Earlier this week, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi asked the Federal Communications Commission to reclassify broadband internet as a utility under Title II of the Communications Act. The letter Pelosi wrote to the head of the FCC is the strongest position yet in support of net neutrality, a position many Democrats favor.
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"I remain concerned," Pelosi wrote, "that the Federal Communications Commission may act in a way that would permit broadband providers to discriminate against the content consumers and innovators create and enjoy."
The concept of net neutrality, where broadband providers can't charge websites, services and ultimately users extra money for access to fast speeds, rose in publicity earlier this year after rulings in favor of providers.
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"Innovators prefer bright-line rules and worry the proposed rules would force them into commercial arrangements that require payment of tolls in cash or equity to get their ideas on the internet," Pelosi continued.
Pelosi doesn't have any direct pull on the FCC, but her Congress position means she does have sway in the Obama administration and federal agencies. She is a crucial supporter on the side that wants internet to be administered like a utility.
Today, several websites like Netflix and Yahoo's Tumblr posted messages slamming providers' position against net neutrality. The websites initiated an intentional slowdown to wake-up customers and anger them about the issue, which would affect most Americans.