Intense bipartisan net neutrality legislative negotiations at the top levels of the Senate Commerce Committee are failing to convince all members that a compromise is the right course. Several Democrats and Republicans back the ongoing negotiations between Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., and ranking member Bill Nelson, D-Fla. But some Democrats and Republicans told us that such a bipartisan deal may not satisfy them -- and one Commerce Committee Republican is gearing up to offer her own net neutrality legislation if necessary.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., said the successful passage of his bipartisan net neutrality amendment -- ultimately nonbinding and attached to a budget resolution (S.Con.Res-11) -- is a sign that Congress should legislate on net neutrality. Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam sent a letter to Thune and other Commerce leaders Friday that also encouraged bipartisan net neutrality legislation to sidestep the FCC net neutrality order. Thune’s symbolic amendment received the backing of Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., another Commerce member. The amendment passed by voice vote, as Nelson predicted Thursday (see 1503260050). It was one of the few out of many telecom amendments that advanced to passage.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., said the successful passage of his bipartisan net neutrality amendment -- ultimately nonbinding and attached to a budget resolution (S.Con.Res-11) -- is a sign that Congress should legislate on net neutrality. Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam sent a letter to Thune and other Commerce leaders Friday that also encouraged bipartisan net neutrality legislation to sidestep the FCC net neutrality order. Thune’s symbolic amendment received the backing of Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., another Commerce member. The amendment passed by voice vote, as Nelson predicted Thursday (see 1503260050). It was one of the few out of many telecom amendments that advanced to passage.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., probed FCC members on possible rate regulation under Communications Act Title II reclassification at a Wednesday oversight hearing. “Let’s just say hypothetically that someone files a complaint at the FCC alleging” rates aren’t just and reasonable under Title II Section 201, Thune said, suggesting it could mean possible rate regulation. “That is absolutely right,” Commissioner Ajit Pai said, saying it “opens the door” to “ex post rate regulation.” Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said there has been no such complaint.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., probed FCC members on possible rate regulation under Communications Act Title II reclassification at a Wednesday oversight hearing. “Let’s just say hypothetically that someone files a complaint at the FCC alleging” rates aren’t just and reasonable under Title II Section 201, Thune said, suggesting it could mean possible rate regulation. “That is absolutely right,” Commissioner Ajit Pai said, saying it “opens the door” to “ex post rate regulation.” Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said there has been no such complaint.

All 12 Senate Commerce Committee Republicans will be on the Communications Subcommittee, said Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., who also will sit on the subcommittee ex officio as its 13th GOP member. Seven of the Commerce Republicans will sit on the Consumer Protection and Data Security Subcommittee, not counting Thune: Sens. Roy Blunt of Missouri, Ted Cruz of Texas, Steve Daines of Montana, Deb Fischer of Nebraska, Cory Gardner of Colorado, Dean Heller of Nevada and Jerry Moran of Kansas, its chairman. Democrats haven't released rosters for subcommittee memberships.

All 12 Senate Commerce Committee Republicans will be on the Communications Subcommittee, said Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., who also will sit on the subcommittee ex officio as its 13th GOP member. Seven of the Commerce Republicans will sit on the Consumer Protection and Data Security Subcommittee, not counting Thune: Sens. Roy Blunt of Missouri, Ted Cruz of Texas, Steve Daines of Montana, Deb Fischer of Nebraska, Cory Gardner of Colorado, Dean Heller of Nevada and Jerry Moran of Kansas, its chairman. Democrats haven't released rosters for subcommittee memberships.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., expects to maintain a strong role for the Communications Subcommittee as the chair of the Commerce Committee in the next GOP-controlled Congress, leading an overhaul of the Communications Act, he told us. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., will likely lead in the subcommittee as ranking member, with many other high-ranking Democrats distancing themselves from the role in recent days.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., expects to maintain a strong role for the Communications Subcommittee as the chair of the Commerce Committee in the next GOP-controlled Congress, leading an overhaul of the Communications Act, he told us. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., will likely lead in the subcommittee as ranking member, with many other high-ranking Democrats distancing themselves from the role in recent days.

Senate Republicans warned the FCC not to pre-empt states’ ability to restrict municipal broadband. Eleven senators wrote the agency a letter Thursday questioning FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s stated desire to pre-empt state law on this count. “The insinuation” the FCC “will force taxpayer funded competition against private broadband providers -- against the wishes of the states -- is deeply troubling,” said the letter, whose lead signatory is Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb. Other signatories included Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Marco Rubio, R-Fla. They slammed Wheeler for not respecting states’ rights.