releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=15B6F8E6-8A15-4CF8-A709-884106C2EA2A

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https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=15B6F8E6-8A15-4CF8-A709-884106C2EA2A Heitkamp Raises Concerns over FCC Decision to Roll Back Net Neutrality Protections 2017-12-14 2017 2017-12 Democrat House ND Heidi Heitkamp H001069 www.heitkamp.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Heidi expressed her disappointment with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision to roll back net neutrality rules that makes sure that internet service providers (ISP) maintain fair, open, and equal access to the internet. “The decision by the FCC to roll back net neutrality protections is extremely disappointing,” said Heitkamp. “Having high-speed internet is no longer a luxury, today it’s a necessity. Each of us uses the internet daily to pay our bills, take online classes, and make routine purchases. Having strong net neutrality protections would have kept the internet on a level playing field to help allow start-up businesses to compete with large corporations and rural communities to access affordable internet service. It’s an issue of fairness. The FCC’s actions will ultimately undermine these safeguards. Going forward, I will monitor how internet service providers alter the way the internet is offered and work to find realistic solutions so that the internet can continue to thrive as an open and free platform for everyone.” Earlier this week, Heitkamp expressed to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai her strong concerns about the changes to net neutrality rules. In the letter, Heitkamp requested that the Commission provide her office with a briefing on how these changes will impact small business that rely on the internet to reach consumers and folks in rural America who often have only one option to purchase internet service from. Heitkamp has also raised concerns over how the public comment period was administered. This process allows individuals to provide their thoughts and opinions prior to preparation of the final rule. In a recent analysis, of the almost 22 million comments provided, the Pew Research Center found that 57 percent were submitted using temporary or duplicate e-mail addresses. This duplication raises serious concerns regarding the authenticity of the comments, a benchmark to measure the opinions and thoughts of the American public. Heitkamp is urging the FCC Commissioner to conduct an internal investigation to identify and highlight vulnerabilities in the FCC’s public comment portal, and to recommend updates to improve authentication and validation processes. As a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Heitkamp has heard concerns from small business owners in North Dakota about the impact of repealing net neutrality protections. Many small businesses use the internet to sell their products, develop their brands, and some develop technology exclusively to be used online. If small businesses have to leverage more financial resources just to compete on an equal playing field as larger more established businesses, it could hurt these small businesses, and lead less economic activity and less job growth. As a founding member of the U.S. Senate Broadband Caucus, Heitkamp has been pushing for bipartisan solutions that would connect every North Dakota family, business, and school to high-speed internet. Last year, she brought FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel to North Dakota to see firsthand how rural areas are impacted by a lack of access to high-speed internet, and she has discussed the issue in multiple meetings with the president. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z