Shimkus Leads Congressional Effort to Safeguard Internet Domain Name System

Press Release

A dozen House Republicans registered their support today for legislation that would prohibit the Obama Administration from relinquishing longstanding U.S. oversight of the global Internet Domain Name System (DNS) pending a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report to Congress. The legislation, the Domain Openness Through Continues Oversight Matters (DOTCOM) Act, was authored by Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15).

"The premise of this legislation is simple," explained Shimkus: "Trust but verify. Before the Administration makes an irreversible decision, the American people deserve reassurance that the global Internet will remain free from censorship and manipulation by authoritarian regimes. Requiring a non-partisan review before the transition moves forward is a commonsense way to guarantee that."

"While I can understand that the U.S. Government envisioned having a temporary role in the IANA functions, I am not certain that now is the time for this type of transition" said Congressman Joe Barton (R, Texas-06). "I am not convinced that ICANN is yet ready to develop a credible plan, and I believe that Congressional oversight is needed. I would rather have a better understanding of the realities of the multi-stakeholder model before taking the risky move of simply allowing it to move forward."

"The Internet must be protected," said Congressman Blake Farenthold (R, Texas-27). "We cannot allow individuals or foreign entities to stifle the open and uncensored Internet. We wouldn't open up our television networks to being controlled by countries who censor free speech like North Korea or Russia. So why are we doing that with the Internet and ICANN? If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

"The DOTCOM Act will protect the Internet and its critical functions from foreign government intrusion," said Congressman Leonard Lance (R, New Jersey-07). "I applaud Rep. Shimkus for his leadership and efforts to preserve Internet openness and freedom for all Americans."

"As the Internet Domain Name System transitions from NTIA oversight to a global, multi-stakeholder governance model, we must make certain that it is protected," said Congressman Bob Latta (R, Ohio-05). "The DOTCOM ACT will safeguard our national security interests and allow citizens to continue to freely navigate the Internet."

"One of the greatest examples of our American Exceptionalism is the Internet, which I describe as the single greatest economic machine created in at least the last 50 years," said Congressman Todd Rokita (R, Indiana-04). "It must be protected. In fact, it's in our national interest to do so. That is why I so strongly support this legislation and will work hard to move it forward."