Save the Internet Act of 2019
Floor Speech
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Ms. WATERS. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1644, the Save the Internet Act. The Save the Internet Act is a simple and transparent piece of legislation that will restore the widely supported 2015 Open Internet Order rules and reinstate the consumer protections previously applied to industry by the Federal Communications Commission. I am proud to support the Save the Internet Act and thrilled to see Congress doing its job and protecting consumers once again.
Across the United States, more than 129 million people are limited to a single provider for broadband internet access. Of those 129 million Americans, about 52 million must obtain internet access from a company that has violated network neutrality protections in the past and continues to undermine the policy today. This leaves over 177 million Americans, in primarily underserved communities, left without any market protection following the repeal of the 2015 Open Internet Order.
The FCC's repeal of the 2015 Open Internet Order harmed all internet users, but it disproportionately hurt people of color in underserved communities. This is unacceptable, and Congress must fulfill its duty to represent and protect Americans' interests.
My amendment would call on the Comptroller General and the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on the importance of net neutrality and what access to the internet means to those in vulnerable communities. Specifically, it will examine the importance of net neutrality on the socioeconomically disadvantaged, individuals with disabilities, the elderly, racial and ethnic minorities, and individuals from rural communities.
By mandating that the study be conducted by the GAO, we can ensure that the data collected is transparent and free of political motivation. With this report, Congress will be able to decide for itself what the best course for it will be for the vulnerable consumer.
Over 80 percent of Americans support net neutrality and agree that an open internet uplifts the voices of people of color, rural communities, socioeconomically disadvantaged, the elderly, and disabled. It is no coincidence that all these constituencies have joined together, alongside millions of individual internet users. An open internet levels the playing field and gives all Americans a better shot at prosperity and a better opportunity to achieve the American Dream.
Madam Chair, I urge all my colleagues to support gathering critical information to help us improve connectivity for our most vulnerable Americans and to vote in the affirmative for my amendment.
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Ms. WATERS. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Michael F. Doyle).
Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Madam Chair, I thank my friend for yielding.
Madam Chair, during our committee's hearing on net neutrality in the Save the Internet Act, we heard testimony about the importance of a free and open internet to vulnerable populations and groups underrepresented in the traditional media. The message was clear:
Net neutrality protections are critical to vulnerable populations.
Net neutrality is critical for minority communities to have their stories told. It is a lifeline to connecting with job training, employment searches, and family connections.
Net neutrality is important for ensuring that small businesses or aspiring writers can use the internet to find customers and fan bases across the country or across the globe.
Madam Chair, this is an important issue, and I fully support the gentlewoman's amendment.
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Ms. WATERS. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
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