H.R. 8503 would establish a committee to advise the Department of State on digital technologies and telecommunications and would authorize the appropriation of $250,000 for that purpose. It also would require the department to provide the Congress a strategy to promote the use of secure telecommunications infrastructure worldwide. Lastly, the bill would require the department to report to the Congress on its collaboration with U.S. allies to promote secure infrastructure for information and communications technology and on Russian and Chinese influence at the International Telecommunication Union. Assuming appropriation of the specified amount and on the basis of information about the cost of similar strategies and reports, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $1 million over the 2022-2027 period.
