Senate Rejects GOP Bid to Overturn 'Net Neutrality' Internet Rules

WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats have turned back a Republican effort to repeal federal rules designed to prevent Internet service providers from discriminating against those who send content and other services over their networks.

Republicans argued that "net neutrality" rules announced by the Federal Communications Commission last December were another example of federal regulatory overreach that would stifle Internet investment and innovation.

But Democrats said repealing the FCC rules would imperil openness and freedom on the Internet. The White House had issued a veto threat against the GOP-backed legislation.

The rules, slated to go into effect on Nov. 20, prevent the phone and cable companies that control the Internet's pipelines from restricting what their customers do online or from blocking competing services.