Countering Ccp Drones Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2864) to amend the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 to provide for the addition of certain equipment and services produced or provided by DJI Technologies to the list of covered communications equipment or services published under such Act, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 2864

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Countering CCP Drones Act''. SEC. 2. ADDITION OF CERTAIN EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES OF DJI TECHNOLOGIES TO COVERED LIST.

(a) In General.--Section 2(c) of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (47 U.S.C. 1601(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``(5) The communications equipment or service being--

``(A) telecommunications or video surveillance equipment produced by Shenzhen Da-Jiang Innovations Sciences and Technologies Company Limited (commonly known as `DJI Technologies') (or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof); or

``(B) telecommunications or video surveillance services, including software, provided by an entity described in subparagraph (A) or using equipment described in such subparagraph.''.

(b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 2 of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (47 U.S.C. 1601) is amended by striking ``paragraphs (1) through (4)'' each place it appears and inserting ``paragraphs (1) through (5)''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, H.R. 2864, the Countering CCP Drones Act, led by the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Stefanik).

DJI Technologies is the largest drone manufacturer in the world. Their drones are used by hobbyists, public safety agencies, and private companies to capture images from above, protect the public, and monitor critical infrastructure. Despite its significant presence, DJI is based in China, and it has known ties with the Chinese Communist Party, which represents a national security risk to the United States.

As we know, companies with ties to the CCP operate in an environment tightly intertwined with the Chinese Communist Government, raising serious concerns about the level of influence and potential for exploitation by the CCP.

For example, under China's 2017 National Intelligence Law, these companies are required to support, provide assistance to, and cooperate with China's national intelligence work, wherever they operate, which would and could jeopardize Americans. This threat is especially significant with DJI given how their drones are used within the United States, and we must act to address this threat.

H.R. 2864 adds telecommunications or video surveillance equipment and surveillance services produced or provided by DJI Technologies to the FCC's covered list, which is a list of communications equipment or services that pose an unacceptable risk to national security. As a result of being placed on this list, the FCC could no longer authorize DJI drones going forward.

This legislation is forward looking. It only applies to drones that DJI seeks FCC authorization for after this bill becomes law. It would not affect the authorization of drones already in use today. It is imperative we move forward with these efforts to remove the threat posed by DJI.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2864, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. LATTA. Stefanik), the bill's sponsor.
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Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I further urge support of H.R. 2864. This bill, again, came out of the Energy and Commerce Committee 43-0, and I urge passage of the legislation.

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