Rep. Walden appoints cybersecurity working group

Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), chairman of the Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Communications and Technology, appointed three Democrats and three Republicans to a working group to study cybersecurity issues on Wednesday.

The lawmakers are Reps. Lee Terry (R-Neb.), Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Bob Latta (R-Ohio), Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.).

The group will study "legal impediments" to securing private computer networks against cyberattacks. The group will report its findings back to Walden.

“Cybersecurity is essential to maintaining our nation’s security in the 21st century,” Walden said in a statement. "This threat is not a partisan issue, and I appreciate my colleagues’ willingness to take a closer look at these complex issues and report back on their findings, which will create a foundation of expertise and understanding that will be essential as we find solutions to secure our networks."

The Senate is set to vote on a bill that would give the Homeland Security Department regulatory authority to enforce security standards for companies with computer systems crucial to the nation's economic or physical security. The bill also aims to increase information-sharing about cyber threats between the private sector and the government. 

A group of Republican senators is set to introduce their own alternative bill Thursday that would not give the government regulatory power over private systems.

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