Representative Levin Joins Colleagues in Introducing Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Flexibility in Forever GI Bill Benefits

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by: Mike Levin (D-CA, 49th)

Washington, D.C. - April 11, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA), Chair of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, joined his colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation to ensure that student veterans have access to the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM scholarship program that was enacted as part of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, also known as the Forever GI Bill. The bill was led by Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) and cosponsored by Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Current law prohibits many student veterans from using this scholarship as there are very few undergraduate programs that meet the current requirement that a program require more than 128 credit hours for completion. The legislation would ensure that student veterans enrolled in a STEM degree program are able to fully utilize their educational benefits, regardless of the current 128 credit hour requirement.

“Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields are the future of our 21st century economy, and it is critical that veterans have the support they need to pursue a STEM degree," said Levin. "I am proud to help introduce bipartisan legislation that will allow more veterans to pursue STEM degrees, and I will continue to work with my colleagues across the aisle on measures to ensure that veterans can launch careers in high-demand industries.”

“It is incumbent upon us to provide our Veterans with the tools they need to be successful in their transition to civilian life after serving in the Armed Forces,” said Barr. “By removing arbitrary credit hour requirements for student Veterans enrolled in STEM programs and giving them more flexibility to use their Forever GI Bill benefits, Veterans will be able to better take advantage of the education benefits they are owed. I am honored work with Representative Levin and Ranking Member Roe on this important and bipartisan issue.”

"When the Forever GI bill was signed into law last Congress, it created a scholarship program that helped pay for student veterans who were in STEM degree programs," said Roe. "By eliminating the credit hour requirement for a STEM degree program to qualify for this scholarship, we are ensuring that the scholarship functions as intended and that all student veterans interested in a STEM degree are able to qualify for the additional funding. I am thankful that Rep. Barr and Rep. Levin have taken the lead on fixing this error and ensuring all our student veterans receive access to the educational benefits they have earned.”

"We must ensure our nation’s veterans can continue to serve our country out of uniform and fully utilize their GI benefits by earning degrees in STEM fields-- regardless of the length of their education program," said Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. "Broadening these criteria, not only helps modernize our workforce but prepares our country for the economy of the future.”

Background:

H.R 2196 would ensure that the scholarship program Congress provided for student veterans in STEM programs can be used in the way Congress intended and - more importantly - ensure that student veterans in these important degree programs receive the support they need to pursue their dreams. This program helps student veterans who often need to take additional credit hours to brush up on critical math or science skills necessary for success in a STEM program

Congresswoman Debbie Lesko Urges Pelosi to Act on Worsening Border Crisis, Release of Illegal Aliens in Arizona

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by: Debbie Lesko (R-AZ, 8th)

Washington, D.C. - April 11, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- On Tuesday, Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) sent a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi urging congressional action to address the worsening crisis at the border that has led to the release of illegal aliens on their own recognizance onto the streets of Arizona communities. The letter is available below.

April 9, 2019

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House
H-232, The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Speaker Pelosi,

Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen issued a letter to leaders of Congress, including yourself, outlining actions Congress must take to combat the growing security and humanitarian crisis at the southern border. I am writing to you today to urge you to put politics aside and take Secretary Nielson’s request seriously. The crisis at our border is worsening. We must secure our southern border and effectively respond to illegal immigration.

As you may know, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is currently releasing all non-criminal, female head-of-household family units that are seeking asylum into our communities. Those released under current policy are given a Notice To Appear (NTA) in Immigration Court, but not a specific date to appear; their NTA simply states they should appear on a date “To Be Determined.” They are not screened for credible fear, which could allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to send them to Mexico to wait for a hearing, but merely released on their own recognizance.

Groups of illegal aliens have been and are being dropped off by ICE at bus stations and churches with only a packet of information. The drop-offs have increased in frequency and quantity in the last several months. Specifically, councilmembers from the City of Phoenix detailed that the drastic increase is overwhelming the community and posing a crisis to which Phoenix, Arizona has no solution, nor the resources to deal with this massive influx of migrants.

