Advertisement Features Prominent Republican & Democratic Members of Congress
WASHINGTON, DC — The American Edge Project, a coalition of two dozen domestic organizations, today launched a new ad campaign highlighting the importance of strengthening America’s competitive edge in technology and maintaining a free and open internet amid the mounting threat posed by digital autocracies, such as China and Russia.
The spot, titled “Protecting America’s Future,” features former U.S. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), who served as vice chair of the U.S. House Committee on Armed Services and U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, as well as former U.S. Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR), who served as chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce and chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
“An open, accessible internet plays a pivotal role in fostering freedom, individual rights, and a vibrant and healthy democracy,” said former U.S. Congresswoman Sanchez. “Meanwhile, our foreign adversaries, like China and Russia, are determined to supplant America’s global technological leadership so they can advance a vision for an internet that is rooted in censorship, misinformation, and surveillance. That is why our leaders must come together to strengthen American innovation. We simply can’t afford to lose the race for the technologies of the future to countries that don’t share our values.”
“As a lawmaker who served as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and as someone who spent decades in the radio broadcast business, I am a firm believer in Americans’ First Amendment rights. The United States’ unrivaled commitment to freedom of expression is foundational to our entrepreneurial spirit and economic prosperity,” added former U.S. Congressman Greg Walden. “It is more important than ever for our leaders to strengthen America’s competitive edge in technology and ensure the internet remains a vibrant ecosystem that reflects our core values of openness, accessibility and free expression.
Watch “Protecting America’s Future” here.
SCRIPT:
“I’m a former Democratic Congresswoman who served as vice chair of the House Homeland Security and Armed Services Committees.
“I’m a former Republican Congressman who chaired the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
“Americans, regardless of their political party, support freedom of expression online.
“Our citizens want and expect an accessible Internet that strengthens our democratic values.
“Our foreign adversaries like China and Russia have a different approach.
“They abuse the Internet to promote misinformation…
“…and censor their people to strengthen their authoritarian regimes.
“America’s tech innovators are on the frontlines, fostering an open Internet that encourages free speech and creates economic opportunities for small businesses and working families.
“Protecting America’s competitive edge in technology is vital to our economic future, our national security and our standing in the world.
“We can’t afford to lose the race for the technologies of the future to countries that don’t share our values.
“Our leaders must strengthen, not weaken, American technology.”
BACKGROUND:
The American Edge Project is a coalition of domestic organizations representing a cross-section of U.S. innovators who are dedicated to telling the story about technology’s positive influence on America’s economy and the vital role innovation plays in our society. Former New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, former U.S. Representative Chris Carney, and former Federal Election Commission Chairman Bradley A. Smith are directors of the American Edge Project. AEP’s National Security Advisory Board is comprised of Former White House Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend; retired four-star General Joseph F. Dunford Jr., United States Marine Corps (USMC), who served as former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and former Acting Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Michael J. Morell. Former U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Kent Conrad (D-ND) serve as Co-Chairs of the Project’s Economic Advisory Board. Former U.S. Representative Greg Walden (R-OR) and Former U.S. Representative Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) serve as Co-Chairs of the Project’s Open & Accessible Internet Advisory Board.
Visit AmericanEdgeProject.org for more information.
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