Senate Passes FY25 NDAA With Rip-and-Replace Money, to Praise from Daines
The Senate voted 85-15 Wednesday to pass the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (HR-5009) with language that would authorize the AWS-3 reauction to offset $3.08 billion in funding for the FCC’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program. The measure now goes to President Joe Biden, who's expected to sign it.
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Congress’ passage of HR-5009 drew praise from several rip-and replace advocates, including Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and other lawmakers who pressed for congressional action on funding during the lame-duck session. “This Chinese equipment poses a significant national security threat to the [U.S.] and by fully funding the Rip and Replace program, we can combat this threat while ensuring that millions of rural Americans maintain access to cellular and broadband services,” Daines said in a statement to us. Language from the Daines-led Supporting National Security with Spectrum Act (HR-9340/S-4049) formed the basis for HR-5009's rip-and-replace provisions.
“This legislation was long overdue,” said Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Roger Wicker, R-Miss. “Allowing the use of Chinese-manufactured equipment has undermined our citizens’ privacy and threatened our national security.”
TIA CEO Dave Stehlin also hailed the rip-and-replace funding. “Congress is demonstrating their support of carriers nationwide as they continue their efforts to remove untrustworthy equipment,” he said in a statement. “The recent high-profile and significant intrusions across” U.S. networks “demonstrates that more must be done to secure our critical communications infrastructure."