Republicans renew attempts to delay Internet domain handoff

Republicans in Congress are again attempting to block the government's plan to hand off oversight of the Internet domain name system. A House Appropriations subcommittee advanced a funding bill for Commerce, Justice and Science that included a provision barring the government from using funds to make the transition through 2017. The language is nearly identical to similar policy riders that made their way into funding bills in the past few years. Officials have hoped to finish off the transition by late 2016, but those plans would likely have to be put on hold if the rider again gets added to a final funding deal that reaches President Obama's desk.

On the other side of the Capitol, Sen Marco Rubio (R-FL) appears to be circulating a letter to colleagues pressing the head of the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Association (NTIA) to delay the handoff amid concerns.