Yuma, Arizona has seen a 261% increase in Family Units compared to last fiscal year. These growing numbers are unsustainable. Nonprofits and church leaders are overwhelmed by the daily release of hundreds of migrant families from federal custody. For weeks, they have asked for assistance and support for what they, themselves, say is a humanitarian crisis. Now, because we have failed to act or give our law enforcement the support they need, illegal aliens are being released in Arizona communities by U.S. ICE and U.S. Border Patrol agents.

The Arizona Sheriffs Association has publicly stated,

“To suggest there is not a crisis is to be intellectually dishonest. The crisis is neither new, nor manufactured. Sheriffs know this because we have been addressing it for decades. We have been impacted by the public safety crisis in witnessing safety in our communities being eroded by drug trafficking, overdoses and transnational crime organizations. Like all thoughtful Americans, we are concerned about the national security nexus to the lack of border security. We do not know who is coming across the border… We are strong, practical leaders not guided by political partisanship or concern over who wins the gamesmanship of political rhetoric. We are guided by a firm commitment to public safety in our respective counties.”

The release of these individuals and the ongoing, growing crisis, should be of concern to every American, as their actions are a blatant exploitation of our immigration laws; our inability to properly vet and monitor them puts our communities at risk. Cities and communities should not be forced to bear the brunt of this crisis, which is inherently a federal responsibility. We should be working to improve, not worsen, the morale of ICE and Border Patrol agents who are already under-resourced and overworked.

We need to listen to our law enforcement and cities who are on the ground and do what we can to support our local communities in this crisis that Congress has let go on for far too long. I look forward to your response and to continuing to work with you to fix our nation’s immigration laws and gain operational control of our southern border. Please let me know if there is any way I can assist you in these efforts.

Sincerely,

Debbie Lesko
Member of Congress

Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S.
Member of Congress

Andy Biggs
Member of Congress

Government Takeover of the Internet Passes House

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by: Robert E. Latta (R OH, 5th)

Washington, D.C. - April 11, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) voted against legislation, H.R. 1644, that would establish government control over Internet services by subjecting providers to regulations imposed under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934. The legislation was approved by the U.S. House by a vote of 232-190.

Latta said on the House floor, “This is not about net neutrality – if this was about net neutrality, we would be operating under the long-standing bipartisan premise that net neutrality could be achieved without Title II. Like many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I agree that Congress needs to codify basic internet protection principles such as no blocking, no throttling, and no paid prioritization.”

Congressman Latta made overtures to the Democratic majority in the House to work together on bipartisan legislation that would codify net neutrality principles without classifying Internet Service Providers (ISPs) under the Title II framework. These principles would ensure no blocking, no throttling, and no paid prioritization by ISPs. He introduced H.R. 1006, legislation that had been previously introduced by former Democratic Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman that would codify net neutrality principles, but the Democratic majority has rebuffed efforts to work in a bipartisan manner.

Latta also said, “The net neutrality bill I introduced is based directly upon the proposal of former Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman. It would prevent Internet Service Providers from engaging in much of the discriminatory behavior the majority is concerned about, and it would do so under Title I. Both former Republican and Democratic Federal Communications Commission Chairmen have also recognized that net neutrality can be resolved without vastly expanding the FCC’s power under Title II.”

“We have seen broadband investment and innovation decline during the time the Internet was regulated under the framework that H.R. 1644 would establish. This has been verified through studies, but also in a recent Energy Commerce Committee hearing when a witness who owns a small ISP in Oregon testified on the hampering effects the 2015 Order had on his own business. And, while we can quantify lost investment, we do not know the advancements in technology we have missed out on due to limited resources directed toward innovation.

“On the point of not knowing, we still do not know the 700+ regulations that H.R. 1644 would permanently forbear from either. Before we permanently lock in anything, I believe Congress should know exactly what we are locking in. We have pressed the majority for this list multiple times and have not received it. That is why I filed an amendment that would have required the FCC to produce this list if the bill does become law.

“I support net neutrality, but I cannot and do not support H.R. 1644. We should be providing the American people with a real net neutrality solution rather than pushing forward an agenda that does not have the capability to become law and won’t protect the Internet.”

Latta’s floor speech is available here.

