The Cyber Pivott Act, legislation strengthening the cybersecurity workforce, advanced out of the House Committee on Homeland Security this week.
The legislation, formally H.R. 1000, the Providing Individuals Various Opportunities for Technical Training to Build a Skills-Based Cyber Workforce Act of 2025, was reintroduced earlier this year by U.S. Rep. Mark Green, M.D. (R-TN). The legislation establishes a new full-scholarship program for two-year degrees at community colleges and technical schools. Recipients agree to engage in government service in exchange for the scholarship, officials said.
“There could not be a better time to bolster our pipeline of skilled and prepared professionals. As nation-state threats to networks and critical infrastructure intensify, bolstering the nation’s cyber workforce aligns with this administration’s goals to promote productivity and guarantee a high return on investment for taxpayer dollars,” Green, the committee’s chair, said. “Our communities would benefit greatly from more cyber professionals who can help critical infrastructure owners and operators—especially those who do not have the resources to invest in cybersecurity.”
The legislation was co-sponsored by U.S. Reps. Michael Guest (R-MS), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), Tony Gonzales (R-TX), Clay Higgins (R-LA), August Pfluger (R-TX), Dale Strong (R-AL), Sheri Biggs (R-SC), and Gabe Evans (R-CO), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Hal Rogers (R-KY), and Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS). Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Gary Peters (D-MI).
The legislation is also endorsed by several cybersecurity and academic organizations, including Palo Alto Networks, Business Software Alliance (BSA), the Internet Security Alliance, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), Google, Vanderbilt University, NTCA—the Rural Broadband Association, and the National Cybersecurity Alliance, among others.
“The Cyber PIVOTT Act will help build this much-needed workforce by investing in education and facilitating internships in rural communities, including with critical infrastructure operators like those in the NTCA membership,” Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA––The Rural Broadband Association, said.