Cruz, Cortez Masto Confirm Plans to Refile Anti-5G Nationalization E-Frontier Act

Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., confirmed they plan to refile their Eliminate From Regulators Opportunities to Nationalize the Internet in Every Respect (E-Frontier) Act in the coming weeks, as expected (see 1903050069). The bill, filed last year, would bar the White House from proposing the U.S. build a national 5G network without congressional authorization (see 1807230059). Cruz and Cortez Masto bowed the legislation in response to a leaked National Security Council draft memo that proposed 5G nationalization because of concerns China could otherwise build a network (see 1801290034). If the U.S. is “to remain the global telecommunications leader and compete with China, the private sector must continue to build, deploy, and secure 5G networks moving forward,” Cruz said Tuesday. “Any proposals that consider nationalizing these networks or rely upon the heavy-hand of the U.S. government in picking winners and losers is certain to have a chilling effect on private investment, and result in a radical shift in the management of our nation’s telecommunication’s networks.” 5G nationalization “would undermine our global competitiveness by ending private investments that have fueled innovation in our country,” said Cortez Masto. “We must strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors.” Cortez Masto and Cruz were among several senators who said they aren't convinced by attempts by President Donald Trump's re-election campaign to walk back earlier comments in favor of the government's making spectrum being reserved for 5G available to carriers on wholesale (see 1903040058).