Kiss your Internet protections goodbye: The FCC just sided with telecom companies

with Josh Hafner

Kiss net neutrality goodbye: The FCC just sided with telecom companies

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit

If you're reading this on the Internet (so...all of you), then you're about to see some changes: The Federal Communications Commission voted to scrap rules meant to bind giant Internet providers from slowing or blocking users' access to sites.

The move's a big win for Comcast, AT&T and Verizon, who will now be able to prioritize their own content over competing websites as long as they disclose it to users. Does that sound (not) great to you? You can thank FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, a lawyer who once worked for Verizon, was appointed to the commission by Barack Obama and then designated as its chairman by President Trump.

But proponents of net neutrality look to combat the FCC's vote in Congress and the courts.

Also on Thursday: Rep. Blake Farenthold folded under accusations and Omarosa, also ousted, spoke up.

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The end of net neutrality? Here's what's happening

Net neutrality rules, passed in 2015 under the Obama administration, aim to keep all of the Internet equally available for everyone. Without them, an Internet provider like Comcast could slow your Netflix connection to pressure you to instead stream shows on NBC, which it owns. Pai, the FCC head, called it a win for consumers, but one adviser with the Consumers Union said customers may face new tolls to visit certain websites. Already, net neutrality advocates in Congress will try to overturn the FCC's measure with Congressional Review Act legislation. Learn more about the outcry here.

Farenthold falls

Rep. Blake Farenthold, the Texas Republican under fire after settling a sexual harassment suit with taxpayer money, announced he will retire from Congress at the end of 2018. He admitted on a live stream Thursday that he had "no idea how to run a congressional office " when he arrived in D.C., which led to an "unprofessional" workplace. And a former staffer, Michael Rekola, told CNN it resulted in a climate of sexually graphic jokes and bullying.

Omarosa: Trump couldn't have fired me; I quit!

Omarosa Manigault Newman, long in the Trump orbit since gaining fame on "The Apprentice," told "Good Morning America" that reports of her being fired and escorted out of the White House this week were false . The administration announced Tuesday that Newman would end her service on Jan. 20. Newman claimed she plans to tell her story about serving as Trump's assistant in the future. "I have seen things that made me uncomfortable, upset me," she said.

Rubio threatens GOP tax bill

Sen. Marco Rubio threatened Republicans' already barely-there ability to pass tax reform unless party leaders expand a child tax credit aimed at helping working class families. The Florida Republican's co-sponsor on the tax credit, Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, also remained undecided. A House-Senate committee plans to release its final version of the bill Friday afternoon. Learn about the changes here.

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