Peters Statement on Announcement that the Chinese Government Continues to Encourage and Perpetrate Widespread Cyber-Attacks

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement after the Biden Administration and the United States’ allies condemned the Chinese government for orchestrating widespread attacks against American networks and compromising American national security:

“Today’s announcement is an important step to help hold the Chinese government accountable for enabling these malicious cyber-attacks on our critical networks. From the breach of the Microsoft Exchange email system to ransomware attacks on everything from K-12 schools to small businesses – Americans have seen firsthand the devastating toll these assaults can have on our national security and our daily lives.  

“Adversaries like the Chinese and Russian governments, and the criminal groups they support, will stop at nothing to continue perpetrating these harmful attacks. In addition to boosting our cybersecurity defense to prevent breaches in the first place, we also need to use the full might of our diplomatic, military and intelligence capabilities to bring attackers to justice. By leading a global coalition to condemn these recent hacks, President Biden has shown he is committed to tackling this grave threat. I stand with the Administration in their efforts to bolster our response to acts of cyber warfare and protect the American people from these insidious attacks.”

As Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Peters has led efforts to bolster our nation’s cybersecurity defenses. Peters convened a hearing with the Chief Executive Officer of Colonial Pipeline to examine a recent ransomware attack against the company. A provision authored by Peters to increase our government’s ability to quickly respond to cyber-attacks passed the Senate as part of a larger package to boost American competitiveness on the global stage. As a part of the American Rescue Plan Act, Peters helped secure nearly $2 billion to modernize and secure information systems critical to the federal pandemic response. In April, the Senate also passed his provision to help protect our nation’s public water infrastructure technology systems, following recent cyber-attacks on water utilities. Two pieces of legislation authored by Peters to enhance cybersecurity guidance for K-12 educational institutions across the country and secure federal information technology supply chains against cybersecurity threats and other vulnerabilities have advanced in the Senate.

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