WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Young Kim (CA-40) and Bill Keating (MA-09) introduced the Securing Global Telecommunications Act to promote secure, trusted telecommunications infrastructure around the world.
“For too long, the Chinese Communist Party has held the reins on global telecommunications networks—surveilling citizens, cutting off countries’ internet access, and promoting its authoritarian agenda,” said Rep. Young Kim, who serves as chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee. “We must work with our allies and partners to protect the technologies the world relies on each day from the CCP. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill with Congressman Keating and will keep fighting to ensure the United States leads in securing telecommunications infrastructure.”
“Today, we are reintroducing a bipartisan bill to strengthen our cybersecurity defenses and counter those who seek to exploit our telecommunications networks,” said Ranking Member Keating. “Every day, cybercriminals and hostile actors from Russia, China, Iran, and elsewhere target our critical infrastructure and that of our allies and partners. This legislation helps ensure that the United States can continue to promote the use of secure telecommunication infrastructure around the world.”
The Securing Global Telecommunications Act would support U.S. efforts to safeguard telecommunications infrastructure globally by requiring the State Department to:
- Establish a comprehensive strategy to promote secure telecommunications infrastructure, including mobile networks, data centers, and 6G and emerging technologies, around the world;
- Report to Congress on Chinese and Russian efforts to advance their interests at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU);
- Identify key opportunities for multilateral collaboration to strengthen and protect trusted telecommunications infrastructure abroad.
Rep. Kim introduced this bill alongside Representative Kathy Manning (NC-06) in the 118th Congress, and it passed the House on September 10, 2024.
Learn more about the bill HERE.
