Cybersecurity Policy Report, Subcommittee Will Mark up Communications Security Bills Tomorrow, (Mar 11, 2024)
The House communications and technology subcommittee plans to mark up legislation tomorrow that would take steps to secure U.S. communications infrastructure from foreign adversaries, the subcommittee announced on Saturday.
Bills scheduled for markup include the Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency (FACT) Act (HR 820), which would require the FCC to publish a list of companies that hold Commission authorizations, licenses, or other grants of authority and have ownership or other links to China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, or Venezuela (CPR, Feb. 6, 2023). The legislation was introduced by Reps. Elise Stefanik (R., N.Y.), Ro Khanna (D., Calif.), and Mike Gallagher (R., Wis.).
Also scheduled for markup is the Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security (ROUTERS) Act (HR 7589), which would direct the National Telecommunications and Information Administration “to conduct a study of the national security risks posed by routers, modems, and devices that combine a modem and router.” HR 7589 is sponsored by subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R., Ohio).
A third bill on the agenda is the Future Uses of Technology Upholding Reliable and Enhanced (FUTURE) Networks Act (HR 1513), which would direct the FCC to establish a 6G Task Force (CPR, March 9, 2023). It is sponsored by subcommittee ranking member Doris Matsui (D., Calif.) and Rep. Bill Johnson (R., Ohio).
“Our communications networks are an integral part of our lives, businesses, economy, and national security, which is why we cannot afford to jeopardize their security by continuing to rely on technology from foreign adversaries,” according to the committee’s announcement.
“Homes, schools, hospitals, our financial system, and the military are all at risk as long as equipment sourced from our adversaries remains part of our communications infrastructure,” the announcement added. “We look forward to marking up several legislative solutions that will safeguard and cement America's leadership in this area for generations to come.”
The markup is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. or 30 minutes after the conclusion of an earlier markup being held at 10 a.m. by the Energy and Commerce Committee’s health subcommittee. It will be held in Room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building and livestreamed on the committee’s website.
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