Fight for Internet Freedom Moves to Senate Floor

Free Press, Consumers Union and Consumer Federation of America Respond to Senate Commerce Committee Tie Vote on Net Neutrality

WASHINGTON — The Senate Commerce Committee fell a single vote short of passing an amendment to safeguard the free and open Internet as momentum builds toward a full Senate vote on Net Neutrality.

Offered by Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), the amendment to Senator Stevens' telecommunications bill (S. 2686) would have ensured meaningful protection for Net Neutrality, preventing big phone and cable companies from turning the Internet into their private tollway.

The amendment failed by a tie vote of 11-11. All ten Democratic committee members voted in favor with Senator Snowe. The eleven remaining Republican members voted against the amendment.