[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 88 (Thursday, May 20, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S3268]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 1850. Mr. BLUMENTHAL submitted an amendment intended to be
proposed to amendment SA 1502 proposed by Mr. Schumer to the bill S.
1260, to establish a new Directorate for Technology and Innovation in
the National Science Foundation, to establish a regional technology hub
program, to require a strategy and report on economic security,
science, research, innovation, manufacturing, and job creation, to
establish a critical supply chain resiliency program, and for other
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the appropriate place in title V of division B, insert
the following:
SEC. ___. INVESTIGATION AND REPORT ON EDGE NETWORK AUDIO
VISUAL SYSTEMS INVOLVING A FOREIGN ADVERSARY.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Edge network audio visual system.--The term ``edge
network audio visual system'' means audio-visual
communications equipment used at the edge of
telecommunications networks, such as headsets, webcams or
other video cameras, desk telephones, conference telephones,
videoconferencing devices, and related services, to
facilitate voice and video communications.
(2) Foreign adversary.--The term ``foreign adversary''
means any foreign government or foreign non-government person
engaged in a long term pattern or serious instances of
conduct significantly adverse to the national security of the
United States or security and safety of United States
persons.
(3) ICTS transaction.--The term ``ICTS Transaction'' has
the meaning given such term in section 7.2 of part 7 of title
15, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the day
before the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the reliance on edge network audio visual systems has
increased significantly as a result of changes in workplace
environment and adoption of new technologies, including
during Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with
more widespread uptake of remote work, meetings, virtual
offices, and other communications; and
(2) the use of edge network audio visual systems
increasingly involves sensitive personal, business, and
government information that could present a cybersecurity or
national security risk based on the presence of security
vulnerabilities or when a manufacturer is susceptible to
undue influence by foreign adversaries.
(c) Investigation and Report.--
(1) Investigation.--Not later than 30 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce
shall, in consultation with the heads of such other Federal
departments and agencies as the Secretary considers
appropriate, commence an investigation regarding--
(A) whether certain manufacturers of edge network audio
visual systems and associated ICTS Transactions involving a
foreign adversary may present an undue or unacceptable risk
to cybersecurity or national security; and
(B) if so, whether restrictions should be imposed on such
edge network audio visual systems and associated ICTS
Transactions in accordance with such part.
(2) Report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to
Congress a report on the results of such investigation.
(B) Form.--The report submitted under subparagraph (A)
shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a
classified annex. The unclassified portion of the report
shall include information about the results of the
investigation and recommendations.
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