Rep. Mace’s Federal Cybersecurity Vulnerability Reduction Act Passes in House Oversight Committee

(Washington D.C., May 15th, 2024) - Today, the House Oversight and Accountability Committee took a significant step forward in strengthening federal cybersecurity measures by advancing Rep. Nancy Mace’s bill titled the Federal Cybersecurity Vulnerability Reduction Act.

The bill, which was introduced by Chairwoman Mace in her capacity as the Chairman  of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology and Government Innovation, aims to enhance cybersecurity practices among federal contractors by mandating the implementation of Vulnerability Disclosure Policies (VDP). These policies would ensure that federal contractors promptly receive information about potential security vulnerabilities in their information systems, enabling them to take proactive measures to address and mitigate any risks.

“By mandating Vulnerability Disclosure Policies (VDP) for federal contractors, we can ensure a proactive approach to cybersecurity, enabling contractors to identify and address software vulnerabilities promptly,” said Rep. Mace. “This legislation, aligned with internationally recognized standards, empowers contractors to stay ahead of malicious actors, preventing potential exploits and protecting sensitive information. With the Federal Cybersecurity Vulnerability Reduction Act, we will reinforce our commitment to a robust and resilient cyberspace, fostering trust and security in the digital age. We are one step closer to seeing this bill come to the House floor, this is big news for our government contractors.”

Under the proposed legislation, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) would lead updates to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to incorporate requirements for covered contractors to implement VDPs. Additionally, Defense Department contractors would be required to follow the new procurement regulations outlined in the bill.

The bill will now proceed to the House floor for a vote before the full House of Representatives. If passed, it will then move to the Senate for consideration.

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