McCaul’s bipartisan bill would counter China’s state-run 5G technology

U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) on July 15 sponsored bipartisan legislation that would direct the federal government to help strengthen the United States’ global competitiveness in the 5th generation (5G) mobile telecommunications market, which is currently dominated by state-run companies in China.

“We must do more than condemn China for its malign practices and aggression,” Rep. McCaul said on Tuesday. “We have to show up and compete. That’s what this bill will accomplish.”

Rep. McCaul introduced the Promoting United States International Leadership in 5G Act of 2019, H.R. 3763, with U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) to direct the U.S. Secretary of State to provide assistance and technical expertise to enhance the representation and leadership of the United States at international standards-setting bodies for 5G mobile telecom systems and infrastructure, according to the congressional record.

“China fully intends to become the pre-eminent global power using tactics like hacking, cyberattacks, intellectual property theft, and espionage to achieve its goals,” explained Rep. McCaul. “Considering its long history of malign behavior and ongoing predatory practices, China’s majority control of the world’s 5G networks, interconnected devices and cloud storage is a risk we cannot accept.”

If enacted, the bill would provide a whole-of-government approach to assess the security risks posed by China in 5G and aims to increase cooperation between the U.S. and its allies and partners in identifying and countering the risks, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. McCaul’s office.

“This bill better protects our national security and strategic interests by pursuing an alternative to China’s 5G campaign and ensures we set future standards,” the congressman said. “It will also help secure U.S. leadership in 5G on the world stage in coordination with our allies and partners.”

H.R. 3763 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee.