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CIVIC HERALD
HR 1709 · 119th Congress · HouseIn committee

Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act

In plain language: This legislation directs the federal government to investigate how vulnerable American mobile phone networks and devices are to foreign surveillance and cyberattacks. Federal officials will evaluate whether wireless carriers are fixing known security flaws, why companies struggle to replace outdated encryption, and how widely surveillance devices like fake cell towers are used inside the country. Although the bill does not immediately force carriers to change their practices or upgrade equipment, it provides Congress with the data needed to push for stronger privacy and security standards.

Provisional: our plain-language summary, pending review.

Provisionalunreviewed: impact, issue tags, provisions, stakeholders, summary
People affected—not determinable from the text provided; the bill only mandates an interagency study and report to Congress
Fiscal magnitude—not determinable from the text provided; no appropriations or funding levels are authorized
Reach12provisional · pending reviewrigor: heuristic llm
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Issues

What this bill touches.

Market protections+10Personal data & privacy+12Security vs. privacy+10

The sign shows the bill's direction on each issue (+ toward, − away); the number is its magnitude. Color never encodes good or bad, and never party.

Who it affects

Who it helps · who it burdens.

Who it helps

  • Congressional commerce committeesReceives an unredacted assessment detailing mobile network cybersecurity risks, adversary surveillance capabilities, encryption adoption barriers, and provider mitigation efforts to inform oversight and legislation.provisional

Who it burdens

  • National Telecommunications and Information AdministrationDirects the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to study mobile network cybersecurity, consult with industry and government partners, and submit a detailed unredacted report to Congress within one year.provisional
  • Department of Homeland SecurityRequired to consult with the Department of Commerce in researching and compiling the comprehensive mobile network cybersecurity report.provisional

Dollar-level funding (FEC sector totals) is coming in a later phase.

What it does

The provisions, in plain language.

  1. Requires the Department of Commerce, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, to report to Congress on the cybersecurity of mobile phone networks and how effectively mobile providers are fixing known security vulnerabilities.

    Sec. 2(a)provisional

  2. Requires the report to evaluate the strength and use of encryption and authentication across mobile networks and devices, as well as the obstacles providers face in retiring outdated security systems with known flaws.

    Sec. 2(b)(4)-(6)provisional

  3. Directs the report to assess the commercial availability, cost, and use of cell site simulators (IMSI catchers) and other mobile surveillance tools by foreign adversaries and hackers within the United States.

    Sec. 2(b)(7)provisional

  4. Mandates that the report be released to the public with sensitive technical details redacted to prevent cyberattacks, while providing the full unredacted findings and any classified information to congressional committees.

    Sec. 2(e)provisional

How your members of Congress line up

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Timeline

How it moved.

  1. Jul 15, 2025Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  2. Jul 14, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Jul 14, 2025On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 360 - 10 (Roll no. 191). (text: CR H3209-3210)
  4. Jul 14, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 360 - 10 (Roll no. 191).
  5. Jun 30, 2025Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-177.
  6. Jun 30, 2025Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-177.
  7. Mar 4, 2025Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
  8. Feb 27, 2025Introduced in House
  9. Feb 27, 2025Introduced in House

The original text

Read it for yourself.

Read the original text →

Sources & provenance

Congress.govrefreshed 9 days ago

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