Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act
Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act
Plain Language Summary
# Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act Summary **What it does:** This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create and publish annual lists of companies that hold FCC licenses or permits and have financial ties to countries considered foreign adversaries—specifically China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela. For submarine cable companies and those winning FCC auctions, the FCC must immediately identify any ownership stakes or control by these foreign entities. For other licensed broadcasters and communications companies, the FCC first needs to establish new rules to collect ownership information before adding them to the list. **Who it affects:** The bill impacts communications companies operating in the U.S., including submarine cable operators, broadcasters, and other entities requiring FCC licenses or authorizations. It also affects investors and companies from the specified countries doing business in American communications infrastructure.
The general public would gain transparency about foreign investment in U.S. communications networks, which relates to national security concerns. **Current status:** The bill passed the Senate and is now awaiting consideration in the House. It was sponsored by Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) and focuses on national security by identifying potential foreign control of critical communications infrastructure rather than necessarily preventing such involvement—it's primarily a transparency measure.
CRS Official Summary
Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency ActThis bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to annually publish a list of entities that hold a license or other authorization granted by the FCC and have ties to specified foreign countries.With respect to entities holding cable landing licenses (for the placement and operation of submarine communications cables) or other licenses granted via competitive auction, the FCC must publish a list of all such entities (1) in which a covered entity holds a specified voting or equity interest, or (2) that have been determined by a national security agency to be subject to the control of a covered entity. With respect to entities holding all other categories of FCC licenses or other authorizations, the FCC must first issue rules facilitating the collection of information on such licensees’ ownership structure. After that information is obtained, the FCC must add to the published list any such entity in which a covered entity holds a specified voting or equity interest. Under the bill, a covered entity is defined as an entity organized in China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia; a subsidiary of such an entity; or the government of China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia.
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