A proposal to end United States government oversight of key operating functions of the Internet has prompted Sens. Ted Cruz, James Lankford, and Mike Lee to fire off a
letter of protest to the Department of Commerce and National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
The Republican lawmakers say the proposal by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) could "greatly endanger Internet freedom" and "significantly increase the power of foreign governments over the Internet."
"As you know, many countries and activist corporations use human rights commitments as vehicles to limit individual's freedom of speech by regulating and forcing the moderation of content," the letter states.
"The administration should oppose terminating U.S. government oversight of the IANA functions contract."