Iowa's two Republican senators voted against an effort this week to revive net neutrality. 

Republican Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst cast nay votes in an effort to reverse a Federal Communications Commission decision to toss net neutrality rules. The Senate's effort ultimately passed through the chamber on a 52-47 vote Wednesday.

The measure is not expected to make it through the House, but Democrats plan to force the issue during in 2018 midterm campaigns, National Public Radio reported.

Net neutrality is the principle that internet service providers like Mediacom, Comcast and Verizon should give consumers equal access to content without slowing down, favoring or blocking some sources. The FCC codified the concept in 2015 with a 3-2 vote. ​

But after a change of leadership on the FCC, the panel in December 2017 reversed that decision, arguing that net neutrality could hamper technological innovation. 

"Since the public started using the internet in the 1990s, it’s become exponentially faster, and much more affordable and accessible," Grassley said in a statement to the Register. "The government should pursue policies that help continue that trend, not interrupt or reverse it."