Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) recently said he plans to begin floor debate early next year on comprehensive cyber security legislation, marking a step forward in an attempt to strengthen the nation’s protections against threats to its government and private computer-based networks and systems.
In the spring, Reid launched Senate working groups consisting of the chairmen and ranking members and the staffs of the relevant committees that oversee cyber security-related policy to consolidate disparate pieces of existing cyber-related legislation into a comprehensive, bipartisan bill. That bill is expected to be introduced in the first work period of the 2012 legislative session.
However, in announcing his decision to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in a letter recently, Reid said that while the working groups have had thoughtful cross- committee discussions, “they have not achieved the goal of producing comprehensive legislation.”
But the waiting must end, Reid warned.
In the letter, Reid said “it is my view that one of the greatest threats to our national and economic security is the threat posed by malicious cyber actors.” He goes on to say that “Most alarmingly, in the face of this profound threat, our government lacks a sufficient legal and policy framework for protecting the nation’s cyber security.”
Even if the working groups fail to reach consensus on the legislation, or if legislation is developed elsewhere, Reid said legislation will be available for review before debate on the matter beginning early next year.
Reid also praised recent House Republican efforts that have resulted in a set of recommendations that are expected to lead cyber legislation being introduced in that chamber. Reid says the House work is consistent with the Senate’s cyber efforts. He also told McConnell he looks forward to working with him in the weeks ahead on the cyber issues.
The opening to begin debate on cyber legislation in the Senate was welcomed by a trio of senators who have been pushing for action on this front for more than a year.
“Every day Congress fails to strengthen the cyber security of the nation’s critical infrastructure is another day of unacceptable risk for our country,” Sens. Joseph Lieberman (I/D-Conn.), chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Susan Collins (R-Maine), ranking member of the panel, and Tom Carper (D-Del.), a member of the panel, said in a joint statement recently.
Reid’s announcement was also praised by Larry Clinton, president of the Internet Security Alliance, who welcomed the senator’s comment that the forthcoming legislation would be consistent with House cyber proposals.