Our Work
American innovators underpin an internet that is open, accessible, and welcoming of free expression. Not everyone around the world experiences those qualities. Some countries – with fundamentally different values – believe in a closed, censored internet, and use it to arrest and imprison citizens for political, social, or religious speech online.
To maintain America’s edge, we need a smart policy approach that doesn’t weaken companies that share American values as they compete in the global marketplace. As policymakers consider the rules and laws that govern innovators, we urge them to protect American values of openness, accessibility, and freedom of expression as essential contributors to America’s competitive advantage.
See the American Edge Project’s work on an open and accessible internet:
Advancing America’s global AI leadership through digital diplomacy and strategic cooperation, Joseph F. Dunford Jr., Frances F. Townsend and Michael J. Morell, November 22nd, 2024
American Tech Companies’ United Front Against Digital Authoritarianism, AEP CEO Doug Kelly, November 5th, 2024
This Free Speech Week, let’s fight for a free and open internet, AEP CEO Doug Kelly, October 25th, 2024
US-China tech race will determine values that shape the future, Rep. Loretta Sanchez and Rep. Greg Walden, May 28th, 2024
How the US could surrender the battle for a free internet, Rep. Loretta Sanchez and Rep. Greg Walden, January 30th, 2024
Open & Accessible Internet Advisory Board
The Honorable Greg Walden
Former U.S. Rep. Greg Walden represented the people of Oregon’s Second Congressional District, which includes 20 counties in central, southern, and eastern Oregon. Walden is a lifelong Oregonian whose ancestors came to Oregon by wagon train in 1845.
Walden and his wife spent more than two decades as radio station owners in the Gorge. He’s also a licensed amateur radio operator (W7EQI). He put that small business and technology experience to work as chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
In this role, he worked to pass legislation to grow American jobs by expanding access to wireless broadband, spur new U.S. technology and innovation, and protect the Internet from government control.
In November 2014, Walden’s House Republican colleagues unanimously reelected him to serve as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).
In the 116th Congress, Walden served as the Republican Leader of the Energy and Commerce Committee.
The Honorable Loretta Sanchez
Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez represented Orange County (OC), CA in the US Congress from 1997-2017. As the Vice Chair of the Armed Services and the Homeland Security Committee, she negotiated budgets, provided needed oversight on agencies and programs like DARPA. Ms. Sanchez led efforts on education attainment for all, small business regulatory reform, healthcare initiatives, and technology innovation. Ms. Sanchez was known in Congress for her passion for civil rights and human rights, especially freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
Congresswoman Sanchez is a recognized leader in economic development, international affairs, national security, counterterrorism, and nuclear proliferation/nonproliferation matters. As a Californian, she has been deeply involved in new technologies and sits on various boards of start-ups in healthcare and data management.
Ms. Sanchez also founded and is managing director of Datamatica, LLC, which uses data analysis to fortify economic development especially in rural areas.