SE Wyoming News

U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis has announced the successful acquisition of funding for the Rip and Replace initiative within the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024. This funding aims to remove Chinese components from wireless communications systems, replacing them with secure alternatives. The initiative is designed to protect national security and ensure continued telecommunications access in Wyoming.

Senator Lummis emphasized the importance of this funding: “Chinese-manufactured equipment used to build out our broadband networks pose a serious threat to our national security and the privacy of the people of Wyoming,” she stated. The NDAA's full funding for Rip and Replace is intended to prevent small wireless and broadband carriers in Wyoming from incurring significant costs that could lead to service disruptions or business closures.

Lummis has consistently supported Rip and Replace due to potential risks posed by high project costs, which could result in service interruptions for Wyoming communities. Earlier this year, she introduced an amendment to ensure full funding for these efforts, aiming to maintain reliable broadband and wireless services across the state.

In addition, Lummis addressed a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on threats from Chinese-manufactured equipment in broadband networks, advocating for congressional support for Rip and Replace. She also expressed her concerns through an op-ed in The Hill regarding potential espionage by the Chinese Communist Party via network equipment in Wyoming.