[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 79 (Tuesday, May 15, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H3957-H3958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1915
             DISMISSAL OF THE WHITE HOUSE CYBER COORDINATOR

  (Mr. LANGEVIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, today National Security Advisor John 
Bolton eliminated the position of special assistant to the President 
and cybersecurity adviser. I could not more strongly disagree with that 
decision.
  As the co-chair of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus, I have 
followed the work of the executive branch very closely on this issue 
over many years. I have had my critiques of President Bush, of 
President Trump, and, yes, even of President Obama.
  But always, from President Clinton through the current 
administration, I have always felt that we are moving in the right 
direction in better protecting the country in cyberspace--even if too 
slowly and with a few bumps along the way
  Today, we took a giant step backwards.
  Cybersecurity, Mr. Speaker, is the economic and national security 
challenge of the 21st century, and as such,

[[Page H3958]]

we need to be increasing our focus on it, not weakening it.
  I have respected and admired the work of our three cybersecurity 
coordinators, the late Howard Schmidt, Michael Daniel, and President 
Trump's pick, Rob Joyce. I am sorry that their legacy is being 
tarnished today.
  I have introduced legislation with my friend, Mr. Lieu, to reinstate 
and empower the coordinator position, and I hope that the House moves 
to take it up quickly. Our national security demands no less.

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