{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://fry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=952", "Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07) Introduces Bill to Help Small and Rural Broadband Providers Secure Their Networks", "2025-09-11", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Russell Fry", "F000478", "fry.house.gov", "fry", "https://fry.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07) introduced the Timely Replacement Under Secure and Trusted for Early and Dependable (TRUSTED) Broadband Networks Act, a bill designed to help small and rural broadband providers secure their networks by removing and replacing insecure foreign telecommunications equipment.\n\nThe bill builds on the bipartisan Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019, which provided funding to help small and rural providers replace insecure foreign-supplied equipment. Congressman Fry\u2019s legislation streamlines that process by cutting through bureaucratic red tape and ensuring America\u2019s communications infrastructure remains safe from foreign adversaries\u2014notably, the Chinese Communist Party.\n\nSpecifically, the TRUSTED Broadband Networks Act:\n\nExempts replacement projects from unnecessary reviews\n\nRemoval and replacement of insecure communications equipment (e.g., Huawei or ZTE hardware) will not be treated as a \u201cmajor federal action\u201d under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).\n\nThese projects will also not be considered \u201cundertakings\u201d under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).\n\nClearly defines \u201ccovered projects\u201d\n\nPermanent removal of communications equipment/services deemed insecure under the 2019 Act.\n\nReplacement with secure, trusted communications equipment/services.\n\nCovers all federal authorizations\n\nStreamlines permits, certifications, approvals, and other federal authorizations needed for covered projects.\n\nCuts red tape for small providers\n\nEnsures rural and small telecom providers can secure their networks without delays caused by duplicative federal review processes.\n\nBy expediting the removal of insecure, foreign-subsidized telecom hardware and accelerating deployment of trusted equipment, the TRUSTED Broadband Networks Act strengthens America\u2019s communications networks, particularly in rural and underserved areas.\n\n\u201cSecuring our broadband infrastructure is essential to protecting not only national security, but also the everyday lives of Americans who rely on fast, safe, and reliable internet,\u201d said Congressman Fry. \u201cThe TRUSTED Broadband Networks Act puts our small and rural providers in a position to act quickly and ensures adversaries cannot exploit vulnerabilities in U.S. networks.\u201d\n\n\u201cCCA appreciates Representative Fry's leadership in reintroducing the TRUSTED Broadband Networks Act,\u201d said President and CEO of Competitive Carriers Association Tim Donovan. \u201cOur members participating in the Rip and Replace Program are committed to secure networks, and this important national security program should not face unnecessary delays caused permitting and siting challenges. Addressing these obstacles is important to keep the program on track to meet the timeline Congress intended and secure our nation\u2019s networks. I commend Congress\u2019s commitment to this important effort and urge swift action on this bill.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:07:37Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://fry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=952"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5501028392463923, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}