Full Breakdown
Lawmakers Unveil Bipartisan Bill to Reform FCC’s “Covered List” Tool
By Drooid · · How we work
Legislative Proposal
On September 23, Representatives Brett Guthrie, the Republican chair of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Frank Pallone, the panel’s top Democrat, announced bipartisan legislation aimed at changing how the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adds products to its “Covered List.” The bill would modify the process for designating equipment and expand input from other government agencies.
Background on the Covered List
The Covered List is a national-security mechanism the FCC uses to prohibit certain Chinese-origin technology. To date, the list has been applied to Chinese-made drones, robots, routers, power inverters, and other equipment, effectively barring these items from U.S. markets.
Key Lawmakers
- Brett Guthrie – Republican chair, House Energy and Commerce Committee; co-author of the reform proposal.
- Frank Pallone – Democratic ranking member of the same committee; co-author of the reform proposal.
Proposed Changes
The legislation seeks to:
1. Revise the criteria and procedures for adding products to the Covered List.
2. Require additional consultation with agencies beyond the FCC, thereby broadening inter-agency oversight.
Both lawmakers emphasized that the reforms are intended to improve transparency and coordination while preserving the list’s security purpose.
Potential Impact
If enacted, the bill could alter the scope of U.S. restrictions on Chinese technology, potentially affecting manufacturers of drones, robotics, networking gear, and power conversion devices. By involving more agencies, the reform aims to balance national-security concerns with industry and trade considerations, though the exact effects will depend on the rulemaking process that follows legislative approval.