Bill Including Schneider Cybersecurity Amendment Passes House

This week, bipartisan cybersecurity legislation that passed the House of Representatives included an amendment offered by Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10).

H.R. 3776, the Cyber Diplomacy Act, introduced by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) establishes a high-level Office of Cyber Issues at the Department of State, requires the Administration develop a public international cyberspace strategy, and institutes Congressional oversight over international cyber agreements.

The Schneider Amendment, offered in House Foreign Affairs Committee markup, enhances congressional oversight of international cyberspace agreements by requiring notification of the steps our government has taken or plans to take to ensure all commitments from foreign partners are fulfilled.

"Malicious cyberattacks present a real threat to the security of the United States, and the frequency and intensity of these attacks will only continue to grow," said Schneider. "The Cyber Diplomacy Act improves our ability to foster international cooperation in addressing these global threats. Congressional oversight of international cyber agreements remains important, and I am pleased my amendment to strengthen Congress's role was included in the bill that passed the House."