HR 3259 Introduced – Russia Cybersecurity

Earlier this month Rep. Speier (D,CA) introduced HR 3259, the Preventing Usurpation Through International Networks (PUTIN) Act. The bill would prevent participation in a US-Russian cybersecurity unit. This bill is very similar to HR 3191.

Section 2 of the bill is slightly less expansive in its exclusion as the one found in HR 3191, stating:

“No Federal funds may be used to establish or support a cybersecurity unit in which the Government of the Russian Federation, or any individual acting on behalf of such Government, is a participant.”

Moving Forward

Neither Speier nor any of her 12 cosponsors are members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the committee to which this bill was referred for consideration. This makes this bill even less likely than HR 3191 to be considered by the Committee.

Commentary

The language of this bill is slightly less inclusive in the programs that might be expected to be prohibited, but it is still potentially restrictive of politically inoffensive law enforcement activities.

I do, however, have to give grudging kudos to Ms Speier’s staff for coming up with a bill name that results in a cutely offensive acronym.

Bills Introduced – 07-15-17

Yesterday with only the House in Washington there were 26 bills introduced. Of those only one may be of specific interest to readers of this blog:

HR 3259 To prohibit the use of Federal funds for the establishment or support of a cybersecurity unit with the Russian Federation, and for other purposes. Rep. Speier, Jackie [D-CA-14]

As with HR 3191 and S 1544 this is almost certainly more of a political statement than a viable attempt at legislation, but it will be followed here due to its potential effects on cybersecurity activities in the federal government.

Bills Introduced – 07-12-17

Yesterday with both the House and Senate in session there were 46 bills introduced. Of those, four may be of specific interest to readers of this blog:

HR 3191 To prohibit the use of Federal funds to establish, support, or otherwise promote a joint cybersecurity initiative with Russia, and for other purposes. Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-13]

HR 3198 To provide for Federal Aviation Administration research and development, and for other purposes. Rep. Knight, Stephen [R-CA-25]

HR 3202 To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a report on cyber vulnerability disclosures, and for other purposes. Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]

S 1544 A bill to prevent Federal funds from being used to establish a cybersecurity unit in cooperation with the Russian Federation.  Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

HR 3191 and S 1544 are almost certainly political statements rather than a serious attempt at legislating, but they will be followed here for their potential effects on cybersecurity programs of the US government.

HR 3198 will only be followed if it includes cybersecurity provisions.

I will be watching HR 3202 for possible specific language related to industrial control systems.