In the near future, I will introduce a resolution urging Congress to enact the bipartisan Securing National Security Systems from Chinese Optical Transceivers Act of 2026 (S. 5548), introduced by Senators Dave McCormick, John Fetterman, Ruben Gallego and John Cornyn and for the Executive Branch to enact similar regulations requiring the onshoring of optical transceiver manufacturing.

Optical transceivers convert electrical signals into light, allowing data to travel through high-speed fiber-optic networks. These components support artificial intelligence, cloud computing and sensitive government communications. Advanced transceivers can contain reprogrammable firmware, creating potential security vulnerabilities when this equipment comes from adversary-linked suppliers.

This federal legislation would prohibit the procurement of covered optical transceivers for national security systems. It would provide a five-year transition period, allowing trusted American and allied manufacturers time to expand production, and direct the Department of Commerce to assess production capacity and develop a strategy to strengthen these critical supply chains.

My resolution would urge Congress to support the timely passage of this legislation or substantially similar protections. It would also encourage federal agencies to avoid new reliance on adversary-linked transceivers and support policies that bring production of these devices and their components to the United States while strengthening trusted allied supply chains.

Protecting our most sensitive communications networks also presents an opportunity for Pennsylvania manufacturers and workers to help build the technology our nation depends on. Federal procurement policies should support both our national security and our ability to produce critical technology here at home.

Please join me in cosponsoring this important resolution.