Kinzinger praises new law with provision to secure U.S. telecom networks

U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) on April 6 applauded a newly signed law that includes language from his bipartisan bill addressing the need for greater transparency and communication toward securing America’s telecommunications networks from foreign interference.

“I’m grateful this legislation was included in the Energy and Commerce’s bipartisan effort that was signed into law last month,” Rep. Kinzinger said on Monday. “We must continue to monitor these efforts and ensure we’re keeping Americans safe — online and otherwise.”

President Trump on March 12 signed into law the Secure and Trusted Communications Network Act of 2019, H.R. 4998, which prohibits federal subsidies from being used to purchase communications equipment or services that pose national security risks.

The bill includes a provision from Rep. Kinzinger’s Network Security Information Sharing Act, H.R. 4461, which directs the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a program to share information regarding supply chain security risks with trusted providers of advanced communications service and trusted suppliers of communications equipment or services.

“Now more than ever, our supply chain providers and manufacturers need to be protected from malign cyber activity and foreign interference,” said Rep. Kinzinger. “The coronavirus pandemic has forced us all to rely even more on telecommunications, and it’s incredibly important that our networks are secure and our equipment can be trusted.”