Congressional oversight of sensitive military cyber operations and cyber weapons would be stepped-up under legislation recently introduced by U.S. Reps. Mac Thornberry (R-TX) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY).
The secretary of defense would be directed to notify congressional defense committees of sensitive military cyber operations and the use of any cyber capability as a weapon in certain situations under the bill, H.R. 2807.
“While there are programs that must necessarily remain classified to keep the country safe,” Thornberry, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said. “Congress still has a responsibility to conduct appropriate oversight in order to protect our security and our essential freedoms at the same time. This proposal to enhance congressional oversight of sensitive military cyber operations and cyber weapons will help achieve that balance by promoting greater transparency and accountability for some of the most classified elements of our national defense.”
Cyberspace is a critical front of the 21st century battlefield, Stefanik said, and the United States must continue to modernize and develop its cyber capabilities to keep pace with countries like North Korea, China, Iran and Russia.
“This important legislation is a major part of an overall effort to strengthen our cyber warfare capabilities, enhance our international partnerships and enhance congressional oversight of sensitive cyber operations and the technical and operational capabilities needed to conduct them,” said Stefanik, the chairwoman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities.
Thornberry and Stefanik introduced the bill with bipartisan support from U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, and James Langevin (D-RI), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities.
“Drawing on lessons we’ve learned from the oversight of more traditional Department of Defense sensitive activities outside of areas of active hostilities, this bill will enable Congress to provide additional support and oversight for these activities as they continue to develop as an essential component of U.S. military power,” Smith said.