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The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced a series of legislation including: H.R. 1580, a bill to affirm the policy of the United States regarding Internet governance; and H.R. 3, the “Northern Route Approval Act.” A markup refers to the congressional committee process in which legislation is debated, amended and eventually voted on. Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) voted in favor of this legislation and issued the following statement after this week’s markup:

“These pieces of legislation seek to put American consumers first by providing commonsense solutions that will create jobs, promote energy security, and allow the Internet to flourish,” Latta said. “This series of bills are a win-win for hardworking American taxpayers, and our economy.”

Congressman Latta is an original cosponsor of H.R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act, which was introduced by Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE). The bill would remove remaining barriers to the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline and would allow this jobs and energy security project to move forward.

Lastly, the committee unanimously approved H.R. 1580, bipartisan legislation making it the policy of the United States to preserve the Internet’s current multi-stakeholder governance model. In an opening statement during last week’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology meeting on the legislation, Congressman Latta, an original cosponsor of the legislation and Vice Chairman of the subcommittee, reiterated the importance of the bill because “the United States must stand steadfast in its defense and promotion of Internet Freedom.” Click here to view the full opening statement.

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