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Representative Sean Patrick Maloney of New York introduced legislation to block the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from dismantling net neutrality rules.

On December 14, the FCC will vote on its plan to repeal the existing net neutrality rules that ensures and protects the open internet.

Under the current rules, Internet Services Providers (ISPs) are prohibited from blocking, speeding up or slowing down the transmission of content. They are also prohibited from increasing costs to consumers by changing the pricing model that exists today.

The Title II of the FCC Act of 1934 and Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 classify ISPs as common carriers. They are subject to regulation as utilities.

Save Net Neutrality Act

In a statement, Rep. Maloney said the Save Net Neutrality Act will “stop the FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). It will also “keep the internet the way it is – affordable, open, and full of innovation.”

According to him, the FCC’s proposal is the “worst” because it will “screw up” people’s access to the internet. He also noted that the Commissions “comment period is mess” and the proposal “full of holes.”

Rep. Maloney explained that the “Save Net Neutrality Act will simply prevent the FCC from relying on the NPRM process that will conclude with a final vote on December 14th.”

Additionally, the bill refrains from making policy prescriptions. However, it invalidates the process that results in the creation of an enforceable rule authorized by the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).  Without the ability to rely on the rule, the FCC needs start over the NPRM process from scratch.

New York AG investigating fake comments on net neutrality

Last month, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman launched an investigation into FCC’s comment process. His office discovered a massive scheme to corrupt the comment process on net neutrality with fake comments from identity thieves.

Earlier this month, the FCC’s Inspector General finally indicated its willingness to help in the probe. The Commission was initially unwilling to provide critical evidence in its possession to the AG’s office.

Senators demand FCC to abandon its proposal

Separately, 39 senators criticized the FCC’s plan as “radical and reckless” and demanded Chairman Ajit Pai to abandon it.

In their letter to Pai, they warned that moving forward with the plan will “amount to the largest abdication of the FCCs statutory responsibilities in history.”

Since its inception, the FCC’s primary duty is to protect consumers and public interest with respect to communication networks.

The senators said, “With your current proposal, you have now decided to throw overboard those long-standing responsibilities—and consumers with them. In short, you are walking away from your statutory duties and effectively eliminating FCC oversight over high-speed internet access.”