Net Neutrality Repeal: Where Long Island Pols Stand

In December, the FCC is voting on whether to not to repeal Net Neutrality. It's a decision that could fundamentally change the way people use the Internet, and it has caused quite a stir.

Basically, Net Neutrality means that Internet Service Providers (ISPs — companies like Optimum and Verizon) have to treat all content on the Internet equally. You can access every website at the same speed, and you don't have to pay extra for certain online services. Without Net Neutrality, that could all change. ISPs could charge extra for streaming services like Netflix, make access to social media like Facebook or Twitter a premium service, or slow down the connection to websites that compete with their services, or that they just don't like.

Most of Long Island's representatives, including New York's two senators, are in favor of keeping Net Neutrality in place, and have said that they would oppose plans to change it.

• RELATED: FCC Blocks Probe Of Net Neutrality 'Fake Comments': Official

"Just as our free highway system helped build jobs in America in the 20th century, Net Neutrality will help build jobs in the 21st century," Sen. Chuck Schumer said. "To take a step back hurts our economy, our job growth and middle-class and working people. It is a disaster."

Long Island's two Democratic Congressional representatives also joined the fight to keep Net Neutrality.

"I support net neutrality 100 percent. We can't allow cable and internet service providers to arbitrarily speed up, slow down or block access to websites and platforms," said Tom Suozzi. "I am completely against the FCC's plans to dismantle important regulations already in place that work to ensure net neutrality. Overturning those rules will give cable, satellite and internet providers the ability to charge burdensome and unfair fees to consumers. We need a free and open Internet, not one that picks winners and losers."

He was joined in his sentiment by Kathleen Rice. "Rep. Rice fully supports net neutrality," said her spokesman Coleman Lamb. "Many constituents have reached out to us about this issue, and Rep. Rice will keep making their voices heard and pushing the FCC to ensure that all Americans have equal access to the internet."

Long Island's leading Republican representatives, Peter King, did not respond to Patch's requests for comment. But his colleague, Lee Zeldin, did. "Americans should have access to a free and open internet, and getting the government out of the way is a welcome step in allowing consumers to harness the opportunity of the Internet Age," Zeldin told Patch.

Zeldin spoke about his position in a letter to a constituent that was posted on Reddit last week. Zeldin said in the letter that he did not support the FCC's 2015 decision that codified the Internet as a public utility, which cemented Net Neutrality rules.

You can still call your representatives to voice your opinion on Net Neutrality. You can also say what you think about the attempts to repeal it in the comments below.

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