Findlay Times

On March 12, 2024, Congressman Bob Latta's (R-OH5) legislation, the Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security (ROUTERS) Act, secured approval by the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Communications and Technology Subcommittee.

During the proceedings, Congressman Latta emphasized the importance of ensuring the security and reliability of communication networks in the United States. He highlighted the risks posed by routers and modems from state-sponsored companies with ties to foreign adversaries, particularly Communist China. Latta expressed concerns about the susceptibility of such unsecured devices to cyberattacks, emphasizing the need to protect consumers from potential threats.

Latta stated, "Americans should know whether the routers and modems they have in their homes are produced by companies with ties to foreign adversaries." He further added, "I’m also pleased to have worked with Reps. Stefanik and Matsui to advance three other bills today that will counter threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party to our communications infrastructure."

The ROUTERS Act, championed by Congressman Latta, aims to address national security risks associated with routers, modems, or devices supplied by entities connected to countries like China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, or Venezuela. The bill requires a study to assess the potential threats posed by such technologies and seeks to safeguard communication networks from foreign adversary-controlled equipment.

Congressman Latta concluded by reaffirming his commitment to collaborating with fellow lawmakers to eliminate Communist Chinese technology from US communication infrastructure and prevent unwanted surveillance and manipulation. The approval of the ROUTERS Act marks a significant step towards enhancing the security of communication networks and protecting American consumers from potential cyber threats.