Senate

McConnell: Stalled cyber bill next on agenda

by Jordain Carney - 10/20/15 3:08 PM ET

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says that a long-stalled cyber bill is next on the Senate’s agenda.

“It’s my plan to move to cybersecurity. We have an agreement to get on the bill. We have a number of amendments in the queue,” the Kentucky Republican told reporters on Tuesday.

{mosads}The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) has been stalled for months because of a packed Senate floor schedule and a fight from privacy advocates over the legislation, which is meant to increase the ability to share information on cyber threats between the government and businesses.

McConnell’s remarks come after outside groups watching the cyber bill expected that it could come up this week after Democrats blocked a bill to crack down on sanctuary cities in a procedural vote earlier Tuesday.

CISA originally came to the Senate floor earlier this year ahead of the August recess. Lawmakers punted on the legislation but agreed to consider at least 22 amendment with no limit on time when the legislation was brought back up.

McConnell, however, added that the Senate could take a vote on final passage of the cyber bill “as soon as next week.”

“This is legislation that we are confident that we can pass,” he added. “We intend to see it through completion hopefully next week.”

Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), separately, said that the Senate could tackle the cyber bill “in a couple of days” if it can get cooperation from lawmakers.

—Cory Bennett contributed.

Tags Mitch McConnell Richard Burr