News

Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 50 (SCR 50), a resolution sponsored by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) expressing the sense of Congress that the Internet should remain free from international regulation and that the U.S. should preserve and advance the current “multi-stakeholder” model of governance at the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT). SCR 50, which was introduced along with a bipartisan group of senators and has 40 cosponsors, unanimously passed the Senate in September.

Currently, there are 193 countries convened at the WCIT in Dubai to review and update rules governing international telecommunications, which are overseen by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). The conference is set to run through December 14, 2012.

“I am pleased that the United States Congress has spoken with a united voice in support of SCR 50 and in opposition to those who would seek to regulate and restrict Internet freedom,” Rubio said. “In a relatively brief period, the Internet has already transformed the world by the free and open spread of ideas, information and communication. The Internet has been instrumental in the launch of democracy in many emerging nations throughout the world.

“Unfortunately, some countries view the ongoing conference as an opportunity to fundamentally change the current governance model that has allowed the Internet to thrive,” added Rubio.  “These proposals must be stopped. That is why I have led the fight in the Senate to oppose these efforts and defend Internet freedom. I would like to express my support for the U.S. delegation as they stand strong for Internet freedom and carry out the goals of SCR 50.”