Governors, state and local leaders urge Congress to preserve State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program

The National Governors Association, National Association of State Chief Information Officers, National Emergency Management Association, National Conference of State Legislatures, National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, U.S. Conference of Mayors, The Council of State Governments and International City/County Management Association sent a joint letter to congressional leaders urging them to reauthorize the State and Local Cyber Security Grant Program (SLCGP) before it expires on Sept. 30.

“As Congress continues working to reauthorize this grant program, we urge you to strongly support its successful continuation by ensuring that any reauthorization is accompanied by a robust appropriation that will allow the program to meet the goals outlined by its authors,” says the letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). “States and localities are firmly committed to protecting our nation’s residents and our infrastructure but cannot achieve the level of security needed without federal support.”

“Previously, members of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers and the National League of Cities, along with representatives of industry, appeared before the Committee to testify to the program’s success in helping recipients achieve important cyber hygiene milestones, improve coordination between state and local governments and to commend its efficient and responsible use of federal funding,” the organizations wrote. “As always, we stand ready to work with you to make our nation’s networks secure, protect critical infrastructure and provide digital services to our citizens.”