11/08/2018

Court Declines to Hear Net Neutrality Challenge

The challenge upheld the Obama administration’s net neutrality rules

On Nov. 5, 2018, the Supreme Court of the U.S. declined to hear an appeal of a lower court ruling that upheld the Obama administration’s net neutrality rules, which are designed to restrict Internet service providers’ ability to block or create paid “fast lanes” for web content.

The appeal from various Internet service providers and the Trump administration had asked the Supreme Court to toss out a ruling from the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. Chief Justice John Roberts and newly confirmed Justice Brett Kavanaugh recused themselves from the vote, leaving only three conservative justices arguing in favor of granting the petition and vacating the lower court judgment.

Monday’s order has no bearing on the FCC’s 3-2 vote last December to repeal the rules, a decision that is facing a separate challenge from net neutrality supporters in the DC Circuit.

A spokesperson for FCC Chairman Ajit Pai told The Hill that the agency is still confident that the repeal order will be upheld.

This article was provided to OSAE by the Power of A and ASAE's Inroads.