Today on the Hill: FCC Rule Rollback in the House; Montenegro to Become 29th Member of NATO

The dust will continue to settle in Congress as lawmakers slide back into regular business following last week’s excitement. House lawmakers will consider a Senate-passed resolution (S.J. Res. 34) today that would undo privacy rules for internet service providers enacted under the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) last year. Specifically, the rules require providers to receive an “opt-in” commitment from consumers before sharing their information with other companies for marketing purposes. Internet rights advocates fear that the resolution would undermine consumer privacy and encourage the selling of their information, while proponents say that the rules would confuse internet users and limit a vital source of revenue for providers. The resolution was passed on a 50-48 party-line vote in the Senate, meaning that House passage today would send the resolution to the president’s desk for enactment.

Meanwhile, the Senate will complete its constitutional duty today by considering an amendment to the founding treaty of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) that would allow for the Balkan country of Montenegro to join the alliance. Montenegro, a former part of Yugoslavia, declared its independence from Serbia in 2006 and received its official invitation to join NATO in 2015. The move is largely supported by both parties, with only Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Mike Lee (R-UT) voting against the motion to invoke cloture yesterday.  

After the Senate Judiciary Committee held an executive session to discuss Neil Gorsuch’s nomination to the Supreme Court yesterday, three more Democrats – Sens. Bill Nelson (D-FL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Sheldon White House (D-RI) – announced they would oppose confirmation on the Senate floor. Republicans are hoping to convince at least 8 Democrats to approve Gorsuch, which would prevent a filibuster from blocking his confirmation. However, should Democrats remain united against Gorsuch, many Republicans have already suggested that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) use the so-called “nuclear option” to change Senate rules to approve Supreme Court nominees by a simple majority. The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to advance Gorsuch’s nomination on Apr. 3, and Leader McConnell has suggested a floor vote will follow later next week.