PROTECT the Grid Act (H.R. 7208)

Summary

The PROTECT the Grid Act is a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 22, 2026. The key purposes of the bill are:

1. To address vulnerabilities in the U.S. electric grid from Internet-connected "high-wattage" home appliances, such as electric vehicle chargers, clothes dryers, and smart air conditioners.
2. To direct the Secretary of Commerce to assess these vulnerabilities and provide recommendations to Congress on securing these devices against manipulation by foreign adversaries.

Key Provisions

• Findings: The bill outlines several concerning findings, including:
  • The rapid proliferation of internet-connected home appliances creates pathways for foreign adversaries (especially China) to manipulate power demand and threaten grid stability.
  • Foreign adversary-controlled companies own a significant share of the major appliance market in the U.S. and could quickly deploy vulnerable devices.
  • Cybersecurity laws in countries like China grant the government broad access to customer data, heightening the risk of coordinated attacks.
  • Academic studies have identified significant risks of "MaDIoT" attacks that could lead to large-scale blackouts.
• Report Requirement: The bill directs the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with other federal agencies, to submit a report to Congress with findings and recommendations to ensure network-connected home appliances do not become conduits for foreign adversary activities that jeopardize the electric grid.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would:

• Spur a comprehensive federal assessment of the national security risks posed by internet-connected home appliances, especially those linked to foreign adversaries.
• Provide Congress with expert recommendations on policy solutions to mitigate these grid vulnerabilities.
• Potentially lead to new regulations, restrictions, or security requirements for internet-connected home devices to protect critical energy infrastructure.

Overall, the PROTECT the Grid Act aims to address an emerging threat to the U.S. electric grid from the proliferation of network-enabled consumer devices that could be exploited by foreign adversaries.