WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 1717 · 119th Congress

Communications Security Act

Passed HouseScience, Technology, Communications
IntroducedFeb 27, 2025
Passed HouseJul 15, 2025
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Jul 16, 2025: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The House passed it 380–33. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 0 sections of existing law and would add 1 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 1717 doesn't change any existing section of law. It would create 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Jul 16, 2025).

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Council on communications security, reliability, and interoperability
What the words would change: every change, in place (0)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

    From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

    What it does

    Sourced

    Communications Security Act

    This bill provides statutory authority for a council established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide advice regarding the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks. (This advice is currently provided by the FCC’s Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council.)

    The bill specifies that the FCC may designate an existing advisory committee to fulfill this role, provided the committee’s membership is modified, as necessary, to comply with membership requirements set forth in the bill.

    Specifically, the bill requires the council to include, to the extent practicable, representatives of companies in the communications industry; public interest organizations or academic institutions; and federal, state, tribal, and local governments (with at least one member representing each level of government). Members are to be selected by the FCC's chair and generally may not include representatives of entities owned or controlled by, or subject to the influence of, a foreign adversary, or otherwise deemed to pose a threat to U.S. national security.

    Under current law, federal advisory committees must generally terminate after two years unless they are renewed or a statute specifies a different termination date. However, the bill exempts the council from this requirement.

    Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Feb 27, 2025).

    Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

    What has happened

    Sourced
    1. Jul 16, 2025Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.Senate
    2. Jul 15, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
    3. Jul 15, 2025On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 380 - 33 (Roll no. 196). (text: 7/14/2025 CR 3218-3219) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
    4. Jul 15, 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): 380 - 33 (Roll no. 196). Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
    5. Jul 15, 2025Considered as unfinished business.House floor actions
    6. Jul 14, 2025At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.House floor actions
    7. Jul 14, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1717.House floor actions
    8. Jul 14, 2025Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3218-3220)House floor actions
    9. Jul 14, 2025Mr. Latta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.House floor actions
    10. Jul 10, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 158.House floor actions
    11. Jul 10, 2025Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-194.House floor actions
    12. Jul 10, 2025Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-194.Library of Congress
    13. Apr 8, 2025Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 50 - 1.House committee actions
    14. Apr 8, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
    15. Feb 27, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.House floor actions
    16. Feb 27, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
    17. Feb 27, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

    Show key steps only

    Recorded votes

    Sourced
    1. Jul 15, 2025 · HousePassed 380–33
      Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
      On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · needed two-thirds
      R 175 yes, 32 noD 205 yes, 1 noEach member · Record

    Cosponsors

    • John Joyce R-PA-13