In a team effort, Rep. Mike Flood sounded an alarm bell Tuesday, warning that the location of Chinese-made equipment in cell towers in Nebraska may be compromising U.S. security, while state Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln promoted his bill to prohibit state subsidy support for telecommunications companies using such equipment in the state.
"China is watching everything we're doing," Flood warned during a news conference with Bostar in Lincoln.
"This is bigger than balloons," the 1st District congressman said in reference to the balloons that the Chinese government has been flying over U.S. territory in an apparent effort to collect intelligence information.
Chinese equipment made by Huawei that is now in use in the state has been installed in cell towers located near Offutt Air Force Base, headquarters of the U.S. Strategic Command, and near missile sites in western Nebraska, Flood said.
There are 82 launch facilities for Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles in western Nebraska.
Bostar said that Chinese technology is located "in proximity to our nuclear arsenal."
Later, he presented a bill (LB63) to the Legislature's Transportation and Telecommunications Committee to eliminate state subsidy support for any telecommunication company that uses the Chinese equipment.
That Chinese-made equipment "could pose a substantial national security threat," he said.
Sen. Suzanne Geist of Lincoln, chairwoman of the committee, joined Flood and Bostar at the news conference, noting that enactment of such a bill "could make Nebraska the first state in the country to protect national security interests in telecommunications."
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At the committee hearing, Deb Schorr of Lincoln, congressional district director for Flood, said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo has agreed to provide a confidential briefing for the congressman to address his concerns.
Schorr said Flood had written Raimondo to express his unease about the cell towers that are in range of military facilities in Nebraska.
"Chinese companies are buying real estate in North Dakota near sensitive military installations," Flood said Tuesday.
"And I have a feeling that this equipment is in greater use than we are aware of in rural Nebraska," he said.
Huawei has close ties to the Chinese Communist Party, Bostar noted.
Members of the legislative committee peppered Bostar with questions during the hearing, which attracted no opposition testimony.
"Shouldn't this be a priority for the federal government?" Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha asked.
The bill would not become effective until Jan. 1, 2025, giving time for remedial action.
Top Journal Star photos for February 2023
A mostly empty Lincoln Airport terminal is pictured on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Deb Polacek of Friend (center) gets ready to play the accordion to welcomeÌýMiloslav StaÅ¡ek, the U.S. ambassador to the Czech Republic, as he tours the state during a stop on Wednesday at Nebraska East Union.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Liam Rosengren endures blustery conditions while working out with a portable punching bag outside at Holmes Lake Park on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. A windy day at Holmes Lake did not deter Liam from taking his workout outside on Thursday afternoon. with a cold southerly wind making it feel like it was just over 11°F. "I'm just sort of doing it for the sake of being outside," Rosengren said. "I mean I bought this bag and it's portable, so I can take it anywhere I want.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Former Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne speaks during a press conference at the Capitol on Monday about Gov. Jim Pillen's mentoring program for young Nebraskans.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Lincoln Northeast's Doneelah Washington (back) tries to stop Lincoln Southwest's Eleanor Griffin in the second half Friday at Lincoln Northeast.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Dean Thompsen reacts after correctly spelling the word, 'affluent' correctly after believing he spelled it wrong during the second round of the annual Lincoln Public Schools Oral Spelling Bee on Saturday at Culler Middle School. "I cant believe I just got that right," Thompsen said as he went back to his seat.Ìý
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Bennington assistant coach Jarod Owens (left) and head coach Craig Pokorny celebrate after Kianna Wingender won the 120-pound consolidation semifinal matchÌýat the A-3 district meet Saturday at Lincoln Southeast.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Leaves frame the Sower atop the 400 ft tall Nebraska state capitol on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023. The statue of the Sower, modeled after the traditional method of hand sowing grain for planting, is a symbol of the importance of Agriculture to Nebraskans. A reprieve from cooler temperatures will arrive for Lincolnites over this weekend. With highs in the upper 40s and mostly sunny weather will greet the day on Saturday and Sunday.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Nebraska's Axelina Johansson uncorks the second-longest throw in NCAA history —Ìý63 feet, 4 inches — at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational on Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Jaxson Bowman , 1, holds the finger of his dad,ÌýJosh Bowman , during a deployment ceremony for the 1-134th Cavalry at the Lancaster Event Center on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. Bowman, along with other soldiers at the ceremony, did not deploy but attended out of support for his fellow soldiers.