WASHINGTON—The Senate has blocked a cybersecurity bill that had strong support from credit unions and other groups.
The bill went down to defeat even as new revelations were being made about a significant hacking of U.S. government personnel files.
As is often the case in Congress, the bill was voted down for reasons that went beyond the legislation itself. While many Democrats had said they shared concerns over cybersecurity, they also opposed the bill because it was being attached as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, a move that many Democrats, including President Obama, oppose. Several Republicans also voted against the measure, as well.
The legislation had been aimed at increasing the public/private sharing of cyberthreats and related data as a means of preventing and better responding to data breaches.
"We don't oppose the bill," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), the leading Democrat of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a coauthor of the cybersecurity bill. “We just want it to come separately on this basis. This was done in intelligence, there haven't been public hearings. What we have said all along is it would go to the floor, there would be an opportunity for people to do amendments, to have debate, and I think that's very important that we keep our word."
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who had gambled that the news surrounding the breach of federal employee data would help assure passage of the bill, was critical of those who had opposed the measure after the vote was announced.
Several members of Congress indicated they expect the bill will remain alive as standalone legislation could be put to a vote during this session.