[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 174 (Tuesday, October 21, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7176-S7177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   Unanimous Consent Request--S. 2983

  Mr. KIM. Madam President, I rise today because across this country 
Americans are reading headlines about the impacts of cyber security 
threats that make us less safe. Let me read to you three from just 
yesterday: From Reuters, ``Cyber defenders sound the alarm as F5 hack 
exposes broad risks''; from a TV station in Tennessee, ``Cyber attack 
closes La Vergne offices''; and from the Nevada Current, ``Nevada's 
recent cyber attack shows the importance of shoring up security for 
election systems.''
  All of these are a reminder that we must do everything we can to be 
able to protect our communities. There is one thing we can do right 
here today. Today, we can pass the bipartisan Protecting America from 
Cyber Threats Act, introduced by Senators Peters and Rounds. This 
bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the Cybersecurity Information 
Sharing Act of 2015, groundbreaking legislation that has served as a 
catalyst of Federal and private sector cooperation on the real and 
consequential cyber security threats facing our Nation.
  For a decade, this program has had broad bipartisan support because 
of its positive impact on our Nation's cyber security landscape.
  Cyber attacks are real, and America's adversaries will not wait until 
our government is reopened before waging these attacks on our critical 
infrastructure, on small businesses, and vulnerable populations, such 
as the elderly.
  That is why we need to safeguard future collaboration and make sure 
that

[[Page S7177]]

the companies still working with Agencies during this shutdown are not 
penalized. This legislation would do just that. Private and Federal 
cooperation is necessary to ensure that we are putting our best foot 
forward in keeping the data of all Americans safe and protecting 
consumers from the most devastating consequences of cyber attacks, such 
as identity theft and financial loss.
  These are the facts: Malicious cyber attacks on our Nation's critical 
infrastructure--such as our healthcare facilities, electrical grid, and 
more--are becoming more frequent, impactful, and sophisticated.
  Prior to this authority, non-Federal entities did not have a readily 
available method of sharing cyber threat information.
  Every day that goes by that this operation goes without 
reauthorization, both Federal Agencies and private entities risk not 
knowing the extent of current cyber threats and the resources needed to 
mitigate those threats.
  Just last October, media reports surfaced about Salt Typhoon, one of 
the largest telecommunications hacks in U.S. history, carried out by 
hackers sponsored by the People's Republic of China. It is insane to 
think that almost a year after reporting on such a catastrophic event, 
that we would even consider not passing legislation specifically 
focused on these types of national security issues.
  We must do better, and today we have an opportunity to make a 
commonsense decision that will support national security and keep 
Americans safe from cyber attacks.
  I urge my colleagues to act and pass the Protecting America from 
Cyber Threats Act.
  Madam President, as if in legislative session, I ask unanimous 
consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of 
Calendar No. 182, S. 2983; that the Peters substitute amendment, which 
is at the desk, be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, 
be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to 
reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  The Senator from Kentucky.
  Mr. PAUL. I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The objection is heard.

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