The official announcement of the proposal, which was first published by Reuters, in the Federal Register will start the timer on the 60-day window that Congress has to pass a determination invalidating the FCC’s order to get rid of net neutrality rules.
Between Democrats, Independents and Sen. R-Maine, 50 legislators have backed a Congressional Review Act judgment to preserve the rules one vote shy of the 51 votes that measure needs to pass the Senate.
If Democrats can get the payment of one more Republican, the decision could be sent to the House, where it is unlikely to improve. And even if the resolution transferred both chambers of Congress, could veto it.
The order’s magazine will open the door for state solicitors general and advocacy groups to launch actions aimed at preserving the rules.
Many state officials, including New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, and pro-net impartiality groups have already said that they will file legal objections on the matter.
The FCC passed Republican Chairman Ajit Pai’s “Restoring Internet Freedom” order in December in a 3-2 vote along combination lines.
The order rescinds rules that were formulated under Obama-appointed FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler in 2015 directed at creating a level playing field on the internet by keeping broadband companies from slowing down and blocking trustworthy types of content.
Pai’s move has strong support among Republicans and broadband companies like AT&T and Comcast, who see the Obama-era rules and oppressive and stifling.
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