US Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington has sought clarification on potential national security implications that could arise if certain spectrum bands, crucial for defence operations, are put up for sale as part of a reconciliation bill.
In a letter addressed to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Senator Cantwell expressed concerns that auctioning off Pentagon-controlled wireless spectrums could jeopardise critical military initiatives including President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome missile defence shield.
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The senator highlighted that compelling the sale of this military spectrum might also threaten the operational integrity of numerous military radar systems.
She raised concerns about repurposing of the lower 3GHz band for commercial use; losing access to the 4.4GHz band that is used for unmanned aerial systems; moving Navy radars out of the CBRS band; and effects on national security of losing access to spectrum in the 7–8GHz bands used for satellite communications.
Senator Cantwell said in the letter: “Make no mistake, on today’s battlefield, if we lose the spectrum war, we lose the war. However, some in Congress now want to disrupt this work by auctioning off strategic portions of spectrum – resources currently in use by our military – to the highest bidder. This would be a grave error, placing short-term corporate gain ahead of our nation’s long-term security.”
The budget reconciliation process is a legislative mechanism that allows for expedited consideration of significant tax, spending and debt limit legislation. This process permits such bills to advance through the Senate with a simple majority vote, circumventing the usual 60-vote threshold required to overcome a filibuster.
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By GlobalDataThe senator also brought to Secretary Hegseth’s attention that the potential risks posed to crucial DOD assets by spectrum auctions have been a concern in previous instances as well.
She said: “Years ago, the B-2 bomber’s radar had to be replaced at substantial cost to the taxpayers because failures of coordination meant that commercial users interfered with the spectrum that the B-2 used. We cannot afford to disrupt these complex and extremely critical systems. We cannot risk repeating these same mistakes as China rapidly increases its strike capacity.
“As we face mounting challenges around the world, particularly from China, I urge you to guard the critical spectrum resources currently assigned to the Department of Defense,” she added.
