WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an effort to ensure the Internet remains a tax-free, global communications network governed by the principles of free speech, Congressional Internet Caucus member Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-Calif.) has introduced a resolution (H.Con.Res. 268) to underscore the need for the day-to-day operations of the Internet to be maintained in the United States.  The resolution passed the House today 423 to 0.

Today’s vote coincides with the World Summit on the Information Society which begins today in Tunis, Tunisia and is organized by the U.N. International Telecommunications Union.  Yesterday, the U.N. agreed to establish a forum to discuss Internet issues rather than a board with policy-making power.  Despite the small victory, Doolittle remains skeptical of the U.N.’s true motives regarding Internet governance. 

“This sounds like more of the same from heavy-handed U.N. bureaucrats,” Doolittle said.  “Whether they call it a ‘board’ or a ‘forum’ it’s clear that the ultimate goal of the U.N. is still to wrest control of the Internet.  In fact, the U.N. has already proposed a ‘bit tax’ on sending data through the Internet at a rate of 1 cent per 100 e-mails.

“The United States invented the Internet and it has been our gift to the world, paid for by our taxpayers.  The U.N.’s desire to take that gift as a means of increasing its power must be stopped,” Doolittle continued.

“If the U.N. were to be successful in its efforts to control the Internet, countries where human rights records range from questionable to criminal could be put in charge of determining what is and is not allowed to appear online.  For example, we need only look back to 2003 when the U.N. decided that Libya, a country frequently condemned by human rights groups, was the U.N.’s choice to head its Human Rights Commission. 

“By approving this resolution we are sending a clear message to the U.N. and urging the Bush Administration to remain firm in its position that existing structures must continue to be maintained by the U.S. in order to preserve the stability and security of the Internet,” Doolittle concluded.

Since 1998, the United States has had an understanding with a not-for-profit corporation called the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) which has successfully managed the day-to-day operations of the Internet’s domain name and addressing system.  Under the existing system, each country’s TLD is sovereign and subject to the policies and administration of its own government.

U.S. Rep. John T. Doolittle has served in the House of Representatives since 1991. As Secretary of the House Republican Conference, he is an elected member of the House Republican Leadership. Doolittle represents California’s 4th Congressional District and serves on the Appropriations Committee, Energy and Water, Agriculture, and Interior Subcommittees, and the House Administration Committee.