Floor. A recorded vote or the yeas and nays are ordered or votes objected to under clause 6 of rule 20. The house will resume proceedings on postponed questions at a later time. For what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i move the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 3559 as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 3359, a bill to amend the Homeland Security act of 2002 to authorize the cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of the department of Homeland Security and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from texas, mr. Mccaul, and the gentlewoman from california, ms. Barragan, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from texas. Mr. Mccaul i thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and and their remarks include any extraneous materials on the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. The gentleman is recognized. Mr. Mccaul i rise in support of the cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency act. Mr. Speaker, with each passing day, nation states, hackers and other cybercriminals are finding new ways to attack our Cyber Infrastructure and expose vulnerabilities. As technology has advanced, more and more americans have become dependent on information technology, making everyone a potential victim. In september, we learned that equifax had been hacked and 145. 5 Million People were affected by this breach. Last month, 57 Million People who used uber might have had their personal information stolen. These attacks are not just aimed at american consumers. Our foreign adversaries are routinely daging in cyber war fare as well. Hackers traced back to the Chinese Government access sensitive material from the office of per son mel management on 22 million persons security clearances. And last year russia was caught trying to undermine our democratic process. These kind of attacks are simply unacceptable. We must not allow them to continue. Fortunately, we have prioritized cybersecurity issues that the committee on Homeland Security over the last few years and have taken strong bipartisan action. In 2014, Committee Efforts resulted in the enactment of legislation that provided d. H. S. Expedited hiring authority ensuring d. H. S. Is accessing its work force and clarified the departments role in the cybersecurity of federal networks. In 2015, the cybersecurity act provided liability appreciations from private to heist and cyberthreat information sharing. While these are important actions, we need to do more and today we have a chance to do just that. The legislation before us streamlines the infrastructure of the National Protection and programs doctorate and redesignates it as the cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency. This realignment will achieve d. H. S. s goal of creating a stand alone Operational Organization focusing on and elevating the vital Cybersecurity Mission of the department. This bill requires the appointment of a director who is responsible for leading cybersecurity and infrastructure programs and operations for the agency. Developing and utilizing mechanisms for active and frequent collaboration with sectorspecific agencies and coordinating and implementing comprehensive strategic plans and risk assessments for the agency. This action enjoys great support from d. H. S. Two weeks ago and testimony before our committee, then acting secretary elaine duke stated that in the face of these digital threats, it is a d. H. S. Priority to work with congress on legislation that would focus our cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure mission at the mp pd. Taking action today reaffirms that priority. Cybersecurity is an issue that transcends partisan politics. In light of the risk and potential consequences of cyberattacks, we must stand together and strengthen the security of digital america and the resilience of our cybernetworks. I would like to thank the members of the Homeland Security committee and Ranking Member member thompson for their hard work, and the staff. I thank energy and Commerce Committee chairman mr. Walden, transportation and infrastructure subcommittee bill shuster and the committee on government and oversight reform chairman gowdy for their efforts to see this through. I ask unanimous consent that these letters exchanged between our committees be included in the record. This is another bipartisan example of varied stock holders can come together can draft and pass important legislation. Its an opportunity we have today to elevate the importance of cybersecurity at the department of Homeland Security to achieve its goal of protecting the United States. And i urge my colleagues to support this vital piece of legislation. And with that, mr. Speaker, i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The the gentlewoman from california is recognized. I rise in support of h. R. 3359 the cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency act of 2017 and yield myself as much time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Thank you, mr. Speaker. H. R. 3559 would make long overdue organizational changes within the department of Homeland SecurityNational Protection and programs direct rate. Im a strong supporter of this measure to carry out one of its most difficult missions, helping federal agencies and Critical Infrastructure owners and operators secure themselves its against physical and cyberattacks. Importantly, it would rename mppd to better communicate its mission to stakeholders, Agency Partners and the cyber talent d. H. S. Needs to come work in the federal government. Make no mistake, these are not mere administrative or bureaucratic changes. H. R. 3359 would transform mppd into an Operational Agency on par with t. S. A. Or customs and border protection. Each passing day, we new new ways that cyber criminals are looking to exploit the cyber weaknesses of federal agencies and our nations Critical Infrastructure. And last year, we found ourselves in unchartered territory when we learned that our electoral system was under attack by one of the most sophisticated actors, the russian government. To respond, congress has put its faiths in d. H. S. And in turn,. H. S. Looks to mppd, a small underresource component to carry out a far more limited mission than the one it has today. Over the past few years, congress has expanded mppds Cyber Authority and responsibilities without elevating its standing to measure it with its growing measure. As mppd has gotten better at delivering cybersecurity assistance and to public and private sector partners, it has seen a surge in demand. In the wake of the russian efforts to hack the 2016 president ial election, state and local elected first are now requesting d. H. S. Cybersecurity services. As secretaries of Homeland Security came to us during the Obama Administration and now under the Trump Administration to ask for our help in rganizing the direct rate into a Cybersecurity Agency. Reorganizing and rebranding mppd should enhance d. H. S. s standing with respect to its international peers, clarify its Organizational Mission and boost work force morale. Our expectation is with higher morale and mission clarity, d. H. S. Will compete with the private sector and federal agencies like the n. S. A. And c. I. A. Finally, they will be in a better position to carry out its Infrastructure Protection activities like risk and vulnerability assessments for banks, electrical grids and now election systems. We need mppd to carry out these activities swiftly and effectively and in a way that respects privacy and Civil Liberties and cannot expect it to work with one hand tied behind its back. This bill is a result of bipartisan negotiation and i thank chairman mccaul and the subCommittee Chairman for their commitment to work this through and getting this done. I reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Mccaul i yield five minutes to the chairman of the ubcommittee on cyber security. