U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI) criticized the Trump Administration for its refusal to provide Congress with copies of National Security Presidential Memoranda (NSPM) regarding Department of Defense cyberspace operations.
Langevin, the co-chair of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus and chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities, sent a letter to President Donald Trump in February requesting a copy of the memorandum. He has not yet received a response.
“I strongly believe in the mission of USCYBERCOM, and I have championed its growth and maturation. However, our actions must always be guided by our commitment to promoting stability in cyberspace,” Langevin said. “Congress has a vital role to play in ensuring any offensive cyber operations do not inadvertently undermine that stability and reflect our commitments to responsible state behavior in this new domain. Unfortunately, the White House has continually stymied our attempts to conduct this Constitutionally protected oversight, refusing to provide important policy documents that took effect nearly a year ago. Ironically, I have largely supported the Administration’s more forward-leaning posture, particularly with regard to protecting our 2018 midterm elections. But regardless of my feelings toward the underlying strategy, it is unacceptable that the White House continues to stonewall our attempts to oversee sensitive operations. I expect these documents to be provided immediately, or else we will take measures to require them by law.”
This week, Langevin filed an amendment to the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act that would require Trump to provide these documents to Congress.
“Defending our nation in cyberspace requires close collaboration between the legislative and the executive branches, and I am deeply disappointed that the President refuses to work with us on this vital issue,” Langevin said.