WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), joined a bipartisan group of senators in introducing the Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology (RESTRICT) Act. The bill would comprehensively address the ongoing threat posed by technology from foreign adversaries by empowering the U.S. Department of Commerce to review, prevent, and mitigate information communications and technology transactions that pose undue risk to our national security. U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-Va.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) led the introduction of the bill.

“Beyond the piecemeal attempts we have seen in the past, the RESTRICT Act provides a holistic approach to dealing with current and emerging technologies emanating from our foreign adversaries that pose an undue risk to the national security of our country. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation, which establishes a clear plan to address these risks and threats,” Senator Capito said.

BACKGROUND:

The RESTRICT Act establishes a risk-based process, tailored to the rapidly changing technology and threat environment, by directing the U.S. Department of Commerce to identify and mitigate foreign threats to information and communications technology products and services.

The Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology (RESTRICT) Act would:

  • Require the Secretary of Commerce to establish procedures to identify, deter, disrupt, prevent, prohibit, and mitigate transactions involving information and communications technology products in which any foreign adversary has any interest and poses undue or unacceptable risk to national security;
  • Prioritize evaluation of information communications and technology products used in critical infrastructure, integral to telecommunications products, or pertaining to a range of defined emerging, foundational, and disruptive technologies with serious national security implications;
  • Ensure comprehensive actions to address risks of untrusted foreign information communications and technology products by requiring the Secretary to take up consideration of concerning activity identified by other government entities;
  • Educate the public and business community about the threat by requiring the Secretary of Commerce to coordinate with the Director of National Intelligence to provide declassified information on how transactions denied or otherwise mitigated posed undue or unacceptable risk.

 

# # #