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18 attorneys general ask the FCC to delay net neutrality repeal vote

18 attorneys general ask the FCC to delay net neutrality repeal vote

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Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

In a letter sent to the FCC today, 18 attorneys general from around the country called on the agency to delay tomorrow’s vote on a repeal of net neutrality protections.

The 11th-hour letter, sent by the Oregon attorney general and signed by representatives of 17 states and DC, follows a high-profile press conference last week from the New York attorney general, who said the FCC had declined to investigate net neutrality comments posted under stolen identities.

“As state Attorneys General, many of our offices have received complaints from consumers indicating their distress over their names being used in such a manner,” the attorneys general write. “While we will investigate these consumer complaints through our normal processes, we urge the Commission to take immediate action and to cooperate with law enforcement investigations.”

The letter requests an “immediate delay” so investigations can be conducted.

The FCC’s decision to move ahead with the vote despite the controversy over the fraudulent comments has drawn criticism. Citing the problem, both Democratic FCC commissioners, as well as several Democratic lawmakers, have called for a postponement of tomorrow’s vote. This week, following statements from some Republican lawmakers that also criticized the FCC plan, a GOP congressman also called for a delay in a letter to the agency.

“While not all of us may agree on any given policy, we stand together today as prosecutors of fraud and as defenders of the democratic process,” the letter from the attorneys general concludes. “It is essential that the Commission gets a full and accurate picture of how changes to net neutrality will affect the everyday lives of Americans before they can act on such sweeping policy changes.”