Secure 5G and Beyond Act of 2020

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 2881, the Secure 5G and Beyond Act.

First, I thank my fellow members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for approving this legislation, and I thank the House Energy and Commerce Committee for passing my bill out of committee on a strongly bipartisan basis last year as well.

I also thank my colleagues, Representative Brooks, Representative O'Halleran, Representative Rooney, Representative Slotkin, and Representative Stefanik, for joining my effort to protect the next generation of U.S. telecommunications systems. I am proud to have such a strong bipartisan coalition backing my bill.

I also thank my colleagues in the Senate, Senator Cornyn and his bipartisan colleagues, for their work in prioritizing this very important issue.

When you turn on the TV, you might hear a lot of commercials advertising 5G and the expansion of U.S. 5G networks. It is true: This technology holds incredible potential for future economic growth here in the United States, particularly in our rural communities, as they rely on these high-speed technologies to connect to the rest of the world.

However, the adoption of certain 5G wireless technologies present many serious national security challenges for our country and the American people. Chinese companies like ZTE and Huawei continue to grow their global 5G footprint around the world, and as their equipment becomes more integrated into the economies of the United States and our allies, China's leverage grows, as does the threat of Chinese exploitation.

It is difficult to overstate the long-term effects of the global transition to 5G. An article in The Atlantic earlier this week said: ``The rollout of speedy, new cellular networks is a geopolitical turning point.'' And China is working hard to take advantage of this rare moment.

Unfortunately, China's long-term strategy and ambitions extend far beyond global commerce and communications. For example, a 2018 NATO report warned that Huawei's close ties to the Chinese Government could lead to Huawei's 5G technology being used to spy on adversaries, monitor foreign companies and governments, and support Chinese military operations, all of which could be targeted at the United States and the American people.

The adoption of Chinese 5G could invite a deluge of foreign influence, espionage, and interference into U.S. mobile networks and wireless systems.

But, simultaneously, China's innovation edge is also growing through companies like Huawei and ZTE. As of February 2019, Chinese tech companies owned 36 percent of all key 5G patents, while U.S.-based companies only owned 14 percent.

This makes clear to me that the United States needs a comprehensive strategy, a strategy to respond to this growing level of economic competition and to protect against the security risks posed by ZTE, Huawei, and other 5G-focused companies.

From afar, we have seen how China disregards the privacy of its own people, and we should be very wary of China's growing 5G influence in the West. We need a game plan to defend our mobile networks.

The United States, the country responsible for so many of the remarkable developments of the digital age, needs to strengthen our resilience against potential cyber threats directed against American families, companies, and consumer data. That is why I am proud to lead the Secure 5G and Beyond Act.

Madam Speaker, my bill would require the administration to develop a public strategy to protect U.S. consumers, companies, and Federal agencies against potential threats posed by emerging 5G technologies. By developing a national interagency strategy, we can better identify where security gaps currently exist--and we can work to close them.

Additionally, my bill would help spur new 5G research and development here at home, something that is critical for central Virginia and the rest of the United States.

In the face of potential Chinese dominance in the 5G space, the Secure 5G and Beyond Act would put our country and its companies on a path toward achieving and maintaining greater security and a competitive edge.

But in our interconnected world, we cannot do it alone. This bipartisan legislation would also encourage our allies to pursue similar strategies.

As we look ahead to future generations of wireless technology, we need to deploy a strong, evidence-based approach toward improving our cyber defenses.

Last year, then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford called the rise of Chinese 5G networks a critical national security issue. This bill recognizes that fact and does something about it.

We can continue to achieve faster internet speeds and wider connectivity across America, but this bill makes sure that these exciting achievements are accompanied by a smart strategy, one that can successfully prevent foreign influence in our 5G networks and keep our citizens safe.

Today, I call on my colleagues to pass the Secure 5G and Beyond Act of 2020.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source