Chairman Issa calls hearing on Domain Name Service, search engine blocking for Jan. 18

House Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) announced a Jan. 18 hearing on the potential impact of Domain Name Service (DNS) and search engine blocking on the Internet, escalating the feud within the Republican Party over the controversial Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA).

“An open Internet is crucial to American job creation, government operations, and the daily routines of Americans from all walks of life,” Chairman Issa said. “The public deserves a full discussion about the consequences of changing the way Americans access information and communicate on the Internet today.” Chairman Issa has been a harsh critic of SOPA, banding together with fellow Judiciary Committee members Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Jared Polis (D-CO) and Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) to successfully stall a two-day marathon December markup by endlessly debating a slew of amendments to the legislation.