Rep. Swalwell demands Hill briefing on planned CISA personnel cuts

The top Democrat on a cybersecurity subcommittee says the “drastic reorganization” obligates CISA’s acting director to discuss its plans with lawmakers.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency must brief Congress on proposed deep cuts to agency personnel, a top Democrat said in a letter to its acting director.

California Rep. Eric Swalwell, ranking member of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, wrote in the letter to acting Director Bridget Bean on Thursday that CISA is obligated to notify Congress of its plans.

CISA reportedly plans to cut agency staff by nearly 40%, or 1,300 people. 

“It is difficult to convey in writing the full extent of my concern regarding the rumored plans to decimate CISA, but it suffices to say that upending an agency that plays such an important role in defending the homeland while keeping Congress in the dark is wholly unacceptable,” he wrote. “At no point has CISA provided the Subcommittee any justification for the drastic reorganization that is apparently well underway, nor has it explained how CISA will execute its congressionally mandated mission with a fraction of the workforce and resources.”

CISA had already cut 130 probational staffers, a move blocked in court before being overturned in an appeal. The Department of Homeland Security, home to CISA, has also distributed buyout offers in an email from its secretary, Kristi Noem.

The chairman of Swalwell’s panel, Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., objected to earlier CISA cuts. The chairman of the full panel, Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., has said any CISA cuts need to be carefully done.

CISA says it doesn’t comment on congressional correspondence.

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