9/13/2006 4:00:00 AM Net neutrality amendment divides Senate down the middle
Here's a simple equation that seems to happen every two years:
Election year + Congress = Lame duck session.
This September's quackworthy session could actually benefit the American public on at least one issue: Internet neutrality.
Currently, the Senate is reviewing whether to approve a version of the Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement Act of 2006 that the House approved in July.
It would let telecommunications companies and Internet providers charge for differing levels of Internet service. For example, they may want to charge more for voice over Internet protocol (watch out Vonage), online video games, and for access to different versions of the Internet.
Critics say it would let companies such as Verizon, Qwest and CableOne offer speedy access to Web sites they have contracts with, while giving slower access to sites that do not pay them top dollar. Hypothetically, that could hurt millions of small businesses, students, schools, governments and nonprofits that can't afford high-priority access.
The critics want Congress to approve a "Net neutrality" amendment that would require the FCC to prohibit varied pricing. In essence, this amendment would keep the Internet the same.
The House didn't approve the amendment, and the Senate could have voted on it in June, but Ron Wyden, D-Ore., put a hold on the bill. Wyden's staff told the Associated Press that he won't lift the hold until he gets strong Net neutrality clauses, which are proving extremely divisive.
As the Associated Press recently reported at the end of June, the Senate Commerce Committee deadlocked 11-11 on the Net neutrality clauses. The same 22 members approved letting Internet Service Providers charge more for video service.
Internet providers argue they have the right to charge varied prices in our almost-free market economy, and their lobbyists will keep spreading money around Washington, D.C. A growing Internet coalition also will scream bloody murder about how that will hurt everyone from students to business owners.
It would be a shame for the Senate to rush this bill through without lengthy debate, because it will affect millions of Americans (including those of you who don't own computers, but work for companies that sell products on the Internet).
It wouldn't hurt for this lame duck to quack a little longer.
To learn more about this complicated bipartisan issue, visit the following Web sites:
