House approves measure barring the government from regulating Internet rates

Despite a White House veto threat, Republicans have been able to push through the House a measure that would prevent the government from regulating the rates charged by high-speed Internet service providers.

House approval came on a near party-line vote. The Senate hasn't yet acted.

The Federal Communications Commission has already said it has no intention of regulating rates for broadband Internet service. Republicans argued that the Obama administration could not be trusted -- and that the measure would make sure the commission could not change its mind in the future.

Democrats said the bill's language was too broad and would weaken the FCC's ability to protect consumers. They said the legislation could erode the net neutrality rules the commission adopted last year that require service providers to treat all Internet traffic the same.