http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2009/09/senators_plan_bill_to_advance.html?hpid=sec-politicsSenators Plan Bill To Advance Net Neutrality
Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (D-N.D.) said in an interview Monday that he and Sen. Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) are considering legislation aimed at helping advance the adoption of new rules on net neutrality. Such a bill could be a timetable or deadline for the Federal Communications Commission to finish its rule-making process, said Dorgan, the senior member on the Commerce Committee.
Last week, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski proposed rules that would prevent telecommunications, cable and wireless companies from blocking or slowing Internet traffic related to specific applications or services
"It's more likely to be something that is helpful in the process," said Dorgan, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee. Dorgan and Snowe have been a vocal proponents of such rules. The senators had announced they would introduce a net neutrality bill like the one introduced earlier in the month in the House by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif)., Anna Eschoo (D-Calif.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass).
Dorgan said he plans to discuss such options with Snowe later this week.
"I personally believe the FCC has the authority to do what the {FCC} chairman intends to do, but others might disagree with that," Dorgan said. "I think the question is if there is a way for us to be helpful as the chairman moves forward. I think we would want to introduce legislation to help the goal.