OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Information and Communication Technology Strategy Act

Floor Speech

By: Bob Latta
By: Bob Latta
Date: Oct. 19, 2021
Location: Washington, DC

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. LATTA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4028, the Information and Communication Technology Strategy Act, which was introduced by Representatives Long, Carter, Spanberger, and McNerney.

For decades, U.S. companies and their trusted partners have been at the forefront of wireless technology innovation. We led the world in developing 4G, and we are now in the process of deploying and refining 5G technology. While this work continues, we must ensure supply chain security is at the forefront.

China and other adversaries have made a concerted effort to dominate critical components of the communication supply chain. We have already seen how bad actors like China are trying to seed their equipment across the globe, create technological dependencies, and steal sensitive data to advance their own interests.

This bill, H.R. 4028, would direct the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, NTIA, to study the economic competitiveness of trusted information and communications technology vendors. NTIA would be charged with leading a whole-of-government strategy to ensure the economic competitiveness of trusted vendors and prevent us from being dependent on companies controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.

Only with a comprehensive understanding of the problems we face, along with the strategy to address these problems, will we be able to secure our networks and ensure continued U.S. leadership.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. LATTA. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Long), the sponsor of this legislation.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. LATTA. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. LATTA. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close.

As we have heard from our speakers today, it is absolutely essential that the United States leads when we are talking about telecommunication services and the supply chain because it is absolutely essential for national security.

I urge passage of the legislation in the House, and I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward