[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 120 (Monday, July 14, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H3214-H3215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NTIA POLICY AND CYBERSECURITY COORDINATION ACT
Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 1766) to amend the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration Organization Act to establish the Office of Policy
Development and Cybersecurity, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1766
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``NTIA Policy and
Cybersecurity Coordination Act''.
SEC. 2. POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND CYBERSECURITY.
(a) Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity.--Part A
of the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration Organization Act (47 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 106. OFFICE OF POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND CYBERSECURITY.
``(a) Establishment.--There shall be within the NTIA an
office to be known as the Office of Policy Development and
Cybersecurity (in this section referred to as the `Office').
``(b) Associate Administrator.--The head of the Office
shall be an Associate Administrator for Policy Development
and Cybersecurity (in this section referred to as the
`Associate Administrator'), who shall report to the Assistant
Secretary.
``(c) Duties.--
``(1) In general.--The Associate Administrator shall
oversee and conduct national communications and information
policy analysis and development for the internet and
communications technologies.
``(2) Particular duties.--In carrying out paragraph (1),
the Associate Administrator shall--
``(A) develop, analyze, and advocate for market-based
policies that promote innovation, competition, consumer
access, digital inclusion, workforce development, and
economic growth in the communications, media, and technology
markets;
``(B) conduct studies, as delegated by the Assistant
Secretary or required by Congress, on how individuals in the
United States access and use the internet, wireline and
wireless telephony, mass media, other digital services, and
video services;
``(C) coordinate transparent, consensus-based,
multistakeholder processes to create guidance for and to
support the development and implementation of cybersecurity
and privacy policies with respect to the internet and other
communications networks;
``(D) promote increased collaboration between security
researchers and providers of communications services and
software system developers;
``(E) perform such duties as the Assistant Secretary
considers appropriate relating to the program for preventing
future vulnerabilities established under section 8(a) of the
Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (47
U.S.C. 1607(a));
``(F) advocate for policies that promote the security and
resilience to cybersecurity incidents of communications
networks while fostering innovation, including policies that
promote secure communications network supply chains;
``(G) at the direction of the Assistant Secretary, present
security of the digital economy and infrastructure and
cybersecurity policy efforts before the Commission, Congress,
and elsewhere;
``(H) provide advice and assistance to the Assistant
Secretary in carrying out the policy responsibilities of the
NTIA with respect to cybersecurity policy matters, including
the evaluation of the impact of cybersecurity matters pending
before the Commission, other Federal agencies, and Congress;
``(I) in addition to the duties described in subparagraph
(H), perform such other duties regarding the policy
responsibilities of the NTIA with respect to cybersecurity
policy matters as the Assistant Secretary considers
appropriate;
``(J) develop policies to accelerate innovation and
commercialization with respect to advances in technological
understanding of communications technologies;
``(K) identify barriers to trust, security, innovation, and
commercialization with respect to communications
technologies, including access to capital and other
resources, and ways to overcome such barriers;
``(L) provide public access to relevant data, research, and
technical assistance on innovation and commercialization with
respect to communications technologies, consistent with the
protection of classified information;
``(M) strengthen collaboration on and coordination of
policies relating to innovation and commercialization with
respect to communications technologies, including policies
focused on the needs of small businesses and rural
communities--
``(i) within the Department of Commerce;
``(ii) between the Department of Commerce and State
government agencies, as appropriate; and
``(iii) between the Department of Commerce and the
Commission or any other Federal agency the Assistant
Secretary determines to be necessary; and
``(N) solicit and consider feedback from small and rural
communications service providers, as appropriate.''.
(b) Transitional Rules.--
(1) Redesignation of associate administrator; continuation
of service.--
(A) Redesignation.--The position of Associate Administrator
for Policy Analysis and Development at the NTIA is hereby
redesignated as the position of Associate Administrator for
Policy Development and Cybersecurity.
(B) Continuation of service.--The individual serving as
Associate Administrator for Policy Analysis and Development
at the NTIA on the date of the enactment of this Act shall
become, as of such date, the Associate Administrator for
Policy Development and Cybersecurity.
(2) NTIA defined.--In this subsection, the term ``NTIA''
means the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Latta) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.
General Leave
Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material in the Record on the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Ohio?
There was no objection.
Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1766, the NTIA Policy and
Cybersecurity Coordination Act, led by the gentleman from California's
23rd District and the gentlewoman from Virginia's Fourth District.
Cyber threats, whether originating from state actors, criminal
organizations, or malicious hackers, pose significant risks to our
national security, economy, and the privacy of our citizens.
The increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, like we
saw last year in the Salt Typhoon attack, underscores the urgency of
addressing this ever-evolving challenge.
The NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act bolsters our
Nation's cybersecurity posture by strengthening the coordination
between the National Telecommunications and Information Administration,
NTIA, and other relevant Federal agencies. Additionally, the bill
renames the existing NTIA Office of Policy Analysis and Development to
the Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity and codifies the
existing activities of the office.
H.R. 1766 seeks to promote effective information sharing,
collaboration, and response efforts established in the Secure and
Trusted Communications Networks Act. The legislation also facilitates
public-private partnerships to develop and implement cybersecurity
policies relating to communication networks.
