Letter Supporting S. Con. Res. 50 Regarding Internet Governance

The Honorable John Kerry
Chairman
Committee on Foreign Relations
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Richard Lugar
Ranking Member
Committee on Foreign Relations
U.S. Senate 
Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Chairman Kerry and Ranking Member Lugar:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business federation representing the interest of more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region, strongly supports S. Con. Res. 50, which calls on the Administration to continue to implement the “consistent and unequivocal policy” of the United States to “preserve and advance the successful multistakeholder model that governs the internet today.”

The Chamber is deeply concerned about efforts to expand the influence of United Nations institutions, including the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), over the Internet. Today’s Internet has seen explosive growth as the result of an open and inclusive multistakeholder process that has helped fuel global innovation, creativity and economic development. In December, the United Nation’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will host the 2012 World Conference on International Telecommunications (WTIC) in Dubai. During this conference, the ITU will consider proposals that would expand its influence over the Internet. If approved, such proposals would set a dangerous precedent and heighten expectations for unnecessary top-down international regulation of the Internet. S. Con. Res. 50 rightfully recognizes the “structure of Internet governance has profound implications for competition and trade,” and that the proposals put forward for consideration at the WCIT “would fundamentally alter the governance and operation of the Internet.”

The Chamber believes it is important to demonstrate the strong bipartisan consensus within the U.S. government and among U.S. stakeholders to preserve and advance the multistakeholder process responsible for today’s thriving Internet. The Chamber strongly supports S. Con. Res. 50 and looks forward to working with you to pass this resolution as expeditiously as possible.

Sincerely,

R. Bruce Josten

cc: The Members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

Read the Letter: 

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