House’s defense bill fully funds cyber

The Defense policy bill approved by the House Friday fully funds the Pentagon’s cyber initiatives.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed 269-151 over strong Democratic objections and a White House veto threat.

{mosads}The measure generated several days of contentious floor debate, but cybersecurity was a rare area of bipartisan consensus in the $612 billion bill.

Even Democrats frustrated with portions of the measure were nonetheless laudatory of the cyber sections.

“We live in a dangerous world, facing threats from enemies at home, abroad and in cyberspace,” said Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), who voted for the bill despite what he called “its shortcomings.”

Langevin co-chairs the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus.

“The NDAA prioritizes cyberspace and recognizes its integral role in our national security strategy,” he said.

Indeed, cyber was highlighted as a priority in a fact sheet released by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) ahead of the bill’s markup.

“The proposal fully resources and authorizes U.S. Cyber Command programs and activities, as well as all military service cyber programs and cyber science and technology initiatives to enhance a cyber mission force that defends our national security objectives,” it said.

The Pentagon is seeking funds to finishing building out the half-staffed U.S. Cyber Command. The cyber division is expected to reach 6,200 personnel across 133 teams by 2018.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter has repeatedly identified cybersecurity as a top priority for the military. 

“At the level of actual warfare, all of our weapons systems, our ships our tanks, our planes, they depend upon networks to function,” he told Vice News in an interview released Friday. “So there’s no point in spending all that money on them if you don’t have secure networks.”