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Ratcliffe mr. Speaker, we are here today to take action on what i believe is the defining Public Policy challenge of our generation, the cybersecurity posture of the United States. We have seen cyberattacks hit every sector of our economy with devastating impacts to both Government Agencies and to the private sector alike and its our duty to ensure that we are doing our very best to defend against the very real threats that our cyber adversaries now pose. The department of Homeland Security is the federal governments lead civilian agency for cybersecurity and within it, the National Protection and programs doctorate or mppd leads our effort to safeguard and enhance the resilience of our nations physical and Cyber Infrastructure. Helping federal agencies and when requested, helping the private sector to harden their networks and respond to cybersecurity incidents. As the cyberthreat landscape continues to evolve, so should the department of Homeland Security. H. R. 3359 elevates the cybersecurity and the infrastructure Security Missions of mppd to strengthen the federal governments ability to react and act to the changing threat landscape. The Cybersecurity Mission today is extremely challenging due to a number of factors, the ability of malicious actors to operate from linkages between cyberspace and our physical systems and the difficulty of reducing vulnerabilities and consequences in complex cybernetworks. The cyberscurelt and infrastructure security act of 2017 rises to this challenge and prioritizes the department of Homeland Securitys vital role in cyberspace by authorizing the cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency within d. H. S. This bill establishes the structure, the flexibility to best serve the American People. The cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency will be structured to bet work with partners at all levels of government from the private and nonprofit sectors to share information and build Greater Trust in order to make our cyber and physical infrastructure more secure. This bill provides the necessary overarching structure and the interdepartmental flexibility to best allow d. H. S. To execute its mission in both cybersecurity and the infrastructure security space. Mr. Speaker, we consider this legislation at a great time of transition and opportunity for d. H. S. Just last week, kirsten nealsson was sworn in as the secretary of Homeland Security. Ecretary nealson, brings unprecedented cybersecurity experience and savvy to the organization, and we owe it to r to the dedicated men and women to ensure they have the Proper Organization and resources to carry out its mission as the lead Cybersecurity Agency in our federal government. I want to thank chairman mccaul for his leadership and his dogged determination in this effort and getting this bill to the floor as well as the other committees of jurisdiction who worked closely to craft this compromise. The security challenges we face are more than protecting bottom lines or intellectual property or even our nations most sensitive classified information. Ultimately, our obligation as lawmakers to be productive cybersecurity stewards stems from a fundamental obligation to safeguard the American People. This is what we aim to do with this legislation. And i urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it. I thank you and i yield. Mr. Mccaul i reserve the balance of my time serve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from california. Ms. Barragan mr. Speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from texas. Mr. Mccaul mr. Speaker, i yield one minute to the gentleman from wisconsin, mr. Gallagher. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from wisconsin is recognized. Mr. Gallagher thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of h. R. 3359 of which i am a proud cosponsor. This bill provides an updated framework to reorganize and grant additional authorities to the department of Homeland Securitys cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection missions. Currently the director has oversight over the roles and while d. H. S. Has come a long ways its inception in 2002, the rapid adaptation of threats in cyberspace demands we continuously look for ways to oversee demands who this is we adapt accordingly. As weve seen russia, china, iran and various nonstate actors have all demonstrated the willingness to penetrate american networks, we had high ranking military officials in our military claim we are already outgunned in cyberspace right now and its up to us to sound the alarm and make sure that we are staying ahead of our adversaries and im proud to be part of that effort. I salute the chairman. And just given the department of Homeland Securitys central role in protecting the civilian networks, its imperative that congress, through its oversight role, ensures the men and women at d. H. S. Have all the legal authorities they need to carry out its mission. This has been the i want to acknowledge the chairman for his continued leadership on this issue and thank you, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman. The gentleman is recognized. Mr. Mccaul i reserve the balance of my time. Ms. Barragan mr. Speaker, i reserve. Mr. Mccaul mr. Speaker, i yield two minutes to the gentleman from louisiana, mr. Higgins. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from louisiana is recognized. Mr. Higgins mr. Speaker, i rise today in support of h. R. 3359. The cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency act of 2017. Authored by my colleague, Homeland SecurityCommittee Chairman mccaul. I am an original cosponsor of this bill. Mr. Speaker, america faces a new emerging peril, threats to our Cyber Systems and networks. This bill calls for the authorization of a designated cybersecurity Agency Within d. H. S. By retasking the National Protection and programs directorate as a cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. This change will allow d. H. S. To provide specific focus on the everincreasing Cyber Threats that face our nation. This bill will help to ensure that the United States can respond to any attack against our nations cyber assets. Mr. Speaker, i thank chairman mccaul for his work on crafting this important piece of legislation, and i urge all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support its passage. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman is recognized. Mr. Mccaul mr. Speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Barragan mr. Speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman is recognized. Mr. Mccaul mr. Speaker, i have no other speakers. If the gentlelady from california has no other speakers, im prepared to close once the gentlelady does. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Barragan mr. Speaker, i am prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Barragan mr. Speaker, h. R. 3359 has broad support on both sides of the aisle. We talk a lot about the need to harden our cyber defenses against an evolving array of virtual threats. Reorganizing and rebranding ppd as the cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency morale and bringing the infrastructure work force together in an unprecedented way. As an Operational Organization, it will be positioned to foster better collaboration bringing analysts together wit