Legislation was introduced in Congress to help people in authoritarian regimes to circumvent censorship, communicate safely with their loved ones, share information, support protesters, and succeed in the struggle for freedom. Orlando Representative Val Demings and House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee Chairman William R. Keating announced the new legislation to support internet freedom technology last week.
The internet freedom legislation would support freedom and family communication in Cuba, Russia, China, Venezuela, Belarus, and other closed countries.
“The internet is a critical tool for families and democratic movements across the globe as they work to survive and to resist under authoritarian regimes,” said Rep. Demings and Chairman Keating. “Our new legislation will provide surge capacity funding for internet freedom technology, empowering democratic movements and resisting rising global authoritarianism. Across the globe from Cuba to Belarus, authoritarian leaders have restricted internet access, especially during elections or protests, and we must empower ordinary people to resist.”
Rep. Demings previously identified up to $2.5 million per year in unallocated appropriation for “surges” to internet freedom programs, and called on the Biden Administration to immediately implement grants to fund internet access programs in Cuba. This legislation follows on that effort, allocating new funding to create a broader, flexible, nimble, and effective program.
“The technology funded under this initiative allows users cost-free access to social media and other messaging services, even during government-controlled internet blackouts,” Reps. Demings and Keating said. “This is a concrete response against censorship technology which is being sold by Russia and the Chinese Communist Party to other autocrats. From Cuba to Venezuela, Belarus to Russia, this initiative will support ordinary people in their struggle for freedom.”
Rep. Demings serves on the House Intelligence Committee and Homeland Security Committee and she chairs the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery. Rep. Keating is the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Energy, the Environment and Cyber.
