Cybersecurity

Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act

Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act The bill creates a joint interagency task force to facilitate agency collaboration on efforts to respond to Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors, including Volt Typhoon. The task force must be established and led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), an agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The task force must facilitate collaboration and coordination among the Sector Risk Management Agencies (SRMAs) specified in the President's National Security Memorandum- 22 (e.g., the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Agriculture) to detect, analyze, and respond to Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors by ensuring that such agencies’ actions are aligned and mutually reinforcing. The bill directs DHS, CISA, the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and specified SRMAs to provide the task force with analysis, inspections, audits, and other relevant information necessary for the task force to carry out its responsibilities. The production and use of information must comply with all applicable statutes, regulations, and executive orders, and task force members must have appropriate security clearances to access classified information. The task force must provide annual reports and briefings to Congress detailing its assessment of cyber threats and recommendations to improve the detection and mitigation of the cybersecurity threat posed by Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors. The first report must be provided no later than 540 days after the establishment of the task force, and additional reports must be provided annually thereafter for six years.

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 This bill sets forth policies and authorities for FY2026 for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, military construction, and the national security programs of the Department of Energy (DOE). It also authorizes the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board for FY2026. The bill authorizes appropriations but it does not provide budget authority, which is provided by appropriations legislation. Among other elements, the bill authorizes the procurement of various items, including aircraft, ships, and missiles; authorizes active duty and reserve component personnel strength levels; authorizes specified military construction projects and extends the authorization of certain projects from previous fiscal years; requires DOD to develop a strategy on the national security implications of emerging biotechnologies; requires the Navy to implement certain processes to improve the material condition and combat readiness of Navy surface ships maintained and repaired at private shipyards; extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (an initiative to enhance U.S. deterrence and defense posture, assure allies and partners, and increase capability and readiness in the Indo-Pacific region) through FY2026; and repeals various statutory provisions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion within DOD, including a provision establishing the position of Chief Diversity Officer of DOD. For additional information on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) see In Focus IF10516, Defense Primer: Navigating the NDAA , and In Focus IF10515, Defense Primer: The NDAA Process .

Held at the desk.

Cyber PIVOTT Act

ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mrs. Biggs (SC) asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 1000, a bill originally introduced by Representative Green (TN), for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.