U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) joined a bipartisan group of senators to introduce legislation this month that would protect the nation’s telecommunications network from Chinese-supplied equipment that presents national security risks.
Houlahan was joined by U.S. Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Brittney Pettersen (D-CO), and Ashley Hinson (D-IA).The legislation, the Defend Out Networks Act, would use unobligated COVID-19 funds to replace Chinese-made telecommunications products with secure equipment. There are an estimated 24,000 pieces of Chinese-made communications equipment inside of U.S. networks, and that replacing the equipment will ensure Americans’ privacy, as well as strengthen America’s national security, according to a release from Hinson’s office.
“This year, the Federal Communications Commission said they can only cover less than half of the costs to remove dangerous Chinese technology from American telecommunications networks,” Houlahan said.” That is simply unacceptable. I am proud to co-lead the Defend Our Networks Act alongside a strong coalition of bipartisan partners. This bill would strengthen the FCC’s ability to safeguard our technology, ensuring that Americans can be confident, knowing that none of our telecommunications systems are vulnerable to attacks because they contain Chinese software.”
According to Hinson’s office, Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE are closely linked to the Chinese government, and equipment from the companies present significant risks to U.S. national security and domestic communications networks. Already, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned the use of FCC funds to expand or maintain networks containing any Huawei or ZTE equipment and ordered telecom carriers to replace equipment made by either company.
“Chinese technology is embedded in communications networks across the United States, giving the Chinese Communist Party backdoor access to Americans’ personal information and sensitive data,” Hinson said. “If communication flows through Huawei or ZTE equipment, it should be treated as if it is being downloaded back to a server in Beijing with a full access pass for the CCP regime. The Defend Our Networks Act will ensure compromised Chinese telecom equipment is replaced with secure systems so that Americans, especially those in rural areas, have secure, reliable, and private connectivity.”
In 2020, Congress passed the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act that reimbursed smaller communications providers for removing, replacing and disposing of equipment made by the two companies. However, according to the FCC, the program faced a $3.08 billion shortfall. Hinson said her legislation aims to address that gap.