H.R. 1717: Communications Security Act
Sponsor
Robert Menendez
Democrat · NJ-8
What H.R. 1717 does
The Federal Communications Commission already has a council that advises it on the security, reliability and interoperability of communications networks. H.R. 1717, the Communications Security Act, would give that kind of council a basis in statute and exempt it from the usual two-year limit on federal advisory committees. The FCC could use an existing committee if its membership is adjusted to fit the bill.
The council would include, where practicable, communications industry companies, public interest groups or academic institutions, and federal, state, tribal and local governments, with at least one member from each level of government. The FCC chair would pick members, who generally could not represent entities owned or controlled by, or influenced by, a foreign adversary or otherwise seen as a national security threat.
How the House voted
Passed · July 15, 20251 Democrat broke with their party to vote no
Ayanna Pressley32 Republicans broke with their party to vote no
Andy Biggs
Sheri Biggs
Lauren Boebert
Josh Brecheen
Tim Burchett
Eric Burlison
Michael Cloud
Andrew Clyde
Mike Collins
Eli Crane
Jeff Crank
Byron DonaldsOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass: H R 1717 Communications Security Act · Roll no. 196 · Official record
HR1717 Legislative Journey
Committee Action
Jul 16, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
House: Vote: 380-33
Jul 15, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 380 - 33 (Roll no. 196). (text: 7/14/2025 CR 3218-3219)
House: Vote Held
Jul 14, 2025
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
House: Committee Action
Jul 10, 2025
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-194.
House: Vote: 50-1
Apr 8, 2025
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 50 - 1.
House: Committee Action
Feb 27, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
About the Sponsor
Robert Menendez
Democrat, New Jersey's 8th congressional district · 3 years in Congress
Committees: Energy and Commerce
View full profile →
Cosponsors (1)
This bill has 1 cosponsor: 1 Republican. Cosponsors represent 1 state: Pennsylvania.
Committee Sponsors
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
0 of 28 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
Energy and Commerce Committee
1 of 54 committee members cosponsored
37 Democrats across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 1717 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Commerce, Science, and Transportation
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Introduced
- Feb 27, 2025
Passed the House, received in Senate
Jul 16, 2025
H.R. 1717 Bill Text
“To direct the Federal Communications Commission to establish a council to make recommendations on ways to increase the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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