Rep. Coffman Stands Up For Net Neutrality, Becomes First House Republican to Support CRA

Today, Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) became the first Republican in the House of Representatives to sign onto a measure (H.J.Res.129) that uses the Congressional Review Act to restore the net neutrality rules that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently repealed. With Rep. Coffman’s support, the discharge petition to bring the measure to the floor of the House for a vote now has 177 signatures. The Senate approved an identical measure in May with the backing of three Republicans.

The following quote can be attributed to Sarah Morris, Director of Open Internet Policy at New America’s Open Technology Institute:

“We are thrilled to see Rep. Coffman stand up for American consumers and small businesses in the fight for a fair and open internet, and commend his support of the CRA. Rep. Coffman has been an outspoken critic of the FCC’s repeal of the rules since the Commission’s vote in December, and supporting the CRA underscores his willingness to confront tough policy issues head on.

“Support for strong net neutrality protections has always been and continues to be a common sense position outside the Beltway, even if it has taken time for some policymakers inside the Beltway to catch up. OTI urges both Republicans and Democrats to heed the calls from their constituents, and sign onto the CRA to restore the net neutrality rules.”