The U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted on Thursday to repeal rules relating to net neutrality, which Democrats hope could prompt millennials to vote for them in next year’s elections.
Democrats may try to present the repeal, announced by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, an appointee of President Donald Trump’s, as proof Republicans are not concerned about young people and consumers in general.
“The American public is angry,” FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said. Rosenworcel, who is a Democrat, added that the Republican majority’s actions have “awoken a sleeping giant.”
Attitudes toward “net neutrality” are divided in the Congress and the debate has turned into the election issue that Democrats hope will help them win next year, Reuters says.
Net neutrality rules prevent internet providers from limiting customers’ access to specific websites or slowing down speeds for certain content. According to studies, young people use the internet considerably more than older people and they feel strongly about fair and open internet access.
For that reason, Democrats believe young American voters may be encouraged to vote against Republicans, despite not being active on other issues such as taxes or foreign policy.
Democratic Senator Brian Schatz said on Twitter “young people need to take the lead on net neutrality. It’s possible for Millennial political leadership to make a real difference here.”
Republicans on the FCC assure young people that the repeal won’t affect their ability to access the internet. However, according to some polls, the net neutrality issue could be used by Democrats to gather support in the 2018 midterm congressional elections, Democratic strategist Jesse Ferguson noted.
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