Senator Carper Responds to President’s Fiscal Year 2017 Budget

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement in response to the release of President Obama’s proposed fiscal year 2017 budget:

“Earlier today, the President outlined a budget that would continue to make critical investments in our nation’s long-term domestic and national security priorities, and continue to foster our nation’s economic growth.

“Strong cybersecurity is one of those priorities, and the President reaffirmed his commitment to addressing this threat by making efforts to bolster our defenses a central part of his budget plan. First and foremost, we must continue to bolster our ability to protect our infrastructure, our businesses, and individuals from the adversaries we face online. The President’s Cybersecurity National Action Plan will dedicate significant resources to collaborating with the private sector on cybersecurity. But we also need 21^st century networks in our federal agencies to respond to this 21^st century threat. Investing in modernizing our outdated computer networks and replacing old information security systems that are vulnerable to attack, as the President proposed in his budget, is critical.

“The President’s plan seeks to expand the EINSTEIN cyber intrusion detection program to all federal agencies, which mirrors a provision in law I co-authored, and foster greater accountability and leadership by creating the position of Federal Chief Information Security Officer. His budget also calls for increased funding for several cybersecurity initiatives that I have championed over the last several years, including the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program at DHS.

“We must also strengthen our defenses on another front – terrorism. While we continue to degrade and destroy ISIS abroad, it’s critical that we counter their message here at home. The President’s budget would invest in countering violent extremism here at home, including funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Community Partnerships, an arm of the Department that I am seeking to bolster through legislation pending in committee.

“The President’s budget also proposes smart technology investments along our southern border while tackling the root causes driving migration from Central America to our southern border. I am encouraged that his plan supports our new engagement strategy for Central America by investing in programs to reduce violence and corruption and create economic opportunities in the region.

“I am also pleased the President’s budget provides additional resources to the Census Bureau as it prepares for the upcoming 2020 Census. We have an opportunity to make this census our most cost-efficient, accurate count yet.

“Finally, the President recognizes that significant legislative reforms to the U.S. Postal Service remain crucial to its long-term financial stability. His proposal includes reforms similar to what I have offered in my bipartisan legislation to stabilize the Postal Service and modernize it for the 21^st century.

“Americans have made it clear that they want us to work together in a bipartisan fashion, achieve real results, and take actions that help grow our economy and keep Americans safe. While the President’s budget proposal lays out a clear roadmap for Congress, we have to do our part to ensure the federal government is funded in a timely, responsible way. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass robust and bipartisan appropriations bills in the coming months.”