House OKs bill on high-speed Internet service rates

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Republicans snubbed a White House veto threat and pushed legislation through the House that would bar the government from regulating rates that high-speed Internet service providers charge consumers.

House approval Friday came on a near party-line 241-173 vote. With the Senate yet to act and facing a promised veto from the Obama administration, the measure faces long odds of enactment.

The Federal Communications Commission has said it has no intention of regulating broadband Internet service rates. Republicans argued that the Obama administration could not be trusted and said the bill would enshrine that principle into law so the commission could not change its mind in the future.