Posted on 09/08/2016 6:59:41 PM PDT by Freedom56v2
Ted Cruz and other Republicans are barreling toward a September showdown with the White House over its plan to give up oversight of the internet, as the Obama administration tries to rally support from the tech and telecom industries.
GOP lawmakers have long warned that the administration's plan to relinquish its authority over ICANN, the global nonprofit that manages the internet's domain name system, could give authoritarian countries like China and Russia an opening to make an online power grab. Now, as the actual date of the transition approaches — Oct. 1 — Republicans are looking at throwing up new obstacles.
"Today our country faces a threat to the internet as we know it. In 22 short days, if Congress fails to act, the Obama administration intends to give away the internet to an international body akin to the United Nations," Cruz said in a speech on the Senate floor Thursday. "I rise today to discuss the significant, irreparable damage this proposed internet giveaway could wreak not only on our nation but on free speech across the world."
Cruz is pledging to make the issue his primary focus this month. He's already launched a website warning about the dangers of the administration's strategy, complete with a countdown clock against a black background. And he's scheduled a hearing of the Senate Judiciary oversight subcommittee he chairs next week to “investigate the possible dangers” of the plan.
Meanwhile, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) said Wednesday that language to delay the transition could be included in the continuing resolution to fund the government past this month. And House Republicans are considering their options in the coming appropriations bill, a GOP aide confirmed this week.
“I don’t think the foundation has been appropriately laid for this,” Thune said in an interview.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Here is more:
“Some members are adamantly opposed to transition, period, and a lot of them just think now is not the time, and it really just hasn’t been vetted, and it’s not ready yet.”
Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), another member of the Commerce committee, said the administration’s deadline is “arbitrary.”
“The transition should not move forward until our many concerns have been addressed,” he said in a statement to POLITICO. “There won’t be a second chance to get this right.”
Fearing congressional roadblocks, the Obama administration has quietly been urging tech and telecom giants to go to bat for its strategy.
Senior officials at the Commerce Department encouraged companies and trade groups at a private meeting on Wednesday to make public shows of support — and contest criticisms that the plan jeopardizes internet freedom, two sources who attended the session told POLITICO.
Among those represented at the session were trade organizations like the Internet Association, NetChoice and CCIA, companies like Verizon and 21st Century Fox, and groups like the Internet Society, the sources said. In his pitch to industry, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews stressed that the credibility of the U.S. government and its commitment to the international community are on the line, the two attendees told POLITICO after the meeting.
But Andrews also indicated the agency would have no choice but to adhere to what Congress prescribes — suggesting, the sources said, that the Commerce Department might not try to find a legal workaround to any ban imposed by lawmakers. He also said the agency is keeping an eye on potential lawsuits. The libertarian group TechFreedom — which sources said did not attend the meeting Wednesday — has threatened such a move. And on Thursday, it again questioned the legality...
“In the event that Representatives prove unable to provide the requisite authority required to defend these interests,” the group said in a statement, “then we will explore all remaining options, including legal action brought by the people that Congress represents.”
Folks, I am no fan of Ted Cruz, but if he is leading the charge to keep the Internet safe and free, I take off my hat to him for this.
This article has committee chairs, website info...etc.
For those of you who feel compelled to write your “representatives” this is a good background piece.
Here is a Wall street Journal Piece that provides more info which could be attached to email to senators or congresscritters.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/an-internet-giveaway-to-the-u-n-1472421165
I’m guessing it will be turned over to the UN for oversight. Tell me I’m wrong.
Cruz is only against it because he knows it’s in the bag. That’s his track record.
They had better find a way to stop him from giving up the internet.
ping
That’s what I’m thinking as well.
Cruz read a poll and chose a bandwagon.
I guess Glenn Beck didn’t veto this.
Me too. Thanks for the info.
I don’t know exactly what will happen if it is turned over to the UN...Oversight does not sound good if that is where it begins...Who knows where it ends...Obama is NEVER honest about what he is doing.
Even WSJ has article with red flags.
As I said, not a fan of Cruz, but there are others mentioned in the article who could be supported and committee info is provided...
Time to push our Senators and Congresscritters to keep the Internet Free.
Control of the Internet is a very good step to control over the planet.
Cruz is only against it because he knows it’s in the bag. That’s his track record.
Surrendering our sovereignty has to be the kenyan’s top priority in the lame duck sessions. It will be UGLY.
They better find a way and fast!~
ANYONE HAVE ANY PING LISTS FOR THIS???
Control of the Internet is a very good step to control over the planet.
KEEP THE INTERNET FREE
Lot’s of luck. They all seem to be in that globalist mode.
Surrendering our sovereignty has to be the kenyan’s top priority in the lame duck sessions. It will be UGLY.
Lodi90 Please pass this on...I had to put in bloggers because of the source, but it is important and actually a helpful article.
Trump will take it back.
It’s bad enough they’re trying to do this but worse to think the Islamic UN would shroud the freedom. I wonder if we’ll have to post on a dark web portal soon.
And if he can’t he will start a new one for the U.S. And the rest will be like 1957 Chevy’s in Cuba.
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