National Security
The Department of Justice (DoJ) today announced that a grand jury has indicted seven officers, all Russian nationals and residents, in the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), a military intelligence agency of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
DoJ has charged Aleksei Sergeyevich Morenets, Evgenii Mikhaylovich, Serebriakov, Ivan Sergeyevich Yermakov, Artem Andreyevich Malyshev, Dmitriy Sergeyevich Badin, Oleg Mikhaylovich Sotnikov, and Alexey Valerevich Minin with "computer hacking, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering."
The House Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), unanimously passed bipartisan legislation to condemn Boko Haram and highlight Nigeria's upcoming election. Specifically, the legislation (H. Res. 53), introduced by Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL), condemns the cowardly attacks on innocent men, women, and children in northeastern Nigeria urges Nigeria to hold a safe and credible election without delay.
Yesterday, a bipartisan and bicameral coalition introduced the Internet of Things (IoT) Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2019 (H.R. 1168). The legislation would establish baseline security requirements for IoT devices purchased by the federal government.
In the House, this effort is being spearheaded by Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) and Congressman Will Hurd (TX-23), the former chairman and ranking member of the IT subcommittee during the 115th Congress.
The House Oversight and Reform Committee advanced the Internet of Things (IoT) Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2019 out of Committee on June 12. The bipartisan legislation, cosponsored by Reps. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., and Will Hurd, R-Texas, would establish Federal baseline standards for all government-purchased Internet-connected devices.
A bipartisan bill setting minimum security standards for Internet of Things devices connected to federal networks passed the House Monday. The bill now awaits a Senate floor vote before heading to the president's desk.
The IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act would require the National Institute of Standards and Technology to set best practices for device security. The Office of Management and Budget would then create guidance for agencies to meet or exceed those standards.
Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Solid Start Reporting Act (H.R. 7747) as part of the Veterans COMPACT Act (H.R. 8247). The bipartisan Solid Start Reporting Act was introduced in July by Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL) and Congressman Brian Mast (R-FL).
The Solid Start Reporting Act (H.R. 7747) establishes oversight baselines for the newly created Solid Start Program, a transition program designed to contact veterans three times during the first year following their departure from the service.
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly joined President Obama in Cuba. From Kelly's office: "Congresswoman Kelly is the sole member of the Illinois Delegation on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Her district includes the largest inland port in America, 1800 farms, and manufacturers like Ford. 'I'm excited to take part in this historic trip to Cuba with the President. This trip represents an important opportunity for American trade and diplomatic relations.