Fischer chairs Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media
In her opening statement at today’s Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media hearing, Chairman Deb Fischer (R-NE) outlined the growing national security threats facing America’s communications networks, including foreign cyberattacks to supply-chain vulnerabilities. Fischer emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between government and industry to protect critical infrastructure.
Fischer also praised the Senate passage of her FACT Act, which marks a crucial step in the mission to secure America’s technology and telecommunications markets from foreign adversaries.
Fischer’s remarks as prepared for delivery:
Good morning.
I want to thank our witnesses for joining us. Today’s hearing comes at an important moment. Our nation’s communications networks are facing rapidly evolving threats — ranging from fraud and espionage to sabotage. In a few minutes, we will examine and consider how government and industry can work together to strengthen our network security.
The U.S. Intelligence Community assesses that the People’s Republic of China is the most active and persistent cyber threat to U.S. institutions. Last year, the hacking group, Salt Typhoon, backed by the PRC, infiltrated U.S. telecom providers. We need a unified cyber-defense strategy now more than ever.
Threat actors are deploying advanced technology at scale to try to undermine our networks at every juncture. These attacks are increasingly supercharged by artificial intelligence, as well.
While private industry continues to innovate, collaborate, and defend against these threats, the risk environment is growing more complex. Congress must coordinate with industry and ensure a robust federal response.
Supply chain security remains a critical part of this conversation. PRC-linked companies such as Huawei continue to pose significant risks to allied telecommunications infrastructure. Congress created the “Rip and Replace” program to remove this vulnerable equipment from portions of American networks, and the FCC continues to identify high-risk vendors.
This committee has also advanced my bill to increase transparency around foreign ownership of U.S. communications licensees. Earlier this Congress, I introduced the FACT Act — which requires the Federal Communications Commission to publicly identify companies that hold FCC licenses and are owned by adversarial governments. I’m proud it passed the Senate in October, and I look forward to seeing it become law.
As we grow more connected, we feel the impacts of network insecurity globally, nationally, and locally.
Just last month, Kearney Public Schools in Nebraska experienced a major cyberattack that disrupted phone and computer systems. We also witnessed a series of 9-1-1 system outages across Nebraska with multiple failures caused by a lack of network diversity and redundancy.
As global conflict increases, networks that span international borders are also prime geopolitical targets for bad actors seeking to create economic and political instability.
Undersea cables carry more than 95 percent of international internet traffic, including sensitive financial and government data. Recent physical cuts to those cables, both accidental and intentional, have caused disruptions worldwide – knocking millions of people and businesses offline, including major cloud services.
And as we look to space, satellite constellations are rapidly expanding. With over 10,000 active satellites in orbit — most operated by U.S. companies — these systems support at-home connectivity, national security functions, and critical infrastructure. We must ensure foreign adversaries do not infiltrate these systems for espionage or other nefarious purposes.
Across all these domains, threat actors are growing more aggressive and persistent.
Today’s hearing allows us to deepen our understanding of these threats and ensure our networks remain secure. There is no single solution to the network security challenges ahead. However, I hope today we will shed light on different approaches this committee can champion. I look forward to the discussion.
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In her opening statement at today’s Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media hearing, Chairman Deb Fischer (R-NE) outlined the growing national security threats facing America’s communications networks, including foreign cyberattacks to supply-chain vulnerabilities. Fischer emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between government and industry to protect critical infrastructure.
Fischer also praised the Senate passage of her FACT Act, which marks a crucial step in the mission to secure America’s technology and telecommunications markets from foreign adversaries.
Fischer’s remarks as prepared for delivery:
Good morning.
I want to thank our witnesses for joining us. Today’s hearing comes at an important moment. Our nation’s communications networks are facing rapidly evolving threats — ranging from fraud and espionage to sabotage. In a few minutes, we will examine and consider how government and industry can work together to strengthen our network security.
The U.S. Intelligence Community assesses that the People’s Republic of China is the most active and persistent cyber threat to U.S. institutions. Last year, the hacking group, Salt Typhoon, backed by the PRC, infiltrated U.S. telecom providers. We need a unified cyber-defense strategy now more than ever.
Threat actors are deploying advanced technology at scale to try to undermine our networks at every juncture. These attacks are increasingly supercharged by artificial intelligence, as well.
While private industry continues to innovate, collaborate, and defend against these threats, the risk environment is growing more complex. Congress must coordinate with industry and ensure a robust federal response.
Supply chain security remains a critical part of this conversation. PRC-linked companies such as Huawei continue to pose significant risks to allied telecommunications infrastructure. Congress created the “Rip and Replace” program to remove this vulnerable equipment from portions of American networks, and the FCC continues to identify high-risk vendors.
This committee has also advanced my bill to increase transparency around foreign ownership of U.S. communications licensees. Earlier this Congress, I introduced the FACT Act — which requires the Federal Communications Commission to publicly identify companies that hold FCC licenses and are owned by adversarial governments. I’m proud it passed the Senate in October, and I look forward to seeing it become law.
As we grow more connected, we feel the impacts of network insecurity globally, nationally, and locally.
Just last month, Kearney Public Schools in Nebraska experienced a major cyberattack that disrupted phone and computer systems. We also witnessed a series of 9-1-1 system outages across Nebraska with multiple failures caused by a lack of network diversity and redundancy.
As global conflict increases, networks that span international borders are also prime geopolitical targets for bad actors seeking to create economic and political instability.
Undersea cables carry more than 95 percent of international internet traffic, including sensitive financial and government data. Recent physical cuts to those cables, both accidental and intentional, have caused disruptions worldwide – knocking millions of people and businesses offline, including major cloud services.
And as we look to space, satellite constellations are rapidly expanding. With over 10,000 active satellites in orbit — most operated by U.S. companies — these systems support at-home connectivity, national security functions, and critical infrastructure. We must ensure foreign adversaries do not infiltrate these systems for espionage or other nefarious purposes.
Across all these domains, threat actors are growing more aggressive and persistent.
Today’s hearing allows us to deepen our understanding of these threats and ensure our networks remain secure. There is no single solution to the network security challenges ahead. However, I hope today we will shed light on different approaches this committee can champion. I look forward to the discussion.
