GOP targets net neutrality despite court ruling

House Republicans are not backing down from their attempts to blunt the Federal Communications Commission’s net neutrality rules, even after the rules were fully upheld by an appeals court this month. 

The lower chamber on Wednesday is slated to debate and vote on the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, which contains provisions targeting a number of FCC rules. 

{mosads}The bill would prevent the FCC from enforcing its regulations for internet service providers until after the lawsuit challenging the rules is over. 

While the FCC prevailed in court earlier this month, critics can still appeal.  

The bill would also prevent the FCC from regulating the price that internet service providers charge and require the FCC to publish the text of its rules three weeks before a vote. 

“The appropriations process should not be used to overturn the will of both an independent regulator and millions of Americans on this vital issue,” the White House said in a veto threat. 

Aside from the net neutrality rules, the bill would also stall the FCC from completing its planned move to open up the TV set-top box market. It would delay the rules until long after a study is completed, pushing it to the next president.

The set-top box proposal has gained a lot of pushback in Congress, and even some FCC members say it needs changes. 

While the bill itself has no real chance of being implemented, it could act as a jumping off point for negotiations for a year-end spending bill.

Seventy amendments covering a wide range of issues have been filed in what looks to be an all-day round of debate on the appropriations bill.  

One amendment offered by Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) would prevent the FCC from enforcing its rules that regulate the privacy practices of internet service providers. Those rules are an extension of the net neutrality authority the FCC gave itself last year. 

Another amendment by Democrats would prohibit government funds from being used for action that violates a section of the Communications Act that deals with broadcast sponsorship identification.