Lawmakers roll out legislation to defend pipelines against cyber threats

A bipartisan group of over a dozen House lawmakers have reintroduced legislation to defend pipelines against cyberattacks, with the bill coming on the heels of the devastating ransomware attack that forced the shutdown of Colonial Pipeline.

The Pipeline Security Act would codify the responsibility of both the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) responsibility for securing pipelines against threats. The effort is being led by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.).

It would also require TSA to update pipeline security guidelines and conduct risk assessments, create a personnel strategy for staffing its Pipeline Security Section and improve congressional oversight of TSA’s pipeline efforts. 

The legislation was previously introduced by Cleaver in 2019, but it failed to get a vote in the House. 

It is being rolled out again a week after the Colonial Pipeline, which provides 45 percent of the East Coat’s fuel supply, shut down operations to protect operational controls against a ransomware attack on its IT system, causing gas shortages in multiple states. 

The pipeline resumed operations earlier this week after Colonial paid the hackers — who President BidenJoe BidenFauci says school should be open ‘full blast’ five days a week in the fall Overnight Defense: Military sexual assault reform bill has votes to pass in Senate l First active duty service member arrested over Jan. 6 riot l Israeli troops attack Gaza Strip Immigration experts say GOP senators questioned DHS secretary with misleading chart MORE said were based in Russia — the equivalent of almost $5 million to regain access to its networks. 

“It’s become clear that cyber-attacks on our critical infrastructure are national security and economic threats to the homeland,” Cleaver said in a statement on Friday. “The recent ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline, which caused the shutdown of thousands of miles of gas pipeline along the East Coast, was just the latest example of why Congress must act swiftly to harden our critical infrastructure and bolster our cybersecurity capabilities.”

The bill is cosponsored by multiple other lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie ThompsonBennie Gordon ThompsonHouse lawmakers roll out bill to invest 0 million in state and local cybersecurity House Democrats eye vote next week to form Jan. 6 commission Biden administration, Congress unite in effort to tackle ransomware attacks MORE (D-Miss.) and ranking member John KatkoJohn Michael KatkoHouse lawmakers roll out bill to invest 0 million in state and local cybersecurity Pentagon removing Chinese tech giant from blacklist after court loss Hillicon Valley: Feds eye more oversight of pipelines after Colonial attack | White House monitoring fuel shortages | Democrats urge Facebook to reverse WhatsApp update | Biden announces deal with Uber, Lyft for free vaccine rides MORE (R-N.Y.). 

Thompson said in a statement Friday that the legislation would help ensure the federal response to cyber threats against pipelines is “rapid, clear, and consistent.”

“Both physical and cybersecurity threats to our infrastructure have the potential to harm our economy, undermine our national defense, and interrupt our daily lives,” Thompson said. “The attack on the Colonial Pipeline this week was just one example of what could go wrong and it’s clear we may not be as lucky in the future if we don’t adjust.”

Katko also underlined the importance of securing pipelines, noting in a separate statement that he would “continue working in a bipartisan manner” to protect critical infrastructure against future attacks. 

“The recent ransomware attack against Colonial Pipeline Company further highlights the threats facing our nation’s critical infrastructure and the potential cascading impacts cyber attacks can have on our economy,” Katko said. “With attacks of this nature on the rise, it’s more important than ever to strengthen our cyber resilience.”

Other sponsors of the bill are Reps. Bonnie Watson ColemanBonnie Watson ColemanBiden takes victory lap after Senate passes coronavirus relief package Senate approves sweeping coronavirus measure in partisan vote Progressives won’t oppose bill over limits on stimulus checks MORE (D-N.J.), Yvette ClarkeYvette Diane ClarkeHillicon Valley: Global cybersecurity leaders say they feel unprepared for attack | Senate Commerce Committee advances Biden’s FTC nominee Lina Khan | Senate panel approves bill that would invest billions in tech House lawmakers roll out bill to invest 0 million in state and local cybersecurity Feds eye more oversight of pipelines after Colonial attack MORE (D-N.Y.), Sheila Jackson LeeSheila Jackson LeeVictims’ relatives hold Capitol Hill meetings to push police reform Democrats debate timing and wisdom of reparations vote House panel approves bill to set up commission on reparations MORE (D-Texas), Jim LangevinJames (Jim) R. LangevinFeds eye more oversight of pipelines after Colonial attack Lawmakers push for increased cybersecurity funds in annual appropriations Biden takes quick action on cyber in first 100 days MORE (D-R.I.), Lou CorreaJose (Lou) Luis CorreaHouse moderates signal concerns with Pelosi drug pricing bill Moderate Democrats warn leaders against meddling in Iowa race Rep. Lou Correa tests positive for COVID-19 MORE (D-Calif.), Al GreenAlexander (Al) N. GreenBipartisan lawmakers call for action on anti-hate crime measures House Democrat sits on Capitol steps to protest extremist threat Biden pledges support for Texas amid recovery from winter storm MORE (D-Texas), Eric SwalwellEric Michael SwalwellMcCarthy open to meeting officer injured on Jan. 6 after Swalwell claims he was ‘hung up on’ McCarthy brushes off questions about GOP lawmakers downplaying Jan. 6 violence GOP struggles to rein in nativism MORE (D-Calif.), Dina TitusAlice (Dina) Costandina TitusHouse Democrats introduce bill to address diversity at State Department Coordinated federal leadership is needed for recovery of US travel and tourism Shakespeare Theatre Company goes virtual for ‘Will on the Hill…or Won’t They?’ MORE (D-Nev.), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.), Elaine LuriaElaine Goodman LuriaMcAuliffe holds wide lead in Virginia gubernatorial primary: poll Lauren Underwood endorses Jennifer Carroll Foy in Virginia governors race Northam backing McAuliffe in Virginia governor’s race MORE (D-Va.), Richie Torres (D-N.Y.), and Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.).

The House Homeland Security Committee is intending to take action quickly on the bill, with the committee set to mark up this legislation and other cybersecurity-related measures next week. 

Other bills set to be discussed is the CISA Cyber Exercise Act, introduced by Rep. Elissa SlotkinElissa Slotkin House Republicans pressuring Democrats to return donations from Ocasio-Cortez Democrats move smaller immigration bills while eyeing broad overhaul On The Money: Biden celebrates relief bill with Democratic leaders | Democrats debate fast-track for infrastructure package MORE (D-Mich.) earlier on Friday, and the State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act, introduced by a group of bipartisan sponsors earlier this week.