Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act
Term Dictionary
If you come across any unfamiliar words while reading, these resources can help make everything clearer. Pick whichever one works best for you!
- Congress.gov Legislative Glossary - Comprehensive congressional terms
- NVFC Congressional Terms Glossary - Concise, easy-to-understand definitions
The gist
Forces the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to publicly name every US license holder partly owned or controlled by China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea.
Who wins, who loses
- Wins: national security agencies, US telecom competitors, public researchers tracking foreign influence in US networks.
- Loses: companies with adversary investors facing public scrutiny; foreign-linked firms holding spectrum or cable licenses.
What it does
- FCC must publish the list within 120 days of enactment on its website.
- Covers wireless spectrum auction winners and undersea cable landing license holders.
- Within 18 months, FCC writes rules to identify other license types with adversary ownership.
- Requires annual updates; exempts the data collection from Paperwork Reduction Act limits.
Why should I care?
Supporters say Americans deserve to know if foreign adversaries quietly own pieces of US phone networks, internet cables, or radio licenses teens use daily. Critics argue the list could unfairly stigmatize companies with minor foreign investors and duplicate existing national security reviews. The bill targets only governments and companies from four specific countries. Where do you land? Vote below and use "Tell Your Rep" to make sure your voice reaches Congress.