Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 498, the 9-8-8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act, sponsored by my colleagues, Representatives Cardenas and Obernolte.

On July 16, 2022, the 988 lifeline became available to all landline and cell phone users to access a network of over 200 local- and State- funded crisis centers. The suicide and crisis lifeline is there for anyone who is struggling with anxiety, depression, or suicidal ideation.

Since its launch, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, the 988 lifeline has received almost 5 million contacts. Nearly 1 million are from the Veterans Crisis Line, a designated part of 988. The others have consisted of 2.6 million calls, almost three-quarters of a million chats, and more than 600,000 texts.

In December 2022, the 988 lifeline experienced a cybersecurity breach, which resulted in a daylong outage across the country. This lifeline is imperative to suicide prevention and utilized by constituents in every one of our districts.

The legislation on the floor today would require better coordination and reporting on potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities within the 988 lifeline with the goal of preventing future cyberattacks and disruption of services. The bill would require coordination between the lifeline and the chief information security officer at the Department of Health and Human Services to prevent cybersecurity attacks. The suicide hotline's regional and local network administrators would also be required to notify the government of cybersecurity vulnerabilities and incidents. Finally, the Government Accountability Office would be required to conduct a study evaluating cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities in the 988 lifeline system.

Mr. Speaker, I have visited the 988 center in my area and seen the dedication of the providers, and we need to make sure that we protect this lifeline from cybersecurity risks.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote for this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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