Rep Bono Mack seeks attention of Chairman Upton on data security

Rep Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), chairman of the House Commerce Committee's subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, said she is seeking the attention of full Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) to move forward with her data security bill.

Chairman Bono Mack said the bill is her "number one priority," but that because Chairman Upton has been busy as a member of the congressional supercommittee on deficit reduction, it has been difficult to schedule a vote on the measure. "[Chairman Upton's attention] is now split with every member in the Congress giving ideas for the [supercommittee]," she said. The Secure and Fortify Electronic (SAFE) Data Act would establish a national standard for when companies are required to notify consumers that their personal information has been breached. Ken Johnson, a spokesman for Bono Mack, said she is considering adding a requirement to the bill that companies must notify consumers if their e-mail is hacked.