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September 21, 2026

Walkinshaw, Ranking Member Thompson, Ramirez Introduce Bill to Strengthen Oversight of CISA’s Cyber Workforce

Legislation would direct CISA to assess the personnel, training, and resources needed to protect federal networks and critical infrastructure

(WASHINGTON) - Recently, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, Committee Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee Ranking Member Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) introduced the CISA Force Structure Assessment Act.

Since President Trump took office, nearly 1,000 Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) employees have been fired, sidelined, or pushed out, hollowing out roughly one-third of the nation’s leading civilian cyber defense agency. His administration has also cut critical programs and disrupted partnerships that help government and industry share information about cyber threats. The CISA Force Structure Assessment Act would require the Director of CISA to determine whether, after these sweeping cuts, the agency still has the personnel, training, certifications, and resources needed to protect federal networks, support state and local governments, and secure critical infrastructure.

“America’s cyber defenses are only as strong as the people behind them,” said Congressman Walkinshaw. “As cyber threats grow more sophisticated and technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing reshape the threat landscape, Congress needs a clear accounting of whether CISA has the workforce, skills, and resources required to keep Americans safe and enable mission delivery. This legislation will identify critical gaps and give Congress concrete information to address them.”

“With Iran targeting our critical infrastructure and frontier AI models creating new cyber risks, we must ensure we have a cybersecurity workforce to counter these growing threats,” said Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson. “After Trump has spent the past two years targeting and slashing CISA’s workforce, we need the agency to assess if it has right personnel in place to fulfill its mission. I thank Congressman Walkinshaw for introducing this necessary legislation to do exactly that.”

"Between the security failures of DOGE, the abuses of immigrant families’ data, and the decimation of CISA’s workforce and resources, the Trump administration and my Republican colleagues have demonstrated a lack of interest in safeguarding our nation’s cybersecurity and our residents’ civil rights and privacy. And as Americans grow more concerned about the threats of AI models, it is more critical than ever that we expand and safeguard the workforce to protect America's cybersecurity," said Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez. "The CISA Force Structure Assessment Act will help Congress better understand how we can strengthen CISA's workforce to ensure the agency meets its mission of keeping our communities safe."

The CISA Force Structure Assessment Act would require the CISA Director to conduct an assessment of the agency’s ability to fulfill its mission with current staffing levels and resources. The assessment includes :

  • Workforce training and industry-recognized certifications;
  • Security of federal information systems and support for state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments;
  • Risks associated with artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and other emerging technologies;
  • Threat-hunting and cyber incident response capabilities;
  • Support for critical infrastructure and operational technology; and
  • Cybersecurity cooperation with international allies and partners.

CISA would be required to consult with federal agencies, state and local governments, information-sharing organizations, critical infrastructure partners, and other stakeholders.

Within one year of enactment, CISA would report its findings to the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, including recommendations to address personnel, resource, training, and certification gaps.

Read the bill text here.

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