WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT CHAIRMAN PAI’S PROPOSED RULES TO PROTECT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS FROM FOREIGN THREATS Attorney General William P. Barr: “I write to strongly support the Federal Communications Commission’s draft Report and Order concerning national security threats to the communications supply chain[.] … At this critical moment, while the world decides where to place its trust, we should not signal that Huawei and ZTE are anything other than a threat to our collective security. For that is exactly what they, through their actions, have shown themselves to be.” (Letter, 11/13/19) Senate Commerce Committee: “Thank you @AjitPaiFCC and @FCC for this important step in addressing the national security threat to America’s communications networks from dangerous foreign equipment suppliers.” (Tweet, 11/15/19) Sen. Tom Cotton (AR): “Thank you Chairman Pai for recognizing the threats companies like Huawei pose to 5G networks. Taking these steps will go a long way towards keeping our future telecommunications safe from Chinese espionage.” (Tweet, 10/28/19) Sen. Mark Warner (VA): “Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee and a former technology executive, told The Hill on Tuesday that he was ‘pleased to see the FCC address the threat to network security posed by vendors such as Huawei and ZTE,’ calling it a ‘critical first step.’” (FCC Proposal Targeting Huawei Garners Early Praise, The Hill, 10/29/19) Rep. Jim Banks (IN): “American taxpayer dollars should NOT be used to subsidize #CCP controlled companies like #Huawei. I hope the rest of the FCC joins chairman @AjitPaiFCC and votes to stop taxpayers funded purchases of Huawei and ZTE products.” (Tweet, 10/18/19) Rep. Mike Gallagher (WI): “Great to see @AjitPaiFCC and the administration stepping up to protect American networks from Huawei and ZTE. The security of our communications and the robustness of our supply chain are too important to put in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.” (Tweet, 10/29/19) Former Chairman of House Intelligence Committee Mike Rogers (MI): “Huawei and ZTE represent a clear and immediate danger to the national and economic security of the United States. Chairman Pai’s and the FCC’s move to prevent U.S. carriers from using government funds to purchase equipment from these companies is a smart decision in response to a real threat. I commend the Chairman for his ongoing leadership on these issues and urge the FCC to approve this action.” (Statement, 11/18/19) National Security Institute’s Andy Keiser: “Chairman Ajit Pai has long been a champion of cracking down on the security of the threats posed by Chinese telecommunications giants Huawei and ZTE. His draft proposal … takes a two-part strike at Huawei and ZTE by prohibiting any Universal Service Fund money going to buy their equipment, while creating a path for ripping and replacing existing Huawei and ZTE gear currently deployed in U.S. Networks.” (Statement, 11/5/19) Center for Strategic & International Studies’ James Lewis: “To quote Bruno Kahl, the head of Germany's national intelligence service (Bundesnachrichtendienst or BND) in public remarks on Huawei to Germany's parliament, ‘Infrastructure is not a suitable area for a group that cannot be trusted fully.’ The FCC should be commended for its work to safeguard national networks, and it should take Kahl’s advice to heart when it votes on USF funds this November.” (The Universal Service Fund and National Security, Blog, 11/18/19) American Enterprise Institute’s Shane Tews: “In administering the USF system, the FCC has a responsibility to ensure that national security isn’t threatened by suspect equipment as part of efforts to increase access to communications services in remote areas. The FCC is right to scrutinize low-cost Chinese network equipment that is subsidized by the Chinese government and developed using intellectual property of dubious origin.” (The FCC takes the threat from Chinese telecommunications tech head-on (and the rest of the government should too), Blog, 11/7/19) Lincoln Network: “The FCC Chairman’s proposal is a continuation of longstanding bipartisan efforts to curb potential security threats posed by Huawei and ZTE … [and it] shows that the government is getting serious about addressing the challenge of China’s use of sharp power in the United States.” (Answering China’s Sharp Power, Blog, 11/20/19) American Conservative Union (ACU): “The order is a welcomed continuation in the FCC Chairman’s strong commitment to recognizing the grave danger that the Communist Regime of China poses not only to our country, but also to our friends and allies abroad.” (ACU Applauds FCC Action Denying Chinese-Sanctioned Global Spying to be Funded by Taxpayer Money, Press Release, 11/2019) Americans for Limited Government: “The FCC's decision … is an important step in protecting the United States’ technological infrastructure from Chinese dependency. Chairman Pai is absolutely right to move forward with this important reform and all of America owes him and the FCC a debt of gratitude for this forward thinking approach as we face a 5G future.” (FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Praised For Answering Threat From Huawei, ZTE, Press Release, 10/28/19) Rural & Agriculture Council of America: “Thank you, Chairman! We appreciate the @FCC taking this step towards protecting American sovereignty by ensuring the safety & security of our wireless (and wired!) networks. #RuralAmericaReadyfor5G.” (Tweet, 10/28/19) Computing Technology Industry Association: “As the steward of the Universal Service Fund, the FCC has a specific and important role to play in the whole-of-government effort to enhance the security and resiliency of our nation’s networks. … Friday’s adoption of rules by the FCC marks an important step and we applaud the Commission for seeking more information about the current use of equipment from suppliers of concern in U.S. networks.” (CompTIA Supports Targeted Steps to Address ICT Supply Chain Security, Press Release, 11/20/19) ### Office of Chairman Ajit Pai: (202) 418-1000 Twitter: @AjitPaiFCC www.fcc.gov/leadership/ajit-pai This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).