Rubio, Commerce Republicans Seek Answers On Future Of Internet Governance

Press Release

As members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ted Cruz (R-TX), along with 7 Republican colleagues, today requested that the Committee hold a hearing to review the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) announcement to transition oversight of certain Internet domain name functions to the global multistakeholder community.

Rubio and Cruz were joined by Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI), Dean Heller (R-NV), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Dan Coats (R-IN), Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Tim Scott (R-SC).

In a letter to Chairmen John Rockefeller (D-WV) and Mark Pryor (D-AR), and Ranking Members John Thune (R-SD) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), the senators expressed concern over the NTIA's proposed transition, pointing to the success of the existing bottom-up, multistakeholder approach to Internet governance.

"Should oversight of these vital Internet functions transition to foreign governments or international organizations that do not share our commitment to Internet freedom, individual empowerment and technological advances, both key components to achieving the American Dream in the 21st century, will become seriously compromised," said Rubio. "That is not a risk we can afford to take. It is Congress' job to lead the cause for Internet freedom, and the Senate's responsibility to do so begins with the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. There are many unresolved questions regarding NTIA's announcement, and hopefully this hearing can provide some answers."

"The Internet has become an extraordinary incubator for jobs, growth, and freedom under the stewardship of the United States because we have made certain that the Internet remains free," said Cruz. "Changing the current arrangement with ICANN risks endangering what has made it such a powerful tool for innovation and communications. Any change that would grant foreign governments the ability to undermine foundational freedoms, such as free speech, must be rejected outright. The Senate must carefully vet any proposal that could take any steps towards doing so."

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