[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16210]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 CYBERSECURITY INFORMATION SHARING BILL

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, earlier this year, millions of people 
were affected when the Obama administration was hit by a devastating 
cyber attack. It is an attack that has been described as ``one of the 
worst breaches in U.S. history,'' but it is hardly the last one we will 
face.
  The challenges posed by cyber attacks are real, and they are broad. 
They threaten governments, businesses, and individuals. Americans see 
these threats in the public sector. For instance, as reports have 
indicated, the sensitive personal information of millions who purchase 
insurance through ObamaCare is especially vulnerable. Americans see 
these threats in the private sector as well. For instance, despite the 
cyber deal recently agreed upon between China and the administration, 
press reports indicate that Chinese hacking attempts on American 
companies and businesses appear to be continuing unabated. Americans 
also know that a cyber attack is essentially a personal attack on their 
own privacy. It is violating to think of strangers digging through our 
medical records and emails. It is worrying to think of criminals 
accessing credit card numbers and Social Security information.
  That is why the Senate will again consider bipartisan legislation to 
help Americans' most private and personal information. It would do so 
by defeating cyber attacks through the sharing of information. It 
contains modern tools that cybersecurity experts tell us could help 
prevent future attacks against both public and private sectors. It 
contains important measures to protect individual privacy and civil 
liberties. It has been carefully scrutinized by Senators of both 
parties. In short, this legislation is strong, transparent, and 
bipartisan. Republicans and Democrats joined together to pass this 
legislation through committee, the administration supports it, and the 
House has already passed similar legislation. With a little 
cooperation, we can pass it here shortly as well.
  The chair of the Intelligence Committee, Senator Burr, is working to 
set votes on pending amendments and has accommodated other Senators in 
the form of a substitute amendment. I wish to thank him for his hard 
work on this legislation. I wish to also thank the vice chair, Senator 
Feinstein, as well. Every Senator should want to protect Americans' 
most private and personal information, which means every Senator should 
want to see this bill pass. With a little cooperation, we will.

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