The publication is reproduced in full below:
NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY PREPAREDNESS CONSORTIUM ACT OF 2021
Mrs. DEMINGS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 658) to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to work with cybersecurity consortia for training, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 658
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY PREPAREDNESS CONSORTIUM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary may work with one or more consortia to support efforts to address cybersecurity risks and incidents.
(b) Assistance to DHS.--The Secretary may work with one or more consortia to carry out the Secretary's responsibility pursuant to section 2202(e)(1)(P) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 652(e)(1)(P)) to--
(1) provide training and education to State, Tribal, and local first responders and officials specifically for preparing for and responding to cybersecurity risks and incidents, in accordance with applicable law;
(2) develop and update a curriculum utilizing existing training and educational programs and models in accordance with section 2209 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 659), for State, Tribal, and local first responders and officials, related to cybersecurity risks and incidents;
(3) provide technical assistance services, training, and educational programs to build and sustain capabilities in support of preparedness for and response to cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of acts of terrorism, in accordance with such section 2209;
(4) conduct cross-sector cybersecurity training, education, and simulation exercises for entities, including State and local governments and Tribal organizations, critical infrastructure owners and operators, and private industry, to encourage community-wide coordination in defending against and responding to cybersecurity risks and incidents, in accordance with section 2210(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 660(c));
(5) help States, Tribal organizations, and communities develop cybersecurity information sharing programs, in accordance with section 2209 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 659), for the dissemination of homeland security information related to cybersecurity risks and incidents;
(6) help incorporate cybersecurity risk and incident prevention and response into existing State, Tribal, and local emergency plans, including continuity of operations plans; and
(7) assist State governments and Tribal organizations in developing cybersecurity plans.
(c) Considerations Regarding Selection of a Consortium.--In selecting a consortium with which to work under this Act, the Secretary shall take into consideration the following:
(1) Prior experience conducting cybersecurity training, education, and exercises for State and local entities.
(2) Geographic diversity of the members of any such consortium so as to maximize coverage of the different regions of the United States.
(3) The participation in such consortium of one or more historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic- serving institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, other minority-serving institutions, and community colleges that participate in the National Centers of Excellence in Cybersecurity program, as carried out by the Department of Homeland Security.
(d) Metrics.--If the Secretary works with a consortium under subsection (a), the Secretary shall measure the effectiveness of the activities undertaken by the consortium under this Act.
(e) Outreach.--The Secretary shall conduct outreach to universities and colleges, including, in particular, outreach to historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic- serving institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, other minority-serving institutions, and community colleges, regarding opportunities to support efforts to address cybersecurity risks and incidents, by working with the Secretary under subsection (a).
(f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize a consortium to control or direct any law enforcement agency in the exercise of the duties of the law enforcement agency.
(g) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) the term ``community college'' has the meaning given the term ``junior or community college'' in section 312 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058);
(2) the term ``consortium'' means a group primarily composed of nonprofit entities, including academic institutions, that develop, update, and deliver cybersecurity training and education in support of homeland security;
(3) the terms ``cybersecurity risk'' and ``incident'' have the meanings given those terms in section 2209(a) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 659(a));
(4) the term ``Department'' means the Department of Homeland Security;
(5) the term ``Hispanic-serving institution'' has the meaning given the term in section 502 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a);
(6) the term ``historically Black college and university'' has the meaning given the term ``part B institution'' in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061);
(7) the term ``minority-serving institution'' means an institution of higher education described in section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a));
(8) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Homeland Security;
(9) The term ``State'' means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any possession of the United States;
(10) the term ``Tribal Colleges and Universities'' has the meaning given the term in section 316 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c); and
(11) the term ``Tribal organization'' has the meaning given the term in section 4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304(e)).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Demings) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.
General Leave
Mrs. DEMINGS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Mrs. DEMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, now more than ever it is critical that State and local governments, along with the private sector, prioritize their cybersecurity preparedness. The threat of cyberattacks continues to grow, and with the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, we are reminded yet again of the importance of stronger cybersecurity.
Since 2004, DHS has partnered with the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium, a group of universities that conduct research and training to help entities better prepare for cyber risks. This legislation will authorize the consortium to help strengthen our Nation's cybersecurity preparedness.
More specifically, S. 658 authorizes DHS to partner with a consortium of nonprofit entities to provide training to first responders, develop curriculums for training programs, conduct cross-sector exercises to defend and respond to cyber threats, and help incorporate cyber risk into State and local emergency plans.
Last year, Congress provided $1 billion in new grants to State and local governments to strengthen their cybersecurity. Ensuring they have access to advice and support to develop their cybersecurity preparedness plans is an additional step we can take to enhance our Nation's cybersecurity.
Additionally, Chairman Thompson offered an amendment during the committee markup that strengthened the bill by ensuring that DHS can partner with more than one consortium; adding the inclusion of HBCUs, MSIs, and community colleges as a factor in the selection of a consortium; and promoting greater geographic diversity among participating institutions.
All communities across the Nation need to prioritize cybersecurity preparedness. These changes should ensure that DHS partners with a diverse range of institutions to better assist the many different types of State and local governments that would benefit from enhanced cybersecurity preparedness.
I thank Senators Cornyn and Leahy for their leadership in authorizing this legislation and for working with the Homeland Security Committee to make improvements to this bill.
Madam Speaker, I urge my House colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today in support of S. 658, the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act. This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to work with the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium to help prepare for and respond to cybersecurity risks at the national, State, and local levels.
I applaud Senator Cornyn for his steadfast dedication to this most important piece of legislation. Now more than ever, our State and local communities must be prepared to prevent, detect, and mitigate cyber threats. Unfortunately, many of us have had constituent businesses, schools, and hospitals, among others, that have been impacted by persistent and evolving cyber threats.
This legislation will help provide training, exercises, technical assistance, and other important resources to State and local governments, critical infrastructure, and industry partners.
I thank Senator Cornyn for his work on this important bill. I urge Members to join me in supporting S. 658, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. DEMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, the best time to prioritize cybersecurity is before you experience a cyber incident. Cybersecurity preparedness is essential, yet most State and local governments do not have the experience, expertise, or resources to do it alone. They need a Federal partner.
Enactment of S. 658 delivers on that partnership through a network of consortiums across the country.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 658, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Demings) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, S. 658, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mrs. GREENE of Georgia. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion are postponed.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 40
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