In a closely contested vote today, the Senate narrowly overturned the Federal Communications Commission’s “Restoring Internet Freedom Order,” the 2017 rollback of Obama-era net neutrality protections that had classified broadband as a public utility under Title II.
Net neutrality is the principle that internet service providers should treat all online traffic equally, without favoring or blocking particular websites, services, or applications. Opponents argue that heavier users or bandwidth-intensive services should shoulder greater costs to support network investment and maintenance. Supporters counter that permitting pay-for-priority arrangements would undermine competition and innovation, allowing large, established companies to buy faster access for their customers while smaller startups struggle to compete.
Senators used the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to bring the matter to the floor, forcing a simple up-or-down vote on whether to invalidate the FCC’s repeal. The CRA allows Congress to overturn federal regulations with a simple majority and prevents the issuing agency from reissuing a similar rule without explicit authorization.
The Senate vote was 52–47 in favor of overturning the Restoring Internet Freedom Order. All 49 Senate Democrats voted to restore the net neutrality rules, joined by three Republicans: Susan Collins of Maine, John Kennedy of Louisiana, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Their support proved decisive in the narrow margin.
Senator John Kennedy put his position succinctly in comments to the Washington Post: “If you trust your cable company, you’re not going to like my vote today. If you don’t trust your cable company, you will.” His remark highlighted the central divide in the debate—whether consumers can rely on providers to act fairly without enforceable rules.
Public polling consistently shows broad, bipartisan support for net neutrality protections. A survey conducted by the Program for Public Consultation at the University of Maryland found that 83 percent of respondents supported maintaining existing net neutrality rules, including 89 percent of Democrats and 75 percent of Republicans. That level of cross-party backing has helped sustain momentum for congressional action.
Advocates and legal experts praised the Senate outcome. Former FCC attorney Gigi Sohn said the vote reflected growing popular and political momentum in favor of restoring net neutrality protections, urging supporters to continue pushing for action in the House and at the presidential level.
Despite today’s win, the process is far from complete. The CRA resolution now advances to the House of Representatives, where it must secure majority approval before it can reach the president’s desk. Only after passage in both chambers would the resolution be presented to the president for signature or veto.
Predicting the White House response remains uncertain. President Donald Trump has not always taken consistent stances on regulatory matters, and his administration initially backed the FCC’s move to repeal Title II protections. Ajit Pai, the FCC chairman who led the agency’s effort to eliminate net neutrality rules, was appointed by President Trump, and his track record suggests the administration may be reluctant to support the CRA.
If the House approves the Senate resolution and it reaches the president, the outcome will hinge on whether the administration signs it or issues a veto. Even if the president vetoes the CRA, the Senate and House could attempt to override the veto with two-thirds majorities in both chambers, a difficult and unlikely outcome given current partisan margins.
Beyond this legislative fight, net neutrality advocates are preparing for legal and regulatory efforts to restore protections through Congress or the FCC. Courts previously weighed in on the FCC’s authority over broadband classification, and any future agency action could face additional litigation. Meanwhile, consumer groups and technology companies continue to press for statutory protections that would make net neutrality less vulnerable to administrative changes.
This vote underscores the enduring public interest in how the internet is governed and the stakes for competition, innovation, and consumer protections. With the issue now moving to the House and the White House, the national conversation over net neutrality is likely to continue, with advocates on both sides mobilizing to shape the next steps.
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