Pete Sessions: “I thank the gentleman, my dear friend from Georgia, for the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1073, the…”

“I thank the gentleman, my dear friend from Georgia, for the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1073, the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act. Over the past decade, our Nation has seen an unprecedented expansion in the use of electronics, Mr. Speaker. These electronics have transformed our economy, our homes, our families, and, really, the way we do business and have become an integral part of our daily lives. Unfortunately, this technology is also susceptible to new types of potential threats, threats that have been talked about on this floor by not only Mr. Franks, but also our friend, Mr. Carter, and others. Today electromagnetic pulses, known as EMPs, could dramatically disrupt electronic activity and severely damage our electrical grids and everything that stands under those grids. Examples of EMP threats include those generated from a geomagnetic solar flare, from a terrorist short-range missile, cybersecurity attacks, or from a physical assault on a utility or a power plant. The Critical Infrastructure Protection Act that we are talking about today and that we hope to pass is an important first step towards protecting our Nation from potential catastrophic nationwide blackouts. I would like to recognize Frank Gaffney, the president and founder of the Center for Security Policy. Frank has provided the leadership not only by meeting with me, but also working with Mr.…”