Sen. Daines amendment to elevate Cyber Command included in 2017 NDAA bill

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) recently said his amendment to elevate the U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) to a Combatant Command has been included in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

U.S. Cyber Command is currently a subordinate unit to U.S. Strategic Command, which was developed by Congress to strengthen warfighter and unify forces. Daines said the rise of cybercrime and cyber terrorism signaled the need to add another Combatant Command.

“At a time when ISIS is rapidly recruiting online and developing technology like self-driving cars packed full of explosives, the United States needs to ensure that cyber and technology warfare is at the top of our priorities,” Daines said in remarks supporting the provision on the Senate floor.

The conference report for the fiscal year 2017 NDAA supports $619 billion for national defense. In addition to matching the president’s original budget request of $610 billion, the NDAA also authorizes the $5.8 billion supplemental request for operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Europe.

In promoting his amendment to the NDAA, Daines argued that U.S. troops need to be as effective online as they are in the air, on land or at sea.

“US Cyber Command is one of our most important elements in the fight against terrorism today and tomorrow,” he added.

The amendment gained eight bipartisan co-sponsors.