Rockefeller draws line in the sand over critical infrastructure

A key Democrat said Wednesday he is unwilling to change a contentious provision in a cybersecurity bill that would set mandatory standards for critical infrastructure companies.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, said he is "definitely not" open to changes to the provision.

"That's just like giving up the basic national security protection of the country," he told reporters.

He said he is talking with other lawmakers about modifying the legislation, and he identified a requirement for companies to notify their customers in the event of a data breach as a possible addition.

Rockefeller is a co-sponsor of a bill from Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) that would empower the Homeland Security Department to set minimum cybersecurity standards for critical infrastructure, such as electrical grids, banks or gas pipelines. 

Supporters, including the White House, argue the standards would help to prevent a catastrophic cyberattack that could cost thousands of lives.

But Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and other Republicans argue the standards are unnecessary and would impose an unreasonable burden on companies. 

GOP House leaders have indicated they will not allow a floor vote on any legislation that creates new cybersecurity regulations.

The House passed its own cybersecurity bill, the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA), last month. The bill focuses only on encouraging companies to voluntarily share information about cyber attacks and includes no mandates.

The White House has threatened to veto CISPA, citing the lack of critical infrastructure mandates and weak privacy protections.

--Andrew Feinberg contributed

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