House Panel Approves Legislation to Establish Term for CISA Leader

January 30, 2020

The House Homeland Security Committee advanced the CISA Director Reform Act, which aims to improve operations and efficiency at the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which is charged with protecting our nation from cyber threats. The legislation was authored by U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24).

Currently, the CISA Director lacks a set term, which creates uncertainty for those within the agency and in the position, says a release. Mandating a timeframe will empower the CISA Director and provide stability outside of ad hoc appointments and varying term lengths.

Modeled after The TSA Administrator Modernization Act, a measure introduced by Rep. Katko and included in last year’s FAA reauthorization package, the CISA Director Reform Act establishes consistency and continuity at the leadership of CISA by codifying a set term limit of 5 years for the CISA Director position.

“I applaud the House Homeland Security Committee for approving the CISA Director Reform Act, bipartisan legislation I introduced which aims to empower the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) by creating consistency and stability within the agency,” said Rep. Katko. “By establishing a set term limit of 5 years for the CISA Director position, my legislation will improve efficiency at the agency and provide certainty outside of the ad hoc appointments and varying term lengths that are currently in place. While this legislation takes the important step of instilling stability in CISA, I believe we must do more to further empower this agency. As the Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation, I remain committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass commonsense legislation to protect our nation against cyber threats.”

Rep. Katko was joined by Rep. Cedric Richmond, Chairman of the Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection & Innovation Subcommittee, and Rep. James Langevin in introducing this bipartisan legislation.

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House Panel Approves Legislation to Establish Term for CISA Leader

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