WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) today released the following statements after the White House released its cybersecurity proposal: 

"Cyber criminals don't take a day off. They are relentless, and everyone in America is at risk. They’re trying to penetrate our critical infrastructure—including our power grid and financial networks—and harm our nation. With every passing day, we lose more and grow less secure. We must put an end to this,” Chairman Rockefeller said. “The White House has presented a strong plan to better protect our nation from the growing cyber threat. Their plan incorporates many of the same elements of the bill we introduced last year. It establishes clear roles, responsibilities and accountability for cybersecurity in government and the private sector. Protecting our networks is a shared responsibility—and like our bill, the Administration’s plan proposes close collaboration between the government and private sector. I am also pleased their proposal includes new protections for Americans in the event of a data breach. I look forward to continuing to work with the White House, and my colleagues in the House and Senate, to pass a comprehensive cybersecurity bill this year.” 

“While the Administration’s delay in providing critical input to the legislative process is regrettable, it is my understanding that the administration proposal parallels many of the objectives, particularly pertaining to modernizing the public-private partnership, that Senator Rockefeller and I have advocated,” said Senator Snowe. “As I told Howard Schmidt, the President’s Cyber Coordinator, this morning, it is imperative that the Administration come before Congress very soon to brief us on the reasoning behind its proposals. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate, House and the Administration to swiftly pass comprehensive cybersecurity legislation as further delay compromises our ability to better protect Americans against cyber intrusions and attacks that target our financial, commercial, transportation and communications sectors.” 

Senators Rockefeller and Snowe have championed Senate efforts to address America’s vulnerability to cybercrime and attacks. They are the sponsors of the Rockefeller?Snowe Cybersecurity Act.

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