House Passes Net Neutrality Bill with Delgado Amendment to Expand Standalone Broadband Internet

Statement

U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) -- Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1644, the Save the Internet Act, which restores critical net neutrality protections overturned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) last year. The bill includes a Delgado amendment that passed the House with strong bipartisan support by a vote of 363-60.

The Delgado amendment would give the Government Accountability Office (GAO) one year to report to Congress on the benefits to consumers of making broadband internet service available to everyone on a standalone basis. Additionally, it would include recommendations to Congress on ways to increase the availability of standalone broadband internet service, particularly in rural areas. The amendment specifically addresses the practice by some internet service providers who require broadband internet packages to be bundled with additional cable or telephone services the consumer may not need.

According to the FCC's 2018 Communications Marketplace Report, nearly one in four Americans lack access to broadband internet service at home. This issue disproportionately impacts the 46.1 million Americans living in rural communities. Delgado represents the third most rural Democratic district in the country and the eighth most rural district overall.

"Individuals and small businesses in my district still lack access to standalone broadband internet because of high service costs, a lack of broadband infrastructure, and outdated and unreasonable bundling practices that require consumers to pay more for phone and cable services they don't want," Delgado said. "In today's global economy, broadband shouldn't come with any strings attached. The folks in my district don't want to buy big cable bundles, they just want access to the internet. I'm proud my colleagues joined me in passing this important amendment on such a strong bipartisan basis."

The Save the Internet Act codifies the FCC's 2015 Open Internet Order. It mirrors legislation that passed the Senate and had bipartisan support in the House last year. Specifically, the bill:

Strengthens transparency protections, enacting specific rules against blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization, and empowers the FCC to investigate consumer and business complaints and fine internet service providers for violations of the Communications Act;
Protects consumers against unjust, unreasonable, and discriminatory practices, and promotes competition;
Ensures consumers can make informed decisions when shopping for internet plans; and
Restores the FCC's authority to fund broadband access for rural communities, working Americans, veterans, seniors, students and disabled Americans.

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