U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Lansing) on Wednesday unveiled her priorities as Co-Chair of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus for the 118th Congress.
Slotkin was named Co-Chair of the caucus, which is devoted to supporting cybersecurity legislation in Congress, by former Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI), who retired at the conclusion of the 117th Congress. Slotkin will chair the Caucus alongside Rep. Mike McCaul (R-TX), who co-founded the caucus with Langevin in 2008.
Slotkin said her cybersecurity priorities for the 118th Congress include:
• Raising awareness of the threat of cyberattacks to local institutions, such as K-12 schools, hospitals, local governments, and small businesses, and the steps that they can take to protect themselves;
• Expanding access to cybersecurity tools and resources among the general public so all Americans can stay safe online; and
• Strengthening public-private partnerships for securing critical infrastructure against cyberattacks.
“With the threat of cyberattacks to our local communities and our national institutions on the rise, it’s never been more important for Congress to work in a bipartisan way to address cybersecurity challenges head-on,” said Slotkin. “Cybersecurity is no longer just an abstract tech issue — ordinary Americans are increasingly on the front lines of these attacks. As we’ve seen with our K-12 schools and local governments in Michigan, as well as industries like meatpacking, cyberattacks can paralyze everything from a small community to the national economy. Folks need tools to keep themselves and their data safe online, and Congress must work to ensure access to these resources among the public.”
In Congress, Slotkin has been a strong voice on cybersecurity issues, particularly as they relate to protecting local businesses, schools, and governments. Last June, she held a field hearing of the Intelligence & Counterterrorism Subcommittee in Lansing to examine the threat of ransomware attacks to local communities and stakeholders in Michigan.
Slotkin also hosted National Cyber Director Chris Inglis in August, who joined her in visiting The Wilson Talent Center, Lansing Community College, and the Michigan State Police’s Cyber Command Center, with a focus on incentivizing and expanding cybersecurity career opportunities for young people.
She has sponsored a number of bills covering cybersecurity, including the K-12 Cybersecurity Act, which was signed into law in October, 2021.
