08.05.15

McConnell Urges Senate to Open Debate on Bipartisan Cybersecurity Bill

‘This bipartisan legislation would help the public and private sectors protect Americans’ most private and personal information by defeating cyberattacks.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the bipartisan cybersecurity bill:

“A cyberattack can feel like a very personal attack on your privacy.

“A criminal with your medical records, your credit cards, and your Social Security number…

“A stranger with emails from your boss, texts to your friend, and pictures of your kids…

“It’s personally violating. It’s financially crippling. It can be just plain creepy.

“But with effective cybersecurity legislation, we can help protect Americans’ privacy.

“It seems the White House agrees too. We were glad to see such a strong statement of support yesterday for the strong, bipartisan, and transparent cybersecurity bill before the Senate.

“The President's spokesman said ‎that ‘the Senate should take up this bill as soon as possible and pass it.’

“It's easy to see why.

“‎This bipartisan legislation would help the public and private sectors protect Americans’ most private and personal information by defeating cyberattacks.

“It contains important measures to protect ‘individual privacy and civil liberties,’ as the top Senate Democrat on this issue put it.

“And it’s been scrutinized — and supported overwhelmingly, 14 to 1 — by both parties in committee.

“Our colleagues said they’d be happy to consider the bill in a timely fashion — a couple days, ‘at the most,’ is what the Democratic Leader told us — if allowed to offer some amendments.
That seemed reasonable enough to me.

“That’s why I offered a fair proposal yesterday that would have ensured at least 10 relevant amendments to be pending and debated for each party.

“That’s actually more than what Democrats had been asking for, so I think everyone was a little taken aback when they chose to block the proposal anyway.

“I’m still determined to see if we can find a way forward on this bipartisan bill.

“Republicans support it.

“Democrats support it.

“President Obama supports it.

“I’m asking colleagues to join me in voting to open debate on it today.

“With a little cooperation, we can pass a strong, bipartisan cybersecurity bill this week.”

Related Issues: Cybersecurity