Senate to vote on repealing changes that would end net neutrality

NEW YORK — A critical vote in the US Senate could overturn new rules that would end net neutrality in June.

RELATED: Washington becomes 1st state to approve net-neutrality rules

Senate Democrats, including Washington's Maria Cantwell, are forcing the vote. Advocates for it are arguing the internet should be free and open and everyone should have equal access.

If the bill passes, the Republican-led House has until the end of the year to vote on it, but it's unlikely that Republicans or President Donald Trump will back it, according to CNN Money.

The FCC voted in December to gut U.S. rules that meant to prevent broadband companies such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon from exercising more control over what people watch and see on the internet.

Currently, more than half of states have introduced legislation to preserve net neutrality in their states.

In March, Washington became the first state to set up its own net-neutrality requirements.

Because the FCC prohibited state laws from contradicting its decision, opponents of the Washington law have said it would lead to lawsuits.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee said he was confident of its legality, saying "the states have a full right to protect their citizens."

The FCC set June 11 as the repeal date for the rules.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai says the repeal aims to replace "heavy-handed" rules with a "light-touch" approach to internet regulation.

Associated Press