Commerce aide: Cybersecurity bill moving

Legislation to help the government and private sector better prepare for and respond to high-tech attacks against communications infrastructure has a shot at Senate passage this year despite the crowded calendar and potential turf wars, a top Senate aide said. "Between health care, climate change and a number of huge issues of the day, it can't be lost that this is a critically important issue," said Senate Commerce Committee General Counsel Bruce Andrews at a briefing sponsored by Hewlett-Packard. "We've got to focus and do it." Senate Commerce Chairman John (Jay) Rockefeller (D-WV) and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) introduced a broad cybersecurity bill in April, but it underwent major changes during the August recess and is being fine-tuned. Andrews said Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee leaders have been crafting proposals as Rockefeller and Snowe have focused on the healthcare debate. The issue requires "real cooperation" among committees, he said.