Cybersecurity Policy Report, House Bill Aims to Counter U.S. Adversaries in Telecom Standards-Setting, (Apr 17, 2026)
By Paul Kirby
Legislation introduced yesterday seeks to promote U.S. coordination in digital policy before the International Telecommunication Union’s 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference in Qatar and the ITU’s 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-27) in China.
The USA 6G Global Leadership Act, which was introduced by Reps. Julie Johnson (D., Texas) and Sheri Biggs (R., S.C.), aims to help boost U.S. efforts to counter activities by China and Russia to thwart U.S. leadership in the telecom sector.
The bill, which was referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, would task the ambassador at large for cyberspace and digital policy with coordinating U.S. diplomatic efforts ahead of both the plenipot and WRC-27.
The bill would also require the secretary of State to submit within 90 days a report to Congress on efforts by China and Russia to promote policies or standards at ITU meetings or other international fora that constrain digital freedom or expand the ITU’s mandate to cover Internet governance standards.
The secretary of State, in coordination with the International Development Finance Corp. and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, would have to implement projects asserting U.S. leadership in the telecom infrastructure sector, including through the promotion of connectivity and trusted vendors in developing countries.
The secretary of State would also have 90 days to deliver a 6G technology dominance strategy to Congress.
“The race to 6G is underway, and the United States cannot afford to fall behind,” said Rep. Johnson. “The USA 6G Global Leadership Act ensures that we set the standards—not our adversaries—while strengthening our national security and economic competitiveness.”
“This bill builds on that strength by supporting American companies, investing in secure infrastructure, and working with our allies to outcompete China in the technologies that will define the future. If we want to lead the world in innovation, we must show up, compete, and win,” she added.
News: FederalLegislation DataSecurity