Congress tightens foreign tech blacklist with new notice rules and license bans

What it does

This bill expands the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 to cover a broader category of technology—not just communications equipment, but all 'information and communications technology or services'—and tightens the process for adding items to a government blacklist. It requires the FCC to update the list at least every 6 months, mandates congressional notification 7 days before adding anything, and bars companies on the list from holding FCC licenses or authorizations (with a narrow exception for equipment certifications). It also creates new coordination requirements between the FCC and Commerce Department on national security grounds.

Why we flagged it

The bill's operative mechanism is regulatory expansion and procedural tightening around a government blacklist for foreign technology. It is not a tax measure, appropriation, or commemorative act—it is a governance reform of an existing national-security screening regime.

What the text implies

• The definition of 'information and communications technology or services' is delegated to 15 CFR 791.2, which is not quoted in the bill—the actual scope of what can be blacklisted depends on regulatory language outside this text.
• The 'foreign adversary' definition is tied to 'covered nation' in 10 U.S.C. 4872(f)(2), which is not restated—the bill's core limitation on blacklisting depends on an external statutory definition.
• Removal of items from the blacklist requires a 180-day process and a finding that the technology 'does not pose an unacceptable risk'—a high bar that may lock in listings even after reversals by the originating agency.
• The bill makes category-level blacklists (e.g., 'all 5G equipment from X country') subject to Congressional Review Act major-rule procedures, potentially creating legislative gridlock if Congress disagrees with the FCC's determinations.
• Barring covered entities from holding FCC licenses may force divestment or restructuring of companies with any subsidiary or affiliate on the blacklist, with cascading effects on supply chains and employment.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

Citizens benefit from increased transparency (mandatory congressional notice, unclassified reports, regular updates) and procedural safeguards (foreign-adversary requirement, 180-day removal process). However, the bill's core mechanism—expanding what can be blacklisted and restricting companies from holding licenses—may disrupt supply chains, raise consumer costs, or limit device choices if critical technologies are targeted, especially if the blacklist expands beyond genuine national security t

Who stands to gain

• U.S. telecommunications equipment manufacturers (competitors to blacklisted foreign firms)
• Domestic technology vendors (potential beneficiaries of supply-chain substitution)
• Compliance and legal services firms (increased regulatory complexity)

Named in the bill

Federal Communications Commission (FCC), U.S. Department of Commerce, Secretary of Commerce, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019, Secure Equipment Act of 2021, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, 15 CFR 791 (Commerce Department regulations on foreign technology), 47 CFR Part 2, Subpart J (FCC equipment authorization rules), Communications Act of 1934

Where it stands

1 cosponsor: 1 Republicans.

• Sep 16, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Sep 16, 2026 — Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.