Latta also criticized that H.R. 1644 includes no provisions that address blocking or throttling by edge providers. Edge providers are websites, web services, applications, or online content delivery services that customers connect with over the Internet. Examples of edge providers are Google, Amazon, Netflix, and Facebook. While numerous edge providers prioritize content, block content, and censor content, they would be subject to a different set of rules than ISPs under the legislation.

Congressman Latta did propose an amendment that was accepted by the House. Currently, proponents of H.R. 1644 have said that the legislation would forbear 700 regulations that were included under the 2015 FCC Open Internet Order. However, those 700 regulations are not publicly available, and Latta’s amendment would require more transparency.

See Also:

Rep. Brenda Lawrence Votes on Bold Legislation to Save the Internet

Congresswoman Lee Votes on Bold Legislation to Save the Internet

Rep. Andy Levin Votes to Pass Bold Legislation to Save the Internet

Rep. Lipinski Votes to Restore Net Neutrality Protections

Loebsack Statement on House Passage of Net Neutrality Legislation

Rep. Loudermilk Votes to Keep Internet Free from Washington Bureaucracy

McCaul on Keeping the Internet Open

MCMORRIS RODGERS VOTES AGAINST PARTISAN AND HARMFUL NET NEUTRALITY BILL

Invest in America Act Introduced

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by: John B. Larson (D-CT, 1st)

Washington, D.C. - April 11, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Reps. John B. Larson (CT-01) and Kenny Marchant (TX-24) introduced the Invest in America Act that would repeal the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, which applies capital gains taxes to foreign persons who invest in U.S. real estate. This bipartisan legislation would allow for additional capital to be unlocked that will be invested in American infrastructure, creating jobs and spurring economic development.

“The American Society of Civil Engineers has given America’s infrastructure a D+ rating. That’s unacceptable. This isn’t a Republican or Democrat issue, this is an American issue. I am proud to introduce the Invest in America Act today with Congressman Marchant to unlock more opportunities to invest in communities in Connecticut and across the nation and to rebuild our infrastructure,” said Larson.

“Global investment is critical to our nation’s economy, especially in the Dallas-Forth Worth region. That is why I am proud to partner with Congressman Larson to introduce the Invest in America Act, which will remove the barriers in our tax code that discourage investments in real estate. By providing parity to real estate assets under the law, foreign investors will be able to create more opportunities and more prosperity for American families,” said Congressman Marchant.

A summary of the Invest in America Act can be found here.

The bill text can be found here.

Langevin Votes to Restore Free and Open Internet

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by: Jim Langevin (D-RI, 2nd)

Washington, D.C. - April 11, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), released the following statement after voting in favor of the Save the Internet Act, which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 232-190. The legislation would restore the Open Internet Order, an Obama-era net neutrality regulation that was repealed by the Federal Communications Commission in December 2017.

“In 2017, President Trump’s handpicked FCC chair chose to gut the net neutrality rules that protected the public online. The Save the Internet Act will reverse this decision and once again provide fair and equal Internet access to all, not just the highest-bidders.

“This legislation restores important protections to prevent consumers from being subjected to blocking, slowed-down service and other discriminatory actions by their Internet service providers. By restoring these protections, we are ensuring the Internet can continue to facilitate the free-flow of information and catalyze new ideas and innovation.

“Control over the Internet needs to be returned to the people. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to support this bill and join our fight to the save the net.”

LaMalfa Slams Proposed Federal Government Takeover of the Internet

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by: Doug LaMalfa (R-CA, 1st)

Washington, D.C. - April 11, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 1644, the Save the Internet Act. House Democrats passed the legislation with mostly partisan support. This legislation would allow the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to have unprecedented control over the internet, including content moderation, new taxes and fees, and other new regulations which would stifle job growth and innovation.

LaMalfa said: “I believe in a free and open internet. Many of my Democrat colleagues claim that they do as well, yet the bill they passed today would accomplish the exact opposite. Let’s call it what it is: a blatant federal government takeover of the internet. It would have drastic consequences on American innovation. Under this plan, a panel of unelected bureaucrats will have nearly limitless authority to regulate, tax, and moderate content on the internet. The FCC would essentially have the ability to regulate the internet like it’s a 1930s phone company. This would be harmful to all Americans – especially those in rural areas with fewer options, where smaller ISPs will be unable to afford costly regulations and inevitably pass that cost onto consumers. This approach would stifle the already free and open internet, and I strongly oppose it.”

