House panel votes down measure to force DHS to detail ZTE threat

The House Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday voted down a Democratic resolution that would have forced the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide lawmakers with more information about the threat posed by Chinese telecommunications firm ZTE.

While Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said he shared concerns about the potential security threat posed by ZTE, he explained that it would be “inappropriate” to try to force DHS to provide the information. McCaul also described the resolution as redundant, given that the department has already provided committee staff with some of the information behind closed doors.

{mosads}The measure, offered by ranking member Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), would direct DHS to deliver a series of documents to the committee on the threat posed by ZTE, including information on whether the department or its contractors use ZTE products and what threats those products pose to the federal government.

ZTE has attracted massive attention in Washington since President Trump abruptly directed Commerce Department officials to take steps to get the Chinese phone-maker “back into business,” after U.S. penalties had forced the company to shutter its U.S. operations. Commerce barred American firms from doing business with ZTE in April after the company violated sanctions on Iran. 

Lawmakers, including some Republicans, have raised concerns about Trump’s effort. Many have cited the potential security threat posed by the Chinese company.

“The president’s cavalier approach to cybersecurity is disturbing and this committee should do its part to make sure that his decisions do not jeopardize national security,” Thompson said Wednesday. 

“My resolution of inquiry would give us the information that we need to do oversight to ensure that this fast-passed activity driven by the president does not put our security at stake,” Thompson added. He also accused DHS of being slow to respond to congressional document requests. 

While McCaul similarly voiced concerns about products made by ZTE and Huawei, another Chinese telecommunications firm, he urged the committee to vote to report the resolution unfavorably.

McCaul revealed that he wrote to DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen last month asking the department to provide an assessment of threats posed by ZTE and Huawei. He added that committee staff recently met with DHS officials who “reiterated that they’re not aware of any existing DHS contracts with ZTE or Huawei.” 

McCaul also announced that DHS, Department of Defense and FBI officials will brief members on the threats posed by ZTE and Huawei in a classified setting on June 13. 

“I plan to work really closely with you in aggressively pursuing our oversight responsibilities on this matter,” McCaul told Thompson. 

The committee voted 16-11 along party lines to report the resolution unfavorably out of the committee.

Trump’s effort to send a lifeline to ZTE comes amid efforts in Congress and his own administration to restrict ZTE’s presence in the federal government out of concern for national security. The House-passed defense policy bill, for instance, includes a provision that would bar the federal government from procuring technology produced by ZTE.

Meanwhile, the administration is said to be closing in on a deal to roll back sanctions on ZTE.