Republicans are pushing toward House passage of a bill that would bar the government from regulating rates charged by high-speed Internet service providers. That’s in the face of a White House veto threat.

The Federal Communications Commission has expressed no desire to regulate broadband Internet service rates. But Republicans argued Friday the bill would keep the commission from changing its mind in the future — a possibility that GOP lawmakers argue might stifle competition.

Democrats say the bill’s language is too broad and could weaken the FCC’s ability to protect consumers.

They also say it could erode the net neutrality rules the commission adopted last year. Those rules require service providers to treat all Web traffic the same, such as barring telephone and cable companies from intentionally slowing some content.

(AP)