NEW LEGISLATION TO PROTECT 5G NETWORKS

Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) and five other House members on Tuesday introduced a bill meant to protect U.S. telecommunications networks from national security threats from companies such as the Chinese firm Huawei.

The bipartisan proposal calls for the creation of a national strategy to protect 5G wireless technology from security threats.

What the bill says: The Secure 5G and Beyond Act would require the administration to create an “unclassified national strategy” to protect the U.S. consumers and allies from threats to 5G systems. This strategy would include language on ways to encourage research and development by U.S. companies around maintaining access to 5G for all Americans, and on protecting the “competitiveness” of U.S. companies, along with the privacy of American consumers, against foreign political influence.

Spanberger is spearheading the bill with co-sponsors that include Reps. Susan Brooks (R-Ind.), Tom O’Halleran (D-Ariz.), Francis Rooney (R-Fla.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), and Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.).