Lawmaker Seeks Allies to Reverse Net Neutrality Repeal

The net neutrality fight isn’t over if one senator has his way.

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday published the Restoring Internet Freedom Order on the Federal Register, the next step in repealing rules that prohibited broadband companies from prioritizing certain websites or users over others by charging more for faster speeds. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., is spearheading a Congressional Review Act to reverse the repeal and so far he has 50 supporters. He’s looking for one more Senate vote—though how it would fair in the House is another matter.

“The internet doesn’t belong to big internet service providers and special interests who want to turn it into a toll road where consumers will pay more while the biggest corporations get to ride in the fast lane,” he said in a statement. “With only 60 legislative days to find one more vote, I call on my Republican colleagues to join us and the vast majority of Americans who want the internet to remain free and open and a level playing field for everyone.”

C’Mon Equifax, You Can Do a Little More

The breached credit report company Equifax should offer at least three years of credit monitoring and identity theft protection to breach victims, Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee urged Tuesday. The Equifax breach affected more than 140 million people, or about 40 percent of the U.S. population.

“Given the sensitive nature of the personal information that was stolen—and the ability of criminals to store and use that information for years to come—we believe that the millions of U.S. consumers whose personal information was compromised in the Equifax data breach should receive the most robust form of credit protection and identity theft services available,” the members wrote in a letter to the company’s interim CEO.

As Long As We’re Talking About Border Security

Customs and Border Protection agents aren’t technically capable of reading anti-forgery smart chips in passports more than a decade after the chips were mandated for countries that don’t require a visa to enter the U.S., according to a Thursday letter Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., sent to agency leadership.

The senators urged the agency’s acting commissioner to work with technical experts at the General Services Administration so agents can read the chips by January 2019.

Let’s Put Some Cyber in Those N.K. Sanctions

Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., criticized a slate of sanctions the Trump administration imposed on North Korea Friday, saying the administration didn’t do enough to attack the hermit kingdom’s cyber armies.

“Despite North Korea being an avowed state sponsor of cybercrime, the country’s illicit cyber activities are not addressed,” Markey said in a statement. The sanctions also should have prohibited North Korea form stealing cryptocurrencies to fund its military operations, Markey wrote, and should have addressed allegations that Russia is providing internet connectivity to the rogue nation and that China has hosted its hacking infrastructure.

One to Watch

A controversial bill aimed at curbing online sex-trafficking is scheduled for a House vote Tuesday, according to House calendar. The Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act and its Senate counterpart have been the center of months-long dispute between human rights groups and the tech community, which fears the legislation would limit online free speech.

While initial amendments to FOSTA won over some of the bill’s original opponents, but the most recent iteration places more responsibility on web platforms to police their sites, reigniting criticism from tech groups.

The Week Ahead

Retiring U.S. Cyber Command Chief Adm. Michael Rogers will testify before the Senate Armed Service Committee Tuesday. The appearance comes as CYBERCOM is poised to reach full operational capability. That day, the House Homeland Security Committee will review Transportation Security Administration traveler engagement efforts and will consider industry recommendations to ensure proper vetting of contract employees.

The Senate Homeland Security Committee will debate a proposal to reauthorize the Homeland Security Department during a Wednesday meeting.

The Senate Energy Committee will examine the cybersecurity of the nation’s energy infrastructure Thursday.

Jack Corrigan contributed to this article.