To solve the equation \( 6y + 17 - 6y = 17 \), we can first simplify it.
Notice that \( 6y \) and \( -6y \) cancel each other out:
\[ 6y - 6y + 17 = 17 \]
This simplifies to:
\[ 17 = 17 \]
This statement is always true, which means that the equation does not depend on \( y \). Therefore, \( y \) can be any real number.
In conclusion, the solution to the equation is:
\[ y = \text{any real number} \]