Senate Votes to Consider Cybersecurity Act of 2012

Senators agree to start debating amendments on bill and, eventually, vote on it

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 7/26/2012 4:05:12 PM

The Senate voted 84-11 Thursday to proceed to debate, amendment and a vote on the Cybersecurity Act of 2012 (S. 3414).

Only 60 votes were needed, but bill opponents had said they were ready to support the cloture vote shutting off debate and bringing the bill to the floor. That came after Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) agreed to an open amendment process.

The bill, as currently constituted, provides for voluntary cybersecurity standards, but also authorizes agencies that regulate critical infrastructure -- like the FCC -- to codify and enforce those standards. Republican opponents of the bill say that removes any semblance of voluntary. It also allows for information sharing among industry players, with antitrust and liability carve-outs, and gives ISPs authority to monitor traffic and take countermeasures.