Bilirakis, Soto Introduce Bill to Protect America's Telecommunications Networks from Foreign Adversaries

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Darren Soto (FL-09) today introduced the “Federal Investment Restrictions on Equipment from Worrisome Authoritarian Linked Locations (FIREWALL) Act, bipartisan legislation designed to safeguard America's telecommunications infrastructure from foreign adversaries by prohibiting federal telecommunications funding from being used to purchase fiber-optic cable sourced from countries of concern.  The legislation builds upon ongoing efforts to secure U.S. communications networks from foreign threats and prevent hostile regimes from gaining access to critical American infrastructure.

"America's telecommunications networks are the backbone of our economy, our national security, and our daily lives," said Congressman Bilirakis. "As our adversaries become increasingly sophisticated in their efforts to infiltrate critical infrastructure, we must act proactively to protect our communications systems from potential vulnerabilities. The FIREWALL Act ensures that taxpayer dollars are not used to subsidize technology sourced from countries that pose a threat to our national security. Rather than waiting until these products are deeply embedded in our networks and facing another costly 'rip and replace' effort, we should take commonsense steps now to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place."

“Protecting our telecommunications infrastructure from threats is critical as we continue developing systems to strengthen national security and supply chains. I’m proud to support this bipartisan bill to ensure fiber-optic cable produced by entities linked to foreign adversaries is not purchased with federal dollars. This will help keep Americans safe and further position the U.S. as a leader in this space,” said Congressman Soto.   

Experts have raised concerns that fiber-optic cable produced by entities linked to foreign adversaries could present security risks to U.S. telecommunications systems, including the potential interception of sensitive communications and data. The legislation seeks to address these concerns before foreign-produced fiber-optic products gain a larger foothold in the American marketplace.  The FIREWALL Act would permanently prohibit federal telecommunications funding from being awarded to individuals or entities that purchase fiber-optic cable from countries of concern. By establishing clear guardrails for federally funded projects, the legislation aims to strengthen supply chain security, protect critical infrastructure, and encourage investment in trusted domestic and allied manufacturing sources.  The legislation also supports broader efforts to restore American leadership in fiber-optic research, development, and manufacturing while reducing reliance on foreign-produced telecommunications equipment.