New Dem Amendments Improve CISPA
Today, during floor consideration of H.R.624, the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA), several amendments introduced by New Democrats to strengthen privacy protections, oversight, and accountability passed with overwhelming support.
“I am pleased to see New Dems taking a proactive role to improve our nation’s efforts and help protect against cyber-attacks,” said Chair Ron Kind (WI-03). “With their amendments, we improved privacy protections while keeping America safe from foreign governments, terrorist organizations, and criminal groups attacking our cyber networks.”
New Dem Amendments included in CISPA through floor consideration are as follows:
Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA-11) Amendment #33: Further defines and limits how classified cyber threat intelligence may be shared and used. Adds a provision that a certified entity can only use, retain, or further disclose classified cyber threat intelligence if it is done for cybersecurity purposes.
Rep. Loretta Sanchez (CA-46) Amendment #5: Adds language including the Privacy and Civil Rights and Civil Liberties offices of the Department of Homeland Security to the list of those responsible for submitting an annual report to Congress that assesses the privacy and civil liberties impact (if any) of the government’s information sharing under the bill.
Rep. Bradley Schneider (IL-10) Amendment #9: Clarifies that independent contractors are also eligible for temporary or permanent security clearances for purposes of employment to handle cyber threat intelligence and cyber threat information.
Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09) Amendment #37: Adds the DHS Inspector General (IG) to the list of those responsible for submitting an annual report to Congress. Also adds the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to the report recipients, which currently include the congressional intelligence committees.
New Dems also substantially improved CISPA during the Intelligence Committee mark-up. Those amendments are as follows:
Rep. Jim Himes (CT-04) Amendment: Mandates the government to minimize and remove personally identifiable information it obtains from any private sector sharing.
Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) Amendment: Strikes the government’s national security use provision, leaving four permissible uses: cybersecurity, cybersecurity crimes, protection from the danger of death or serious bodily harm, and protection of minors from child pornography.
Statement supported by New Dem Chair Representative Ron Kind (WI-03).
The New Democrat Coalition is dedicated to maintaining America’s standing as the world’s strongest, most successful nation. Founded in 1997, the New Dems believe firmly in the power of American ingenuity and innovation, and are focused on finding ways to foster and harness this creativity to grow our economy, create new American jobs, and ensure a safer and more secure future for our country.
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