WASHINGTON, DC – On Wednesday, Rep. John Garamendi voted to pass H.R. 1644, the Save the Internet Act, to restore popular, bipartisan net neutrality protections for consumers and small businesses after the Trump Administration ended these vital protections last year.

The Save the Internet Act passed the House by a vote of 232-190.

“The power of the Internet has always been rooted in its role as a level playing field where the best ideas, not those with the most money, succeed,” said Garamendi. “It is an honor to join my colleagues on behalf of the people of California and Americans across the country to pass the Save the Internet Act to restore net neutrality protections and make the Internet better, cheaper and faster for California consumers, entrepreneurs and small businesses. With this critical vote, we are taking bold action to create good-paying jobs and ensure that American dynamism and entrepreneurialism can continue to be the envy of the world.”

The bicameral Save the Internet Act creates popular, bipartisan and targeted net neutrality protections, and codifies the FCC’s 2015 Open Internet Order similar to last year’s Congressional Review Act that passed the Senate and had bipartisan support in the House:

– Strengthening transparency protections, enacting specific rules against blocking, throttling and paid prioritization, and empowering the FCC to investigate consumer and business complaints and fine internet service providers for violations of the Communications Act;
– Protecting consumers against unjust, unreasonable and discriminatory practices, and promoting competition;
– Ensuring consumers can make informed decisions when shopping for internet plans; and
– Restoring the FCC’s authority to fund broadband access for rural communities, working Americans, veterans, seniors, students and disabled Americans.