Weekly Newsletter from the Office of Congressman Andrew Garbarino If you were forwarded this email, click here to subscribe ‌ ‌ ‌ An update from the office of Congressman Andrew Garbarino SPOTLIGHT House Passes Andrew's Bill To Strengthen VA Cybersecurity This week, the House of Representatives voted to pass the Strengthening VA Cybersecurity (SVAC) Act of 2022, a bill co-led by Andrew, with overwhelming bipartisan support. "The recent cyber attack against Suffolk County underlined the urgent need to address aging and insufficient cybersecurity systems and practices in the face of rising cyber threats,” said Andrew said in a statement. “I am proud to see the timely passage of this bill, which will go a long way to strengthen VA cybersecurity and safeguard the private information of our veterans.” The purpose of the SVAC Act of 2022 is to strengthen cybersecurity at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and protect information technology systems and devices used at VA. Learn more here. ANDREW IN THE NEWS DHS Quiet on Plan for Cyber Doomsday " Despite being given two years to develop a plan for responding to cyber catastrophe, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) hasn’t said anything to indicate there’s been progress. The U.S. government has had plans in place for years on how to remain operational in the event of a large-scale disaster and Congress directed the Biden administration two years ago to develop a similar plan to keep the economy running in the event of a national cyberattack. On Tuesday, Rep. Andrew R. Garbarino, R-N.Y., asked DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for an update on the "continuity of the economy," or COTE, plan during a hearing of the House Homeland Security Committee, according to The Washington Post. 'I'll look forward to following up on that for you and responding swiftly,' Mayorkas said. 'I'll have to look into that, where the report that is due to you is.' Tuesday marked the most recent time Mayorkas had been asked to report on the plan’s progress; Garbarino and Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., asked the secretary and other administration officials the same question in a letter two weeks ago. " Click Here To Read The Full Article. WHAT'S NEW IN NY-02 Andrew Congratulates Babylon Eagle Scouts Andrew congratulated Jonathan and Matthew Lynch on achieving the rank of eagle scout, the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America. Only 4% of Scouts ever reach the distinguished rank of Eagle Scout and achieving this is a sign of hard work and dedication. Andrew & U.S. Coast Guard Urge Water Safety Andrew is partnering with the Coast Guard Long Island Sound to share a very important public safety announcement. Boating fatalities were 23% higher this year than last and our Coast Guard is asking Long Islanders to take some basic precautions to stay safe. Wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket Have a VHF Marine Radio and a fully charged phone Tell someone your float plan, including where you are going and when you expect to return Dress for the water temperature, and check the weather KEEPING UP WITH CONGRESS Andrew Questions DHS Secretary During Homeland Security Hearing Secretary Mayorkas recently testified before the Homeland Security Committee during a hearing on worldwide threats facing the United States. On topics from the border to cybersecurity, he failed to provide concrete answers about how DHS is protecting the homeland. Watch Andrew's line of questioning here. Thanks for reading! Do you know someone who might like to receive these updates? Forward this email to your friends and families and tell them to click below to subscribe! Click Here To Subscribe Rep. Andrew R. Garbarino Congressman representing New York's 2nd Congressional District ‌ ‌ ‌ Washington, D.C. 1516 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-7896 Fax: (202) 226-2279 Massapequa Park 1003 Park Boulevard Massapequa Park, NY 11762 Phone: (516) 541-4225 Fax: (516) 541-6602 Rep. Garbarino | 1516 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]