U.S Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, said the Build Back Better Act addresses pressing national security challenges.
Thompson said the legislation would include $1.5 billion in investments to improve the national cybersecurity posture, help secure places of worship against domestic and other terrorist threats, and intensify the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
“I am pleased that the White House and Congressional leaders recognize the need for strategic investments in our national security infrastructure to protect the country from the wide range of threats we face, including cyberattacks, domestic terrorism, and climate change,” Thompson said in a statement. “Enactment of the Build Back Better Act will help fortify our cybersecurity posture to defend both government and critical infrastructure networks and make them more resilient. It includes $500 million in new investments to help accelerate the transition of State and local government networks to the .gov domain, for States to improve their ability to hire network defenders, and to modernize our approach to securing Federal networks and growing the cyber workforce. It also increases the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security’s ability to help critical infrastructure operators defend industrial control systems, including through the Cybersentry program.”
Thompson said the act would provide $100 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to secure churches, synagogues, and mosques while providing $900 million in strategic investments to reduce DHS’ carbon footprint and mitigate the ongoing effects of climate change.
“The homeland security funding provided under the Build Back Better Act focuses on addressing three key national security challenges: improving our nation’s cybersecurity posture, helping to protect communities from domestic terrorism, and preparing for the very real effects of climate change,” Thompson said.