Press Releases

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Contact: Patrick Boland, (202) 225-4176

House Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Adam Schiff’s Statement on President’s Proposed Cyber Legislation

Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), released the following statement:

“President Obama’s proposed cyber legislation is a significant step forward in protecting our infrastructure, our economy, and the online security of millions of Americans.  Given the widespread and ever-increasing incidences of cyber theft and cyberattacks – including data breaches at major banks and retailers, North Korea's hacking of Sony Pictures and the ongoing loss of billions in stolen intellectual property and research – strengthening our defenses against these intrusions is a top national security priority.

“I was pleased to see that the President’s proposal makes the Department of Homeland Security the lead agency in coordinating the effort to share information. The White House has also endorsed vital privacy protections by requiring that companies remove personal information before sharing cyberthreat data with DHS or private sector organizations established to counter cybercrimes. This is an concern that I have pursued with the White House and in the House Intelligence Committee, and is essential in creating a cybersecurity regime that enables the sharing of threat data among companies and with the government, but also has the confidence of the American people. It is also of paramount importance in any legislation that would provide a measure of liability protection. 

“Over the next few weeks, I look forward to working with the Administration on the provisions of their legislation – including the proposal to create a non-governmental entity to facilitate the sharing of cyberthreat data among companies – to ensure that the final result will protect the country and build public trust.”

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