Lofgren Introduces Legislation to Protect the Global Internet

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), along with Reps. George Miller (D-CA), Bart Gordon (D-TN), Richard Neal (D-MA), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Michael McCaul (R-TX), introduced the One Global Internet Act of 2010. This legislation focuses on trade barriers and restrictive technology standards that threaten the free flow of information and undermine global trade. The Act establishes a government task force that would review, prioritize, and act on attempts by foreign governments to degrade or disrupt the flow of goods, services, and/or content on the Internet.
 July 1, 2010
 
Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), along with Reps. George Miller (D-CA), Bart Gordon (D-TN), Richard Neal (D-MA), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Michael McCaul (R-TX), introduced the One Global Internet Act of 2010. This legislation focuses on trade barriers and restrictive technology standards that threaten the free flow of information and undermine global trade. The Act establishes a government task force that would review, prioritize, and act on attempts by foreign governments to degrade or disrupt the flow of goods, services, and/or content on the Internet.  
 
 
“Preserving an open and truly global Internet should be a top priority for the U.S. government,” noted Rep. Lofgren (D-CA). “All over the world, foreign governments are subverting the Internet for their own ends. A core set of technical standards can guarantee wider access to information and a bigger, fairer global marketplace. The promise of the Internet lies in its ability to transcend national borders. This bill helps realize that promise.”
 
“American entrepreneurs and businesses will thrive abroad if we protect their intellectual property rights and tear down restrictive trade barriers,” said Rep. Goodlatte, co-chair of the Congressional Internet Caucus and the International Anti-Piracy Caucus. “This legislation will help ensure that Americans are getting a fair shake by highlighting restrictive trade practices, and will help ensure that businesses and individuals alike have access to one Internet free of censorship.”  
 
“Free flow of information and trade over the Internet is vital to our economy and security,” said Rep. McCaul (R-TX), co-founder of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus. “This legislation gives us greater ability to assure both individuals and businesses that their privacy and intellectual property are protected and that they will have uninterrupted access to the global marketplace without threat of censorship by oppressive regimes.”
 
“Our trade policies should reflect both U.S. values and U.S. interests as a global leader in technology and innovation. Regimes that attempt to lock down Internet traffic threaten the market for American goods and the free flow of information, said Rep. Gordon (D-TN). “The One Global Internet Act, as well as the America COMPETES Act now making its way through Congress, take steps to coordinate a strong federal response and create a fair set of technical standards to protect a free global Internet.”
 
“In this day and age, the internet is a central part of our economy and an important source of free information for people around the globe,” noted Rep. Thompson (D-CA). We must use our country’s political and economic power to protect the free flow of information and opportunities created by the Internet. If we don’t act, foreign governments will have undue power over global commerce and communications.”  
 

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren is serving her eighth term in Congress representing most of the City of San Jose and Santa Clara County. She is the Chair of the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. She also serves as Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law. She Chairs the House Administration Subcommittee on Elections and serves on the House Homeland Security Committee. Congresswoman Lofgren is Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation consisting of 34 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives from California.  
 


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