Sponsors (6)
The bill strengthens national security and safety by giving agencies and the FCC authority and deadlines to block risky foreign-produced robots, but it does so at the cost of higher compliance and market disruption for manufacturers, potential overbroad prohibitions, and added administrative burdens.
Federal government agencies and the FCC can block foreign-produced humanoid and quadruped robots and their control software that pose security risks, reducing the chance of espionage or sabotage against U.S. facilities and systems.
Homeowners, state governments, and critical infrastructure operators gain protection when the FCC restricts insecure robotic communications equipment listed as risky, lowering the chance that insecure devices could be exploited in homes or key facilities.
Federal employees and technology workers benefit from clearer statutory definitions and a one-year review deadline that force timely determinations about risky foreign robotics equipment, improving regulatory predictability and accountability.
Manufacturers, suppliers, and buyers of affected robots from covered foreign entities may lose market access or face bans, increasing costs and limiting availability of robotic products for businesses and consumers.
Tech companies and procurement officials face a risk that the FCC's automatic backstop listing could impose broad prohibitions without item-specific risk findings, potentially banning products beyond demonstrated threats.
Global suppliers, manufacturers, and small businesses may face complex compliance burdens because excluding only 'countries not of concern' creates uncertainty for multinational ownership, licensing, and supply chains.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires national security agencies and the FCC to evaluate humanoid and quadruped robots and their control software from covered foreign entities and add risky items to the FCC's covered-equipment list under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act.
Official title: To provide for certain humanoid and quadruped robotics communications equipment or services to be placed on the covered list of the Federal Communications Commission, and for other purposes.
Introduced June 3, 2026 by John Moolenaar · Last progress June 3, 2026
Requires national security agencies and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to evaluate humanoid and quadruped robots and their controlling software made or provided by specified foreign entities and, where appropriate, add them to the FCC’s list of "covered communications equipment or services" under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act. Agencies must determine within one year whether such robotics items pose an unacceptable national security risk; if no agency acts, the FCC must add all such items to the covered list. Sets timelines for agency findings and reporting: when an agency finds an unacceptable risk it must notify Congress and the FCC will add the item to the covered list within 30 days; when an agency finds no unacceptable risk it must report to Congress and other agencies within 30 days and other agencies must review and report within 180 days. The text defines key terms and excludes countries that are not "countries of concern," such as NATO allies and Major Non‑NATO Allies.