Duffy Amendment Keeps Core Internet Functions in U.S. Domain

Press Release

U.S. Representative Sean Duffy (WI-07) heralded the passage of his amendment to the Commerce Justice and Science Appropriations bill to prohibit funds from being used by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to relinquish critical Internet responsibilities:

"I am grateful to the many constituents and organizations who voiced their strong support for this amendment, and to my colleagues - on both sides of the aisle - for voting for it.

"As Americans, we value our Constitutional right of Freedom of Speech and have promoted this value throughout the world. The U.S. is best positioned to maintain and protect a free and open Internet, through its stewardship of these critical functions, as it has done for decades.

"We should not give up this stewardship and allow the United Nations or countries like China, Iran, or Russia, that do not hold free speech in the same regard, the opportunity to take control. If the U.S. turns over this responsibility to the international community, there is no turning back."

The Heritage Foundation, American Conservative Union, Americans for Limited Government, Americans for Tax Reform's Digital Liberty, and the Institute for Policy Innovation all offered support for this amendment.

Rep. Duffy's amendment passed the House of Representatives by a bipartisan 229 to 178 vote, and was in included in the full Commerce, Science & Justice Appropriations bill which passed the House by a 321 to 87 vote.

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