Under H.R. 1644:

A panel of five unelected bureaucrats at the Federal Communications Commission—not the free market—would have unprecedented power to control the internet, including setting prices, moderating content, and imposing new regulations. This sort of centralized control would stifle American innovation, limit consumer choice, and put the U.S. at a global disadvantage.

Rural communities would suffer most. Many rural areas are served by smaller Internet Service Providers, who cannot bear the costs of burdensome regulations in the same way as bigger companies. As a result, they would be forced to pass along added expenses to consumers, resulting in higher prices for worse service in rural communities. In addition, higher regulatory costs mean ISPs would no longer have revenue to continue investment in improving and expanding rural broadband infrastructure in underserved communities across America.

Taxes and fees would go up. Democrats want to recategorize the Internet under current law so that home internet and phone data plans could both be taxed, just like a cable bill.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.

LaHood Votes Against Government Takeover of the Internet that Harms Rural Illinois

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by: Darin Lahood (R-IL, 18th)

Washington, D.C. - April 11, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) voted against the Democrats’ so-called “Save the Internet” Act, which would hand control of the internet over to a panel of five unelected bureaucrats, stunt future innovation, open the door to taxation of the internet, and significantly reduce and delay broadband expansion into rural communities. Rep. LaHood released the following statement after his vote today.

“As the Representative of 19 counties across central and west-central Illinois, I understand the importance of expanding rural broadband access into our communities and it’s critical we preserve a free and open internet,” stated Rep. LaHood. “It’s unfortunate that Democrats are advancing a bill that stifles innovation, increases expenses on rural areas through burdensome regulations, and slows network expansion into communities in the 18th District. Congress should be empowering internet users through the free market system, not putting unelected officials in Washington in charge of the internet. Communities, like we have in Illinois, deserve better than this government takeover of the internet.”

The Government Controlled Internet Act

This plan negatively impacts rural communities, which already face higher costs and fewer options
==Rural communities are typically served by smaller Internet Service Providers, who have a harder time bearing the cost of expanded regulations
==These costs will be passed along to consumers, resulting in increased costs with worse service

This legislation will give the Federal Communications Commission, a five-member panel of unelected officials, centralized control over the internet
==The panel will oversee setting prices, new investments, and dictate how broadband companies interact with their customers

This proposal stifles innovation
==The FCC will be required to approve new technologies, allowing officials in Washington to block, delay, or discourage investment or innovation

As we approach a 5G world, bureaucrats in Washington shouldn’t impede innovative progress that will keep the U.S. as a global leader in technology and expand access to broadband in rural communities

Senator Lankford Highlights Positive Impact of Federal Tax Reform in OK

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by: Senator James Lankford (R-OK)

Washington, D.C. - April 11, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor ahead of Tax Day next week about some of the positive news and real stories from Oklahomans about their experience filing their taxes this year. Lankford specifically offered examples shared with our office from Oklahomans. This year is the first opportunity to see the effects of tax reform on Oklahomans, and Lankford reflected on the positive economic impacts tax reform has had for our state and nation. Lankford supported the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act when it passed the Senate in December 2016.

Excerpts


On national media gloom about the tax reports (Starts at 00:40)

This story, in particular, the headline was, ‘This Is Going to Wipe Us Out,’ in reference to the new tax law. When you read through the story and find out this is who they say is going to get wiped out, here is their illustration of the person: ‘a person moving from a $400,000 house this past year to one valued at $1.1 million concedes he has a first-world problem of his taxes going up, but he says owing more in taxes is a little disheartening as he moves from a $400,000 house to a $1.1 million home.’ Now, again, I’m excited for him in his home. I'm sure that it's beautiful. But that was their illustration of who is going to get hard hit by the tax changes on it. This article from a national source said, ‘Is a Tax Refund Ahead For You in 2019? Some Taxpayers Received a Tax Bill Instead.’ You go into the middle of the story and they make this one little note, ‘only about five percent of taxpayers are expected to pay more under the new law.’ Or, in other words, 95 percent of Americans, even in this story that's a negative story about the taxes, they hide the simple fact that 95 percent of Americans will pay the same or less. The vast majority of those will pay less in their taxes for the next year.

