Dear Mrs. Correia,

Thank you for taking the time to contact me to express your opinions regarding the management and governance of the Internet. I am grateful for your thoughts and welcome the opportunity to discuss this issue with you.

As you may know, on March 14, 2014, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced its intent to transition key Internet domain name functions to the global multi-stakeholder community. NTIA has asked the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to convene global stakeholders to develop a proposal to transition the current role played by NTIA. This transition has been in the making for years, and in principle it is intended to support the current model of multi-stakeholder governance and keep nations like China and Russia from exerting influence and control over the Internet. However, there is considerable uncertainty about why this decision was made and how this process will unfold. Given the Obama Administration’s record, there is justifiable skepticism about whether or not they are competent enough to manage this transition and strong enough to stand up to enemies of Internet freedom.

The commitment to a multi-stakeholder model that is free from the interference of institutions like the United Nations and countries that do not share our desire for a free and open Internet is a positive one. However, this is a complex process requiring vigilance and rigorous oversight because there is no room for compromise. An Internet overseen by governments will mean an end to the current Internet as we know it. There is no question Internet freedom has many opponents, including countries that advocate for greater international control over the Internet and use the Internet to suppress the individual liberties of their own citizens. These countries do not care for the current governance structure or our commitment to it.

The United States must vocally and vehemently oppose any attempt to allow the Internet to fall under the control of foreign governments or international organizations like the United Nations. That is why, in 2012, Congress unanimously expressed support for S. Con. Res. 50, a resolution which advocated for the bottom-up, multi-stakeholder model that currently governs the Internet and for an Internet free from government control. I sponsored this resolution along with a bipartisan group of senators, and I was pleased that Congress took a strong stand for Internet freedom. Now the Administration must do the same. Any action the Administration takes in carrying out this announcement, any proposal it considers from the global community, and any decision it makes to transition the domain functions must abide by this resolution.

As a member of the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations, and Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which has jurisdiction over NTIA and Internet issues, I will keep your thoughts and opinions in mind as I continue to advocate for Internet freedom. Thank you again for writing to me about this important issue.