HR-9687-119
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sponsored by Scott Perry (R-PA)
What it does
This bill would require an appropriate national security agency to review, within one year, whether communications equipment or services from six named Chinese technology companies — including DeepSeek, Unitree Robotics, DEEP Robotics, Game Science, BrainCo, and Manycore Tech, plus their subsidiaries and licensees — pose an unacceptable national security risk. If the agency finds a risk, or fails to complete the review on time, the FCC would be required to add those products to its "covered list" of banned communications equipment within 30 days. If no risk is found, other national security agencies must independently review that determination within 180 days. The bill also directs the Secretary of Defense to assess whether any of these companies should be designated as Chinese military companies under existing law.
Who benefits
U.S. national security agencies and the FCC, which would gain a clearer statutory mandate to act on these specific companies. Domestic and allied-nation competitors of the named companies in AI, robotics, and communications technology, who could gain market share if these products are restricted. U.S. telecommunications and defense contractors that do not use the named companies' products. Consumers and institutions concerned about data security in AI and robotics products. Congressional oversight committees, which would receive mandatory unclassified reports on all determinations.
Who is hurt
The six named companies and their U.S. business partners, distributors, and licensees, who could face a ban on their products in the U.S. market. U.S. businesses and research institutions that currently use or integrate products from these companies — particularly DeepSeek's AI models and Unitree's robotics platforms, which have seen significant U.S. adoption. Consumers who use these products and would need to find alternatives. Academic and research communities that rely on low-cost AI tools like DeepSeek. U.S. companies that have licensing or joint-venture arrangements with the named entities.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that the named companies represent a new and underregulated frontier of Chinese technology penetration into U.S. communications infrastructure, AI systems, and physical robotics — areas not yet covered by existing FCC restrictions on companies like Huawei and ZTE. They contend that DeepSeek's AI models, which collect user data, and Unitree's widely deployed robots present concrete vectors for data exfiltration or remote exploitation, and that the bill's mandatory review process closes a gap in the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 by forcing agencies to act on specific, identified threats rather than waiting for voluntary review.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that the bill pre-selects companies for review based on national origin rather than demonstrated evidence of specific security vulnerabilities, potentially conflating commercial technology with military threat in ways that could invite reciprocal restrictions on U.S. tech firms abroad. They contend that the automatic addition to the FCC covered list if agencies miss the one-year deadline creates a de facto ban triggered by bureaucratic delay rather than a factual security finding, and that the bill's broad sweep to include all subsidiaries, affiliates, and licensees could ensnare U.S.-based entities with only indirect ties to the named companies.