To affirm the policy of the United States regarding Internet governance.

Bill: 113-hr-1580
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Walden, Greg [R-OR-2]
Introduced: 2013-04-16
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: International organizations and cooperation

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media
Latest action: action_date: 2013-05-15
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2013-04-16
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>Declares that it is the policy of the United States to preserve and advance the successful multistakeholder model (under which the private sector, civil society, academia, and individual users operate in an environment where information flows free from government control over content or the freedom of expression) that governs the Internet.</p>

action_date: 2013-05-03
action_desc: Reported to House without amendment
text: <p><b>(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</b></p> <p>Declares that it is the policy of the United States to preserve and advance the successful multistakeholder model (under which the private sector, civil society, academia, and individual users operate in an environment where information flows free from government control over content or the freedom of expression) that governs the Internet.</p>

action_date: 2013-05-14
action_desc: Passed House without amendment
text: <p><b>(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</b></p> <p>Declares that it is the policy of the United States to preserve and advance the successful multistakeholder model (under which the private sector, civil society, academia, and individual users operate in an environment where information flows free from government control over content or the freedom of expression) that governs the Internet.</p>

tv_txt: I 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1580 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 16, 2013 Mr. Walden (for himself, Ms. Eshoo , Mr. Hall , Mr. Lance , Mr. Gardner , Mr. Olson , Mr. Johnson of Ohio , Mr. Long , Mr. Kinzinger of Illinois , Mr. Bilirakis , Mrs. Ellmers , Mrs. Christensen , Mr. McKinley , Mr. Dingell , Mr. Gene Green of Texas , Mr. Cassidy , Mr. Pompeo , Mr. Shimkus , Mr. Latta , Mr. Guthrie , Mr. Royce , Ms. Matsui , Mr. Scalise , Mrs. Blackburn , Mr. Rogers of Michigan , Mr. Burgess , Mr. Murphy of Pennsylvania , Mr. Terry , Mr. Poe of Texas , Mr. Gingrey of Georgia , Mr. Welch , Mr. Barton , and Mr. Pitts ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To affirm the policy of the United States regarding Internet governance.

1. Findings The Congress finds the following: (1) Given the importance of the Internet to the global economy, it is essential that the Internet remain stable, secure, and free from government control. (2) The world deserves the access to knowledge, services, commerce, and communication, the accompanying benefits to economic development, education, and health care, and the informed discussion that is the bedrock of democratic self-government that the Internet provides. (3) The structure of Internet governance has profound implications for competition and trade, democratization, free expression, and access to information. (4) Countries have obligations to protect human rights, whether exercised online or offline. (5) The ability to innovate, develop technical capacity, grasp economic opportunities, and promote freedom of expression online is best realized in cooperation with all stakeholders. (6) Proposals have been, and will likely continue to be, put forward at international regulatory bodies that would fundamentally alter the governance and operation of the Internet. (7) The proposals would attempt to justify increased government control over the Internet and could undermine the current multistakeholder model that has enabled the Internet to flourish and under which the private sector, civil society, academia, and individual users play an important role in charting its direction. (8) The proposals would diminish the freedom of expression on the Internet in favor of government control over content. (9) The position of the United States Government has been and is to advocate for the flow of information free from government control. (10) This Administration and past Administrations have made a strong commitment to the multistakeholder model of Internet governance and the promotion of the global benefits of the Internet. 2. Policy regarding Internet governance It is the policy of the United States to preserve and advance the successful multistakeholder model that governs the Internet.

tv_txt: IB 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1580 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To affirm the policy of the United States regarding Internet governance.

1. Findings The Congress finds the following: (1) Given the importance of the Internet to the global economy, it is essential that the Internet remain stable, secure, and free from government control. (2) The world deserves the access to knowledge, services, commerce, and communication, the accompanying benefits to economic development, education, and health care, and the informed discussion that is the bedrock of democratic self-government that the Internet provides. (3) The structure of Internet governance has profound implications for competition and trade, democratization, free expression, and access to information. (4) Countries have obligations to protect human rights, whether exercised online or offline. (5) The ability to innovate, develop technical capacity, grasp economic opportunities, and promote freedom of expression online is best realized in cooperation with all stakeholders. (6) Proposals have been, and will likely continue to be, put forward at international regulatory bodies that would fundamentally alter the governance and operation of the Internet. (7) The proposals would attempt to justify increased government control over the Internet and could undermine the current multistakeholder model that has enabled the Internet to flourish and under which the private sector, civil society, academia, and individual users play an important role in charting its direction. (8) The proposals would diminish the freedom of expression on the Internet in favor of government control over content. (9) The position of the United States Government has been and is to advocate for the flow of information free from government control. (10) This Administration and past Administrations have made a strong commitment to the multistakeholder model of Internet governance and the promotion of the global benefits of the Internet. 2. Policy regarding Internet governance It is the policy of the United States to preserve and advance the successful multistakeholder model that governs the Internet.