By encouraging collaboration between government agencies and
stakeholders, we can work together to address cyber threats and
vulnerabilities more effectively.
Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan legislation passed the House of
Representatives by a voice vote in the last Congress. I urge my
colleagues to support H.R. 1766, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1766, the NTIA Policy and
Cybersecurity Coordination Act.
Mr. Speaker, protecting our Nation's communication networks is of
vital importance to our national security. This is particularly
important now, when a significant amount of our country's economic and
social activity has moved online and consumers are continuing to
connect more devices to these networks every day.
We, therefore, must build safeguards into our country's communication
networks to increase their safety and security while also promoting
innovation and competition.
H.R. 1766 will help us achieve these goals. The bill authorizes the
existing
[[Page H3215]]
Office of Policy Analysis and Development at the NTIA and renames it
the Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity. It also codifies
the responsibilities of NTIA in administering parts of the Secure and
Trusted Communications Networks Act and requires the office to
coordinate and develop policy initiatives to enhance cybersecurity
efforts with respect to our communications networks.
The office will also be tasked with developing and analyzing policies
that promote innovation, competition, and workforce development in the
communications, media, and technology markets.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Obernolte and McClellan for
their bipartisan work on this bill, which will ensure that there is a
firm foundation within the Federal Government to oversee the security
of our Nation's communications networks. This legislation is more
important now than ever given our foreign adversaries' continued
attacks on these networks.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Obernolte), the bill's sponsor from
California's 23rd District.
Mr. OBERNOLTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in proud support of my bill, H.R.
1766, the NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act.
Mr. Speaker, as more and more of Americans' lives move into a digital
format, it is leaving the information of Americans more and more
vulnerable to cyberattacks. That is why it is critical that we
establish cybersecurity protocols and capabilities to counter the
threats not just of foreign actors but of cybercriminals and
transnational criminal organizations who attempt to breach our data
security and access the data of Americans.
This bill is an important step towards doing that. It establishes a
new Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity within the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration. The role of this
office would be to research the cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the
American economy and within our government and to coordinate efforts to
counter cyber threats within those organizations.
Mr. Speaker, cybersecurity is national security, and this bill is a
meaningful step towards achieving that for the people who we represent.
I thank my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee for their
support on this bill, as well as my bipartisan co-lead, Congresswoman
McClellan, and urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the
gentlewoman from Virginia (Ms. McClellan), a member of our committee.
Ms. McCLELLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R.
1766, the NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act, which I was
pleased to introduce with the gentleman from California (Mr.
Obernolte).
Mr. Speaker, this important bipartisan legislation would cement the
responsibilities of the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration, or NTIA, by codifying, renaming, and enhancing the work
of its Office of Policy Analysis and Development, which plays a
critical role in shaping our Nation's telecommunications and
information objectives.
{time} 1530
NTIA is already central to advancing market-driven strategies that
foster innovation, expand broadband deployment, and promote a
competitive digital economy. However, this legislation ensures that
NTIA is equally empowered to help safeguard that digital future,
particularly as the cybersecurity threats we face grow more complex and
more dangerous by the day.
Last year's Salt Typhoon cyberattack was one of the most
sophisticated and malicious efforts to infiltrate our
telecommunications networks. It was a sobering reminder of how
vulnerable our communications infrastructure remains and how deeply
those vulnerabilities can impact multiple sectors from healthcare to
national security.
In today's interconnected world, a breach in one wireless network can
compromise critical services in transportation, healthcare, finance,
and public safety. As our reliance on digital technologies increases,
so too does the scale and sophistication of these threats, especially
with the rise of artificial intelligence.
While AI holds tremendous potential to improve efficiency, optimize
networks, and revolutionize industries, it also introduces new
cybersecurity risks.
Foreign adversaries and malicious actors are already leveraging AI to
enhance phishing campaigns, automate malware, and exploit zero-day
vulnerabilities faster than ever before. These tools can evade
traditional defenses, manipulate systems, and do so at a scale and
speed that we have never encountered or imagined before.
That is why this legislation is so timely and so necessary. By
reinforcing the NTIA's authority and resources in cybersecurity policy,
we position the agency to not only be a leader in innovation and
broadband expansion but a central player in securing the Nation's
digital infrastructure against these emerging threats.
As the principal adviser to the President on telecommunications and
information policy, NTIA must be equipped to identify risks early,
coordinate effectively across agencies, and shape forward-looking
policies that protect American consumers, businesses, and critical
services.
Mr. Speaker, I applaud my colleague for introducing this bill, and I
urge my fellow Members to join me in supporting it. Strengthening
NTIA's cybersecurity capabilities is not just a matter of good
governance but a national security imperative.
Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I urge bipartisan support for this
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, as you can see from today's bills coming from
the Energy and Commerce Committee, cybersecurity is high on our list to
make sure we are protecting the American public. I strongly ask my
colleagues to support this legislation of the gentleman from
California's 23rd and the gentlewoman from Virginia's 4th District. I
request an ``aye'' vote on this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 1766.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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