Feinstein Statement on Net Neutrality

Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement in reaction to the end of net neutrality:

“In 2015, the Federal Communications Commission under the Obama administration approved the Open Internet Order, the latest in a long series of measures taken by the FCC to protect and preserve the principles of net neutrality. This rule, like the rule it replaced, prohibited internet service providers from blocking, slowing down or charging more for access to particular internet sites or services.

“Fast forward to December 2017, and the FCC under President Trump voted to overturn this rule, essentially letting large companies self-regulate and cutting out consumers. That repeal took effect today, and it’s bad not only for California consumers, but the entire country.

“Net neutrality keeps the playing field level and prevents companies that sell internet service from discriminating and limiting consumers’ access to websites.

“Net neutrality is the great democratizer of the internet, but the Trump administration is stripping away critical consumer protections to help a handful of large corporations become even more profitable.

“The Senate has already passed legislation to reinstate net neutrality rules. Unfortunately, the House did not. Because House Republicans and President Trump refused to stand with consumers, net neutrality is ending."

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