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In a bipartisan effort, a group of senators seeks to remove Huawei and “Chinese 5G companies” from American banks. The lawmakers introduced a bill to combat entities that “that spy on the U.S.” and exclude them from the financial system.
Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Chirs Van Hollen (D-MD) dubbed its creation the Networks Act and it was co-sponsored by Rick Scott (R-FL) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
Specifically, the bill would instruct the president to use his sanctions authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to directly prevent foreign persons from engaging in proprietary transactions in the US. The term “foreign persons” refers to entities that develop fifth-generation (5G) or future-generation telecommunications technology and engage in economic or industrial espionage or other illicit activities in the United States.
The project comes after the DOJ indicted two Chinese intelligence officials in October for collaborating with Huawei to obstruct the federal government’s investigation of the company. In addition, the FBI recently revealed that Huawei equipment was found on cell towers near several American nuclear missile bases.
Tom Cotton: “Huawei is an arm of Chinese intelligence”
Arkansas’ senator spoke out through a statement and, while celebrating having made “great strides in recent years at home and abroad in combatting Huawei’s malign attempts to dominate 5G and steal Americans’ data,” he assured that “the fight is not finished.”
“We cannot allow Huawei and the Chinese Communist Party to have access to Americans’ personal data and our country’s most sensitive defense systems. We must address the dire threat these Chinese companies pose to our national security,” Cotton added.
Meanwhile, Senator Van Hollen said, “foreign companies that spy on the U.S. and violate our laws should face serious consequences. Huawei is a repeat offender.”
Rick Scott, who co-sponsored the bill along with Chuck Schumer, argued that “for too long, the United States has allowed one of our biggest adversaries into the most sensitive areas of our lives, but that must end. We must pass the NETWORKS Act immediately and hold these companies accountable.”
Joaquín Núñez es licenciado en comunicación periodística por la Universidad Católica Argentina. Se especializa en el escenario internacional y en la política nacional norteamericana. Confeso hincha de Racing Club de Avellaneda. Contacto: [email protected] // Joaquín Núñez has a degree in journalistic communication from the Universidad Católica Argentina. He specializes in the international scene and national American politics. Confessed fan of Racing Club of Avellaneda. Contact: [email protected]