House Foreign Affairs Committee Passes Boyle Bill to Bolster Cybersecurity, US-Ukrainian Cooperation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed the Ukraine Cybersecurity Cooperation Act, legislation introduced by Congressmen Brendan F. Boyle (PA-13) and Brian K. Fitzpatrick (PA-8). The bill, H.R. 1997, would encourage cooperation between the United States and Ukraine on matters of cybersecurity and require State Department reporting to Congress on best practices to protect against future cyber attacks. The legislation may now go to the House floor for a vote on final passage.

"I am proud to advance this important bipartisan legislation with Congressman Fitzpatrick and our HFAC colleagues," said Congressman Boyle, a member of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus. "It is past time we recognize the need and opportunity to work more closely with our great friend and ally Ukraine, which is on the frontlines for nation state-directed cyber attacks. Helping Ukraine buttress its cyber defenses will also help the United States in developing new and more effective technologies and strategies in dealing with cyber security on the modern battlefield. Our cooperation towards this goal will send a strong, important signal of Western support for Ukraine at a time when it is literally fighting to protect its democratic identity from Putin."

"Cybersecurity is a complex and serious national and economic security issue for any nation. For years, Ukraine has been under siege from nation-state cyber attacks that have sought to weaken its government and undermine hopes for an open and democratic society. The United States must play an important role in this fight. By not adequately responding and adapting to these cyber-threats in Eastern Europe, our nation is both letting down an ally as well as failing to take proactive steps to protect itself," said Fitzpatrick, also a member of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus. "Standing strong with our time-tested allies in freedom's cause is liberty's best defense. I'm proud to work with my colleague, Mr. Boyle, in encouraging cooperation between the U.S. and Ukraine on this front, and look forward to continuing to work with members of the Foreign Affairs Committee to keep our focus on this 21st century battle."

Ukraine has been repeatedly targeted by cyber-attacks as a part of ongoing aggression from neighboring Russia. Congressman Boyle has been an outspoken advocate for robust U.S. - Ukraine relations and was earlier this year awarded as a "Friend of Ukraine" for his work in Congress on behalf of a sovereign, Democratic Ukraine.

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