Senate impasse on Huawei

Over a month has passed since Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) blocked Senate Commerce Chairman Roger Wicker’s attempt to fast-track a House-passed bill, H.R. 4998, authorizing $1 billion to reimburse rural wireless carriers that replace gear from companies deemed a national security risk (i.e., Chinese telecom giants Huawei and ZTE). Lee’s big concern: where lawmakers are getting the money (he prefers the Senate approach, which would pay for a $700 million fund via airwaves sale revenue). But no resolution appears imminent as the Senate is about to enter its impeachment vortex. “We haven’t heard from Wicker or his staff but we are very happy to work with them if they reach out,” a Lee said. Chairman Wicker (R-MS) signaled an interest in hashing out differences with Sen. Lee and said he didn’t think the Senate would resort to scheduling a roll-call vote to bypass Lee’s objections. Chairman Wicker also expressed some frustration with the process: “There’s something to be said for scheduling a bill, bringing it up for amendments, taking a couple days and letting the majority speak,” he said. “We’re going to be in trouble if we become a body where one member has veto authority over every issue.”