Activists launch site to track lawmakers’ positions on net neutrality

A pro-net neutrality group is launching a new campaign to pressure members of Congress into saving the Federal Communications Commission rules from repeal.

Fight for the Future announced a new website on Wednesday to turn up the heat on lawmakers ahead of the midterm elections later this year.

“It’s 2018. If they don’t vote for net neutrality this spring, we can vote them out in November,” reads a banner on votefornetneutrality.com.

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The FCC voted to repeal the Obama-era net neutrality rules in December, prompting a massive outcry from internet users and Democrats. The rules required internet service providers to treat all web traffic equally.

Democrats in the House and Senate have promised bills to block the FCC’s move using the Congressional Review Act, which gives Congress the ability to kill recently passed regulations with a simple majority in both chambers and the president’s signature. Those bills have been backed by Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who has vowed to force a vote on his chamber’s legislation.

Fight for the Future plans to keep a scorecard documenting where lawmakers land on the issue. Its new site helps supporters target those who are against the bill or on the fence with calls and tweets.

The group plans to use the site to ensure that members of Congress have to address the issue in the midterms.

“Any lawmaker that ignores the overwhelming consensus among tech experts and this level of public outcry doesn’t deserve to be in office,” said Evan Greer, Fight for the Future’s campaign director. “News outlets keep asking whether net neutrality will be an election issue in 2018. We are going to make it one.”