Introduced and referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and its Communications and Technology Subcommittee.
US · US Congress
H.R. 9129 — GUARD Act of 2026
H.R. 9129 proposes national-security review of certain humanoid and quadruped robotics communications equipment and services. An adverse determination, or failure to make the required determination within one year of enactment, would trigger FCC Covered List inclusion. Congress.gov still lists it as introduced; the subcommittee forwarded it to the full committee on September 1, 2026.
Records last verified Oct 13, 2026 · Send a correction
- Type
- Bill
- Status
- Proposed
- Effective date
- Not stated
Definition
A mechanical device using two or four articulated limbs for ground locomotion, navigation or movement, operating away from a human operator or supervisor autonomously, semi-autonomously or through commands/sensor data; the term also includes its external control device. Covered equipment/services include such robots or controlling software that are communications equipment/services produced or provided by a covered foreign entity.
Scope
Section 2 covers communications equipment/services from entities with specified country-of-concern links: headquarters, principal place of business, incorporation, government influence/control, affiliates, subsidiaries, joint ventures or technology agreements. An adverse finding would require FCC listing within 30 days. A no-risk finding would require reports and review by other appropriate national-security agencies within 180 days.
Exemptions
- Section 2(a)(2) excepts equipment/services receiving a timely determination of no unacceptable risk.
- Section 2(d) says nothing in the section is to be construed to apply to countries that are not countries of concern, including NATO and Major Non-NATO allies.
Timeline
Included in the subcommittee's legislative hearing.
After a markup session, the subcommittee forwarded the bill to the full committee by voice vote.
Explicitly listed robots and companies
Only entities named in the instrument or an official notice are shown. Manufacturer headquarters do not establish applicability.
No individual catalog robot or company is explicitly listed in this record. This does not establish unrestricted market access.
What it means for buyers
This entry records a proposed bill, with no enacted effective date. Its review framework is separate from the FCC's already-issued July 2026 Covered List action.
General information, not legal advice.
Check the official instrument and seek advice for your product, jurisdiction and transaction.
Evidence
Sources
- [s1] H.R. 9129, introduced text, sections 1–2 ↗
US Government Publishing Office · official · published Jun 3, 2026 · accessed Oct 13, 2026
- [s2] H.R. 9129 — All Actions and legislative status ↗
Library of Congress · official · accessed Oct 13, 2026
- [s3] July 22, 2026 legislative hearing: Protecting Communications Networks and Improving Connectivity ↗
US House of Representatives · official · published Jul 15, 2026 · accessed Oct 13, 2026