Cybersecurity Policy Report, Pfluger Introduces House Version of ‘Rip-and-Replace’ Bill, (Aug 13, 2024)
Organizations Mentioned:Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) | Telecommunications Industry Association
By Lynn Stanton
Rep. August Pfluger (R., Texas) has introduced a bill to fund the shortfall in the FCC’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program, also known as the “rip-and-replace” program.
Congress originally funded the program with $1.9 billion, but eligible requests amounted to $4.98 billion (CPR, July 18, 2022).
The Supporting National Security with Spectrum Act (HR 9340), which was introduced Friday, would appropriate funds to make up the difference in fiscal year 2024 but would recoup the funding by requiring the FCC to begin a re-auction AWS-3 band licenses previously returned to the Commission within one year of enactment. It would authorize the FCC to conduct the auction regardless of whether Congress restores the FCC’s lapsed general auction authority.
A companion bill in the Senate (S 4049) was introduced by Sen. Steve Daines (R., Mont.) in March.
In a news release, Rep. Pfluger’s office said the bill was supported by the Competitive Carriers Association, NTCA, NATE, the Wireless Infrastructure Association, WTA, WISPA, the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), the Rural Wireless Association, and the Telecommunications Industry Association.
NATE President and Chief Executive Officer Todd Schlekeway said, “This is a critical proposal to fully fund the Rip and Replace Program, removing Chinese components from our nation’s wireless communications systems. It is imperative to take this step to ensure the security of our broadband infrastructure. This important legislation would mitigate the real threat to our national security posed by insecure networks and devices. Congress must move forward to fully leverage the rip and replace program to protect Internet users.”
Mr. Schlekeway added, “This companion legislation builds off of S. 4049, Supporting National Security with Spectrum Act originally introduced by Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) in the U.S. Senate. NATE looks forward to both the House and Senate moving ahead to address this issue and urges swift passage since the Association’s member contractor companies will be on the front lines conducting this rip and replace deployment work.
News: FederalLegislation DataSecurity