For Net Neutrality, the Fight Continues
By Lauren Hovel
Posted on Thu Jun 29, 2006 at 11:50:16 AM EST
Apparently, in the Senate, the tie goes to the industry lobbyists.
The Senate Commerce Committee ended in an 11-11 tie yesterday over an amendment (sponsored by Senator Snowe, R-ME, and Senator Dorgan, D-ND) that would protect Internet freedom and ensure that network providers cannot discriminate based on content. A tie means that the amendment --which was opposed by cable and telephone industry lobbyists-- was not added to the overall bill.
It was a disappointing outcome, but all hope is not lost. Though Senator Ensign (R-NV) called the Snowe-Dorgan amendment a "poison pill" that would have killed the bill, other Senators say they will not vote for telecommunications reform without a strong net neutrality provision. Accordingly, a debate about net neutrality is virtually guaranteed to occur on the floor of the Senate. Even Senator Stevens (R-AK), the committee's chairman, noted he was worried the bill would not receive the 60 votes necessary for cloture.
Yesterday's markup was also disappointing for many community activists as a "build-out" provision sponsored by Senator Kerry (D-MA) and Senator Boxer (D-CA) was defeated. This amendment aimed to guarantee that video service would reach all Americans, at a rate that, according to Senator Kerry, would not be onerous for phone & cable companies, since it mandated incremental build-out requirements based on a company's success. Republicans said Kerry's amendment was unnecessary, as market competition would ultimately work to provide Americans with high-tech services. However, Senator Dorgan noted the importance of Kerry's amendment to rural areas, where market competition alone will not guarantee access. It was a close vote, but the amendment ultimately failed, 12-10.
On the positive side, the committee did pass Senator McCain's amendment to expand low power FM (LPFM) stations on the publicly-owned airwaves in a 14-7 vote. According to McCain, this would allow for more than 2,000 LPFM stations. LPFM stations would increase radio diversity and local control, help showcase local artists, and fight against media consolidation. LPFM stations could also be a significant aid in crisis situations.
Despite the addition of the LPFM amendment, the telecom reform bill is highly unsatisfactory. Hopefully, the bill will not make it off the Senate floor. The fight to save the Internet continues.
Tags: Media and Democracy, Net Neutrality, Telecom, Senate (all tags)
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