So Red the Rose

The Senate on Thursday voted to keep in place the Federal Communications Commission’s controversial rules aimed at preserving open Internet access.

Republicans had pushed to overturn the so-called net neutrality rules, and a resolution to do so failed 52-46 in the Democratic-controlled Senate. The White House this week had threatened to veto the action if the Senate approved it.

The vote ends a months-long attempt by opponents of the rules to get them wiped out. In April, the Republican-controlled House voted 240-179 in favor of a similar resolution of disapproval.

Nearly all Republicans oppose the new rules, arguing the FCC overstepped its authority and that regulation of the Internet will stifle its growth.

“Over the past 20 years, the Internet has grown and flourished without burdensome regulations from Washington,” said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), who led the push in the Senate to overturn the rules. “If we’re going to keep an open and free Internet and keep the jobs it spawns, we should reject the FCC regulation on net neutrality.”

(Source: bampowsmash, via chrishealy)