Cybersecurity bill could be stalled by House-Senate differences

Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), the House Republican tapped to drive passage of cyber legislation across committees, said he does not plan to work on a comprehensive bill, a departure from Senate efforts to pass one large package covering federal, private and international networks.

"I just don't think we're going to solve all of cyber in a single bill," Rep. Thornberry said. "And when we try to solve anything in a single bill, it's usually a mess, i.e., health care." He spoke ahead of a Armed Services hearing on the role of the military in protecting cyberspace. Rep Thornberry said he has an agreement with House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) to push individual committees to act this year. "I told him I don't want to do another study," said rep Thornberry, whom Speaker Boehner appointed to the new post on Dec. 15, 2010. But if House leaders prefer piecemeal legislation and Senate leaders continue to press for one big measure, then their differences could delay action this year.