Save the Internet Act

Submission 6,552

Part of a series on Net Neutrality. [View Related Entries]

Overview

The Save the Internet Act is a proposed law that would re-introduce and reinforce internet regulations that would restore net neutrality protections, which were repealed in December 2017.

Background

On December 14th, 2017, the FCC held a vote to repeal the Obama-era net neutrality restrictions, which classified high-speed Internet as a public utility and enabling the implementation of new federal regulations that strictly prohibit the ISPs from pursuing paid prioritization agreements for the so-called "fast-lane Internet" and give the governing body more regulatory powers over business activities of the broadband industry in the United States. The vote succeeded 3-2 in favor of repealing net neutrality.

About a year and a half later, on March 6th, 2019, House and Senate Democrats announced the Save the Internet Act, which would restore and strengthen the rules and regulations repealed in the 2017 vote.^[1]

In the announcement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, "This legislation brings the power of the internet to every corner of this country, from rural America and to our cities. A free and open internet is a pillar in creating opportunities."

Developments

Online Reaction

That day, Senate Democrats^[2] posted a video of the announcement on Twitter. The post received more than 1,000 retweets, 2,500 likes and 37,000 views (shown below, left).

Additionally, Senator Ed Markey, a co-sponsor of the bill, tweeted,^[3] "Here’s the Save The Internet Act of 2019 that nearly every Senate Democrat joined me in introducing today. 3 pages that will restore #NetNeutrality. Let’s pass it and make the internet free and open again. #SaveTheNet." The tweet received more than 800 retweets and 1,400 likes in 24 hours (shown below, center). House Speaker Pelosi also tweeted^[4] about the law, receiving more than 3,200 retweets and 12,000 likes in 24 hours (shown below, right).

Senate Democrats @SenateDems Last Congress, we voted to restore #NetNeutrality'in the Senate. , Now, House and Senate Democrats are introducing a bill to #SaveThe|nternet. Let's pass the Save The Internet Act in both houses and make the internet free and open again. #SaveTheNet #SAVE THE NET Watch Live: #SaveTheNet Senate Democrats @SenateDems 11:18 AM-6 Mar 2019

Ed Markey @SenMarkey Here's the Save The Internet Act of 2019 that nearly every Senate Democrat joined me in Introducing today. 3 pages that will restore #NetNeutrality Let's pass it and make the internet free and open again. #SaveTheNet IST, SESSION Tu restore the Federal Cu"itimnieaticEX Genmissi'ns Open Interliet onkt. and itset nesatrality proteeticns IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 22 1 İANCHİN, Mr. MENENDXx. Mr. MERK.EY. Mr. MURPHY, NIN, MURRAY Mr. PETEIDe Mr. ItEED. Als. ItoHXN. Mr. SANDEK, MIN. SİLAH EEN, Ms. SMITEL, Ms. STABENOW. Mr. TESTE, Ir. UUDAII Mr. VAN HOLLEN lowing bill; which was red twin, and nfemd to the Genmittee唯 A BILL To restorethe Federal Communieations Commission's Opern Internet Onder and its net nentality prntections. 2 tires of the United States of Ameriea in Congvess assembled, 3 SRCTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 11:28 AM-6 Mar 2019

Nancy Pelosi @TeamPelosi House Democrats are keeping their 2018 campaign promise of taking action to restore #Net Neutrality. and #Save TheNet! Nancy Pelosi @TeamPelosi It's time to restore #NetNeutrality . twitter.com/thehill/status... 8:47 AM Mar 6, 2019

On March 5th, ahead of the announcement, Redditor mvea posted "House Democrats Will Introduce 'Save the Internet Act' to Restore Net Neutrality This Week" in the /r/technology.^[5] The following day, Redditor ^[6] GriffonsChainsaw posted about the legislation in the /r/technology subreddit. The post received more than 75,000 points (81% upvoted) and 2,400 comments in 24 hours.