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Friday, March 29th, 2024

Reps. McCaul, Engel introduce Cyber Diplomacy Act

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Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Eliot Engel (D-NY) introduced last week the Cyber Diplomacy Act of 2019 (H.R. 739), which they said seeks to globally ensure the Internet is kept open, reliable and secure.

The legislators introduced H.R. 739 to ensure American leadership on the world stage in keeping the Internet open, reliable and secure.

McCaul and Engel said the bill provides for the establishment of a high-level Ambassador for Cyberspace to lead the State Department’s cyber diplomacy efforts and directs the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations to advance international cyberspace policy. It also advocates for the creation of a U.S. international cyber policy advancing democratic principles and rejects attempts by Russia and China to extort more control and censorship over the internet.

“The threats to America’s security, economy, and the Internet itself are growing in cyberspace,” McCaul, House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member, said. “The United States must lead the way in promoting a secure and free Internet and reject China and Russia’s authoritarian attempts to impose state control over the global cyber commons. By working with our foreign partners, this legislation will globally promote a vibrant digital economy, multi-stakeholder Internet governance, and freedom online.”

Committee Chairman Engel said the bill continues the Committee’s goal of ensuring American leadership on critical international issues will not be eroded.

“In the face of growing cyber threats from foreign adversaries, this legislation ensures that the State Department will lead global efforts to develop cybersecurity norms and reject authoritarian attempts to undermine internet freedoms,” Engel said.