Homeland Security
As an original member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Zoe knows that our national security does not need to violate our constitutionally protected rights. While we face certain and real threats, we must not lose sight of the founding principles of our great nation. This philosophy guides Zoe's work as a member of the Congress.
As a member of Congress, Zoe has worked hard to ensure that our nation remains protected from all threats, including those emanating from cyberspace. Zoe led a bipartisan effort that created the position of Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity in the Homeland Security Department to protect our nation's critical cyber infrastructure. Zoe has also worked to ensure that government agencies involved in intelligence and information gathering remain accountable to the Congress and work to have proper oversight of programs which use this intelligence.
Zoe is also a member of the Congressional Task Force on Election Security, formed to address the lack of action to protect electoral infrastructure following Russia interference and attempt to influence the 2016 Presidential election. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the election systems in 21 states were breached and voter records containing personal information were compromised. There has been no action from the Republican Congress or the Trump Administration to provide greater protection to our election systems. When a sovereign nation meddles in our elections, it is an attack on our country. We cannot leave states to defend against the sophisticated cyber tactics of state actors on their own. The Election Security Act, introduced by members of the Election Security Task Force, provides the critical investments needed by States and election administrators to protect our election infrastructure from future cyber-attacks.
To learn more about the Zoe's work on issues related to homeland security, please click on the news links below:
More on Homeland Security
"I'm glad the House is demonstrating an interest in exploring ways in which the nation can better protect against cyber-attacks. This is, no doubt, a very important issue – and our nation faces a security threat that has been made even more apparent in light of highly publicized cyber-attacks in recent months.
WASHINGTON, DC – Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) and Mike Honda (D-San Jose) released a letter today to Jeh Johnson, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), regarding the attack on PG&E's Metcalf power substation. The three Silicon Valley Representatives have been closely monitoring investigations since the aftermath of the attack. In the letter, they seek an update from DHS on its investigation and recommendations the agency has developed following the incident.
Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) delivered the following statement during a mark-up of H.R. 2278, the "Strengthen and Fortify Enforcement Act" (The SAFE Act), in the House Judiciary Committee:
Thank you Mr. Chairman. This bill must be opposed.
It would turn millions of undocumented immigrants into criminals overnight.
It would turn State and local law enforcement officers around the country into immigration agents.
It would expand mandatory and prolonged detention.
Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Ted Poe (R-TX) have introduced legislation, H.R. 637, The Preserving American Privacy Act, to establish due process protections for Americans against government-operated unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in U.S. airspace. The bipartisan legislation would also forbid law enforcement and private UAS from being armed with firearms or explosives while operating within U.S. airspace.