10 Senators back FCC's push for net neutrality

Ten Democratic senators, including Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), sent a letter to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski to support his push for net neutrality rules and to commend the agency's decision to hold a longer comment period for the public to weigh in on the controversial proposal.

Genachowski's proposal for net neutrality rules is expected to be followed by a 120-day comment and reply period before final rules are drafted, according to a staffer at the agency.

"We also support your decision to have an extended comment period in which Internet service providers, content providers, content creators, interested Internet users and many more will be able to provide their input," wrote Dorgan, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. He was joined in signing the letter by Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and other lawmakers.

"We believe that this is the path toward guaranteeing that consumers will hold ultimate control over the content they send and receive over the Internet and that the Internet will remain open and free for everyone who uses it," the senators wrote.