Congresswoman Clarke Acts to Protect Americans from Cyber-Terrorists and Hackers
Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke introduced, the “Cybersecurity Responsibility Act,” a bill directing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish regulations protecting communications networks from cyberattacks, which in recent years have disclosed without authorization the private information of more than one hundred millions Americans, and could have influenced the 2016 Presidential Election.
Hackers have illegally launched attacked on such companies as Target and J.P. Morgan Chase, as well as the Democratic National Committee. In each instance, existing cybersecurity programs were insufficient to protect highly-sensitive information.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statements:
Congresswoman Clarke: “Every few weeks we hear the same story: cyberattacks by hackers – some of whom are affiliated with foreign governments that are hostile to the United States – compromise sensitive information that should have remained private. As a result, Americans are concerned about the safety of the bank accounts and the contents of their emails and text messages. In addition, recent disclosures about Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee in 2016 to benefit Donald Trump raise serious concerns that the results of the election were compromised.”
“It has become clear that we need to have a comprehensive policy on cybersecurity that protects personal information, from the pin number for your debit card to your email password to your medical records. With the authority to regulate international and interstate communications in the interest of the public, the Federal Communications Commission should collaborate with experts in cybersecurity to develop best practices that will allow internet providers and other companies to protect themselves and their customers from the threat of hacking. We have to fight any attack on our personal privacy – as well as the institutions of our democracy – from cyberterrorists.”
Congressman Pallone: “Our networks and devices are the hub of our digital lives. They can make our lives better and our economy stronger, but only when they are secure,” said Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) “I commend Congresswoman Clarke for proposing a new approach to protecting consumers from the growing barrage of cyber-attacks, especially from state-funded actors. This bill would ensure that Americans do not have to choose between innovation and security.”
The bill requires the FCC to issue the new cybersecurity regulations within 180 days of its enactment.
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Christine L. Bennett
Press Secretary
Office of Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09)
2058 Rayburn House Office Building
T: 202.225.6231 | C: 202.306.0906 | E: Christine.Bennett@mail.house.gov