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WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, and Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, issued the following statement following President Trump’s announcement of a deal to separate TikTok from control of entities with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP): “We appreciate the extensive work done by President Trump and Vice President Vance to make progress toward a qualified divestiture of TikTok from ByteDance. As the details are finalized, we must ensure this deal protects American users from the influence and surveillance of CCP-aligned groups,” said Chairmen Guthrie, Bilirakis, and Hudson. “Limiting the influence and involvement of China remains a vital national security interest, and we look forward to seeing a deal that secures America’s interests on the global stage.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – In case you missed it, Fox Business recently published an article featuring a letter sent to the Secretary of Commerce from Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee, urging the Department of Commerce to investigate Spain's recent wiretap deal with the Chinese-owned Huwai and warning of the national security threats posed by the deal. In Case You Missed It: “ Republican leaders on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are calling on the Department of Commerce to investigate Spain’s controversial decision to contract with Huawei — a company with bridging links to the Chinese Communist Party — to store judicial wiretap data.  “ They warn the agreement poses a serious threat to U.S. digital trade and national security. “ In a letter this week to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Subcommittee Chairs Reps. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., and Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., warned that Spain’s contracts with Huawei to manage and store sensitive data related to the country’s wiretapping services were ‘ deeply troubling. ’ “ They noted that ‘ Huawei and other Chinese firms maintain documented CCP ties, posing profound risks to national and economic security. ’ “ The lawmakers further warned that the decision ‘ underscores a regrettable trend in the European Union (EU): governments tacitly embrace Chinese technology and hold American digital trade exports to double standards, ’ resulting in ‘ significant uncertainty for American companies in every sector that engages in transatlantic commerce. ’   “ They urged Commerce to ‘ investigate the Spanish government’s decision, and similar actions by EU governments, that negatively impact U.S. digital trade, data security, and telecommunications interests, as well as the interests of American workers. ’ “ Last month, Spain’s Ministry of the Interior quietly awarded a €12.3 million contract to Huawei to manage and store judicially authorized wiretaps using its OceanStor6800 V5 enterprise-grade servers. “ The move prompted top lawmakers on the House and Senate Intelligence Committees to call on Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to review intelligence sharing with Spain to ensure that Beijing was not intercepting secrets. “ House Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford called Spain’s deal ‘ almost unimaginable ’ in a statement last month.  “ The European Commission issued a formal warning, stating that ‘ Huawei represents materially higher risks ’ and urged member states to exclude high-risk vendors from critical infrastructure.  “ Sources within the Spanish National Police and the Civil Guard told Spanish news outlet The Objective they were uneasy with the partnership.  “ We are being asked to secure sensitive operations using systems that are not trusted by most of our allies, ’ one law enforcement source reportedly said.  “ The People’s Republic of China (PRC) National Intelligence Law of 2017 requires PRC individuals and entities to support PRC intelligence services. “ Chinese hackers breached U.S. court wiretap systems last year, according to a Wall Street Journal report. “ According to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, China ‘ remains the most active and persistent cyber threat to U.S. government, private-sector, and critical infrastructure networks ’ and has targeted communications infrastructure specifically, recently through the hacking operation Salt Typhoon. ”

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, and Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, recently  sent a letter  to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick asking the U.S. Department of Commerce to investigate the Spanish government’s decision to contract Huawei to manage and store sensitive data relating to the country’s wiretapping services. “I am deeply concerned by reports that Spain has contracted with Huawei to manage and store sensitive data related to the country’s wiretapping services. This decision is highly problematic, given Huawei’s well-documented ties to the Chinese Communist Party and the potential national security risks such involvement poses,” said Chairman Bilirakis. “Entrusting such critical infrastructure to an entity under significant influence from a foreign authoritarian government could jeopardize not only Spain’s internal security but also the integrity of allied intelligence sharing frameworks. This is a matter of national security, and we cannot afford to be complacent.” “Spain’s decision to hand Huawei access to sensitive law enforcement data is deeply troubling and a direct risk to our shared security,”   said Chairman Hudson. “Huawei’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party are well-documented, and this move undermines the trust and transparency that should define our alliances. The United States cannot accept double standards that block American digital trade while turning a blind eye to Chinese intrusion.” KEY EXCERPT: “It is deeply troubling when a treaty ally uses telecommunications equipment and services from an entity aligned with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). As you are aware, Huawei and other Chinese firms maintain documented CCP ties, posing profound risks to national and economic security.”  […] “Spain’s decision underscores a regrettable trend in the European Union (EU): governments tacitly embrace Chinese technology and hold American digital trade exports to double standards.” BACKGROUND: In 2019, the Trump Administration prohibited Huawei from participating in U.S. telecommunications networks over their ties to the CCP. In 2020, President Trump signed the  Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act  to prohibit federal funds from being used to purchase untrustworthy equipment and help small providers remove and replace such equipment. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) National Intelligence Law of 2017 requires PRC individuals and entities to support PRC intelligence services. The EU is the largest destination for American digital trade exports, and digital trade supports more than 3 million American jobs, which means Spain’s decision could directly impact U.S. businesses and individuals. CLICK HERE  to read  Fox Business  coverage of the letter. CLICK HERE  to read the full letter. ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, and Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, issued the following statement after President Trump delayed enforcement of the TikTok divestiture requirement: “We remain committed to seeing TikTok divested from the Chinese Communist Party-affiliated ByteDance. Our enemies will use any tool at their disposal to surveil and potentially manipulate the American people,”   said Chairmen Guthrie, Bilirakis, and Hudson.   “We remain committed to protecting the privacy and security of the American public and are hopeful the Administration will continue working to facilitate a deal that brings TikTok into compliance with the law soon.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the forced divestiture of TikTok: “Today’s Supreme Court decision affirms what Congress has been saying all along to ByteDance and the Chinese Communist Party: divest or face a ban. This is a sober, but important, step toward safeguarding our national security. ByteDance still has the choice to fully divest, so TikTok could continue operating in the United States if they so choose. Regardless of their decision, the Committee will continue to vigorously fight attempts by the CCP to compromise our communications networks and surveil the American people.”  ###

