Findlay Times

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has given its approval to Congressman Bob Latta’s (R-OH5) legislation, the Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security (ROUTERS) Act, with a bipartisan vote of 43-0.

In response to the approval, Congressman Latta emphasized the importance of safeguarding the nation's communications infrastructure, stating, “As we continue to see threats arise from foreign adversaries, like Communist China, ensuring the security of our nation’s communications infrastructure is important.” He expressed his satisfaction in the advancement of the ROUTERS Act, noting, “This legislation is a crucial step to safeguard our networks and protect Americans from cyber threats in their place of employment and in their homes. I’m pleased to see my ROUTERS Act advance through the Energy and Commerce Committee today, and I look forward to it being brought up for a vote before the U.S. House of Representatives.”

Chairwoman McMorris Rodgers also highlighted the significance of the ROUTERS Act, stating, "Americans are counting on us to deliver on bipartisan solutions to improve their lives." She commended Rep. Latta for his leadership in delivering real results for the American people, emphasizing the importance of the bipartisan bill in ensuring the security of communication networks from threats posed by foreign adversary-controlled technology in the United States.

The ROUTERS Act aims to address national security risks by requiring the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information at the Department of Commerce to conduct a study of the risks posed by routers, modems, or devices from countries such as China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, or Venezuela.

The bipartisan support for the ROUTERS Act signifies a united effort to enhance cybersecurity measures and protect American interests in the face of evolving threats from foreign adversaries. The bill's advancement through the Energy and Commerce Committee marks a significant step towards strengthening the security of communication networks in the United States.