Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s (D-Ariz.) decision not to back a bill that would restore net neutrality rules is one reason some progressive members of Arizona’s Democratic Party want to censure her, according to reports.
A group of progressive members of the state’s Democratic Party is seeking to move on a vote to censure Sinema, the Arizona Republic reports. The group notes that Sinema voted to appoint some of President Donald Trump’s nominees for positions as one reason for their desire to hold a vote.
It also specifically mentions her decision to be the lone Democrat not to cosponsor the Senate version of the Save the Internet Act, a bill that would restore net neutrality rules and the 2015 Open Internet Order.
A version of the bill passed in the House of Representatives in April, but it has languished in the Senate despite efforts from some lawmakers to force a vote.
Sinema’s decision prompted backlash from advocates. A crowdfunded billboard was put up by digital rights group Fight for the Future along a major highway in Phoenix that called the Arizona senator “corrupt” and said she was “siding with corporate donors to kill net neutrality so you pay more for worse internet.”
Earlier this year, Sinema’s office told the Daily Dot the senator did not think that internet service providers (ISPs) should be regulated under Title II of the Communications Act.
Sinema also formed a working group with Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the chair of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transpiration Committee, to try and produce “bipartisan” net neutrality legislation.
In May, Sinema’s office told the Daily Dot members of Sinema and Wicker’s offices had met with “a diverse group of experts with a wide range of opinions on how to codify net neutrality, protect internet freedom, and ensure robust investment.”
The group did not specify who the experts were.
The censure resolution will be considered on Saturday, according to the Arizona Republic.
READ MORE:
- Why is Kyrsten Sinema bucking her party on net neutrality?
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