Wyden blasts cyber threat-sharing bill

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) lambasted a controversial cybersecurity threat-sharing measure after it passed the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday. 

The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) is a “surveillance bill by another name” and does not include adequate privacy protections, Wyden said in a statement following the committee markup. 

{mosads}“I am concerned that the bill the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence reported today lacks adequate protections for the privacy rights of American consumers, and that it will have a limited impact on U.S. cybersecurity,” Wyden said. 

The Oregon Democrat was the lone dissenter during the 14-1 vote, which took place in a closed session. Fifteen privacy-related amendments were offered during the proceedings; 12 were adopted in full or in part. 

CISA’s passage is a key priority for major corporations, government officials and lawmakers. But some Democrats and privacy advocates have expressed concerns about the bill. 

The progress of the legislation was delayed for several weeks while the Intelligence Committee fielded privacy concerns from the White House and some lawmakers. 

Senate leaders are expected to move the bill to the floor for final votes as soon as possible. 

Wyden declined to discuss his CISA vote with The Hill after the markup.

—Cory Bennett contributed.