Handful of Dems break ranks on net neutrality vote

Five House Democrats broke ranks and voted with Republicans on Friday to approve a bill to prevent the Federal Communications Commission from regulating the rates that Internet providers charge for service. 

Any crossovers were striking because the vote was seen as the closest thing to a referendum on the FCC’s net neutrality regulations since they were approved on a divided vote at the commission last year.

{mosads}The Democratic yes votes came from Reps. Jim Costa (Calif.), Scott Peters (Calif.), Collin Peterson (Minn.), Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) and Albio Sires (N.J.).  

All but Sires are Democrats aligning with the Blue Dogs, the New Dem Coalition or both. Both groups are seen as more centrist than the Democratic Party in general. 

Three of the five — Peters, Peterson and Sinema — are in competitive races in 2016, but observers expect them to hold their seats. 

The bill would prevent the FCC from setting or reviewing the prices that Internet service providers charge. The FCC has said it has no intention of regulating those rates under its net neutrality rules. Democrats say the GOP bill would go much further to limit much of the commission’s authority. 

The White House vowed to veto the bill if it ever made it to the president’s desk.