House Passes Kaptur Bill to Protect European Telecoms Against China, Russia

Press Release

Today, Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) released the following statement after the House passed the Transatlantic Telecommunications Security Act on Wednesday -- bipartisan legislation she introduced alongside Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) to protect European telecommunications networks against threats posed by China and Russia. The legislation will now be sent to the Senate for its consideration.

By a vote of 366-60, the House passed the Transatlantic Telecommunications Security Act -- legislation that expands United States' support for the development of secure 5G and other advanced telecommunications networks in Ukraine, NATO member nations, and Three Seas Initiative member nations.

As Central and Eastern European nations work to deploy the state-of-the-art telecommunications networks that facilitate global connectivity in the 21st century, they are limited in their capacity to fund and construct the necessary infrastructure without support from foreign nations -- including those that routinely undermine security standards and democratic norms. China in particular -- through its Belt and Road Initiative -- has engaged in a targeted campaign to finance telecommunications projects in foreign nations and integrate its technology into their networks. With Russia's reinvasion of Ukraine and China's unwillingness to utilize its leverage to end the war, China's involvement in their telecommunications infrastructure and networks poses an alarming threat to Central and Eastern European nations.

The Transatlantic Telecommunications Security Act:

Creates the role of the International Telecommunication Union Security Campaign Director within the U.S. Department of State
Directs the Secretary of State to provide diplomatic and political support for the development of secure telecommunications networks in Central and Eastern European nations in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, and the International Monetary Fund
Authorizes the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, and other federal departments and agencies to provide early and late-stage project support for the development of secure telecommunications networks in Central and Eastern European nations

"With China and Russia openly hostile to their freedom and democracy, Central and Eastern European nations need our support now more than ever," said Rep. Kaptur. "Secure and reliable telecommunications are essential to societal stability and advancement, and blunting China's control over our allies' networks is a global imperative. The United States is committed to safeguarding our allies from harm, and the Transatlantic Telecommunications Security Act will bolster our ability to protect them for the future."

"Through investment in their telecommunications networks, our Eastern European allies will not only become independent from the influence of malign actors but could become a future hub of innovation and leadership," said Rep. Kinzinger. "And that's why the Transatlantic Telecommunications Security Act is so important. I'm proud to see this bill pass the House and grateful to my co-lead, Congresswoman Kaptur, for leading the charge on this effort. The fight for democracy has not ended. We must work every day to strengthen and protect the freedoms that so many have sacrificed defending."

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