WASHINGTON D.C.- The House of Representatives has passed the Remote Access Security Act, legislation introduced by Congressman Mike Lawler (R, NY-17) aimed at strengthening U.S. export control laws governing access to sensitive American technology through cloud-based services.
The bill was approved by a 369 to 22 vote and earlier received unanimous support in the House Foreign Affairs Committee. It is designed to close a loophole in existing export law by allowing the Department of Commerce to regulate “remote access” to controlled technologies, including access provided through cloud computing platforms. Supporters say the change would prevent foreign companies aligned with the Chinese Communist Party from accessing restricted U.S. technology without a physical export.
In a statement following the vote, Lawler said current export controls “do not apply to remote access of items,” adding that the gap in the law has allowed adversaries to “sidestep these prohibitions.” He said the legislation would give regulators authority to oversee cloud-based access and strengthen protections for sensitive technology.
The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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