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Supporters of the Niskithe Prayer Camp block a bulldozer preparing to tear down trees at Wilderness Park on Monday.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Bellevue West's Josiah Dotzler (left) collides with Lincoln Southeast's Wade Voss in the first half Tuesday at Lincoln Southeast High School.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Wayne's Jersi Jensen (center) gets a high-five as she walks up to get her first-place medalÌýat the Class B state bowling singles championship on Wednesday at Sun Valley Lanes.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Norfolk's Carter Jackson flips upside down in the middle of a dive Thursday in the Heartland Athletic Diving Championships at Lincoln Southeast.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
McCool Junction's Garrett Hansen celebratesÌýduring the Class B state bowling singles championship on Wednesday at Sun Valley Lanes.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Julia Kennedy (right) shares a piece of cake with her granddaughter Samara Quwa while manning a FAQ booth about the 16th president Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Wisconsin's Max Klesmit and Nebraska's Blaise Keita battle on the floor for possessionÌýonÌýSaturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Nebraska's Dayne Morton (left) wrestles Rutgers' Tony White in the 149-pound matchÌýSunday at the Devaney Sports Center.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Members of the First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry -- Ron Rockenbach (from left), Gage Stermensky, Paul Hadley, David Smith and Keith Rockefeller -- guardÌýthe Abraham Lincoln statue on the west side of the Nebraska Capitol on the 214th anniversary of his birthday on Sunday.Ìý
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Lincoln East's Westin Sherlock (top) wrestles Bellevue East's LaBrian Sherlock during the 152-pound finalÌýat the A-2 District meet on Saturday at Lincoln East.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Lincoln East's Carter Toomey and Lincoln North Star's William Schafer vie for a rebound under the net in the third quarterÌýon Tuesday at Lincoln East High School.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Aven Larson, 7, throws snow into the air and tries to catch it with her tongue at Pioneers Park during a winter storm in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Shawn Fauver shovels snow outside El Chaparro on F Street on Thursday in Lincoln.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
UNL student Paxtyn Dummer (from left) and Maggie Mienhueser complete work on a white board while Miles Kastl and Katelyn Petry do the same on the other side, during a tutoring session at the UNL Reading CenterÌýon East Campus. The reading centerÌýpairs teachers in training with students from the community who are reading below grade level.Ìý
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Shoun Hill walks through Tower Square on Thursday in downtown Lincoln, where nearly 9 inches of snow fell overnight.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Norfolk's Jackson Bos (front) wrestles Bellevue West's Ryland Schweiss during a Class A 220-pound consolation match Friday at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Lincoln Southeast's Bangot Dak dunks the ball against Lincoln North Star in the final minute Friday at North Star High School.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Blood covers the face of Chadron's Kenli Boeselager as she wrestles on the mat against Conestoga's Maggie Fiene during a 145 lb semifinal match on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, at CHI Health Center in Omaha.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Nebraska's Sam Hoiberg (1) scores off a steal against MarylandÌýon Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Lincoln Southeast's Eve Nelson dives during the girls state diving championships Thursday at the Devaney Sports Center.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
The Lincoln Lutheran student section rushes the court to celebrate with their team after they defeated Lincoln Christian during the C1-2 subdistrict championship game on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, at Lincoln Lutheran High School.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Swimmers take off from the starting blocks for the 50-yard freestyleÌýduring the girls state swimming prelims Friday at the Devaney Sports Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Lincoln High's Kiana Wiley (24) holds up the championship plaque after the Links defeated Lincoln Northeast in the A-3 district final Friday at Lincoln High.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
´¡±ô±ð³æ²¹²Ô»å±ð°ùÌýSyniy of Lincoln (right), originally from Kherson in Ukraine, prays during a rally on the anniversary of the war in Ukraine on Saturday at the state Capitol.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Nebraska's Sam Griesel fist bumps Derrick Walker before they are introduced ahead of the Minnesota gameÌýon Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Lincoln East fans roar as Lincoln Southwest's Cole Christensen (5) raises his arms to question a referee call at Lincoln East on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com .
On Twitter @LJSdon
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