WASHINGTON– U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., at a press conference with U.S. Sens. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., Al Franken D-Minn., and Bernie Sanders I-Vt., today, praised the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) net neutrality proposal, which was announced this morning and will be voted on by the FCC on February 26.
The proposed changes would give the FCC strong legal authority to ensure that no content is blocked and no so-called pay-to-play fast lanes exist — a concept commonly referred to as net neutrality.
“Today is an extraordinary day for Net Neutrality, and it’s an extraordinary day for our democracy. The FCC’s decision to preserve Net Neutrality is vital for our economy to flourish and it is also one of the most critical principles for our country - this ideal that everyone’s voice matters. That we can have equal access, whether you are marginalized, a minority, or small in economic power, you too can participate in a fair, open playing field where powerful economic forces cannot choke your voice or further marginalize your opinions. Where people who are innovators, folks that want to stand up against conventional wisdom, people who want to go against the grain with unpopular ideas, that everyone in this incredible space can be treated in a neutral way, this is a fundamental ideal in our democracy, worthy of preserving. The fight for Net Neutrality goes on. There’s more work to do, but today is definitely a good day.”
Sen. Booker’s complete remarks can be viewed here.
In December, Sen. Booker co-authored an oped calling for robust net neutrality rules to preserve the open Internet, encourage innovation, and protect consumers. In July, he joined several Democratic Senators in a letter to the FCC, urging it to reclassify broadband Internet access as a common carrier service under Title II of the Communications Act. The FCC’s latest action represents a critical step forward in ensuring the Internet remains an even playing field for small businesses and individuals across the country.