Lieberman Retirement Seen Not Affecting Cybersecurity Chances
There won’t be much effect on the cybersecurity bill from Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., deciding not to seek re-election in 2012, despite his lame-duck status, industry officials said. Some said it could even boost the bill’s chances, and he could also boost cybersecurity if he moves to head the Defense Department. Friend Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., suggested Wednesday that the Connecticut senator would make a good replacement for Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who plans to step down this year. If he left immediately, Lieberman’s departure might actually boost the chances for getting a cybersecurity bill through Congress, TechAmerica Vice President Kevin Richards said.
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"Lieberman’s retirement will be a loss to this country and to the Senate,” said Steve Bucci, IBM’s issue lead for cyber. “His approach to cybersecurity legislation has been very reasonable. … Lieberman has reached out to industry people to get as involved as possible. He’s shown great leadership and restraint and understands there is a lot of gray area in terms of cybersecurity legislation.” TechAmerica has “worked closely with Sen. Lieberman in a very collaborative relationship and I think his announcement might enhance the possibility of the cybersecurity bill to pass,” Richards said. “I think he may want the legislation as a legacy. If he did go over to the Department of Defense, I think that would also help the process."
Lieberman was the sponsor of a major cyber reform bill, S-3480, last Congress (CD Jun 25 p7). His retirement may not reduce his clout as much as someone else’s announcement might, Bucci said. The development won’t change the dynamics of passing a bill, said Monument Policy Group Partner Andrew Howell. The issue with a cyber bill is forging a compromise among the interests and getting industry support, he said. Lieberman’s presence in the Senate until 2012 will be critical to achieve this because he can work with members of both parties, said Howell. “His skills are all the right skills and the ones we need to move a cyber bill."
Lieberman’s announcement offers no parallel to the wave of support for a healthcare bill after former Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., stepped down, said Internet Security Alliance CEO Larry Clinton. Lieberman won’t leave for two years, he noted, and cybersecurity hasn’t been around as an issue for the decades that Kennedy spent on passing a healthcare bill. Lieberman has legislative allies among Democrats and Republicans who will want to continue working with him on a bill, Clinton added.