Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) today joined her House colleagues in a bipartisan vote to pass the Save the Internet Act, which would restore net neutrality provisions for internet users. The legislation passed with a Porter amendment that would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to document the enforcement actions it has taken against internet service providers, ensuring that the FCC follows through with fines for companies violating the law.

“As we vote to restore a free and open internet, we should also vote to provide oversight of agency tasked to protect consumers,” Porter said. “It is important that the FCC acts as the cop on the beat when internet service providers misbehave. When the FCC fines against a bad actor, that fine should be collected. If the FCC is not following through on protecting consumers, Congress should know – so it can take oversight action, if necessary.”

The FCC failing to collect fines is a real concern. A recent report from the Wall Street Journal highlighted that while the FCC has imposed record fines on robocallers amounting to $208 million, it has collected less than $7,000 since 2015.

Congresswoman Porter has fought for comprehensive and robust consumer protections for nearly two decades. At a hearing earlier this year, she exposed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Kathy Kraninger for her unfamiliarity with the basics of consumer lending. She also called out the CEOs of Equifax and Wells Fargo for failing to take responsibility when their companies hurt consumers. In 2009, Porter was a key advocate for legislation to shield consumers from abusive credit card fees.

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