Reid rejects McCain's call to delay cybersecurity, vows to push ahead

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) shot back at Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on Tuesday, saying that cybersecurity legislation is too important to delay.

McCain criticized Reid on Monday for scheduling cybersecurity legislation ahead of a Defense authorization bill.

McCain accused Reid of being "oblivious" to the country's national security needs and said the Cybersecurity Act backed by Reid and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) is "flawed."

But in a floor speech, Reid quoted McCain's past statements about the importance of passing cybersecurity legislation.

He noted that McCain made the comments a year ago, but he said the threat has only grown worse.

"Failing to act on cybersecurity legislation not only puts our national security at risk, it recklessly endangers members of our armed forces and their missions around the world," Reid said. "If we’re serious about protecting our troops, we must protect them against cyberattacks.” 

Lieberman's Cybersecurity Act would encourage companies and the government to share information about cyberthreats and would incentivize critical infrastructure, such as electric grids and gas pipelines, to meet cybersecurity standards.

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