Intel, homeland security leaders react to Senate passage of cybersecurity bill

On October 27, the United States Senate passed the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (S. 754).

House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes issued the following statement:

I congratulate the Senate Intelligence Committee, Chairman Burr, and Vice Chairman Feinstein on the Senate’s passage of this vital bill. Earlier this year, the House Intelligence Committee worked closely, and on a bipartisan basis, with other House committees and the White House to draft effective information-sharing rules that will break down legal barriers, help secure our networks, and counter the persistent threat of cyber-attacks. I look forward to a conference with the Senate in the near future so we can quickly get a unified bill to the President’s desk.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson issued the following statement:

I congratulate the U.S. Senate for passing the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (S.754) by a large bipartisan majority vote of 74-21. In particular, I wish to thank Senators Burr, Feinstein, Johnson and Carper for their leadership and hard work. The Senate bill will now go to conference with the earlier-passed House cybersecurity bill. Both bills strengthen the role of the Department of Homeland Security in our Nation’s cybersecurity effort. For DHS’s part, I pledge our energy and focus to this national imperative. As Secretary, I have directed an aggressive timetable for improving our federal cybersecurity in particular, and have made cybersecurity a top priority for DHS, alongside our other vital missions. Now, with the help of Congress, we will be able to continue our work to protect the cybersecurity of the American public, American businesses large and small, and the federal government, and take that work to the next level.

Source: HPSCI, DHS