Katie Porter: “The Save the Internet Act of 2019 empowers the Federal Communications Commission, the FCC, to enforce net neutrality…”

“The Save the Internet Act of 2019 empowers the Federal Communications Commission, the FCC, to enforce net neutrality, protect consumers, and assist them with complaints against their internet service providers. The FCC can fine internet service providers when they break the rules. However, simply issuing fines to a bad actor isn't enough to change the behavior of those bad actors. Those fines need to be collected. Corporations that break the law must pay. My amendment would require the FCC to report to Congress within 1 year on the number of enforcement actions it has taken against internet service providers that violate net neutrality. Importantly, that report must include both the fines imposed and the amounts collected. The FCC must act as a cop on the beat when internet service providers misbehave, protecting consumers and keeping the internet free and open to all. When the FCC finds a bad actor, that fine should be paid by the company. If the FCC is not following through on protecting consumers, Congress should know so it can take oversight action, if necessary. The FCC failing to collect fines is a real concern. Recently, The Wall Street Journal has highlighted the extent of the problem. While the FCC has imposed record fines on robocallers--$208 million-- it has collected less than $7,000 since 2015. That is 0.003 percent of the fines imposed.…”