Grassley compares rushing vote on cybersecurity bill to 'ObamaCare'

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said Wednesday that rushing a vote on the Cybersecurity Act is “eerily reminiscent of the conversation we had about ObamaCare.”

The Senate is holding a second vote to advance the Cybersecurity Act, which would encourage companies that operate critical infrastructure — such as water plants, electric companies and transportation networks — to take steps to boost the security of their computer systems and networks. It also aims to make it easier for industry to share information about cyber threats spotted on their networks with the government.

Grassley said S. 3414 would only increase federal government bureaucracy.

Some Republicans opposed the bill last time because the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said it included burdensome regulations on businesses. Grassley said the bill still hasn’t addressed those problems and that the vote was just a way for the Democrats to paint Republicans as obstructionists.

“If we’re truly serious about it, we’ll treat [cybersecurity] with the seriousness it deserves,” Grassley said. “Are we to once again pass a bill so that then the American people can read it?

“Rushing something through that will impact the country in such a massive way is not good for this country and is not good for this body.”

Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) introduced the measure, which failed to advance in August. Reid promised to give the bill a second opportunity before Thanksgiving.

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