NE Washington News

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers has announced a legislative hearing focused on protecting American data and national security from foreign adversaries. The hearing, titled “Legislation to Protect American Data and National Security from Foreign Adversaries,” is set to address bipartisan solutions to safeguard Americans’ personal data and prevent foreign entities from exploiting it.

Regarding the legislation H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, Chair Rodgers expressed concerns about foreign-controlled applications like TikTok, stating, “...applications controlled by foreign adversaries, like TikTok, are exploiting and weaponizing American’s data and pose a clear national security threat to the United States.”

Chair Rodgers also commented on H.R. 7520, the Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024, highlighting the risks posed by data brokers who sell or share sensitive data without consent, potentially exposing it to foreign adversaries. She emphasized the need for bipartisan legislation to regulate the sharing of personal information abroad.

The legislative hearing is scheduled for Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. ET in the 2322 Rayburn House Office Building. The agenda includes discussions on the two aforementioned bills aimed at enhancing data security and preventing foreign adversaries from targeting Americans through online platforms.

The hearing will be open to the public and press, with the option for live streaming online. For further inquiries about the event, individuals can contact Noah Jackson at Noah.Jackson@mail.house.gov, while press-related questions can be directed to Sean Kelly at Sean.Kelly@mail.house.gov.