Soros-linked fund to acquire more than 200 local radio stations weeks before election Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) led 40 of her Republican colleagues in demanding answers from the Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding her recent decision to fast-track a media deal allowing the Fund for Policy Reform, a group aligned with Democratic mega-donor George Soros, to buy over 200 radio stations just weeks before the 2024 election. With a party line vote of 3-2, the decision at the Commission level by the Democratic members of the FCC to temporarily waive the required national security review and allow excessive foreign ownership of American radio stations is deeply disturbing. KEY LETTER EXCERPT: “It is highly concerning that the FCC did not follow regular order for a transaction of this magnitude. Licensees and investors need certainty that the FCC will follow its rules and procedures when approving transactions so that the broadcast industry can have the resources it needs to continue serving the public.”  BACKGROUND: Audacy, Inc., a radio broadcasting group, which owns more than 200 radio-station licenses, filed for bankruptcy earlier this year.  Audacy’s filings revealed that a George Soros-backed group known as the Fund for Policy Reform had acquired at least 40 percent of Audacy’s debt.   Audacy estimated that, upon emerging from bankruptcy, 25 percent or more of its stock would be indirectly foreign owned, which triggers FCC review.   This review process requires national security agencies to review the transaction and offer any policy or national security concerns.   On September 30, 2024, the FCC released an Order granting a temporary waiver of this review process, delaying a national security review until after the bankruptcy process is complete and allowing foreign control of a significant number of radio stations across the entire United States, weeks before a national election. CLICK HERE to read Breitbart's exclusive coverage. CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) today announced a Full Committee markup. The Committee will consider legislation from the Energy, Climate, and Grid Security; Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials; Health; and Communications and Technology subcommittees.  Chair Rodgers released the following statements:  On the Energy and Environment bills:  “The Energy and Commerce Committee has a rich history of enacting solutions that improve people’s livelihoods and freedom, all while maintaining America’s global energy and environmental leadership. We look forward to building on this legacy with solutions that modernize our pipeline infrastructure, enhance air quality standards and public health, and ensure Americans are free to choose the home appliances that work best for their lives.”  On the Health bills: “Americans are counting on us to deliver on bipartisan solutions that will help improve their health and wellbeing. We’re proud of the hard work that Members both on and off the Energy and Commerce Committee have done to bring forth these proposals to support patients and caregivers across America.”  On the Communications and Technology bills:  “In order to win the future, it is vital that our communications networks are secure. Continuing to rely on technology sourced from foreign adversaries jeopardizes people’s homes, schools, hospitals, our financial system, and the military. That is why Energy and Commerce Republicans are leading on solutions to remove dangerous equipment from our communications infrastructure and help cement America's technological and economic leadership for generations to come.”   WHAT: A Full Committee Markup of 28 bills.  DATE: Wednesday, March 20, 2024   TIME: 10:00 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building   Legislation to be considered :  H.R. 7655 , Pipeline Safety, Modernization, and Expansion Act of 2024 (Rep. Duncan)  H.R. 7673 , Liberty in Laundry Act (Rep. Ogles)  H.R. 7645 , Clothes Dryers Reliability Act (Rep. Ezell)   H.R. 7637 , Refrigerator Freedom Act (Rep. Miller-Meeks)   H.R. 7626 , Affordable Air Conditioning Act (Rep. Crenshaw)   H.R. 7700 , Stop Unaffordable Dishwasher Standards (SUDS) Act (Rep. Langworthy) H.R. 7650 , Air Quality Standards Implementation Act of 2024 (Rep. Carter) H.R. 619 , NAPA Reauthorization Act (Rep. Tonko) H.R. 620 , Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act (Rep. C. Smith)  H.R. 7218 , Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act of 2024 (Rep. Guthrie)  H.R. 4581 , Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2024 (Rep. Hinson)    H.R. 2706 , Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act (Rep. Cammack)   H.R. 4646 , SIREN Reauthorization Act (Rep. D. Joyce)  H.R. 6160 , To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize a lifespan respite care program (Rep. Molinaro)  H.R. 6960 , Emergency Medical Services for Children Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Rep. Carter)    H.R. 7153 , Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act (Rep. Wild)  H.R. 7251 , Poison Control Centers Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Rep. Chavez-DeRemer)  H.R. 7224 , To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond to Health and Wellness Training Program (Rep. Cohen)  H.R. 7208 , Dennis John Beningo Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Rep. Pascrell)   H.R. 6829 , Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, and Research, and AED Training in the Schools (HEARTS) Act of 2024 (Rep. Pallone)    H.R. 7189 , Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Rep. Bilirakis)  H.R. 7406 , DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act of 2024 (Rep. McMorris Rodgers)  H.R. 3916 , SCREENS for Cancer Act of 2024 (Rep. Morelle)    H.R. 5074 , Kidney PATIENT Act (Rep. Carter)  H.R. 2864 , Countering CCP Drones Act (Rep. Stefanik)  H.R. 820 , Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act (Rep. Stefanik)  H.R. 1513 , Future Uses of Technology Upholding Reliable and Enhancing (FUTURE) Networks Act (Rep. Matsui)  H.R. 7589 , Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security (ROUTERS) Act (Rep. Latta)  This notice is at the direction of the Chair. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at https://energycommerce.house.gov/ . If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Kaitlyn Peterson with the Committee staff at Kaitlyn.Peterson@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Sean Kelly at Sean.Kelly@mail.house.gov and Christopher Krepich at Christopher.Krepich@mail.house.gov . 

