Scalise, Eshoo, Rubio, Markey Celebrate President's Signing of "Secure Equipment Act" Into Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.) released the following statements after President Biden signed their Secure Equipment Act of 2021 into law. This bipartisan legislation prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from reviewing or issuing new equipment licenses to companies on the FCC's "Covered Equipment or Services List" that pose a national security threat.

The Secure Equipment Act would prevent equipment manufactured by Chinese state-backed firms such as Huawei, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision and Dahua from being further utilized and marketed in the United States. This legislation adds an extra layer of security that slams the door on entities that pose a national security risk from having a presence in the U.S. telecommunications network.

"Yesterday's bill signing proves that Congress can still work together across the aisle to enact vital legislation to protect the privacy and security of American citizens. I was proud to work with Rep. Eshoo and Senators Rubio and Markey to get the Secure Equipment Act through the House and Senate to prevent Chinese companies identified as national security threats from gaining access to the private data of American families. With this bill being signed into law, we have sent a strong signal to the Chinese Communist Party that America is committed to protecting our telecommunications networks and the data security of our Nation," said Whip Scalise.

"I've fought for over a decade to address vulnerabilities in our telecommunications infrastructure that directly impact our national security. Equipment made by Huawei and ZTE, companies linked to the Chinese Communist Party, increase the vulnerabilities of our telecommunication systems and put privacy and safety of Americans at risk. I thank President Biden for signing the Secure Equipment Act, our bipartisan, bicameral legislation into law. Now the FCC is prohibited from issuing licenses for any equipment made by companies that pose a threat to our national security,"said Rep. Eshoo.

"The Chinese Communist Party will stop at nothing to exploit our laws and undermine our national security. This legislation fixes a dangerous loophole in our law, curtailing their efforts to worm their way into our telecommunications networks. I am grateful that President Biden signed this bill into law so that critical American infrastructure is protected,"said Sen. Rubio.

"In today's increasingly connected world, we must animate our technology with our values. That's why I was so proud to help lead this bipartisan effort, which will keep compromised equipment out of U.S. telecommunications networks and ensure our technology is safe for consumers and secure for the United States. With President Biden's signature, we are taking strong action to protect our nation from global technological threats that can undermine our future prosperity. I look forward to now working with the President and every member of the FCC to implement this critical measure,"said Sen. Markey.

"The Secure Equipment Act of 2021 will improve our safety as a nation by ensuring that untrustworthy communications equipment is not authorized for use within our borders. Senators Markey and Rubio, and Representatives Eshoo and Scalise's continued dedication to this issue mirrors our efforts to update the Federal Communications Commission's equipment authorization procedures. I thank Senators Markey and Rubio and Representative Eshoo and Scalise for their leadership and for helping send a strong, bipartisan signal that the United States is serious about developing a robust market for secure 5G alternatives,"said FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

"I applaud Senator Rubio, Senator Markey, Republican Whip Scalise, and Congresswoman Eshoo for their determination and leadership to secure America's communications networks. Their Secure Equipment Act is now the law of the land and will ensure that insecure equipment from Huawei, ZTE, and other untrustworthy entities can no longer be inserted into our communications networks. This gear poses an unacceptable risk to our national security and I am pleased with the overwhelming support their legislation has received in Congress to close the Huawei Loophole, and for President Biden's signature today enacting this important reform,"said FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr.