FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)

Rep. Crawford Tapped by Whip Scalise for Cyber Security Effort  

8/3/2021

Washington — This week, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) launched the Cyber Operations Defense Effort (CODE) as a part of Republican Whip Steve Scalise’s (LA-01) House Energy Action Team (HEAT). 

The focus of the group is to address emerging cyber threats in our nation’s energy sector. This news comes as the United States has experienced increased ransomware attacks, including one in May that targeted the Colonial Pipeline.

Rep. Crawford’s staff will serve in the following capacities in support of CODE Group members and offices:

• Jonah Shumate, CODE Group Director – Rep. Crawford’s Chief of Staff, Shumate will lead and direct the efforts to formulate stakeholder and industry engagement, policy development, and communication in tandem with the office of Whip Scalise.

• Ashley Shelton, CODE Group Operations – Rep. Crawford’s Legislative Director, Shelton will work with other CODE group offices and staff to coordinate planning and events.

• Kathryn King and Joe MacFarlane, CODE Group Policy Analysts – Rep. Crawford’s Legislative Assistants, King and MacFarlane will team on white papers, one-pagers, and other materials in support of the CODE Group.

Due increasing cyber-attacks and challenges that stakeholders across the entire American economy are facing, Crawford will be hosting the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in Jonesboro, Arkansas, on October 5th. This event will center around briefing attendees on the overall threat landscape as well as offering break-out sessions that will better inform and equip attendees to protect their businesses.

“The rising number of cyber-attacks on American companies is a threat to our supply chain and consequently, our national security. We cannot allow ourselves to remain vulnerable to state sponsored hackers and other cyber criminals. I look forward to working alongside Whip Scalise and our Republican colleagues to find long-term solutions that put our nation on offense against these malicious attacks,” said Rep. Crawford.

“After the crippling cyber-attack on the Colonial Pipeline, which led to fuel shortages and lines at gas stations along the East Coast, my Republican colleagues and I knew that the United States must fortify its energy security. I applaud Representative Crawford for taking critical steps to secure our grid and pipeline networks against future ransomware attacks from terrorist and criminal organizations. The Cyber Operations Defense Effort (CODE) will protect the American people from the daily barrage of cyber threats both at home and abroad,” said House Republican Whip Scalise.

Rep. Crawford represents Arkansas’s First District and is currently serving as the Ranking Member of the Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, and Counterproliferation Subcommittee on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

 

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