“Government’s hands-off approach has enabled the Internet’s rapid growth and made it a powerful engine of social and economic freedom,” bill sponsor Greg Walden (R-Ore.) said on the House floor.

“This bipartisan bill is designed to combat recent efforts by some in the international community to regulate the Internet, which can jeopardize not only its vibrancy, but also the benefits that it brings to the entire world.”

{mosads}Democrats agreed on the importance to signal to the world that the U.S. does not support Internet governance by a collection of governments.

“This week, member state of the International Telecommunications Union will meet again in Geneva to debate issues surrounding global Internet governance,” Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said. “Passage of H.R. 1580 will be timely in once again demonstrating the unwavering support from our Congress of the multi-stakeholder Internet governance model.”

The House also approved two other bills Tuesday evening:

— H.R. 180, the National Blue Alert Act, which encourages “Blue Alert” plans throughout the country that disseminate information when a law enforcement officer is hurt or killed. Members passed this bill 406-2.

— S.Con.Res. 10, authorizing the use of the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to celebrate the birthday of King Kamehameha. Members approved this resolution 411-0.