Brian Beutler
Four Democratic senators are warning key leaders not to use the threat of a government shutdown to block the FCC from implementing net neutrality rules.
In a letter they're circulating to colleagues, Sens. John Kerry (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Al Franken (D-MN), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) say the Senate should not lend support to House GOP efforts to block the rules.
We write to object strongly to the use of the appropriations process or the Congressional Review Act to keep the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from doing its job. The House has included an amendment to the continuing resolution to deny the agency funds for implementing a recent order to protect the open Internet. And they are talking about moving forward with a Congressional Review Act resolution to achieve the same end. We ask you to object to any similar efforts here in the Senate.
You can read the entire letter below.
Here's a primer on how Republicans plan to use the Congressional Review Act to stymie executive branch legislation. "Telephone and cable companies do not own the Internet," the senators write. "But if the amendment the House passed is not struck or if their CRA effort is successful, they will."
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