Bill · S. 259· Senate(119-S-259)
Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act
- Introduced
- 1/27/2025
- Last activity
- 10/24/2025 — Held at the desk.
- Sponsored by
- Deb Fischer
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Awaiting House
What this bill would do
This Act, known as the ``Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act,'' directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create and maintain a list of specific entities. This list includes organizations that hold FCC licenses or other grants of authority and have certain foreign ownership. Specifically, it targets entities where a "covered country" holds an equity interest or exerts control as determined by a national security agency. The Commission is required to publish this list on its website within 120 days of the Act's enactment. Additionally, the Commission must establish rules to identify other entities holding various authorizations or grants of authority. The list must be updated at least once a year.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill mandates the publication of a list of entities with specific foreign ownership on the FCC website to inform the public.
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?+3
The bill increases transparency regarding foreign control of communications infrastructure, which is a component of national security.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?+2
By identifying foreign-controlled entities in the communications sector, the bill provides more information regarding potential data security risks.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Transparency: The bill requires the Commission to publish a list on its website regarding entities with specific foreign ownership or control (Section 2(b)). This provides public access to information about which organizations holding FCC authority are connected to covered countries.
-
Identification of Controlled Entities: The Act requires the Commission to include entities where a national security agency has determined that a covered entity exerts control (Section 2(b)(2)(B)). This ensures that even if there is no direct equity or voting interest, the influence of a covered entity is made known.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+2
- 10/24/2025
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 10/23/2025
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S7734; text: CR S7734)
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 7/9/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-36.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 110.
- 4/30/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 1/27/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
John CornynRepublican · Texas
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada