Cliff Stearns: “In 2006 when the original SAFE WEB Act was signed into law, I was Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee's…”

“In 2006 when the original SAFE WEB Act was signed into law, I was Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection. I believed then, as I believe now, that this bill provided needed authority to the Federal Trade Commission to address cross border fraud. Essentially, the SAFE WEB Act ensures that the FTC can effectively combat Internet scams and fraud being perpetrated against U.S. citizens by foreign operators. Throughout my tenure in Congress I have worked to pass strong data security and cyber protections for consumers, and the SAFE WEB Act directly correlates with this mission. Without reauthorization, the Act and its grant of authorities to the FTC will expire on December 22, 2013. I appreciate Chairman Bono Mack's attention to this issue and focus on reauthorizing this bill before it expires. Delay in reauthorization could threaten the strong relationships the FTC has been able to build with foreign countries, such as Canada, these past six years. I am also pleased to see that while today's bill will extend the SAFE WEB Act for an additional seven years, it also makes clear that the law will sunset if not again reauthorized. While I applaud what the FTC has done so far, I support sun-setting laws that provide independent agencies with new authorities. Such action guards against bureaucratic overreach and preserves important Congressional oversight.…”