Clinton, Sanders applaud net neutrality ruling

Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders on Tuesday applauded a court decision upholding net neutrality.

In the 2-1 ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the court denied petitions from a number of internet service providers and trade groups to strike down the Federal Communications Commission’s rules, which are considered the strongest internet service regulations ever written.

Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee, called the ruling a win for consumers, innovation and free speech.

Today’s #NetNeutrality decision is a big win for consumers, innovation, and freedom of expression on the internet: https://t.co/FcXI66zHDF

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 14, 2016

{mosads}Sanders said the ruling would ensure that democracy does not get handed over to “the highest bidder” — an apparent reference to the rule that bans internet service providers from creating “fast lanes” on the internet for content companies willing to pay extra.

Sanders tweeted from his Senate-based account, rather than his presidential campaign’s handle. 

Today’s decision will help ensure we don’t turn over our democracy to the highest bidder. https://t.co/5ezINBiRmL

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 14, 2016

Presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump has not spoken on Tuesday’s decision, and a spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

However, he has been an opponent of net neutrality in the past. When President Obama released a video in 2014 urging the FCC to create the strongest framework possible, Trump responded by calling it a “top down power grab” and saying it will target conservatives. 

Obama’s attack on the internet is another top down power grab. Net neutrality is the Fairness Doctrine. Will target conservative media.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2014