Rep. Swalwell Votes to Protect Cyber Networks

"Leaders from the technology industry, homeland security and our military have unequivocally stated that the United States is dangerously at risk of suffering a 'Cyber-Pearl Harbor.' We have a responsibility to protect our country against cyber threats and we have critical weaknesses to address. I voted today for the bipartisan CISPA legislation because the cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of action. CISPA is a good first step to better protect our infrastructure, businesses, intellectual property and people from cyber-hackers. I'm proud to represent Northern Silicon Valley, where much of our online innovation is generated, and recognize the necessity of taking actionable steps to protect our networks.

"This bill is not perfect, but we can't let perfect be the enemy of the good. I had initial concerns that CISPA didn't go far enough to protect privacy and civil liberties, but an amendment passed in the House improved the bill by emphasizing civilian agency control of private data. I think we can still do better, and I'll work as a Member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Committee on Science, Space, and Technology to see that any cybersecurity legislation that reaches the President's desk addresses cyber-threats while sufficiently protecting privacy and civil liberties."