Katko’s bipartisan cybersecurity infrastructure bill sees fast action

Bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) to improve operations and efficiency at the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is moving quickly on Capitol Hill.

Rep. Katko on Jan. 27 sponsored the CISA Director Reform Act, H.R. 5679, with lead cosponsor U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), and on Jan. 29 the bill advanced through the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee during a markup session.

“I applaud the House Homeland Security Committee for approving the CISA Director Reform Act, bipartisan legislation I introduced which aims to empower the CISA by creating consistency and stability within the agency,” said Rep. Katko, who along with Rep. Richmond are ranking member and chairman, respectively, of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation.

If enacted, the bill would limit to five years the term of the director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s CISA, which the department calls “the nation’s risk advisor,” tasked with working with partners to defend against threats and to collaborate on building a more secure and resilient infrastructure.

Currently, the CISA director lacks a set term, subsequently creating uncertainty for agency staff, according to Rep. Katko’s office.

“By establishing a set term limit of five years for the CISA director position, my legislation will improve efficiency at the agency and provide certainty outside of the ad hoc appointments and varying term lengths that are currently in place,” Rep. Katko said.

The congressman also noted that while H.R. 5679 “takes the important step of instilling stability in CISA,” he also thinks lawmakers “must do more to further empower this agency.”

“I remain committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass commonsense legislation to protect our nation against cyberthreats,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.

The legislation is also under consideration by the U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee and the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.