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McCaul-Meehan Cyber Bill Passes Key Committee Vote
[February 06, 2014]

McCaul-Meehan Cyber Bill Passes Key Committee Vote


(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- Rep. Patrick Meehan, R-Pa. (7th CD), issued the following news release: The House Homeland Security Committee today unanimously passed H.R. 3696, the National Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2013. It now awaits a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives.



H.R. 3696 strengthens the cybersecurity of the nation's critical infrastructure networks as well as the federal government by codifying, strengthening and providing oversight of the cybersecurity mission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - the agency responsible for ensuring the security of our critical infrastructure. The bill bolsters the true partnership between private industry and the federal government so that together they can raise the bar on cybersecurity. The bill ensures privacy and civil liberties are protected and prevents additional new regulatory authority at DHS.

The bipartisan cybersecurity legislation was introduced by Rep. Patrick Meehan, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Rep. Michael McCaul (TX-10), Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. Ranking members Reps. Bennie Thompson (MS-2) and Yvette Clarke (NY-9) have co-sponsored the bill as well.


"Target, Niemen Marcus, and now White Lodging, which manages hotel franchises for chains like Hilton and Marriot - it seems that almost every day we hear news of more American consumers victimized by cyberattack," said Cybersecurity Subcommittee Chairman Meehan. "It's only a matter of time before our power grids or financial networks are the latest victims of hackers." "The federal government's response to the cyber threat has so far been haphazard. The bipartisan legislation passed by the Committee today will codify the Department of Homeland Security's ability to protect our networks against cyberattack, and it strengthens privacy protections for American families. I thank Chairman McCaul, as well as Ranking Members Thompson and Clarke, for their hard work in leadership in moving this bill through the Committee and I'm hopeful we'll see a vote on the floor of the House soon," Meehan said.

"Cyber attacks on our oil and gas facilities, electric grids, water systems, banks and transportation systems threaten our national security and economy every day," said Homeland Security Committee Chairman McCaul. "We cannot wait for a major attack to take action, and I am pleased that the Committee today unanimously passed legislation that improves DHS's ability to defend against the many threats to our critical infrastructure. H.R. 3696 is bipartisan legislation, endorsed by industry and privacy advocates that establishes equal cybersecurity partnerships between private industry and DHS, while ensuring Americans' civil liberties are protected. In fact, the ACLU has called it 'both pro-security and pro-privacy.' Cyber attacks are on the rise, and the House should pass this bill as soon as possible," McCaul said.

TNS 30VitinMar-140206-4628531 30VitinMar (c) 2014 Targeted News Service

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