Chairman Garbarino, Rep. Ogles Applaud House Passage of PILLAR Act, Legislation to Combat China’s Cyber Aggression

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) and Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) applauded the House of Representatives' passage of H.R. 5078, the "Protecting Information by Local Leaders for Agency Resilience Act" (PILLAR Act), and H.R. 2659, the "Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act." Cosponsors of H.R. 2659 include Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL).

On the "PILLAR Act," Chairman Garbarino said:

"As sophisticated nation-state adversaries and criminals target our nation's critical infrastructure and government agencies in cyberspace, it is essential that states and localities have the necessary tools to protect the networks our communities rely on. The PILLAR Act continues and improves the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, which provides vital resources to bolster our local cyber defenses. We have seen success through efforts such as deploying student-led regional security operations centers in partnership with community colleges to train local cyber talent and providing shared services across the state for end point detection and response (EDR) capabilities, multi-factor authentication, and cybersecurity trainings, just to name a few. I am grateful that the House has passed Congressman Ogles' bill to continue supporting proactive cyber resilience efforts across the country, while also enhancing this program to ensure it can continue doing so effectively for years to come."

Rep. Ogles said:

"Today, the House took a major step toward securing America. My PILLAR Act passed with strong support because cybersecurity is national security. This legislation puts America First by giving our states, counties, and small towns the tools they need to combat foreign cyber adversaries. President Trump has called for unmatched dominance in every arena of modern warfare to ensure we can defeat the enemies of the United States. With this bill, we deliver."

On the "Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act," Chairman Garbarino said:

"Now more than ever, it's critical for the federal government to take a proactive, whole-of-government approach to countering escalating cyber threats from the Chinese Communist Party. I'm pleased the House passed Representative Ogles' bill to protect our nation's critical infrastructure by improving interagency coordination efforts to detect, prevent, and prepare for cyber threats posed by our greatest geopolitical adversary. As threats in cyberspace evolve rapidly, I urge the Senate to help send this legislation to President Trump's desk without delay."

Rep. Ogles said:

"I am honored that HR 2659 has passed the House and will soon make its way to the Senate. Our adversaries abroad are using cyberspace as the battlefield to undermine American sovereignty and interests. Now that my bill has passed, we are one step closer to locking out the foreign communists trying to steal American data. I want to thank Chairman Garbarino for his leadership and support in advancing this critical legislation. America First cybersecurity is the way, and this bill provides a critical solution."

Select Committee on China Chairman Moolenaar said:

"The Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act ensures our federal agencies have the resources they need to build a unified and effective response to Chinese-backed cyber-attacks. As the Chairman of the Select Committee on China, I understand the threats the CCP poses to our cyber space and critical infrastructure. This legislation will strengthen our national cybersecurity and give us the ability to more quickly counter threats like Volt Typhoon."

Background:

The PILLAR Act would reauthorize the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program. The program provides grants to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to address cybersecurity risks and threats to information systems and operational technology systems, including those using artificial intelligence. H.R. 5078 was introduced and advanced out of Committee in September 2025. Read statements of endorsement here.

Support for this bill includes the Alliance for Digital Innovation (ADI), Association of the United States Cyber Forces (AUSCF), Better Identity Coalition (BIC), CSC 2.0, Cybersecurity Coalition, Cyber Threat Alliance (CTA), Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), Global Cyber Alliance (GCA), Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security, National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), Operational Technology Cybersecurity Coalition (OTCC), Palo Alto Networks, Software & Information Industry Association (SIAA), Strategic Cybersecurity Coalition (SCC), TechNet, and Wiz.

The PILLAR Act:

• Reauthorizes the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program for seven years.
• Stabilizes the cost share at 60 percent for single entities or 70 percent for multi-entity groups-the current authorization level for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.
• Incentivizes implementation of multi-factor authentication (MFA) across critical infrastructure by increasing the federal cost share by five percent if entities or multi-entity groups implement MFA by FY28.
• Adds language to capture operational technology and encourages adoption of artificial intelligence when applicable.
• Encourages direct outreach to small communities, regardless of their rurality.
• Places more accountability on entities and multi-entities to assume the long-term cost of cybersecurity investments in state budget planning processes.

The "Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act" would establish an interagency task force, led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to address the widespread cybersecurity threats posed by state-sponsored cyber actors associated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The legislation also requires the task force to provide a classified report and briefing to Congress annually for five years on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations relating to malicious CCP cyber activity. The legislation was advanced by the House Committee on Homeland Security and passed unanimously by the House of Representatives in the 118th Congress. H.R. 2659 was reintroduced and advanced out of Committee in April 2025.

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