet.

The inclusion of this provision compels me to state that I would object to a unanimous consent request to the Senate proceeding with this legislation until a provision that provides true Internet neutrality is included. . . .

Every Senator should be put on the record. Do you stand with the people of this country, who want a free and open Internet? Or do you stand with lobbyists who want their clients to be able to build a toll bridge for access to high-speed content?

Call your Senator and get them on the record.