The selection of Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) to chair the House Homeland Security Committee puts prospective cyber legislation in a good position to advance in the 119th Congress, according to lawmakers and industry stakeholders who weighed in on his new role.
“I look forward to working with the new chairman on reauthorization of CISA 2015, oversight of the administration, and other pressing national security matters,” Homeland Security ranking member Bennie Thompson (D-MS) told Inside Cybersecurity in a statement.
Garbarino is currently in his second term as chair of the panel’s cyber subcommittee. His ascension to chair of the committee came after GOP votes on July 21 and 22 to decide the next leader, following the departure of former Chairman Mark Green (R-TN) who resigned after the reconciliation law was enacted on July 4.
Bennie Thompson (D-MS), House Homeland Ranking Member
Garbarino said in a statement, “I am honored to have earned the trust and confidence of my colleagues to lead the House Committee on Homeland Security. As a lifelong New Yorker and representative of a district shaped by 9/11, I understand the stakes of this responsibility. ‘Never forget’ is more than a slogan. It is a commitment I have carried with me throughout my entire adult life and one that will continue to drive my work as Chairman.”
He added, “We have serious work ahead of us. Securing the border, confronting terrorism, strengthening our cybersecurity, and hardening our national defenses are all critical to keeping Americans safe. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the committee to take on these challenges and deliver on the mission the American people expect us to carry out.”
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) praised Garbarino at a July 22 subcommittee hearing on securing operational technology. Swalwell is ranking member for the cyber subcommittee.
“I’m excited for what that means for the full committee, but you and I have worked quite well over the past three years on this committee especially to take on our cyber challenges,” Swalwell said to Garbarino at the start of the hearing.
Swalwell said, “And to have somebody at the full committee with your cyber knowledge and expertise as our cyber threats are only escalating and AI has made that even more challenging, the threat of quantum computing and what that means for cryptology. You are the right person to help lead the committee to do that.”
Garbarino highlighted several priorities in a July 14 “Dear Colleague” letter explaining his priorities for the committee if selected to become the next chair.
At the hearing, Garbarino spoke about the need to reauthorize the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 and extend the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program run by CISA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Garbarino said, “Reauthorizing CISA 2015 will ensure we keep encouraging rapid and trusted information sharing among public and private sector entities; and Extending the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program will make sure that states and localities have reliable funding to strengthen their cybersecurity posture.”
Industry perspectives
Industry stakeholders were optimistic in their initial takes on Garbarino’s chairmanship.
Cybersecurity Coalition executive director Ari Schwartz said, “On the Cyber Subcommittee, Chairman Garbarino found many ways to work with a wide range of public and private sector partners and make progress on many of the most difficult cybersecurity issues. We look forward to working with him in his new role as Chair of the Committee.”
Mike Flynn of the Information Technology Industry Council said, "Chairman Garbarino will help elevate the cybersecurity and technology conversation on the House Homeland Committee and in Congress more broadly.”
“It is a critical time for questions of security and technology, starting with the extension of the CISA 15 and industry is confident that Chairman Garbarino will hit the ground running on day one with the gavel to advance U.S. cybersecurity priorities,” Flynn said.
The Business Software Alliance highlighted the need for cyber regulatory harmonization. Garbarino convened a March 11 subcommittee hearing on regulatory harmonization, which largely focused on CISA’s upcoming incident reporting regime.
BSA’s Henry Young commented, “The Business Software Alliance congratulates Congressman Andrew Garbarino on his election as Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee. His leadership arrives at a pivotal moment for strengthening America’s cybersecurity posture.”
“BSA looks forward to partnering closely with Chairman Garbarino to advance critical cybersecurity initiatives, including the harmonization of cybersecurity policies across government in ways that enhance our nation's resilience against evolving cyber threats and foster collaboration between government and industry,” Young said.
USTelecom’s Robert Mayer said, “Chairman Garbarino has been a steadfast partner to the connectivity community in advancing innovative policies that strengthen the security of our nation’s critical infrastructure. His leadership of the House Homeland Security Committee comes at a pivotal moment as Congress works to reauthorize key cybersecurity information-sharing authorities. We are confident he will continue to champion smart, effective policies that enhance national security, reduce regulatory burdens, and ensure the resilience of our digital infrastructure.” -- Sara Friedman (sfriedman@iwpnews.com)