mr. mccaul: mr. speaker, today congress has historic opportunity to lay the groundwork to defend our nation against cyberattacks. we are not talking about mischievous online activity but action that can bring america to its knees. unfortunately, this is not science fiction. america is under attack, not by armys advancing on our beaches or planes overhead, but in the virtual world where those who intend to do us harm have already penetrated our federal and private computer networks and continue to plot relentlessly to bring down our critical infrastructure, our water supply, nuclear facilities, air traffic control systems, electrical grid and defense and banking systems are all vulnerable to a crippling attack. general keith alexander, director of the national security agency, said it is not a matter of if but when a cyberpearl harbor occurs. we are simply fortunate that a computer-based attack has not yet brought physical harm to americans. but that is not for lack of trying. china has already succes

mr. mccaul and the g.a.o. as a response to security deficiencies throughout the federal government. while i applaud my friend for delivering on the needs of his reform, i'd like to ask the chairman if he gave thought to such organizational changes within the executive branch in a particular organization like national office for cyberspace during the drafting of this legislation? i yield to my friend. mr. issa: i thank the gentleman. yes, we did. your leadership in cybersecurity matters including fisma reform have been essential. when we served on the committee, i recognized you put more time an effort into the behind-the-door work than any of us and in fact you and i share some of the challenges we face with the d.n.i. and other earlier organizations but i share with you that your suggestions on how we can in fact find single point accountability in future legislation, in concert with this administration is eenis -- is essential. i look forward to working with you on that i know of no other partner i could have on the other side of the aisle who is more prepared to do it and i thank

mr. mccaul, mr. murphy, mr. terry. of course a number of members have worked on these issues for several years, including a number of those i just mentioned, as well as mr. langevin, mr. ruppersberger, people on both sides of the aisle. finally i also want to take a second to thank the staff of the various committees who have worked on this issue as well as josh martin, michael seeds of my office, as well as general stewart, the speaker's national security advisor whose guidance on substance and process was invaluable. mr. speaker, we will have ample opportunity to debate the merits of the individual pieces of legislation, but i think it's important at the beginning just to step back and say why all this hubbub about computers? what does all that mean? i think we should start with the point that cyber, and that includes networks connected to the internet and networks that are not connected to the internet, but cyber is deeply ingrained in virtually every facet of our lives now. from the time we get up till the time we