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Consumers Union statement on Rep. Coffman’s signing of net neutrality discharge petition

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colorado) today announced that he will sign a discharge petition to advance the congressional resolution that would restore the Federal Communications Commission’s net neutrality rules. The congressman also introduced a bill to restore the rules.  Coffman is the first Republican House member to sign the petition that would force the House to take up the resolution.  With his signature, lawmakers have 177 of the 218 signatures they need for a discharge petition.

Consumers Union, the advocacy division of Consumer Reports, is urging lawmakers to sign the discharge petition and vote “yes” in favor of the resolution.  Consumers Union is a strong supporter of net neutrality rules, which prevent internet service providers (ISPs) from blocking, slowing, or giving preferential treatment to any internet content.

Jonathan Schwantes, senior policy counsel for Consumers Union, said, “We applaud Congressman Coffman for standing up for consumers and signing the petition to restore net neutrality.  The congressman’s stance reflects the views of the majority of Americans across the political spectrum who agree that the internet should remain an open marketplace where companies large and small can compete.  Congressman Coffman’s action is another step forward in the fight for net neutrality, and it demonstrates once again that this is a bipartisan issue. This resolution faced an uphill battle in the Senate, but it ultimately won with bipartisan support, and momentum is building in the House.  It’s time for the House to quickly take action and overturn the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality, to ensure an open internet for everyone.”

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Contact: David Butler, dbutler@consumer.org

Consumers Union is the advocacy division of Consumer Reports, an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.