Surely this could never be abused..?

This is just naturally a great idea, and clearly meant only to shield us all from the next 9/11. The government only wants the ability to suspend the internet, or specific sites, in the case of a legitimate emergency. There's no way that could be abused...

U.S. Government Proposes "Internet Kill Switch"

The proposed legislation ... would compel any internet providers, search engines or software companies, at the discretion of the U.S. government, to "immediately comply with any emergency measure or action developed" by the Department of Homeland Security.
...
The bill would give a newly-formed National Center for Cybersecurity and Communications the authority to monitor the "security status" of private websites, ISPs and other net-related business within the U.S. as well as critical internet components in other countries. Companies would be required to take part in "information sharing" with the government and certify to the NCCC that they have implemented approved security measures. Furthermore, any company that "relies on" the internet, telephone system or any other part of the U.S. "information infrastructure" would also be "subject to command" by the NCCC under the proposed new law.

Yep, nothing to worry about there. There's no chance it'll ever be used to censor free speech, restrict the actions and organization of an opposing political movement, or shut down communication across the nation or globe while a coup d'état takes place and the new masters entrench and secure their power. Big Brother tells me not to worry, and Big Brother's never lied to me before - or at least, if he did, and I posted accusations or proof of it here, he might eventually get the proposed NCCC to shut down this website. So, it's just better for all of us if I say he's never lied to me. Because he hasn't ever lied to me. I promise.