Dems, GOP back cyber bill for Homeland Department after government data breach

A bipartisan group of senators is pushing to strengthen the authority of the Homeland Security Department to thwart cyberattacks on government networks and websites after a massive government data breach.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who has spearheaded cyber legislation in the past, led lawmakers on Wednesday in introducing a measure that would allow the Homeland secretary to take the offensive in intrusion detection and prevention.

The legislation, which could be voted on as early as the first week in August, comes after hackers stole Social Security identification numbers and other highly sensitive data from more than 21 million people.

Also backing the measure are Democratic Sens. Mark Warner, Claire McCaskill and Barbara Mikulski, and Republicans Dan Coats and Kelly Ayotte.