Live Replay Video of US House Committee Hearing: "Internet Governance Progress After ICANN 53," July 8, 2015, Washington, D.C. (USA) (also available on Ustream)
Internet Governance Progress After ICANN 53--On Wednesday, the Congressional House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will continue its oversight of the Obama administration's IANA stewardship transition of key Internet functions from the United States to the multistakeholder community. Members will hear from NTIA Administrator Larry Strickling and Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) CEO Fadi Chehade following the ICANN 53 meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Hearing Details: Wednesday, July 8, 2015 - 10 AM EDT (US)
2123 Rayburn HOB - Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
The LIVE hearing will be webcast (above)
Witnesses:
Larry Strickling
Administrator
National Telecommunications and Information Administrator
Witness Testimony (Truth in Testimony and CV)
Fadi Chehade
CEO
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
Witness Testimony (Truth in Testimony and CV)
From Larry Strickling's prepared remarks: "In May 2015, I sent a letter to the chairs of the transition and accountability working groups requesting that they provide NTIA by the end of June with an update on the status of the transition planning and associated timeframes, including the community's views as to how long it will take to finalize the transition plan and implement it after it is approved.19 We are taking this information into account in order to determine the appropriate extension time period for the current contract. Following the submission of the final transition and accountability proposals, NTIA will ensure that the public and Congress is fully apprised of the specific details of the proposal. "
From Fadi Chehade's prepared remarks: "I stand with you on making sure that the stewardship role that the NTIA is transition is not now, nor ever, susceptible to being led by any government, group of governments, or intergovernmental organization. Similarly I stand with you that no other stakeholder or group of stakeholders should be in a position to exercise undue influence over ICANN."
The House has overwhelmingly approved bipartisan legislation to ensure congressional oversight over any proposed transition. The DOTCOM Act, authored by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), requires that the administration certify that safeguards and accountability measures are in place prior to any transition of stewardship of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority and provides 30 legislative days for Congress to review the plan. Companion legislation to the DOTCOM Act has also been approved by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
From the Congressional press release:
"The Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, chaired by Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday, July 8, at 10:00 a.m. in room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing is entitled, “Internet Governance Progress After ICANN 53.” Continuing their oversight of the administration’s work to transition key Internet functions from the United States to the multistakeholder community, members will hear from NTIA Administrator Larry Strickling and Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers CEO Fadi Chehade and discuss the status of transition efforts following the recently concluded ICANN meeting. The meeting – which included representatives from the international Internet community – continued efforts to reach agreement on the terms of the transition plan proposal and changes to ICANN’s bylaws that would be necessary to ensure ICANN is accountable to the Internet community at-large. ICANN is a non-profit corporation based in the United States."
“Oversight and transparency are necessary parts of any proposed transition of IANA stewardship to the multi-stakeholder Internet community,” said Walden. “The House has spoken to ensure our oversight occurs before any transition is finalized. We will do our part to ensure this work stays on track and that any transition proposal preserves the open and robust internet free from international government control.”
See also on Domain Mondo:
- IANA Stewardship Transition To Be Completed By July-September 2016
- What Caused ICANN President and CEO Fadi Chehadé To Quit?
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