Overview
Title
To direct the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, to conduct a study of the national security risks posed by consumer routers, modems, and devices that combine a modem and router, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The ROUTERS Act is about checking if devices like Wi-Fi routers and modems, especially those linked to certain countries, could be unsafe for the nation, and the government will study this and share what they find with important people in a year.
Summary AI
H.R. 866, also known as the “Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security Act” or the “ROUTERS Act,” directs the Secretary of Commerce to study the national security risks associated with consumer routers, modems, and devices that combine both functions, particularly if these are connected to countries of concern. The Secretary must report the findings to Congress within a year of the Act's enactment. This bill was introduced by Mr. Latta and Ms. Kelly of Illinois and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, titled the "Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security Act" or the "ROUTERS Act," directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a comprehensive study of the national security risks associated with consumer routers, modems, and combination devices. These devices are specifically targeted if they are designed, developed, manufactured, or supplied by companies influenced by certain foreign countries. The findings of this study are to be reported to specific congressional committees within one year of the bill's enactment.
Summary of Significant Issues
One notable issue with the bill is its potentially misleading title. While it references "routers," the scope of the bill actually covers broader national security concerns beyond just router technologies. There is a risk that stakeholders may misunderstand the bill's intent and reach due to this discrepancy.
Additionally, the bill lacks specific guidelines on the criteria or methodology to be used in the proposed study. Without this guidance, there could be inconsistencies in the execution and findings of the study, affecting its reliability and usefulness. Furthermore, the absence of an outlined budget or cost estimate raises concerns about potential financial waste, given the lack of transparency in fiscal planning.
The bill also requires cross-referencing to understand which countries are considered "covered," as it refers to another U.S. law section without providing details within the text itself. This could lead to confusion and misinterpretation regarding which nations are targeted by the study.
Moreover, the timeline for completing the study and submitting the report—set at one year—could be seen as overly lengthy given the potentially urgent nature of national security issues. The timeline could delay necessary policy decisions and actions.
Lastly, specifying that the Secretary of Commerce act through the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information may add unnecessary bureaucratic layers, possibly impeding the study's efficiency.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
From a public perspective, this bill could have mixed implications. On one hand, identifying and addressing security risks in consumer technology can lead to enhanced privacy and safety for users. On the other hand, the lack of clarity and potential delay in study findings may leave unresolved risks unaddressed for a significant time, potentially jeopardizing public security.
For specific stakeholders, the bill impacts technology companies involved in the production and supply of these devices. If identified as being under the influence of certain foreign countries, these companies might face increased scrutiny and possible restrictions, impacting their business operations and market positioning.
Policymakers and national security agencies could benefit from a comprehensive and timely study as it could inform legislation and policy adjustments to enhance national security. However, the current framework of the bill might limit its potential by delaying necessary actions and providing a less than foolproof assessment of threats due to methodology ambiguities.
In conclusion, while the bill aims to address significant national security concerns related to widely used communication devices, its current structure introduces several potential challenges that could hinder its effectiveness and impact. Addressing these issues could enhance both the clarity of the bill and the efficacy of future regulatory actions.
Issues
The bill's title, 'Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security Act' or 'ROUTERS Act', may be misleading as it suggests a focus solely on router technologies, potentially misrepresenting the bill's broader focus on national security risks. (Section 1)
The absence of specific criteria or methodology for assessing national security risks in the study could lead to ambiguity and inconsistencies in how the study is conducted, potentially affecting its credibility and outcomes. (Section 2)
The lack of an estimated cost or budget for conducting the study raises concerns about potential financial waste and improper use of taxpayer funds, as there is no accountability or transparency in fiscal planning. (Section 2)
The definition of 'covered country' is not self-contained within the bill, instead referring to another section of U.S. law, which could create confusion and hinder understanding of which countries are being targeted by the study. (Section 2)
The reporting timeline of 'not later than 1 year after the date of enactment' for submitting the study's results might be considered unnecessarily long given the urgency associated with national security risks, impacting the timeliness of policy responses. (Section 2)
The requirement for the Secretary of Commerce to act 'through the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information' could be perceived as overly bureaucratic, potentially complicating the process and slowing down study completion. (Section 2)
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the bill gives its short title, allowing it to be referred to as the “Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security Act” or simply the “ROUTERS Act”.
2. Study of national security risks posed by certain routers and modems Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Secretary of Commerce is required to conduct a study on national security risks related to routers and modems made by companies influenced by certain countries. A report on the study's findings must be submitted to specific congressional committees within one year.