FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rep. Ogles, Chairmen Green & Garbarino Introduce Legislation to Combat CCP-Backed Cyberattacks
WASHINGTON—This week, House Committee on Homeland Security members Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN), Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN), and Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Chairman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) reintroduced H.R. 2659, the “Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act,” which would require the federal government to assess and mitigate growing cyber threats to U.S. critical infrastructure originating in China with either the active or tacit support of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Representative Laurel Lee (R-FL), the original sponsor of the bill in the 118th Congress, and Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) joined Committee members as cosponsors.
Last month, Chairmen Green and Garbarino sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem concerning the federal government’s response to widespread cyber intrusions under the Biden-Harris administration by “Volt Typhoon” and “Salt Typhoon,” two advanced persistent threat actors backed by the CCP.
“The Chinese Communist Party is the greatest foreign adversary we face, and Beijing continues to use cyberspace as a battlefield on which to undermine American sovereignty and interests. In the wake of attacks by CCP-backed actors against our critical infrastructure and even their intrusions into the campaign communications of President Trump and Vice President Vance, we must ensure the government is coordinating effectively to make sure this never happens again,” Rep. Ogles said. “As we learned from the Biden-Harris administration, turning a blind eye to China’s intrusions only invites more attacks. I look forward to getting this legislation to President Trump’s desk so we can keep securing our nation from this deadly enemy.”
“For too long, the federal government has been asleep at the wheel when it comes to combating increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks on our networks by Chinese-backed actors. Americans depend on critical infrastructure for vital services every day, from the phones in our pockets to the water in our homes and gas in our cars,” Chairman Green said. “I fear the recent ‘Typhoon’ intrusions are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the CCP’s espionage and pre-positioning in our infrastructure. With new threats mounting every day, our response must be a coordinated, whole-of-government effort. I am proud to continue fighting for this legislation alongside my friend and fellow Tennessean, Rep. Ogles. Let’s get this to the Senate and to President Trump’s desk without delay.”
“The cyber campaigns waged by PRC-backed actors like the Typhoons are acts of espionage aimed at placing U.S. critical infrastructure at risk. This legislation directs a focused, interagency response to identify, assess, and disrupt these persistent threats,” Chairman Garbarino said. “As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, I’m committed to ensuring the federal government uses every available tool to mitigate these threats and strengthen our cyber resilience where it matters most.”
“The Chinese Communist Party, through cyber threat actors like Volt Typhoon, continues to infiltrate America’s critical infrastructure, posing a direct threat to our national security and economy. We cannot allow foreign adversaries to gain the upper hand through a fragmented response,” Rep. Lee said. “That is why I am proud to cosponsor the Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act to ensure a unified, whole-of-government strategy to combat the CCP’s cyber aggression and protect the essential systems Americans rely on every day.”
“The Chinese Communist Party is increasingly using cyberattacks to target our critical infrastructure, and it’s time to take action to address this growing threat to the American people,” Chairman Moolenaar said. “The Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act will ensure the federal government has the resources and authority to defend against these threats and hold the CCP accountable. With groups like Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon already compromising our systems, it’s critical that we strengthen our defenses to protect national security and our economy.”
Background:
The “Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act” would establish an interagency task force, led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to address the widespread cybersecurity threats posed by state-sponsored cyber actors associated with the CCP.
The legislation also requires the task force to provide a classified report and briefing to Congress annually for five years on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations relating to malicious CCP cyber activity. The legislation was advanced by the House Committee on Homeland Security and passed unanimously by the House of Representatives in the 118th Congress.
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