H.R. 4342, the "Domain Openness Through Continued Oversight Matters Act of 2014"

On March 27, 2014, Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) and five Republicans introduced H.R. 4342, the Domain Openness Through Continued Oversight Matters (DOTCOM) Act of 2014.  This bill makes false assumptions about the role of the United States government in the management of key Internet functions today, and it contradicts Congress’s past support of the multi-stakeholder model for Internet governance.  If enacted, the DOTCOM Act would create an artificial delay in the implementation of a consensus transition plan and suggests governmental meddling in the multi-stakeholder process is entirely appropriate.

The Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing on April 2, 2014 and approved it, without amendment, on April 10, 2014 by a roll call vote of 10-16.  The Full Committee voted to report the bill, without amendment, on May 8, 2014.