Recrafted cyber bill contains emergency powers

A cybersecurity measure still in draft form would give President Obama additional powers. The proposed legislation would permit the President to declare an emer...

A draft cybersecurity bill would give the president authority to shut down private networks. The proposed legislation would allow the president to declare an emergency if there’s a threat to the nation’s critical infrastructure. That includes the power grid and the financial system. A provision in the bill could shut down companies, parts of companies or entire industries, in the event of a threat. According to Reuters, an emergency declaration would last for 30 days, and couldn’t last more than 90 days without action from Congress. The proposal blends two bills. A spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says there’s hope the measure will pass by the end of the year.

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