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US Congressman “Thompson Statement on White House Elimination of Cyber Coordinator May 15, 2018 Press Release (WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news that the White House has eliminated the position of Cybersecurity Coordinator on the National Security Council:

“A lot has changed since the last time John Bolton served in the White House, but after just a month in the Trump White House he is already wreaking havoc on the National Security Council. With cyber threats ever-changing and growing more sophisticated by the day, there is no logical reason to eliminate this senior position and reduce the already degraded level of cyber expertise at the White House.  Without an experienced cybersecurity coordinator to drive and advance high-level, sound federal cybersecurity policy, the Trump Administration will be less able to keep cyberspace – and critical infrastructure like our voting systems – secure from malevolent influence. #  #  # Issues: Cybersecurity https://democrats-homeland.house.gov/news/press-releases/thompson-statement-white-house-elimination-cyber-coordinator

US Congressmen “Langevin, Lieu Introduce Legislation to Re-Establish White House Cybersecurity Advisor Role MAY 15, 2018
ISSUES: CYBERSECURITY

Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA) introduced a bill today to enhance cybersecurity collaboration across the federal government by creating a permanent director of cybersecurity policy in the White House.

Recent news reports indicate that President Trump has eliminated the role of special assistant to the President and cybersecurity coordinator at the urging of National Security Advisor John Bolton. Langevin and Lieu’s bill, the Executive Cyberspace Coordination Act, would create a cyber advisory position by consolidating cybersecurity policy responsibilities in a National Office for Cyberspace in the Executive Office of the President.

“We have had three excellent cybersecurity coordinators since the late Howard Schmidt originated the position. It is an enormous step backwards to deemphasize the importance of this growing domain within the White House,” said Congressman Langevin, the co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus.

“We need a designated expert to harmonize cyber policy across the many agencies in government with responsibility in this space. We also need clear communication of Administration positions on cybersecurity challenges, whether during major incidents or when establishing norms of responsible state behavior in cyberspace. I’m proud to work with Congressman Lieu to not only reinstitute this cyber coordinator position, but also enhance the role’s power to make government more effective.”

“The decision to eliminate the top White House cyber policy role is outrageous, especially given that we’re facing more hostile threats from foreign adversaries than ever before,” said Congressman Lieu. “This move impedes our country’s strategic efforts to counter cybersecurity threats against our country. Fortunately, our bill will fill in those holes in government cybersecurity oversight by creating a National Office for Cyberspace in the White House. A coordinated effort to keep our information systems safe is paramount if we want to counter the cyber threats posed by foes like Russia, Iran and China. To do anything less is a direct threat to national security. I am grateful to Congressman Langevin for his leadership on this critical issue.”

In addition to creating the National Office for Cyberspace, the bill would establish a Senate-confirmed director of the office with responsibility for recommending security measures and budgets for federal agencies, coordinating issues relating to cyberspace across the government while promoting civil liberties, and centralizing defense of federal information infrastructure in the event of a large-scale attack. Congressman Langevin has advocated for increased oversight of federal cybersecurity activities since he served as co-chair of the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th Presidency, and the bill is based on recommendations from the Commission’s report that have yet to be implemented.

President Obama originated the role of special assistant to the President and cybersecurity coordinator in 2009 with the appointment of longtime civil servant and cybersecurity luminary Howard Schmidt. He was succeeded by Michael Daniel in 2012. President Trump’s cybersecurity coordinator, Rob Joyce, announced in April that he would be returning to the National Security Agency this month.

This legislation is cosponsored by Langevin and Lieu’s colleagues, Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Denny Heck (D-WA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Bobby Rush (D-IL), and C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).

Full Text of Executive Cyberspace Coordination Act https://langevin.house.gov/sites/langevin.house.gov/files/documents/Executive_Cyberspace_Coordination_Act_2018.pdf ” https://langevin.house.gov/press-release/langevin-lieu-introduce-legislation-re-establish-white-house-cybersecurity-advisor

Note that US Congressman Bennie Thompson’s name is not here. Is he not supporting the legislation? Is he proposing alternative legislation? Did they forget his name?

Emphasis our own throughout.