Tea Party activists pressure Dems to vote down net neutrality

“Call, email and fax them NOW and demand they strike a win for liberty and support H.J. Res. 37,” the email said. It included their office phone numbers, email addresses and fax numbers.

The resolution in question was offered by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), chairman of the Communications subcommittee. It uses a Congressional Review Act vehicle to repeal the FCC’s controversial regulations. 

The measure has near-unanimous support from Republicans, but the White House has threatened to veto it. It goes up for a House vote on Thursday. A Senate Commerce aide said the timeline in that chamber remains in question. 

Tea Party activists see net-neutrality rules, which rein in how phone and cable companies may treat Internet traffic, as overaggressive and unnecessary government interference. 

Proponents say the rules are needed to protect the growth of Internet companies by preventing Internet access providers from blocking or slowing certain websites and applications.