Merkley Statement on Cybersecurity Bill

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement today after the Cybersecurity bill failed a cloture vote.

“We need to be prepared to take on the mounting threat of cyber attacks on our critical infrastructure, such as electricity grids and our transportation system. Our national security leaders have made it clear that potential cyber attacks are a significant security threat to our nation. The current bill, however, is flawed. It fails to require security systems for critical infrastructure, but it provides companies with broad authority to collect and monitor Americans’ internet communications. This bill needs more debate, and there are many amendments Senators have proposed that deserve consideration, and that’s why I voted against ending debate on the bill.”

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