Senate Republicans will huddle this afternoon in a last-ditch attempt to strike a deal on passing cybersecurity legislation before the August recess.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., postponed a vote to advance the legislation by several hours Wednesday to give the two parties a chance to work out an agreement on amendments that lawmakers say are needed to strengthen privacy provisions in the bill.
“I’m still determined to see if we can find a way forward on this bill,” McConnell said Wednesday. “I’m asking colleagues to join me to open debate on it today and with a little cooperation we can pass a strong bipartisan cybersecurity bill this week.”
Democrats want a guarantee there will be votes on a specific number of their amendments, but so far McConnell has made no such promise.
McConnell must also contend with demands from his own rank and file, among fellow Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who is running for president. Paul wants to amend the cyber bill with provisions to audit the federal reserve and strip federal funding from so-called sanctuary cities that do not adhere to deportation laws.
The White House has called on the Senate to pass the legislation and both Republicans and Democrats are eager to finish it before Friday, when the Senate is scheduled to depart for the summer recess.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the bill is needed to combat the increasing number of cyber attacks in the United States, affecting both public and private entities.
“I think it is fair to say I’ve been very disappointed that we have not moved to this bill more quickly and we have not reached an agreement to take up and begin considering amendments,” Feinstein said Wednesday. “We need to get on with it.”
