(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) offered opening remarks at the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing titled “A Status Update on the Development of Voluntary Do-Not-Track Standards.” Understanding what harm exists to Internet tracking and the impacts of any possible government solution on the private sector were among Heller’s concerns.

Here are Senator Heller’s full remarks, as prepared:

Thank you Mr. Chairman.

I appreciate this hearing today to understand where the private sector is on voluntary do not track agreements.

This issue crystalizes the transactional nature of using the Internet.

Whether consumers realize it or not there is an exchange taking place when an individual launches their internet on whatever device they are using. 

In exchange for services such as free search engines, free email, free content on websites, free travel booking to destinations such as Las Vegas, free car rental booking when they are in Las Vegas and free dinner booking at world class restaurants in Las Vegas, these consumers whether they know it or not are being tracked.

Some people don’t even know they are being tracked.  Some people don’t even care.

As we all know, the World Wide Web Consortium or W3C has been working on an international set of standards in an effort to improve user privacy and user control by defining what a user should expect when opting for no tracking during their online session.

We have been hearing for some time that the W3C is spinning its wheels and unable to come to an agreement.  The W3C has a major opportunity on May 6-8 in California to come together and decide if they can reach an agreement. 

I hope that this will happen.  I think that a result on this issue by the private sector is the most appropriate way to go.

I would encourage the W3C to try to the fullest extent possible to uphold a few principles:

1. Any solution must be technology neutral.
2. It must be business model neutral.
3. And it must not pick winners and losers.

I also want to point out how difficult a consensus will be to achieve. 

The W3C is made up of privacy groups, web browsers, 1^st party advertisers, 3^rd party advertising companies and experts in the public sphere.  There are many competing agendas here.

It is important that this committee attempts to better understand why coming to an agreement here is fleeting and perhaps encourage that the private sector be able to reach a consensus.

It is also important to understand that any solution that blocks 3^rd party advertising companies from placing cookies on the Internet will have economic consequences.  This sector provides many jobs and generates multiple billions of dollars in economic activity.

Understanding exactly what 1^st and 3^rd parties track online and whether the consumer is harmed in some fashion or even cares is incredibly important to understand.  Especially if a government solution is being considered.

I think the last thing any member wants to do is propose a solution that chills investment and innovation.

The question really being discussed here is not whether tracking is happening, it is.  The question is whether harm actually exists, what is that harm, and what is the appropriate solution to that?

I believe the goal here is consumer education and choice, but it should be from the private sector.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.

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(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) questioned the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Under Secretary for Benefits about the backlog of VA claims facing Nevada veterans.

Background

Heller has been at the forefront in seeking answers for Nevada veterans. Currently, the VA Regional Office for the State of Nevada is facing a backlog of more than 10,000 claims. In August, Senator Heller toured the Office with Congressman Mark Amodei. In February, he met with VA Secretary Eric Shinseki to discuss the issue and just last week he questioned panelists at a Veterans’ Affairs Committee Hearing.

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(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) questioned Sally Jewell at the Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hearing on her nomination to be the Secretary of the Interior. Protecting the mining industry in the Silver State and preventing an Endangered Species Act listing for the sage grouse were among Heller’s concerns.

Partial transcript of Senator Heller’s Questions Below:

1. Mining is important in Nevada, as it is in the entire West… My question is, do you believe that mining is a threat to public lands?

2. Eighty seven percent of Nevada is owned by the federal government, so when the Interior sneezes, we feel an earthquake. I would hope that you (Sally Jewell) and I can have the discussion to see if there are any changes that can be done to assure that not only are we avoiding these wildfires but at the same time, saving the precious habitat for these sage grouse.

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