{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/opposing-the-fccs-net-neutrality-vote-16d821c50eda?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2", "Opposing the FCCs Net Neutrality Repeal", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "medium.com", null, null, "legacy", "Opposing the FCC\u2019s Net Neutrality Repeal When I started a small business with friends in El Paso back in the 1990s, we were able to create websites and software for our clients. With the state, country, and world at their fingertips, those businesses created dozens of high-skilled, high-wage jobs in a place where many thought it couldn\u2019t happen. That was only possible because we could leverage and harness the power of an open and free internet, without having to \u201cpay-for-play\u201d to internet service providers. Reversing net neutrality would mean that the 2.2 million small businesses in Texas do not receive the same opportunity I had. Their growth and success would be halted. Their employees and customers would feel the brunt of the FCC\u2019s decision. But that\u2019s exactly what happened today. The FCC just voted to roll back net neutrality and end the free and open internet as we know it. This vote will undermine the power of people on the internet\u200a\u2014\u200awhere today, everyone\u2019s ideas, opinions and creations are available to the world at common access. This vote will give more control to the internet service providers, special interests, and highest bidders. This vote will be bad our American ideals of expression\u200a\u2014\u200ahurting everything from the arts and innovation to Democracy and free speech as we know it. And this vote will allow corporations to decide what programs you watch, what news you read, what music you hear, and what opinions you see. Like the majority of Americans, I support net neutrality. That\u2019s why I have taken immediate and direct action to oppose efforts that force its repeal. I co-sponsored the Save Net Neutrality Act (H.R. 4585), which blocks the FCC\u2019s attempt to end our free and open internet. Joining with colleagues, I also sent a letter to the FCC that urged them to stop their proposed order aimed at reversing net neutrality. I then signed an additional letter to the FCC asking them to, at a minimum, delay their vote so those across our state and throughout our country could continue making their voice heard on this critical issue. I am disappointed in the FCC\u2019s decision. I believe net neutrality rules are crucial to creating a level playing field online. Going forward, I will continue to support efforts to block the FCC\u2019s net neutrality repeal whether through amicus briefs to the courts or by working with my colleagues on legislation that promotes open and equal access to the internet.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/opposing-the-fccs-net-neutrality-vote-16d821c50eda?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5105740167200565, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}