Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1123) to direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to submit to Congress a report examining the cybersecurity of mobile service networks, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material in the Record on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of H.R. 1123, the Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act.

In recent years, we have seen a rise in large-scale cybersecurity attacks that put Americans at risk. While mobile service providers take numerous steps to address vulnerabilities in their networks, threats to our mobile networks continue to exist.

To sufficiently address threats across networks, Congress needs a sophisticated and comprehensive assessment of what vulnerabilities persist, what issues have been resolved, and where mobile cybersecurity policymaking should be focused.

The Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, NTIA, to submit to Congress a comprehensive report examining the cybersecurity of existing wireless networks and vulnerabilities to cyberattacks and surveillance by adversaries.

This bipartisan bill will ensure that communication networks are safe and protect the privacy and security of the American people.

I thank the gentlewoman from California's 16th District (Ms. Eshoo) and the gentlewoman from Florida's Third District (Mrs. Cammack) for leading this bipartisan legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cammack).

Mr. Speaker, cyberattacks are increasing in this country, not decreasing. Again, that is why this bipartisan bill will ensure that communications networks are safe and that they will protect the privacy and security of the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this very important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1123, the Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act.

H.R. 1123 would require the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, in partnership with relevant agencies and other stakeholders, to study the current state of U.S. mobile communications networks and to report to Congress on its findings.

This report is developed by compiling government and nongovernmental research and would assess the cybersecurity of these networks and vulnerabilities in the networks or mobile devices for cyberattacks and surveillance conducted by our adversaries.

Americans rely on their phones and mobile networks more than ever to communicate with family and friends and to conduct business all across the country.

At the same time, cybersecurity threats to these essential U.S. communications networks have never been higher.

Accordingly, Congress must be informed of these threats and any successful tools or methods used to counter or mitigate existing cyber threats. This bill would do just that by simply providing Congress an overview of the status of mobile network cybersecurity, which would include the degree to which cyber vulnerabilities have been addressed, are being addressed, or will be addressed.

The report required by this bill takes an important first step in tackling network security by informing Congress, stakeholders, and most important, the American people of the security or lack thereof of these vital mobile networks.

I am so proud to lead this bill along with my colleague, Ms. Eshoo, and I thank my good friend, our chairman of the subcommittee, for his leadership on this important issue.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to vote in support of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening in strong support of H.R. 1123, the Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act. It is bipartisan legislation, and I am proud to have authored it.

Every single day Americans make calls, they send texts, and they access data on 2G, 3G, and 4G networks.

Yet, we lack a comprehensive assessment of what vulnerabilities exist on these networks, what issues have been resolved, and where mobile cybersecurity policymaking should be focused.

That is what this legislation addresses. It requires the NTIA, as the chairman said, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, to

conduct a comprehensive study on the cybersecurity vulnerabilities of these networks and report those findings to Congress.

Americans need to trust the networks that they use and know that Congress is working to ensure that these networks are safe. This bill will help us accomplish that.

I thank Congresswoman Kat Cammack for her partnership, and I urge all of my colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 1123.

Mr. Speaker, I don't believe I have anyone on this side that wishes to speak, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, due to illness, I was unable to be present today. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``yea'' on rollcall No. 132 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 133.