Sen. Koch has introduced SB 197 which concerns “prohibited technology purchases.” It defines a “prohibited person” as “a person that has been designated as posing a national security threat to the integrity of communications networks or the 10 communications supply chain under 47 CFR 54.9 (as in effect on 11 January 1, 2020).” According to the fiscal note, the two companies that meet this criteria are Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corporation. Both are Chinese technology companies. The bill prohibits the purchase of any services or equipment from these companies, effective upon passage. It does not make any provision for contracts already in place. The fiscal note says that the bill will affect only “projects which do not receive federal funding, as federally-funded projects are currently being addressed by the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act.”
Both Huawei and ZTE are accused of allowing surveillance by the Chinese government through their products.
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