Carr Slams 'Biden FCC' for Last-Minute Vote on Cybersecurity Measure

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 2025 – Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel appears to have proceeded with a controversial regulatory proposal just days before the presidential transition, in spite of efforts by Congressional Republicans to the contrary. 

Late Wednesday night, Rosenworcel reportedly attempted to advance a cybersecurity measure targeting Chinese state-sponsored cyberattacks — an action that drew sharp rebuke from Republican FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, who is set to take over as chairman in just five days.

Carr, in a statement released independently, accused Rosenworcel of "forc[ing] a vote on a partisan, uncoordinated, and counterproductive approach to the Salt Typhoon cybersecurity threats." 

The proposed rules, introduced on Dec. 5, 2024, were designated in response to an alleged cyberattack by a Beijing-sponsored group, dubbed "Salt Typhoon," This group reportedly infiltrated American telecommunications networks to steal data on U.S. calls. Under the new rules, communications providers would be required to submit annual certifications confirming they have plans in place to defend against cyberattacks.

"We need to put in place a modern framework to help companies secure their networks and better prevent and respond to cyberattacks in the future," Rosenworcel said in a Dec. statement.

The timing of the proposal has drawn scrutiny, coming one month after House Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., instructed Rosenworcel to “immediately stop work on any partisan or controversial item under consideration” by the FCC.

Rosenworcel's policy advisor and director of strategic communications, Jonathan Uriarte, backed her in an email Wednesday night, calling Carr’s statement "erroneous and premature" since "no decision has been made."

Uriarte also pointed to White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's endorsement of the FCC's actions, describing the proposed rules as "a critical step to require U.S. telecoms to improve cybersecurity to meet today’s nation-state threats, including those from China’s well-resourced and sophisticated offensive cyber program." 

Carr, however, dismissed the proposal as inadequate and poorly timed. "Not one Member of Congress, nor one official in the intelligence community has encouraged me to vote in favor of this FCC action," he said. "In fact, I was told that this type of FCC regulatory action at this moment would be counterproductive and deter the productive collaboration that is necessary today."