U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachsuetts, continued to rail against the FCC's December decision to undo Obama-era net neutrality protections Thursday, arguing that the ruling could especially hurt Americans living in rural communities who face fewer choices when it comes to high-speed internet providers.

Markey, who is leading a Senate effort to override the Federal Communications Commission's controversial rollback, joined U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, and other net neutrality advocates in highlighting the challenges rural Americans could face if the internet does not remain "free and open."

Stressing that the internet "is our great equalizer," allowing Americans and businesses to have the same access and reach as their counterparts across the country, the Massachusetts Democrat cautioned that the lack of net neutrality protections could lead some providers to slow certain websites or charge customers more for streaming and other services.

That, he argued, could particularly hurt Americans living in more rural parts of the country -- like areas of Western Massachusetts -- where there are fewer, and in some cases only one, provider offering high-speed, broadband internet access.

"They say news travels fast in small towns, but that won't necessarily be the case if we lose net neutrality -- especially when 87 percent of rural Americans have no choice for high-speed, fixed broadband," he said in a conference call with reporters. "That is going to be unacceptable."

Klobuchar offered that several small businesses in rural parts of her state have raised particular concerns about being able to compete with those in more urban environments without net neutrality protections.

"The problem here is that the only protections maintained under (FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's) plan are requirements for service providers to disclose their internet traffic polices," she said. "But, for consumers with only one choice for internet service, which is many in our rural areas, there's no real opportunity to shop around, compare prices and policies or to find a new provider."

Klobuchar pointed to Ada, Minnesota-based chainmaille company Weave Got Maille as an example of a small business that could be unduly impacted by the FCC's ruling. The senator offered that the company's internet service "is now so bad (the owner) has to have her salespeople in Moorhead and Fargo to make it."

"You think about these types of companies, they are not going to be able to compete on an equal playing field. And we already have so much consolidation in general in this country; this makes it even more unequal," she said.

Markey and Klobuchar noted that the Congressional Review Act resolution to restore net neutrality rules needs the support of just one more senator to clear the chamber's floor.

"All we need is just one more vote. Momentum continues to build in every corner of the country ... It's time to heed the call of the millions of innovators, entrepreneurs, consumers, urban and rural, young and old who rely on a free and open internet," Markey said. "It's critically important that every community continues to make its voice heard. Rural America is critical in creating the political firestorm of support for net neutrality."

The senator formally offered his resolution to restore net neutrality rules in late February. Upon its introduction, the measure had garnered support from all 47 chamber Democrats, as well as independent U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders, of Vermont, and Angus King, of Maine, and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.

The introduction triggered a 60-day period for lawmakers to seek a vote on the CRA resolution.

Although support from only 30 senators is needed to force a vote on a resolution of disapproval, it must receive a simple majority, or 51 votes, to pass.

U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pennsylvania, meanwhile, has introduced a similar CRA resolution in the House. That resolution has garnered support from at least 150 representatives, according to Markey's office.

Broadband for America, however, has argued that the CRAs "would be a step backwards."

The organization, which represents a coalition of consumer groups, companies and content providers, has instead called on Congress to "pass a substantive, bipartisan bill that makes net neutrality the law of the land and establishes 21st century rules for a 21st century internet."