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee (E&C) Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), E&C Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chair Bob Latta (R-OH), E&C Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), E&C Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, launched an investigation into grants made to an AI scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).  The Chairs made requests for documents to UCLA, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).  BACKGROUND :  On November 1, 2023, a Newsweek investigation found that the federal government awarded at least $30 million in federal research grants led by Mr. Song-Chun Zhu, who is now “at the forefront of China's race to develop the most advanced artificial intelligence.”  The investigation further revealed the NSF and DOD continued funding Mr. Zhu even as he “set up a parallel institute near Wuhan, took a position at a Beijing university whose primary goal is to support Chinese military research, and joined a CCP ‘talent plan’ whose members are tasked with transferring knowledge and technology to China.”  In particular, Newsweek found that the project once led by Mr. Zhu received $1.2 million in two grants from the Office of Naval Research in 2021, the year following his departure to China.  KEY LETTER EXCERPT:   “Mr. Zhu has openly discussed how if China takes the lead in developing a ‘truly universal intelligence,’ then it will ‘become the winner of the international technology competition.’ He has also referred to the AI race as being equivalent in military importance to the race for the atomic bomb. In a period of intensifying geopolitical competition with the CCP, ceasing federal government support for Chinese AI development is a critical national security imperative.”  CLICK HERE to read the letter to UCLA Chancellor Gener Block.  CLICK HERE to read the letter to NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan.  CLICK HERE to read the letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. 

Letter comes after Eventbrite censored conservative event while permitting pro-Hamas events Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chair Bob Latta (R-OH), Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), and Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, & Commerce Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), along with Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-TX) today wrote Eventbrite President and CEO Julia Hartz. The letter raises concerns over Eventbrite’s enforcement practices. BACKGROUND :  On October 23, 2023, Eventbrite removed an event listing titled, “Protecting Women’s Sports with Riley Gaines,” from its platform.    This event was intended to be a public forum for participants, including female athletes, to express issues, experiences, and consequences of biological males competing in their competitions.  Eventbrite listed “Rahm 4 Palestine (GAZA): Talk & Dinner,” scheduled for October 27, featuring a headline speaker who, after the October 7 Israeli massacre, using his verified X account, publicly posted antisemitic messaging that was viewed more than 1 million times.  A sold-out conference scheduled for November 10 in Washington, D.C., “Palestine Center 2023 Annual Conference,” was promoted on Eventbrite.    In advertising this event, organizers referred to the country of Israel as “Israeli apartheid” under Eventbrite’s “About this event” tab.  KEY LETTER EXCERPTS :  “In the last few weeks, Eventbrite, it seems, has selectively enforced its terms of service by removing some events while allowing potentially violative events to remain on the site. We raise the issues below not to dictate or remove events and users from your marketplace, but to better understand your Community Guidelines enforcement process .”  […]  “We struggle to comprehend the rationale for removing this event, while other Eventbrite listings that seemingly violate several of Eventbrite’s Community Guidelines remain live, including some that feature speakers espousing allegiance to entities designated by the U.S. Government as foreign terrorist organizations.”  […]  “Because Gaines’s promotion of the widely held view to preserve women’s athletics starkly contrasts with events on Eventbrite featuring speakers sympathetic to mass murder, this leads us to wonder if pro-terrorist and antisemitic events and event speakers do not plainly violate Eventbrite’s prohibition of content that would ‘discriminate against, harass, disparage, threaten, incite violence against, or otherwise target individuals or groups based on their actual or perceived race, ethnicity, religion, national origin.’ We seek information on what metrics Eventbrite uses to enforce its Community Guidelines on selected issues such as women’s athletics versus terrorism and antisemitism .”    CLICK HERE to read the full letter.