Battle lines are being drawn on Capitol Hill over the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) push to scale back net neutrality rules.

Republicans are applauding FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to reverse the Open Internet Order and are hoping it spurs Democrats to the negotiating table on a legislative fix that would codify the rules’ principles into law.

But Democrats seem unwilling to deal, believing that the FCC and its Republican allies are walking into a political minefield. They think the uproar over the changes to net neutrality may even exceed the grassroots fervor that preceded the enactment of the rules two years ago.

“Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Committee are going to fight this every step of the way,” Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) told reporters Wednesday. “And if you think 4 million comments to the FCC were a lot when we tried to implement this rule, wait until you see the comments coming into the FCC when they try to undo this rule.”

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Pai announced in a speech to conservative groups on Wednesday that the FCC would begin proceedings in May to dismantle the rules, which require internet service providers to treat all web traffic equally.

Conservatives characterize the rules as a regulatory power grab that is stifling innovation in the broadband industry. The order reclassified broadband providers as "common carriers," meaning that they were shifted to the FCC’s jurisdiction and subject to the kind of tough regulation already applied to public utilities.

The FCC will vote next month on whether to begin soliciting comments from the public on undoing the reclassification. That vote is expected to succeed, with Republican appointees now a majority on the commission.

It’s still unclear what, if anything, will replace the rules, but Pai is said to have told telecommunication industry lobbyists that he would like to see voluntary commitments from the major providers to respect net neutrality principles in exchange for the reclassification’s repeal.

On Capitol Hill, the announcement seemed to make the parties even more entrenched in their positions.

In a joint statement, the four Republican chairs of the relevant committees and subcommittees — Sen. John Thune John Randolph ThuneThe Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Don't expect a government check anytime soon The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Trump contradicts CDC director on vaccine, masks Senate GOP eyes early exit MORE (S.D.), Sen. Roger Wicker Roger Frederick WickerHillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll Shakespeare Theatre Company goes virtual for 'Will on the Hill...or Won't They?' Republican Senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal MORE (Miss.), Rep. Greg Walden (Ore.) and Rep. Marsha Blackburn Marsha BlackburnDemocrats smell blood with new DHS whistleblower complaint Hillicon Valley: Election officials prepare for new Russian interference battle | 'Markeyverse' of online fans helps take down a Kennedy | GOP senators unveil bill to update tech liability protections GOP senators unveil new bill to update tech liability protections MORE (Tenn.) — praised Pai for wanting to repeal the “misguided regulations.”

“Consumers want an open internet that doesn’t discriminate on content and protects free speech and consumer privacy,” the lawmakers said.

“It’s now time for Republicans and Democrats, internet service providers, edge providers, and the internet community as a whole to come together and work toward a legislative solution that benefits consumers and the future of the internet.”

Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzLoeffler calls for hearing in wake of Netflix's 'Cuties' Health care in the crosshairs with new Trump Supreme Court list 'Parks and Rec' cast members hosting special reunion to raise money for Wisconsin Democrats MORE (R-Texas) hailed Pai’s action by dusting off the analogy he used three years ago to describe net neutrality as “ObamaCare for the internet.”

Democrats are now using the comparison as well, likening any effort to dismantle net neutrality to the GOP’s controversial effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

In a press conference outside the Capitol on Wednesday, top Democrats, including Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (N.J.) and FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, dismissed the Republican calls for legislation as disingenuous.

“There’s absolutely no reason to believe after these 100 days that the Republicans are serious about addressing any of these things that they repeal,” Pallone said.

Asked what Republicans would have to do to show that they were serious, Pallone responded, “The well is already poisoned.”

The process for repealing the rules is likely to drag on for months and even years.

Democrats seem content at this point to let Republicans forge ahead.

“I don’t want it to be an election issue. I want to kill this effort to kill net neutrality — I want to put an end to this,” Pallone said on Thursday. “But, I mean, if the Republicans proceed with this and actually adopt a rule to kill net neutrality, of course it’s going to be an election issue.”