Passed the House of Representatives May 14, 2013. Karen L. Haas, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB House Calendar No. 21 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1580 [Report No. 113–50] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 16, 2013 Mr. Walden (for himself, Ms. Eshoo , Mr. Hall , Mr. Lance , Mr. Gardner , Mr. Olson , Mr. Johnson of Ohio , Mr. Long , Mr. Kinzinger of Illinois , Mr. Bilirakis , Mrs. Ellmers , Mrs. Christensen , Mr. McKinley , Mr. Dingell , Mr. Gene Green of Texas , Mr. Cassidy , Mr. Pompeo , Mr. Shimkus , Mr. Latta , Mr. Guthrie , Mr. Royce , Ms. Matsui , Mr. Scalise , Mrs. Blackburn , Mr. Rogers of Michigan , Mr. Burgess , Mr. Murphy of Pennsylvania , Mr. Terry , Mr. Poe of Texas , Mr. Gingrey of Georgia , Mr. Welch , Mr. Barton , and Mr. Pitts ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce May 3, 2013 Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed A BILL To affirm the policy of the United States regarding Internet governance.

1. Findings The Congress finds the following: (1) Given the importance of the Internet to the global economy, it is essential that the Internet remain stable, secure, and free from government control. (2) The world deserves the access to knowledge, services, commerce, and communication, the accompanying benefits to economic development, education, and health care, and the informed discussion that is the bedrock of democratic self-government that the Internet provides. (3) The structure of Internet governance has profound implications for competition and trade, democratization, free expression, and access to information. (4) Countries have obligations to protect human rights, whether exercised online or offline. (5) The ability to innovate, develop technical capacity, grasp economic opportunities, and promote freedom of expression online is best realized in cooperation with all stakeholders. (6) Proposals have been, and will likely continue to be, put forward at international regulatory bodies that would fundamentally alter the governance and operation of the Internet. (7) The proposals would attempt to justify increased government control over the Internet and could undermine the current multistakeholder model that has enabled the Internet to flourish and under which the private sector, civil society, academia, and individual users play an important role in charting its direction. (8) The proposals would diminish the freedom of expression on the Internet in favor of government control over content. (9) The position of the United States Government has been and is to advocate for the flow of information free from government control. (10) This Administration and past Administrations have made a strong commitment to the multistakeholder model of Internet governance and the promotion of the global benefits of the Internet. 2. Policy regarding Internet governance It is the policy of the United States to preserve and advance the successful multistakeholder model that governs the Internet.

May 3, 2013 Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: IIB 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1580 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 15, 2013 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation AN ACT To affirm the policy of the United States regarding Internet governance.

1. Findings The Congress finds the following: (1) Given the importance of the Internet to the global economy, it is essential that the Internet remain stable, secure, and free from government control. (2) The world deserves the access to knowledge, services, commerce, and communication, the accompanying benefits to economic development, education, and health care, and the informed discussion that is the bedrock of democratic self-government that the Internet provides. (3) The structure of Internet governance has profound implications for competition and trade, democratization, free expression, and access to information. (4) Countries have obligations to protect human rights, whether exercised online or offline. (5) The ability to innovate, develop technical capacity, grasp economic opportunities, and promote freedom of expression online is best realized in cooperation with all stakeholders. (6) Proposals have been, and will likely continue to be, put forward at international regulatory bodies that would fundamentally alter the governance and operation of the Internet. (7) The proposals would attempt to justify increased government control over the Internet and could undermine the current multistakeholder model that has enabled the Internet to flourish and under which the private sector, civil society, academia, and individual users play an important role in charting its direction. (8) The proposals would diminish the freedom of expression on the Internet in favor of government control over content. (9) The position of the United States Government has been and is to advocate for the flow of information free from government control. (10) This Administration and past Administrations have made a strong commitment to the multistakeholder model of Internet governance and the promotion of the global benefits of the Internet. 2. Policy regarding Internet governance It is the policy of the United States to preserve and advance the successful multistakeholder model that governs the Internet.

Passed the House of Representatives May 14, 2013. Karen L. Haas, Clerk