WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, has filed several amendments to the FY19 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that will benefit the nation’s overall defense strategy by strengthening our cybersecurity practices and streamlining the security clearance process. 

One of Sen. Warner’s amendments would require the United States to amend the U.S. cyber-doctrine, establishing that the U.S. will respond accordingly should a foreign adversary launch a cyber-attack in order to undermine our elections. Sen. Warner also filed a similar amendment to the NDAA last year. Additional amendments would address the 700,000-person background investigation backlog and modernize an antiquated security clearance system. Suggested provisions include requiring the implementation of specific goals to reduce the backlog, and bringing transparency to the true costs associated with the clearance process. In addition, he has introduced an amendment to provide a fix for federal employees who have, following passage of the GOP’s tax bill last year, been subject to additional taxes after moving for work. 

“The sophisticated cyber effort by Russia during the 2016 presidential election made clear just how unprepared we are as a nation to address cyber threats posed by foreign adversaries. That is why I have offered an amendment that would require a direct response by the U.S. should a foreign adversary attempt to intervene and undermine the integrity of local, state, or federal elections,” said Sen. Warner. “In addition, I have also offered much-needed fixes to streamline and modernize our outdated security clearance process, and address a tax code that leaves many federal workers on the hook for costs associated with relocating for work. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure we provide the proper resources and support our military needs in this year’s defense budget.”

Text of Sen. Warner’s amendments is available here. 

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