Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 866) to direct the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, to conduct a study of the national security risks posed by consumer routers, modems, and devices that combine a modem and router, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 866

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 ``Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security Act'' or the ``ROUTERS Act''. SEC. 2. STUDY OF RISKS POSED BY CERTAIN ROUTERS AND MODEMS.

(a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct a study of the national security risks and cybersecurity vulnerabilities posed by consumer routers, modems, and devices that combine a modem and router that are designed, developed, manufactured, or supplied by persons owned by, controlled by, or subject to the influence of a covered country.

(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).

(c) Consultation Within Department.--In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with appropriate bureaus and offices within the Department of Commerce.

(d) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) Covered country.--The term ``covered country'' means a country specified in section 4872(f)(2) of title 10, United States Code.

(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information.

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Mr. BILIRAKIS.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 866, the ROUTERS Act, led by Chairman Latta, my good friend.

Nearly everyone in America has a router or a modem in their home, but these devices can have security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by our adversaries, unfortunately.

The ROUTERS Act would direct the Department of Commerce to study the national security risks and cybersecurity vulnerabilities posed by routers and modems produced by companies with ties to foreign adversaries. This study will help Congress understand the security of these devices.

This legislation passed by voice vote last Congress, and I urge my colleagues to support it once again.
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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this particular vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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