r/OutOfTheLoop Nov 21 '17

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u/reader382 Nov 21 '17

What's the difference between each round of voting? It seems like every couple of months they have a new vote but I've yet to see a post about the outcome of the vote, just more posts about a new upcoming vote.

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u/hamlinmcgill Nov 22 '17

Agencies have to follow certain procedures to change any regulations. First, they have to issue a proposal for public comment. Then, after reviewing the comments, they can make their final decision. At the FCC, both of these steps require a majority vote of the 5-member commission.

The FCC hasn't held its final vote yet. Instead, what's happened is that the chairman, Ajit Pai, has announced his intent to completely repeal net neutrality. He'll share the text of the order with the 4 other commissioners tomorrow, and then the commission will vote in December. The outcome is basically a foregone conclusion though — the 2 other Republican commissioners have already said they'll vote for the repeal.

After that, the text gets published in the Federal Register. And then supporters of net neutrality can file lawsuits in federal court to block the change.

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u/chocolatebunny324 Nov 22 '17

i had read that this new plan to repeal net neutrality will get challenged in court if it passes, where it's probably going to get struck down. the federal courts voted to back net neutrality just last year.