Daines Bill to Prevent Loss of Cell Service, Strengthen National Security Passes Senate

• December 18, 2024

Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) along with Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss), and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) announced that their bill to fully fund the "Rip and Replace" program has passed the U.S. Senate. The legislation was included in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which is expected to be signed into law.

This bill will ensure providers in rural areas have the resources they need to implement the congressional directive to replace Chinese manufactured infrastructure in our telecommunications industry, helping protect Americans from espionage and service blackouts.

Download Daines' video statement HERE.

"I am glad to see this commonsense legislation included in the NDAA. This Chinese equipment poses a significant national security threat to the United States and by fully funding the Rip and Replace program, we can combat this threat while ensuring that millions of rural Americans maintain access to cellular and broadband services," said Daines.

"Chinese-manufactured equipment used to build out our broadband networks pose a serious threat to our national security and the privacy of the people of Wyoming," said Lummis. "The NDAA fully funds Rip and Replace, ensuring small wireless and broadband carriers throughout Wyoming will not be saddled with millions of dollars in costs that could result in service blackouts and companies closing down. Poor connectivity continues to be one of Wyoming's biggest challenges and now more than ever, we have the ability to not only ensure even the most rural corners of the Cowboy State have reliable broadband access but also protect this critical resource from foreign adversaries."

"This legislation was long overdue. Allowing the use of Chinese-manufactured equipment has undermined our citizens' privacy and threatened our national security," Wicker said. "The funding will keep communities online, and it is great news for our critical digital infrastructure."

"As our chief adversary, China and the CCP should have zero access to our critical telecommunications infrastructure and the data of millions of Americans. This legislation is common sense, especially as we enter a period of fierce economic and military competition with Beijing," said Schmitt.

Background:

The Rip and Replace program was created in 2020 to remove Chinese components from our wireless communications systems. The Rip and Replace fund needs an additional $3 billion in order to finish its mission. The continued use of Chinese telecommunications equipment is a major national security concern especially in areas that serve military bases. The "Supporting National Security with Spectrum Act" fully funds the Rip and Replace program by requiring the Federal Communications Commission to re-auction certain spectrum licenses that were recently returned to the Commission.