Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act
Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act
Plain Language Summary
# Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act (HR 906) – Plain Language Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to publish an annual public list of companies that have licenses from the FCC and are owned or controlled by entities from countries considered foreign adversaries—including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela. The bill specifically targets companies operating submarine communications cables (which carry internet and phone signals underwater between continents) and other FCC-licensed entities. For submarine cable operators and similar high-security licenses, the FCC would immediately compile and publish the list.
For other types of FCC licenses, the FCC would first create rules to gather ownership information before publishing the list. **Who It Affects:** This bill primarily affects telecommunications companies and internet service providers that operate under FCC licenses, particularly those with foreign ownership ties. It also affects the FCC, which must do the administrative work of collecting and publishing this information. Consumers may be indirectly affected if it influences which companies operate communication infrastructure. **Current Status:** The bill has passed the House of Representatives and is awaiting further action in the Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency ActThis bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to annually publish a list of entities that hold a license or other authorization granted by the FCC and have ties to specified foreign countries.With respect to entities holding cable landing licenses (for the placement and operation of submarine communications cables) or other licenses granted via competitive auction, the FCC must publish a list of all such entities (1) in which a covered entity holds a specified voting or equity interest, or (2) that have been determined by a national security agency to be subject to the control of a covered entity. With respect to entities holding all other categories of FCC licenses or other authorizations, the FCC must first issue rules facilitating the collection of information on such licensees’ ownership structure. After that information is obtained, the FCC must add to the published list any such entity in which a covered entity holds a specified voting or equity interest. Under the bill, a covered entity is defined as an entity organized in China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia; a subsidiary of such an entity; or the government of China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.