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House Republicans Introduce Legislation to Block Chinese Communist Party's Telecom Network Infiltration

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) discussed his Secure Equipment Act of 2021, legislation he introduced with Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.), to block the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from reviewing or issuing equipment licenses to companies backed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that have been identified by the FCC as national security threats. This bill builds on the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019, which instructed the FCC to publish a list of telecommunication equipment deemed to be a national security threat, prohibit the use of federal funds for purchasing equipment made by those companies, and authorize funding for U.S. carriers to rip and replace equipment that was made by those companies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Secure Equipment Act of 2021 aims to prevent the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from infiltrating America's telecom networks by prohibiting the FCC from issuing equipment licenses to Chinese companies identified as national security threats.
  • The bill is a follow-up to the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019, which instructed the FCC to identify and address telecommunication equipment posing a national security threat.
  • The FCC has published a list of five companies with ties to the CCP, which pose a risk to national security due to the potential for espionage and data control.
  • The existing law only prohibits the use of federal funds for purchasing equipment made by these companies, but does not prevent U.S. carriers from privately purchasing equipment from these listed companies.
  • The Secure Equipment Act seeks to prohibit the FCC from issuing any equipment licenses to these companies, adding an extra layer of security and preventing Chinese equipment from threatening U.S. networks.
  • The bill aims to protect U.S. networks from national security threats as they expand to include 5G networks and critical technologies such as driverless cars and the Internet of Things.

Statistics:

  • 2019: The House Committee passed the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act, instructing the FCC to publish a list of telecommunication equipment deemed to be a national security threat.
  • 5 companies: The FCC has published a list of five companies with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, which pose a risk to national security due to the potential for espionage and data control.
  • 100%: The Chinese government has ownership in many of the listed companies, making them a direct threat to U.S. national security.

Sources:

  • "Today's hearing" - Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
  • "H.R. 3919" - Secure Equipment Act of 2021
  • "FCC" - Federal Communications Commission
  • "Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019" - Landmark act instructing the FCC to address telecommunication equipment posing a national security threat

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