West Houston News

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has called for an investigation into reported cyber attacks on vital US infrastructure by hackers affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The lawmakers sent a letter to Jen Easterly, Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), expressing concerns over recent reporting that suggests Chinese state-sponsored threat actors infiltrated at least two dozen critical transportation infrastructure entities in 2023.

The letter, obtained by The Daily Caller, was signed by Chairman Troy Nehls and Ranking Member Donald Payne, Jr. of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, along with Chairman Andrew Garbarino and Ranking Member Eric Swalwell of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection. In the letter, the lawmakers requested an in-person bipartisan briefing to learn more about the national security issue.

The Washington Post initially reported that "hackers affiliated with China’s People’s Liberation Army have burrowed into the computer systems of about two dozen critical entities over the past year." The lawmakers referred to this report in their letter and highlighted the significance of the situation.

Chairman Nehls expressed his concerns about the potential impact of these cyber attacks on the nation's security and infrastructure. He stated, "The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is one of our nation’s greatest foreign adversaries." Nehls emphasized the need to protect the country's supply chains, energy security, and national security from the CCP's attempts to disrupt and destroy them. He added, "I’m proud to lead a bipartisan letter to the Biden Administration’s Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to ensure that the administration is taking the appropriate measures to protect our country from these blatant attacks and protect our nation’s transportation systems and energy security."

The lawmakers' call for an investigation reflects growing concerns about the increasing cyber threats posed by foreign adversaries. With China's ambitions and the potential for escalating tactics, it is crucial to address the vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and take proactive measures to safeguard national security.

The request for a bipartisan briefing demonstrates the lawmakers' commitment to working together to address this issue. By seeking more information and understanding the extent of the cyber attacks, they aim to ensure that the appropriate measures are taken to protect the country's critical infrastructure.

The investigation into the reported CCP 'attacks' on vital US infrastructure highlights the importance of cybersecurity and the need for continued vigilance in safeguarding the nation's critical systems.

To find out more, go to this link: https://nehls.house.gov/media/press-releases/exclusive-bipartisan-group-lawmakers-call-investigation-reported-ccp-attacks