Volume 167, No. 124, covering the 1st Session of the 117th Congress (2021 – 2022), was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY PREPAREDNESS CONSORTIUM ACT OF 2021” mentioning Catherine Cortez Masto was published in the Senate section on pages S4932-S4933 on July 15.
Of the 100 senators in 117th Congress, 24 percent were women, and 76 percent were men, according to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
Senators’ salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY PREPAREDNESS CONSORTIUM ACT OF 2021
Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 73, S. 658.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The clerk will report the bill by title.
The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (S. 658) to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to work with cybersecurity consortia for training, and for other purposes.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill (S. 658) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed 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. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act–
(1) the term “consortium” means a group primarily composed of nonprofit entities, including academic institutions, that develop, update, and deliver cybersecurity training in support of homeland security;
(2) 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));
(3) the term “Department” means the Department of Homeland Security; and
(4) the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Homeland Security.
SEC. 3. NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY PREPAREDNESS CONSORTIUM.
(a) In General.–The Secretary may work with a consortium to support efforts to address cybersecurity risks and incidents.
(b) Assistance to the NCCIC.–The Secretary may work with a consortium to assist the national cybersecurity and communications integration center of the Department
(established under section 2209 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 659)) to–
(1) provide training to State 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 programs and models in accordance with such section 2209, for State and local first responders and officials, related to cybersecurity risks and incidents;
(3) provide technical assistance services to build and sustain capabilities in support of preparedness for and response to cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of terrorism and acts of terrorism, in accordance with such section 2209;
(4) conduct cross-sector cybersecurity training and simulation exercises for entities, including State and local governments, 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 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; and
(6) help incorporate cybersecurity risk and incident prevention and response into existing State and local emergency plans, including continuity of operations 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) Any prior experience conducting cybersecurity training and exercises for State and local entities.
(2) Geographic diversity of the members of any such consortium so as to cover different regions throughout the United States.
(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 historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other minority-serving institutions, regarding opportunities to support efforts to address cybersecurity risks and incidents, by working with the Secretary under subsection (a).
SEC. 4. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act 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.
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