Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle (D-PA) released the following joint statement after the House of Representatives passed three cybersecurity bills today:
“Today the House came together to pass three critical bipartisan bills that aim to strengthen our telecommunications networks for a safer, more secure wireless future. Together, these bills will promote the secure, thoughtful deployment of our next generation 6G networks, arm Americans with the information and tools they need to protect themselves from cyberattacks, and improve wireless network security in the face of growing cybersecurity attacks on our critical infrastructure. We commend the hard, bipartisan work that went into these bills and look forward to the Senate taking action soon."
The House of Representatives passed the following three bills:
H.R. 2685, the “Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act," was introduced by Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL). The bill would require the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to examine and report on the cybersecurity of mobile service networks and the vulnerability of these networks and mobile devices to cyberattacks and surveillance conducted by adversaries. The bill passed on the House Floor by a vote of 404-19.
H.R. 4045, the “Future Uses of Technology Upholding Reliable and Enhanced Networks Act," or the “FUTURE Networks Act," was introduced by Reps. Doyle, Bill Johnson (R-OH), and Lucy McBath (D-GA). The bill would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a task force known as the “6G Task Force," which would be tasked with submitting a report to Congress on 6G wireless technology, including the possible uses, advantages, and limitations of 6G, such as any supply chain, cybersecurity, or other challenges that will need to be addressed in future generations of wireless technologies. The bill passed on the House Floor by a vote of 394-27.
H.R. 4055, the “American Cybersecurity Literacy Act," was introduced by Reps. Kinzinger, Eshoo, Marc Veasey (D-TX), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). The bill would require NTIA to develop and conduct a cybersecurity literacy campaign to increase the knowledge and awareness of Americans on the ways to reduce cybersecurity risks. The bill passed on the House Floor by a vote of 408-17.
All three bills advanced out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a voice vote during a full Committee markup in July.