Technology

A procedural motion to move forward on the Cybersecurity Act was rejected Wednesday in a 51-47 vote.

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.

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) urged his colleagues Wednesday to advance a motion to vote on the Cybersecurity Act of 2012.

The Senate will hold a procedural vote Wednesday evening on S. 3414 for a second time, in order to try and advance a bill that would implement infrastructure changes to public and private sectors to protect them from a cyberattack.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said he hopes to reach an agreement with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to hold a vote on the Cybersecurity Act and Sportsmen’s Act on Wednesday.

Reid said the Cybersecurity Act was one of the most important national security issues facing Congress.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced Tuesday the Senate would hold a vote on cybersecurity legislation before leaving for Thanksgiving break.

Reid also said he’d like to move onto the Defense Authorization bill, but doesn’t expect to hold a vote by Thanksgiving.

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) on Wednesday indicated he might push for tougher privacy laws in response to a case in which several computer rental companies programmed computers to spy on customers in their own homes.

"I was dumbfounded when I heard about this case," Barton said Wednesday. "How can any company believe that it is OK to secretly gather data such as medical records, keystrokes and even taking webcam pictures of unknowing customers inside their homes?

Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.) used the anniversary of Sept. 11 to highlight a looming security threat — a cyberattack.

Coats said Congress must act on the cybersecurity bill before it’s too late, comparing it to the intelligence breakdowns ahead of 9/11.

Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) applauded the U.S. Department of Commerce’s appointment Monday of 12 members to the Board of First Responder Network Authority, also known as “FirstNet.”

The Wireless Innovation and Public Safety Act created a public safety broadband network for first responders so that there wouldn’t be network interference during emergencies since they’d have designated broadband lines for emergency purposes. The bill, signed by President Obama in February, mandated the creation of a single, nationwide interoperable broadband network for America’s first responders.

The Senate chamber is undergoing some restoration work over the August break to have its telecommunications equipment upgraded, as well as some "floor action" of a sort — an assessment and repair of the Senate floor, plus a new carpet.

The Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms said the work is expected to take all of the five weeks of break to complete, and said the new carpet will be identical in design to the one currently in the chamber.

The failure likely kills any legislative action on cybersecurity this year, punting efforts to 2013.