Sen. Rick Scott Introduces Protect the Grid Act to Target China’s Control of Smart Devices

Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) has introduced the Preventing Remote Operations by Threatening Entities on Critical Technology for the Grid (PROTECT the Grid) Act, aimed at countering what he describes as an “alarming threat” from Communist China’s influence over smart devices in the United States. The legislation seeks to investigate and mitigate the potential risks posed by high-wattage smart appliances, which Scott alleges could contain backdoors allowing China to spy on Americans and disrupt the nation’s power grid.

The bill calls for a comprehensive investigation into China’s control over these devices, focusing on how they might enable unauthorized access, data exfiltration, or operational disruptions. Scott warned that “Communist China could flip a digital switch and plunge parts of America into chaos,” citing concerns about the conflation of private industry and government in China, where companies are mandated to store customer data domestically and grant state authorities broad access.

The introduction of the PROTECT the Grid Act is driven by growing unease over China’s expanding technological footprint in U.S. households. Scott’s move follows reports of vulnerabilities in smart appliances like electric vehicle chargers, clothes dryers, and air conditioners, which could potentially be exploited to compromise the electric grid. This concern is heightened by past incidents, including the discovery of rogue communication devices in Chinese solar inverters, and aligns with broader national security worries. The senator’s action builds on his long-standing efforts to reduce U.S. reliance on Chinese technology, including previous legislative pushes against Beijing’s dominance in solar energy, batteries, and transit infrastructure.

The bill’s context is further underscored by recent developments involving Intel, a key U.S. semiconductor firm. On August 7, President Donald Trump demanded the immediate resignation of Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, alleging “highly conflicted” ties to China due to his reported investments in hundreds of Chinese tech firms, some linked to the military. This followed a letter from Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) to Intel’s board, questioning Tan’s suitability to lead a company that received $8 billion under the 2022 CHIPS Act to bolster domestic chip production. Tan’s former firm, Cadence Design Systems, recently pleaded guilty to $140 million in penalties for violating export controls by selling technology to a Chinese military university, intensifying scrutiny. Intel shares dropped over 3% amid the controversy, reflecting market unease about leadership and national security implications.

The PROTECT the Grid Act aligns with these concerns, as both Scott and Cotton, along with Trump, emphasize safeguarding critical U.S. infrastructure from Chinese influence. The legislation echoes Trump’s Executive Order 13873, which targeted vulnerabilities in information and communications technology, and comes as the administration pushes for tariffs and domestic manufacturing to counter foreign tech threats. Scott’s proposal positions the U.S. to address potential backdoors in smart devices, mirroring the Intel debate over foreign ties in the semiconductor supply chain.