Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said Tuesday she plans to restore landmark net neutrality regulations that were repealed under former President Trump. This comes after Democrats this week took majority control of the five-member FCC. They will vote on reinstating net neutrality next month, which would bar internet providers from blocking access or throttling customers’ connections based on how much they pay or which websites they visit. This is Jessica Rosenworcel speaking at the National Press Club yesterday.

Jessica Rosenworcel: “Broadband is no longer just nice to have; it’s need to have for everyone everywhere. It’s not a luxury; it’s a necessity. It is essential infrastructure for modern life.”

Digital rights activists welcomed the announcement. The watchdog group Common Cause said, “To allow a handful of monopoly-aspiring gate-keepers to control access to the internet is a direct threat to our democracy.”