Rep Hinson Introduces the Defend Our Networks Act

Due to their close ties to the Chinese government, Huawei and ZTE equipment presents significant risks to U.S. national security and domestic communications networks. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has already prohibited the purchase of Huawei and ZTE products and banned the use of FCC funds to expand or maintain networks containing any Huawei or ZTE equipment, and ordered telecommunications carriers to tear out equipment made by Huawei and ZTE. However, this equipment is still embedded throughout U.S. networks. It is estimated that there are 24,000 pieces of Chinese-made communications equipment embedded in U.S. networks. Discarding this compromised equipment is critical to protecting Americans' privacy, as well as our national security, from Chinese Communist Party spying. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-IA)—along with Representatives Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Brittney Pettersen (D-CO), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA)—introduced the Defend Our Networks Act uses unobligated COVID-19 funds to replace Chinese-made telecommunications products with secure equipment to ensure Americans have reliable and private connectivity.