Congress Proposes $250 Million to Protect Rural and Local Power Grids from Cyberattacks
Many tribal communities in rural areas are served by small electric cooperatives and municipal utilities that would be eligible for this program. The bill also explicitly protects information shared by tribal governments, suggesting awareness of tribal participation. Improved cybersecurity for these utilities would reduce the risk of outages in communities that may already face infrastructure challenges.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
The House fast-tracked this bill — limited debate, no amendments allowed, but needs two-thirds support to pass.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
The House fast-tracked this bill — limited debate, no amendments allowed, but needs two-thirds support to pass.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7266.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
The House fast-tracked this bill — limited debate, no amendments allowed, but needs two-thirds support to pass.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
The House Subcommittee on Energy approved the Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act, which would ensure cybersecurity tooling for electric cooperatives and public power agencies until 2030. The measure was part of a package of five bills aimed at bolstering community-level resilience.
The House Subcommittee on Energy advanced H.R. 7266, the Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act. The bill reauthorizes a cybersecurity program through 2030, providing rural electric cooperatives and small utilities with advanced tools, technical assistance, and grant funding.
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks rolled out legislation to expand a program under the 2021 infrastructure law. The bill would authorize $250 million to help smaller electric utilities prevent, detect, and recover from cyber threats through grants and technical assistance.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act
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