Sen. Rick Scott to FCC Chairman: Put Our National Security First; Don’t Renew Pacific Light Cable Network License

September 19, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai urging him to put American security first, and not renew the license for the Pacific Light Cable Network, which would ultimately threaten the freedom of Hong Kong and U.S. national security.

Read the full letter HERE or below.

September 19, 2019

The Honorable Ajit Pai

Chairman

Federal Communications Commission

445 12th Street, SW

Washington, D.C. 20554

Dear Chairman Pai:

I write to you regarding the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) upcoming review of an expiring license to build the Pacific Light Cable Network from the United States to Hong Kong. According to recent news reports, the U.S. Justice Department has expressed grave concerns about moving forward with renewing the license for this project. I share these concerns, because it threatens the freedom of Hong Kong and our national security.

This project is backed by a Chinese partner, Dr. Peng Telecom & Media Group Co., and would ultimately provide a direct link from China into Hong Kong. We cannot allow this. China has repeatedly shown it cannot be trusted. Even now, they are violating human rights and breaking their agreement to give Hong Kong autonomy and freedom. China continues to steal our technology and intellectual property, is militarizing the South China Sea, violates human rights and supports Maduro’s genocide in Venezuela.

We cannot allow China expanded access to critical American information, even if funded by U.S. companies. Doing so would be a serious threat to our national security. I urge the FCC to put American security first, and not renew the license for the Pacific Light Cable Network. Thank you, and I look forward to working with you to continue to keep America’s communications networks secure. 

Sincerely,

Rick Scott

United Senates Senator

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