Communications Security Act

Bill: 119-hr-1717
Sponsor: Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8]
Introduced: 2025-02-27 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Government studies and investigations
Internet, web applications, social media
Public-private cooperation
State and local government operations
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2025-02-27
text: 

Communications Security Act

This bill provides statutory authority for a council established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide advice regarding the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks. (This advice is currently provided by the FCC’s Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council.)

The bill specifies that the FCC may designate an existing advisory committee to fulfill this role, provided the committee’s membership is modified, as necessary, to comply with membership requirements set forth in the bill. 

Specifically, the bill requires the council to include, to the extent practicable, representatives of companies in the communications industry; public interest organizations or academic institutions; and federal, state, tribal, and local governments (with at least one member representing each level of government). Members are to be selected by the FCC's chair and generally may not include representatives of entities owned or controlled by, or subject to the influence of, a foreign adversary, or otherwise deemed to pose a threat to U.S. national security. 

Under current law, federal advisory committees must generally terminate after two years unless they are renewed or a statute specifies a different termination date. However, the bill exempts the council from this requirement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-07-16
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2025-07-15
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2025-07-15
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 380 - 33 (Roll no. 196). (text: 7/14/2025 CR 3218-3219)
action_date: 2025-07-15
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 380 - 33 (Roll no. 196).
action_date: 2025-07-15
text: Considered as unfinished business.
action_date: 2025-07-14
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2025-07-14
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1717.
action_date: 2025-07-14
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3218-3220: 1)
action_date: 2025-07-14
text: Mr. Latta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2025-07-10
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 158.
action_date: 2025-07-10
text: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-194.
action_date: 2025-07-10
text: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-194.
action_date: 2025-04-08
text: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 50 - 1.
action_date: 2025-04-08
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2025-02-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2025-02-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-02-27
text: Introduced in House