On the recordAugust 2, 2012
all of us recognize the need to strengthen our cyber security defense to protect our defense industrial base, financial sector, and government networks from nation states and independent hackers. GEN Keith Alexander, commander of the U.S. Cyber Command, said that he rates U.S. preparedness at 3 on a scale of 1 to 10. So it is important that Congress act responsibly to get this right. I voted against invoking cloture on the cyber security bill because I believe cloture was filed too early. This is vast, far-reaching legislation that requires ample consideration time. Two days isn't enough. Moreover, Senators weren't even given a chance to offer amendments to improve the legislation, and the legislation wasn't marked up by a relevant committee. I believe we can ultimately come together to find enough common ground so that we can pass a bill that can get through a House-Senate conference committee. We have come a long way since talks began, and the negotiators have spent an enormous amount of time working on two key issues: critical infrastructure and information sharing between the government and the private sector. I am confident the good will exists to work out these differences. To that end, it is my hope that we who are involved in the bipartisan negotiations can use the month of August to continue. Cyber security isn't a Republican or a Democratic issue. Let's work together to pass a bipartisan bill that the President can sign into law.
