CISA’s acting director defends cuts amid growing turmoil

The top official at the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency defended budget cuts and controversial remarks by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, as lawmakers voiced concerns over how reductions could weaken national cyber defenses.

Bridget Bean, a senior official currently serving as acting director of CISA while President Donald Trump’s nominee awaits Senate confirmation, told the House Appropriations subcommittee the agency is “eliminating duplication and increasing efficiency.” Her testimony follows warnings from current and former staff that proposed budget cuts of up to $500 million and a potential one-third workforce reduction have thrown internal operations into turmoil.

Lawmakers pressed Bean on how the agency can counter threats from foreign adversaries like China – which she confirmed have infiltrated U.S. critical infrastructure systems – amid budget cuts to the nation’s cyber defense programs. Those concerns were bipartisan, including from Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., chairman of the House Appropriations Homeland Security subcommittee. Amodei requested details on how the agency plans to strengthen cybersecurity with fewer resources and reduced staffing in its fiscal year 2026 request.

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