Senators Introduced Bill Targeting Chinese Optical Gear
The proposed legislation mandates a five-year transition away from specific Chinese-made optical transceivers.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Semiconductors
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U.S. senators have introduced the Securing National Security Systems from Chinese Optical Transceivers Act to prohibit the procurement of optical components from specific Chinese manufacturers. The bill, which applies to federal national security systems, follows the inclusion of key firms on Department of Defense lists.
Why it matters
The legislation aims to address perceived vulnerabilities in national security infrastructure by closing a gap in federal procurement rules regarding adversary-linked technology. By mandating a transition to non-Chinese suppliers, the bill seeks to reduce reliance on foreign-made optical components.
The bill targets optical transceivers from InnoLight and Eoptolink, firms restricted following the June 2026 addition of InnoLight to the Defense Department's Section 1260H list. The legislation requires the Commerce Department to develop a supply chain strategy for these components.
The players
Dave McCormick
United States Senator who co-sponsored legislation to restrict optical transceivers in federal security systems.
Ruben Gallego
United States Senator co-sponsoring the bill to limit foreign technology in the federal supply chain.
InnoLight
A manufacturer of optical transceivers currently on the Department of Defense Section 1260H list for its ties to the Chinese state.
Eoptolink
An optical transceiver supplier included in the proposed federal procurement ban.
The details
Optical transceivers are hardware devices that convert electrical signals into light pulses for high-speed fiber-optic data transmission. This legislation extends procurement restrictions previously applied to semiconductors to these optical systems, citing links between providers like Zhongji InnoLight Co. and the Chinese State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.
Timeline
June 2026: InnoLight was added to the Department of Defense Section 1260H list.
September 25, 2026: Senators introduced the legislation in the U.S. Senate.
Five-year transition period: Suppliers must replace restricted technology with compliant alternatives.
The Tech Race
This bill builds on existing semiconductor procurement restrictions by targeting the broader supply chain for critical communications hardware. It aligns with broader efforts to decouple national security systems from dependencies on firms identified by the Department of Defense.
Federal contractors and agencies will face a five-year window to phase out restricted optical components from their national security systems. Organizations currently utilizing InnoLight or Eoptolink hardware will need to identify and source compliant alternatives before the transition period concludes.
The takeaway
The bill represents a significant expansion of federal efforts to filter critical infrastructure hardware through a national security lens. Industry participants should monitor the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for hearings that may clarify the waiver process.
Further reading
Learn more about federal efforts to secure supply chains in the Semiconductors section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MyChesCo.
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