WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Barbara Comstock (R-VA) along with U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help state, local, and tribal governments more effectively counter cyber threats.
According to a 2015 Ponemon Institute study, 50 percent of state and local governments faced 6 to 25 cyber breaches in the past 24 months. In the past year hackers also breached more than 200,000 personal voter records in Illinois and Arizona. Most states currently use less than two percent of their IT budget on cybersecurity.
The State Cyber Resiliency Act would set up a cyber security grant program that would provide resources for states to develop and implement effective cyber resiliency plans. This includes efforts to identify, detect, protect, respond, and recover from cyber threats. It also encourages states to invest in the cybersecurity workforce.
read more: https://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/representatives-kilmer-and-comstock-along-with-senators-warner_gardner-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-help-state-local-and-tribal-governments-counter-cyber-attacks-
In other news from our congressional delegation to Washington DC:
Sen. Murray: We Need Independent Investigation into Trump Campaign’s Contact with Russia, Attorney General Must Recuse Himself
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement:
“The new reports of communication between the most senior levels of the Trump Campaign and Russia are deeply troubling, and they underscore why it’s so critical to begin an independent investigation immediately to get the full scope of what happened, who was involved, and why. This isn’t about politics—this is about the integrity of our elections, our national security, and our standing around the world, and no member of Congress should stand in the way of a thorough investigation.
“With new reports that Attorney General Sessions not only had contact with Russians during the campaign but that he also misled the American people and members of Congress during his confirmation hearing, it is clearer than ever that this matter warrants further investigation. If he indeed lied, I expect him to resign. In the meantime, Attorney General Sessions should recuse himself from participating from any investigation in any way.”
http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=9B7A3EC0-D734-4522-8DF5-9B23DEEF4DE5
Sen. Murray to Vote No on Gov. Perry for Energy Secretary: Unqualified to Make Critical Energy Decisions, Uphold Government’s Commitment to Hanford Cleanup
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that she will be voting no on President Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Energy, Governor Rick Perry. In a speech on the Senate floor, Sen. Murray outlined her concerns with his lack of experience with Department of Energy programs, and his loyalty to big oil and corporations rather than advancing our country’s energy challenges, or fighting for working families. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray is committed to making sure the federal government fulfills its legal and moral obligation to clean up Hanford in a safe and timely manner and support critical research and development conducted at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
“Here we are again, debating yet another cabinet nominee sent over from the White House– this time, Governor Rick Perry—whose interests have been more closely aligned with those of Big Oil and corporations rather than advancing our country’s energy challenges, or fighting for the working families we represent,” said Senator Murray. “Getting the job should be borne of a solid understanding of the agency, a respect for the tens of thousands of workers they would lead, and most importantly, a commitment to putting families across the country first. So as a voice for my home state of Washington—where DOE’s presence is extremely important—I will vote no on Governor Perry’s nomination. And I urge my colleagues to do the same.”
http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=A17EB3A6-91EC-431E-9B18-6C91BE22DDE8
Sen. Murray to Vote No on Dr. Carson for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: We Need an Experienced Leader to Fight the Homelessness Epidemic and Address Affordable Housing
(Washington, D.C.) — Today, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement on voting against Dr. Ben Carson for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“At a time when so many families in Washington state are struggling with the rapidly rising costs of housing, I believe Dr. Ben Carson is the wrong choice to lead the agency that directly affects them– and I will be voting no on his nomination. HUD is often the last line of defense in our country when it comes to combatting homelessness and promoting affordability, and I am deeply concerned that Dr. Carson’s past comments run counter to the department’s essential functions. As I continue to fight to help make sure the federal government is a partner to communities in Washington state and around the country to address housing affordability, I am concerned Dr. Carson does not have a strong commitment to the very federal programs he would oversee, nor the management experience to provide the strong leadership that is needed.”
Senator Murray has been a long-time champion for HUD programs like McKinney Vento, Section 8 vouchers, and HUD-VASH that work to get people off the streets and into safe, appropriate housing, and she has continually worked to help ensure these programs receive critical federal support. In 2008, Senator Murray helped restart the HUD-VASH program and has continued to help fund it every year since. Since 2008, more than 79,000 vouchers have been awarded and over 111,000 homeless veterans have been served through HUD-VASH.
http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=6A52C3F7-0796-49D8-A356-DB6C6632880B
Cantwell Statement on AG Sessions’ Undisclosed Meetings with Russian Officials
Cantwell: “There are still too many questions left unanswered”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement in response to the news that Attorney General Jeff Sessions had failed to disclose two meetings he had taken with Russian officials during the 2016 presidential campaign. Since news of the meetings broke, Sessions, in the face of public pressure, announced he would recuse himself from any investigation into the presidential campaigns, including contacts between the Trump campaign and Russian officials and operatives.
“After his contact with Russian officials during the Trump campaign, it’s only appropriate that Attorney General Sessions recuse himself from these investigations; however, I am troubled by the timing of his decision. Why did it take allegations of wrong-doing for him to come to this decision rather than disclosing these meetings during his confirmation hearings?
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-statement-on-ag-sessions-undisclosed-meetings-with-russian-officials
Murray, Cantwell Ask DOJ to Uphold Existing Policy on State Marijuana Laws
Letter Expresses Concern Regarding Recent Remarks by Sean Spicer on Federal Enforcement
Washington, D.C. – Today, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators, including Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions expressing concern that the Trump administration may begin enforcing federal law in states that have legalized marijuana. It asks the U.S. Department of Justice to clarify the Trump administration’s policy on law enforcement in states that have legalized the recreational use of marijuana.
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/murray-cantwell-ask-doj-to-uphold-existing-policy-on-state-marijuana-laws
Cantwell Statement on President Trump’s Address to Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement following President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress:
“President Trump’s call for ‘flexibility’ sounds a lot like the Paul Ryan plan on Medicaid. Capping Medicaid would take health care from millions, kill jobs and local economies, shutter hospitals and clinics, and shift billions of dollars in costs to states and local governments. We need to continue innovating in health care to drive better care at lower cost – not cut, cap, and block grant Medicaid. I will continue fighting to protect health care access and bring costs down for working Washingtonians and for all Americans.”
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-statement-on-president-trumps-address-to-congress
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News Notebook
Marine Corrosion Protection Workshop Offered
Washington Sea Grant, WSU Jefferson County Extension and the NW School of Wooden Boatbuilding are co-sponsoring a Marine Corrosion Protection Workshop Sunday, March 19, 2017.
This is a hands-on class for marine professionals and boat owners (both commercial and recreational). This workshop is being taught by Kevin Ritz, a ABYC certified Master Marine Technician and Certification Instructor in Electrical, Corrosion and Systems.
http://www.portofpa.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=141
