S 1260 Debate Continues – Endless Frontiers Act – 5-19-21

Yesterday the Senate continued their debate on S 1260, the Endless Frontiers Act. As I noted yesterday, the substitute language being considered for this bill includes a number of new cybersecurity provisions. There were votes on two amendments yesterday, neither of particular interest. There were 180 new amendments submitted, including one UAS protection amendment and four cybersecurity amendments. Debate was expected to continue today.

The UAS amendment was SA 1680, Sen Lee (R,UT) - Strike section 4411 and insert the following:

SEC. 4411. Authority to enter into contracts to protect facilities from unmanned aircraft. Pg 3167

The cybersecurity amendments were:

• SA 1534, Sen Barrasso (R,WY) - At the end of subtitle C of title I of division C, add the following:

SEC. 3124. Prohibition on importation of power inverters from countries from which cyberattacks on United States critical energy infrastructure originate. Pg S2793

• SA 1552, Sen Risch (R,ID) -  At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. XXX. Strengthening and enhancing cybersecurity usage to reach small businesses. Pg S2800

• SA 1581, Sen Manchin (D,WV) - Strike section 4252(a) and insert the following:

(a) IN GENERAL.—Title XXII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 651 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

Subtitle C—Declaration of a Significant Incident. PG S3111

• SA 1614, Sen Scott (R,FL) - At the appropriate place in title III of division F, insert the following:

SEC. 63XX. Securing the bulk-power system. Pg S3135

Two amendments, SA 1523 and SA 1518, were scheduled for votes today. Neither of these amendments address issues that I cover in this blog.