Secure Equipment Act on Its Way to the President

 The Senate on Thursday unanimously passed legislation to take steps to further crack down on the use of telecom products from companies deemed to be a national security threat. The bill was previously approved by the House by a vote of 420-4, and now heads to the President’s desk for signature.  
 
In 2020, the FCC adopted rules to require U.S. carriers to rip out and replace equipment provided by “covered” companies. Companies on this list include China-based Huawei and ZTE, which both Congress and the administration took steps to block from the U.S. due to national security and espionage concerns. The FCC last year formally designated both Huawei and ZTE as national security threats.   
 
While that was an important step, those rules only apply to equipment purchased with federal funding, according to lawmakers. The same equipment can still be used if purchased with private or non-federal government dollars. The Secure Equipment Act closes that loophole, the sponsors note. Continue Reading