On the economic results of the tax cuts (Starts at 04:10)

Well, here is what happened. Our GDP grew at three percent a year. A dramatic increase from what we’ve had in the past. Inflation-adjusted business investment went up seven percent just since the tax cut. Two-hundred and fifteen thousand new jobs have started, on average, every month since the tax cut change happened—215,000. Those are very strong numbers across the country. Unemployment has gone to 3.9 percent since the enactment of the tax reform. Beginning in April of last year, the number of job openings in the national economy has exceeded the number of unemployed Americans, something that's not been recorded prior to April since records have been kept.

On real examples of the success of tax reform from Oklahomans (Starts at 07:15)

Well, I started asking some of my team in Oklahoma, just ask people around. When you're traveling around the state and when you’re visiting people just ask them how their taxes have gone. What's happened because people are filing now, just find out what is going on. One of the dry cleaners in Enid let our team know that he is doing better in his small-business taxes this year, and he’s actually going to be able to put a down payment now on some brand-new equipment at his dry-cleaner in Enid. When another one that we talked to—he’s in his early 30s, married, he and his wife both work--they said that they saved enough on their taxes this year from last year they’re going to start paying off some of their student loans and start paying down faster their car loan. We spoke to one of the gentlemen who’s also in his late thirties. They have one child who was born this past year. They said they have saved enough in their taxes from the previous year that they are going to be able to take care of some health care costs that they had, and they are going to start setting aside some money to allow his wife to start a Roth IRA account, starting their savings for their retirement in their thirties. Where you should start saving for your retirement, they are able to do this year because of the change in the tax cut.

When another gentleman that we talked to that works in Oklahoma City, he reported that his withholding changes that happened that he is now actually in -- he was in the 25 percent tax bracket that now has moved to the 22 percent tax bracket, and he is using his savings to be able to take care of some of the issues that he had in his own personal debt. We have a married couple in Davis, Oklahoma, down in south-central Oklahoma. Their income actually went up $4,000 this last year. When they finished all their tax payments, their tax actually decreased by $700 from one year to the next even though their income went up. Another couple down the street from Davis in Sulfur, Oklahoma, they own a small farm. Their income went up $7,000 last year from the previous year, and they were panicked about what would happen on their taxes. Well, their taxes actually decreased $1,400 from the year before. We have a police officer in Norman, Oklahoma, just south of Oklahoma City. He and his family, after they finished filing all of their taxes, he said this, ‘I now bring home more in my check every two weeks because of the change in the tax code. It's making things so much simpler for us to be able to make ends meet.’

On the five percent of individuals whose taxes did not decrease (Starts at 11:35)

This is what tax reform looks like. Some of my colleagues try to spend all of their time saying tax reform is all about big corporations and Wall Street. Interestingly enough, most of the high-income folks in my state have said, actually, their taxes went up a little bit this year, not down. They are part of that five percent of Americans that didn't end up with a tax change. But for the vast majority of Americans who are working and putting ends together and taking care of their family in my state and in other states, they are finding that tax reform is not some theory to them. It was a real help to their family in paying off debt, starting retirement, taking care of medical costs, taking care of their family, and getting going on with life.

KUSTOFF’S STATEMENT ON THE DESIGNATION OF THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY GUARD CORPS AS A FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION

by: David Kustoff (R-TN, 8th)

Washington, D.C. - April 10, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Representative David Kustoff (TN-08) issued the following statement following the Trump Administration’s decision to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including its Qods Force, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

“This action taken by President Trump sends a clear message that the United States will not do business with a country that terrorizes people in and outside its borders. Iran continues to be one of the most dangerous threats to our interests and to stability in the Middle East. It is long past due that we hold the corrupt Iranian regime accountable for their actions,” said Rep. Kustoff. “I applaud this move from President Trump and his Administration. We must remain vigilant against those who wish to bring Americans harm and continue to stand with our greatest ally in the Middle East, Israel.”

