Why is the proposed Bill about changing powers for shutting down the Internet?

A bipartisan effort by Congress is proposing to limit the Executive Branch’s ability to shut down the Internet.  While the Executive Branch will still maintain the ability to shut down access to the Internet and wireless communications, the new bill proposes:

• notification be given to the Pentagon, Congressional Leadership, and the Federal Communications Commission;

• limiting the circumstances in which a shutdown may occur;

• extensions of a shutdown to be voted on by Congress; and

• a required number of votes be secured in each chamber of Congress before a shutdown can be extended.

Read about the efforts to implement safeguards to Executive Branch’s power to shut down the Internet in emergency situations.