U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today appeared on Fox News to talk about legislation the Communications and Technology Subcommittee will consider today to protect internet freedom.
“I’m concerned because there are foreign countries led by some pretty sketchy people who have sought to take control of the internet from day one,” Walden said. “They want to do it through a United Nations organization, and we can’t let that happen.”
Walden said there would be consequences of giving up control of internet domain names to another entity like the United Nations.
“It’s really, really dangerous, if they just turn it over to another country, another government entity likes the United Nations,” he said. “Now, they say they’re not going to do that, but you know, I could not get a good answer about what happens when you let go of the 64-page contract between the United States government and the nonprofit that runs this system now based in the United States, required to be based here, required to be under our laws. They could be set free, and then what happens?”
Last year, the U.S. House unanimously passed H.R. 1580, legislation written by Walden that affirms the policy of the United States regarding Internet governance and preserves Internet freedom. Walden hoped for similar bipartisan support on this legislation.
The subcommittee will convene at 1 p.m., today for opening statements, with a final vote expected tomorrow morning.
