U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI) recently applauded the inclusion of $2.42 billion for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in the House’s draft Homeland Security Appropriations bill.
Langevin and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) previously forwarded correspondence to appropriators requesting an additional $400 million investment in CISA’s budget as a means of highlighting the importance of secure domestic cyberspace.
“From the Colonial Pipeline hack to the JBS incident, the last several months have reminded Americans that our nation remains extremely vulnerable in cyberspace,” said Langevin, co-chair of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus and a member of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission. “If we are going to stop the current wave of ransomware and prevent another Solarwinds-like hack, Congress must step up to the plate and adequately fund CISA. “For months, I’ve been calling for Congress to allot more resources for CISA, and I look forward to partnering with CISA to defend and secure our critical infrastructure against those who seek to harm us.”
Langevin and Gallagher noted CISA played a central role in providing cyber defenders sister agencies and infrastructure providers nationwide with information on the threat and indicators of compromise.
Per the correspondence, the legislators maintained bypassing a substantial increase in CISA funding would delay the implementation of key authorities Congress passed to strengthen the agency and foster federal network security gaps exposed by rising threats.