Republicans introduce bill to quash net neutrality rules

Roger Yu | USA TODAY

A Republican congressman introduced a resolution Monday calling for a fast-track review of the newly proposed net neutrality rules, a likely futile legislative move that highlights the no-stone-unturned fight put up by the rules' opponents.

The resolution introduced by Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) would block the net neutrality rules — also called the Open Internet order — that were introduced by the Federal Communications Commission in February. The order requires Internet service providers (ISPs) to give consumers access to all legal content and applications on an equal basis, without favoring some sources or blocking others.

Fourteen other Republicans joined Collins' resolution: Reps. Bob Goodlatte (Va.), Bob Latta (Ohio), Steve Chabot (Ohio), Lynn Westmoreland (Ga.), Glenn Grothman (Wis.), Bill Posey (Fla.), Rick Allen (Ga.), Ryan Zinke (Mont.), Barry Loudermilk (Ga.), Sam Johnson (Texas), Dennis Ross (Fla.), Buddy Carter (Ga.), Ted Poe (Texas) and Vern Buchanan (Fla).

The resolution, under the Congressional Review Act, allows Congress to fast-track review and vote to disapprove new regulations issued by government agencies. The resolution is approved if it's signed by the president. President Obama will almost certainly veto it if it passes.

Collins' move comes on the day the FCC's order was published in the Federal Register, giving interested parties 60 days to challenge before it becomes law. USTelecom, a trade group that represents telecommunications businesses, said Monday it has filed a lawsuit against the FCC to block the order.

Collins, like USTelecom and his Republicans colleagues, argues that the FCC's net neutrality rules are heavy handed and would discourage ISPs from investing in their networks.

Championed by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, the FCC's Open Internet order also will reclassify ISPs as "common carriers," thus subjecting them to a set of rules that are imposed on public utilities. Collins argued that a small ISP "will be unable to compete in a shrunken marketplace" if it's reclassified as a public utility. "The agency is stretching old definitions to fit its regulatory agenda," he said.

Some Republicans in Congress are pitching open-Internet legislation that would supersede the FCC rules and avoid reclassifying ISPs as common carriers. But they've failed to gain support from Democrats.