Idea: Unified Cybersecurity Committee

The government relations firm Livingston Group sent letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and minority leader John Boehner recommending Congress unify the plethora of committees that hold jurisdiction over cybersecurity.

"Part of the problem preventing Congress from addressing this issue is that multiple committees currently have jurisdiction over cybersecurity," stated the letter, which was signed by former Louisiana congressman Robert Livingston, now a partner in the firm. He named seven committees that influence how cybersecurity, including the Appropriations Committee, which he chaired. Other committees focus on areas of energy, commerce, armed services and homeland security. "This diffusion of responsibility prevents the Congress from taking effective action," he wrote.

Livingston suggested Congress form a Select Committee on Cybersecurity to review and introduce bills. The committee would have two subcommittees, one dealing with issues involving national security and intelligence, and another focusing on issues of online crime, critical infrastructure protection and other commercial sector activities.

"A Select Committee on Cybersecurity would augment, not replace, the existing congressional committee structure," Livingston wrote. "It should, however, be directed to make recommendations for legislation."