There are still many unknowns in this process, and much remains to be decided before a transition can take place.

I was pleased to see, Assistant Secretary Strickling, your testimony where you state that the transition timeline is flexible and will extend beyond the September 2015 expiration of the ICANN contract.

Our hope is that the United States Senate will pass this legislation soon and provide the Congress with another tool to ensure a transition that will meet our Nation's and the world's needs.

Large and fundamental questions loomed, and this subcommittee sought to exercise its role as NTIA's oversight authority and try and get some answers.

Early shortcomings in FirstNet's approach to consultation with States and others interested parties had resulted in considerable uncertainty and concern among stakeholders.

When we last convened to discuss FirstNet, my goal was to leave that hearing with a higher level of comfort with regard to FirstNet's progress and confidence in the way it was conducting its business.

Mr. Kennedy, thank you for your leadership, and that of your team's, and the progress that you are making.

Much has happened since then. There has been some turnover in management, and with the release of the Inspector General's report in December of last year confirming much of what we feared--that FirstNet had been operating without proper…

We are dedicated to improving the way that government does its business.

I am pleased to announce that my colleague and friend, Ranking Member Eshoo, and I will reintroduce the FCC Process Reform Act.

I applaud their willingness to work with the majority on improving the FCC process.

We must not buy into the idea that an FCC Chairman will diminish his or her power and work against their own interests there.

I applaud the chairman for his stated commitment to process reform.

Unfortunately, in the intervening years, while we have seen some reform at the FCC, I don't think it has gone far enough.

The objective is to grant the FCC significant latitude in setting its own deadlines in developing performance measures for program activities.

Representative Loebsack's bill would require the chairman to publish the internal procedures at the FCC.

Representative Matsui's bill would encourage the FCC to improve access to government for small businesses.

Together with the draft bills we discussed at our last legislative hearing and the consolidated reporting bill that was passed unanimously by the House in February, these are real steps toward a higher standard for transparency of…

It is time to sign over the title to this car, but not until we are sure that ICANN is answerable to the community we designed it to serve.

I don't know that it needs to be a year at all.

The Internet remains a free and open place to exchange information and ideas, and the goal of my legislation has always been to preserve that for future generations.

Bipartisan staff discussions are ongoing, and we are hopeful that an agreement can be reached to hold NTIA accountable to their own criteria.

We would be negligent in our responsibilities to not sure that NTIA, and the Administration, is living up to its promises.

We've said time and again that this is far too important to rush.

It would be irresponsible to ignore the very real risks associated with a relinquishment of the U.S. role in Internet governance, no matter how symbolic.