A new bill introduced by Texas Representative Michael Conaway (R) would prevent any part of the U.S government from using equipment from Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE. The Defending U.S. Government Communications Act (H.R. 4747) explicitly prohibits the government from “using or contracting with an entity that uses certain telecommunications services or equipment” from Huawei and ZTE. Conaway cited a number of reports that link both companies to China’s communist party as the chief reason for introducing the bill. The idea is to protect the security of government communications, according to Conaway.
Last year, ZTE was hit with a temporary ban after it was discovered the company supplied some equipment to Iran in violation of international sanctions.
Just this week, Huawei’s plans to distribute its Mate 10 Pro flagship device via AT&T fell apart due to government pressure. Huawei is the world’s third-largest maker of smartphones and the world’s number one maker of telecommunications equipment.
Representative Elizabeth Cheney (R) from Wyoming co-sponsored the bill. The bill will need to approved by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform before it can be sent to the House for a vote.
