WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced her support for a Senate resolution to reverse the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) recent decision to repeal net neutrality rules. The legislation, which has the support of 50 senators, requires the support of just one more senator to pass under Congressional Review Act (CRA) rules.

Net neutrality rules protect basic fairness on the internet, prohibiting internet service providers from blocking, slowing down, or discriminating against content online. Repealing the net neutrality rules could lead to higher prices for consumers, slower internet traffic, and even blocked websites.

“Net neutrality rules help foster healthy competition that benefits consumers and makes sure there is basic fairness on and equal access to the internet,” Heitkamp said. “Rural North Dakota consumers and small businesses lose out if internet service providers are allowed to block, throttle, or prioritize certain content, and that’s why I’m supporting a Senate resolution to restore net neutrality and level the playing field for all internet users. This isn't a partisan issue -- the vast majority of North Dakotans who have called and written to my office about this issue support strong net neutrality rules, and the FCC's decision should be reversed. Now we just need one more senator to join our effort, and we’ll have enough votes to reverse this wrongheaded decision.”

CRA resolutions allow Congress to overturn regulatory actions at federal agencies with a simple majority vote in both chambers. The senators will formally introduce the resolution after the rule is submitted to both houses of Congress and published in the federal register and then force a vote within 60 legislative days.

Heitkamp has been a strong supporter of a free internet and greater access to high-speed internet in rural communities. Before the FCC voted to roll back the net neutrality rules in December, Heitkamp expressed her strong concerns about the impact to businesses and consumers – and the need to investigate widespread reports of fraud during the public comment period in a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.

As a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Heitkamp has heard concerns from small business owners in North Dakota about the impact of repealing net neutrality protections. Many small businesses use the internet to sell their products, develop their brands, and some develop technology exclusively to be used online. If small businesses have to leverage more financial resources just to compete on an equal playing field as larger more established businesses, it could hurt these small businesses, and lead less economic activity and less job growth.

As a founding member of the U.S. Senate Broadband Caucus, Heitkamp has been pushing for bipartisan solutions that would connect every North Dakota family, business, and school to high-speed internet. In 2016, she brought FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel to North Dakota to see firsthand how rural areas are impacted by a lack of access to high-speed internet, and she has discussed the issue in multiple meetings with the president.

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