House Committee advances Rep. Spanberger’s 5G bill

The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced legislation to protect 5G and next-generation wireless communications systems in the United States.

The bill — the Secure 5G and Beyond Act – was introduced by Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA).

The bill would require the Trump administration to develop a national strategy to maximize the security of their 5G telecommunications systems. It would also seek ways to spur research and development in 5G.

“Chinese tech companies like Huawei and ZTE continue to extend their global grip on 5G communications—and their strategic ties to Chinese military and intelligence agencies present serious, pressing national security concerns for the United States and our allies. If we aren’t actively working to strengthen our resilience against these threats—especially as we see the growing adoption of these technologies in our rural communities and increasing reliance on these high-speed connections—we are putting American families, businesses, and consumer data at risk,” Spanberger said.

Last month, the Federal Communications Commission announced plans to place greater restrictions on Chinese telecommunications companies like Huawei and ZTE for security concerns. Huawei – a leading supplier of 5G technology – could be exploited by China to engage in espionage and monitor foreign corporations and governments, according to a 2018 North Atlantic Treaty Organization report.

“This bill would also put us on a path toward maintaining our competitive edge in the face of mounting Chinese dominance in the 5G space. As we look ahead to future generations of wireless communications technology, I’ll keep fighting to build a consistent and evidence-based approach toward improving our defenses against future threats to our cybersecurity,” Spanberger said.

Spanberger’s bill was cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN), Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), Francis Rooney (R-FL), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Elise Stefanik (R-NY).