Dotcom Act authorizes Internet giveaway

June 23, 2015, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement urging House opposition to H.R. 805, “The Dotcom Act”:

“Just last month, the House voted overwhelmingly to defund in the Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations bill any National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) transition of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority functions to an outside entity. This followed similar language being adopted in the Omnibus Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015 that blocked the Internet governance transfer.

“Now, the House is set to undermine this vote by authorizing the giveaway via H.R. 805, ‘The Dotcom Act’ — just as soon as, quoting the bill itself, ‘the Comptroller General of the United States submits [a] report… on the role of the NTIA with respect to the Internet domain name system.’

“That’s it. The U.S. government after nearly 20 years of oversight of the domain name system that has ensured a free and open Internet with First Amendment protections will just up and give away this invaluable government property in return for little more than a book report. It makes one wonder why this Congress exists at all as it devolves into little more than a rubber stamp for Obama’s reckless agenda.”

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 106 or at media@limitgov.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts including ALG President Rick Manning.

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