GOP marks net neutrality anniversary with repeal bill

To mark the one-year anniversary of passage of net neutrality rules, a group of eight Republicans introduced legislation to repeal the regulations. 

The legislation introduced by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) was co-sponsored by the two GOP senators still in the presidential race: Sens. Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Ted Cruz (Texas). Another co-sponsor is Sen. John Cornyn (Texas), No. 2 in GOP leadership. 

{mosads}The simple two-page bill says the Internet regulations would have “no force or effect” and would prevent the Federal Communications Commission from reissuing similar rules in the future. 

The bill has little chance of movement as the regulations face a high-profile court battle. House and Senate Republicans introduced similar resolutions last year that made no progress. 

The controversial rules passed last February reclassify Internet service as a common carrier service, which critics equate with utility-style regulations. The rules are meant to give the FCC more authority to police the conduct of Internet service providers, like Comcast and AT&T.

The rules prevent those companies from blocking or slowing any piece of Internet traffic, while also preventing those companies from prioritizing Internet traffic from websites willing to pay. The rules also contain a broader conduct standard to guard against future abuse. 

Republicans and Internet service providers strongly oppose the rules, and a number of industry groups and companies have sued to block them. Some lawmakers have called for a compromise in Congress, but there has been little movement on that front. Other efforts to chip away at the rules have been unsuccessful. 

Other senators backing the bill include Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Rand Paul (Ky.), Ben Sasse (Neb.) and Thom Tillis (N.C.).