In Congress, Rep. David Kustoff has taken the lead in standing up to Iran and its corrupt regime. He introduced the Stop Corrupt Iranian Oligarchs and Entities Act which places maximum pressure on Iran and its leaders to help expose the corrupt nature of this dangerous regime. Rep. Kustoff supported the President on getting out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, as well as supported the increased sanctions on Iran. Congressman Kustoff also succeeded in passing a Motion to Recommit to tackle the rise of anti-Semitism.

Bill Empowering State and Local Governments to Counter Cyberattacks Reintroduced

by: Derek Kilmer (D-WA, 6th)

Washington, D.C. - April 10, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) was joined today by Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX) in reintroducing bipartisan, bicameral legislation today to encourage state, local, and tribal governments to strengthen their defenses against cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities. The State Cyber Resiliency Act, which was also introduced in the Senate by Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Cory Gardner (R-CO), would create and authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to run a grant program for states seeking to develop, revise or implement cyber resiliency measures—including efforts to identify, detect, protect, respond, and recover from cyber threats.

“America should dedicate far more attention and resources to combating cyber threats,” said Rep. Kilmer. “Cyber-attacks could threaten our election systems, municipally-owned water treatment facilities, local emergency responder networks, or other vital systems that impact our communities. With that in mind, building our cyber resiliency matters to employers, workers, local governments, consumers – and even to our national security. That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing a bipartisan plan to give state, local, and tribal governments more tools to counter these cyber threats.”

“As our nation continues to face cyber threats, we must ensure all levels of government are prepared to combat the emerging attacks to our cyber networks and other critical infrastructure. The enactment of CISA last year was a positive step forward to recalibrate our federal posture on cybersecurity, however, more needs to be done on a state and local level. Despite playing a vital role in protecting our nation against cyber-attacks, state governments often do not have the vital resources they need to strengthen their cybersecurity capabilities or retain or recruit seasoned cybersecurity professionals,” said Rep. McCaul. “As a co-chair of the House Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus, I will continue to think holistically about protecting our networks on a federal, state, and local level. I am proud to join Senators Warner and Gardner, along with Congressman Kilmer, in introducing the State Cyber Resiliency Act to aid state and local governments with a new grant program to enhance their cyber defenses.”

“As cyberattacks increase in frequency and gravity, we must ensure that our nation—from our local governments on up—is adequately prepared to protect public safety and combat cyber threats,” said Sen. Warner. “Nearly 70 percent of states have reported that they lack adequate funding to develop sufficient cybersecurity. This bill will aim to mitigate that need by providing grants to state and local jurisdictions so that they are better prepared to take on these emerging challenges.”

“It’s critical that our state and local governments invest in cyber preparedness and training, and I’m proud to work with Senator Warner and Representatives Kilmer and McCaul to create a grant program to help our communities with this effort,” said Sen. Gardner. “Colorado is at the forefront of our nation’s cybersecurity efforts and home to the National Cybersecurity Center in Colorado Springs. As the threat of cyber warfare intensifies, it’s important that local governments are properly prepared to deter and protect themselves from cyber-attacks.”

A 2018 survey by Deloitte-National Association recently found that most state cyber budgets are inadequate, with most states allocating between zero and three percent of their overall IT budget for cybersecurity purposes. Additionally, the survey found that budget and staffing remain top barriers to an effective cyber strategy, with nearly half of all states lacking a cybersecurity budget line item, and 28 percent pointing to an inadequate availability of cybersecurity professionals as a “top barrier.” In the past year, hackers have attacked a number of local governments in states such as Colorado, Georgia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. These serious cyberattacks have cost taxpayers millions of dollars and have wreaked havoc on essential local government processes.

The State Cyber Resiliency Act also addresses the nation’s cybersecurity workforce talent gap by ensuring that participating states enhance recruitment and retention efforts. Currently, there are more than 313,000 cybersecurity job openings nationwide, including 33,500 in Virginia, 24,800 in Texas, 10,200 in Colorado, and 6,300 in Washington.

The full text of the bill is available here.