Technology

A group of GOP senators introduced a new version of their cybersecurity bill, the Secure IT Act, on Wednesday.

The bill, backed by Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) and others, is similar to the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) that passed the House in April. The bill is an alternative to the measure favored by the Senate Democratic leadership and the White House. 

Like CISPA, Secure IT would remove legal barriers that prevent companies from sharing information about cyber threats with one another and with the government.

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) urged the Senate to pass his cybersecurity bill in a floor speech on Wednesday, warning that July could be the final opportunity to address the issue.

He predicted that the lame-duck session following the election will be consumed by budget and tax issues. 

"The truth is, if we don't take it up in July and see if we've got the votes … we're not going to be able to pass this legislation in a way that's timely and allows us to go to conference, reach an agreement and send the bill to the president," Lieberman said.

Paul's bill is aimed at preventing "unwarranted governmental intrusion" through the use of drones, according to the lawmaker.

"I put everyone on notice: We are going to move to this bill” soon, the Senate majority leader said.

Sen. Schumer has been derided for his bill aimed at punishing people who renounce their citizenship to avoid taxes.

Two House Democrats have proposed legislation that would prohibit employers from asking employees to provide passwords to the social networking sites they use as a condition of keeping their jobs, or of being hired in the first place.

"There have been a number of reports about employers requiring new applicants to give their username and password as part of the hiring process," said Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.). "The same has occurred at some schools and universities."

The House on Friday morning approved two cybersecurity bills, following Thursday's approval of a bill making it easier for companies to share information with the government about cyber threats.

The two bills considered Friday were non-controversial, and approved easily under a suspension of House rules.

The House on Thursday evening quickly approved a second cybersecurity bill, H.R. 4257, the Federal Information Security Amendments act.

The bill is aimed at updating the federal government's responsibility to manage its information systems so as to best thwart cyber threats. But according to Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), the current law on the books, the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), is not enough.

Members approved the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act in a 248-168 vote.

The House on Thursday evening considered all 16 amendments to the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection act, H.R. 3523, and disposed of them.

The House originally seemed ready to pass the bill on Friday, but will now approve it Thursday evening. Amendment vote results follow here: