Collins seeks information on Hathaway departure

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs ranking member Susan Collins has requested a copy of the resignation letter of Melissa Hathaway, senior cybersecurity adviser to Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair, and asked her staff to interview her about why she is leaving the Obama administration.

Hathaway, who began working for Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell in 2007, is the chief architect of the Obama administration's review of the government's ability to identify and thwart high-tech attacks. She announced Monday she would leave her post Aug. 21, and in news reports she said she felt she was not in a strong enough position to effect change.

She was a potential candidate for a cybersecurity coordinator position that President Obama announced in May. He pledged to pick the candidate, who would report jointly to the National Security Council and National Economic Council. Some speculated she would not have gotten the job because of her ties to the Bush administration.

Collins said she was alarmed by the departure of Hathaway, who helped shepherd a largely classified multibillion-dollar plan to secure government IT networks.

"She's extremely knowledgeable -- one of the most knowledgeable people in the federal government," said Collins.

Collins took issue with having another White House czar, who would not be confirmed but wield great authority. The position "reduces congressional oversight and undermines our ability to confirm individuals to important policy posts," she said.

Senate Intelligence Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein also weighed in, saying she was sad to see Hathaway go, and she stressed the need to get a cyber official in place quickly.

In a statement, House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson said he is troubled by "the apparent loss of momentum on cybersecurity, an issue that is critical to our national and economic security." He added, "We need to take this issue seriously - our adversaries certainly do."

A National Security Council spokesman said Obama remains committed to finding the right person for the job, adding "a rigorous selection process is well under way." He was unsure who would take over for Hathaway in an acting capacity.

Two potential frontrunners for the cyber coordinator position are Howard Schmidt, former White House special adviser for cyberspace security, and Frank Kramer, an assistant Defense secretary under President Bill Clinton.