By KEVIN FREKING
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - Senate Democrats have pushed through a measure designed to ensure equal treatment for all web traffic, but opposition from House Republicans and the White House appears to doom it.
Three Senate Republicans joined in the 52-to-47 vote Wednesday on the bill seeking to reinstate Obama-era "net neutrality" rules. With the likelihood the measure isn't going anywhere, Democrats say their push will energize young voters who are tech savvy and value unfettered access to the internet.
At issue are rules that the Federal Communications Commission repealed in December that prevented providers such as AT&T, Comcast and Verizon from interfering with internet traffic and favoring their own sites and apps. The Trump administration and other critics say overregulation stifles innovation, and they back the FCC's move, which takes effect next month.
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(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik). From left, Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pa., Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y., and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., leave a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 16, 2018, a...
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik). Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y., right, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., left, speak together during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 16, 2018, after the Senate...
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik). Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y., accompanied by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., left, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., second from left, Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Rep. Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif.,...
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik). Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y., accompanied by Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., right, Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., second from left, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., left, laugh during a news confere...