Spanberger: Withdrawal of Commerce Department 5G Restrictions “Reinforces Need for Comprehensive 5G Strategy”

HENRICO, V.A. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger released the following statement after the Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. Department of Commerce has withdrawn proposed regulations preventing U.S. companies from selling certain technologies to the Chinese firm Huawei, which has close ties to Chinese military and intelligence agencies.

“Amid credible national security concerns related to Huawei, ZTE, and other 5G firms, we must take concrete steps to protect the privacy and data of American consumers and companies. But as the Commerce Department suddenly pulls back potential restrictions on Huawei, we still do not have a clear, interagency strategy for how to address the serious risks associated with the growing influence and integration of foreign-based 5G equipment,” said Spanberger. “The Commerce Department’s decision only reinforces the need for a comprehensive 5G strategy, and that’s why I continue to push for the Senate to vote on my Secure 5G and Beyond Act, which passed overwhelmingly in the House earlier this month. Without a nationwide gameplan, we could find ourselves lagging behind the Chinese in 5G innovation—and we could be putting American families and businesses at risk. In the coming days, I hope both the Commerce Department and the Pentagon will provide additional information about the rationale behind this announcement.”

Earlier this month, the U.S. House passed Spanberger’s bipartisan bill to require the administration to develop an unclassified, national strategy to protect U.S. consumers and companies from foreign-based 5G threats.

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