Katko Legislation to Bolster U.S. Cybersecurity Introduced in the Senate

Press Release

U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24), Ranking Member on the Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection & Innovation Subcommittee, today applauded U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-GA) and Kyrsten Sinema (D, AZ) for introduction in the Senate of companion legislation to Katko's Cybersecurity Advisory Committee Authorization Act. With bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress, Rep. Katko today called for immediate consideration of this measure.

Introduced last year by Rep. Katko, the bipartisan Cybersecurity Advisory Committee Authorization Act establishes an advisory committee at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to coordinate and improve U.S. cyber efforts. Comprised of highly skilled cybersecurity professionals from every major business sector, as well as state and local government officials, the committee will consult with, report to, and make recommendations to the Director of CISA.

In March, Rep. Katko's Cybersecurity Advisory Committee Authorization Act was also recommended in the Cyberspace Solarium Commission's report. The Cyberspace Solarium Commission is tasked with developing and recommending a comprehensive national strategy for improving American cybersecurity. The Cybersecurity Advisory Committee Authorization Act was one of two Katko-authored measures included in the Commission's final report.

"I am pleased to see Senators Perdue and Sinema introduce the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee Authorization Act, in the Senate today," said Rep. Katko. "Throughout the past few years, and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an uptick in cyberattacks that have compromised personal data, proprietary information, and in many cases crippled operations for businesses and governments. This bill aims to better secure our nation and protect against evolving cyberthreats by creating a public-private committee at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). By providing industry experts as well as state and local government officials with the ability to provide direct input, this legislation enhances CISA's ability to secure our nation's wide range of networks and critical systems. This bill enjoys bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress, and I urge Congressional Leaders to act now to swiftly consider and pass this commonsense measure."

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