5G Bills Pass House

The House has passed three bipartisan 5G bills, which passed out of the House Commerce Committee in Nov. The bills are primarily about considering and strategizing and encouraging, rather than commanding, which helped them get that bipartisan support. It is likely the bills will get Senate approval and President Donald Trump's signature. 

• H. Res. 575, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that all stakeholders in the deployment of 5G communications infrastructure should carefully consider and adhere to the recommendation of "the Prague Proposals," was introduced by Reps Bill Flores (R-TX) and Darren Soto (D-FL).  The resolution also encourages the President and federal agencies to promote trade and security policies on the international stage that are consistent with "The Prague Proposals."  The bill passed by voice vote.
• The Secure 5G and Beyond Act of 2019 (HR 2881) was introduced by Reps Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Francis Rooney (R-FL), Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), and Susan Brooks (R-IN).  This legislation requires the President to develop the "Secure Next Generation Mobile Communications Strategy” with the heads of the Federal Communications Commission, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and Department of Homeland Security, as well as the Director of National Intelligence and Secretary of Defense.  The legislation then requires the President to develop a separate implementation plan for the strategy for the NTIA to carry out. The bill passed 413-3.
• The “Promoting United States Wireless Leadership Act of 2019 (HR 4500) was introduced by Reps. Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI).  This legislation directs NTIA to encourage participation by American companies and other stakeholders in standards-setting bodies.  It also offers technical assistance to stakeholders that do elect to participate in developing standards for 5G networks and future generations of communications networks.  The bill passed by voice vote.  

“The House continues to pass legislation that will help keep the American people safe. The whole-of-government approach of the Secure 5G and Beyond Act will force the Trump Administration to get serious about protecting Americans as 5G services are deployed," said House Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Communications Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle (D-PA). " The timing is particularly important given the increased risk of cyberattacks arising from the conflict with Iran. All three of these bills are important for securing America’s wireless future, and we hope they won’t languish in the Senate.”