WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks (D-N.Y.), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, was joined today by U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in writing to Vice President Kamala Harris in advance of her upcoming travel to the Paris Peace Forum to express support for the Biden-Harris administration’s reinvigorated emphasis on U.S. leadership on cybersecurity and technology issues. The lawmakers also requested additional information from the Administration about its top priorities for engagement with the private sector, allies, and international partners on cybersecurity.

“Given the recent surge of ransomware and other cyberattacks against the United States and our partners and allies, the Forum’s work on cybersecurity is essential,” the lawmakers wrote. “In particular, private-sector companies play an increasingly significant role, including through the Paris Peace Forum and its Paris Call for Trust and Security in Cyberspace. We welcome your commitment to engage with our allies and partners, private-sector companies, and other important stakeholders at the Paris Peace Forum.”

Find a copy of the letter HERE and below.

Dear Vice President Harris,

As you prepare for your upcoming travel to the Paris Peace Forum, we would like to express our support for the Administration’s reinvigorated emphasis on U.S. leadership on critical global governance issues, including cybersecurity and technology matters. The Paris Peace Forum is an important venue to demonstrate this leadership and we are encouraged by the Biden-Harris administration’s international engagement on these issues at the highest levels.

Given the recent surge of ransomware and other cyberattacks against the United States and our partners and allies, the Forum’s work on cybersecurity is essential. Cybersecurity is a critical economic and national security imperative, and confronting this challenge will require comprehensive and sustained U.S. engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. In particular, private-sector companies play an increasingly significant role, including through the Paris Peace Forum and its Paris Call for Trust and Security in Cyberspace. We welcome your commitment to engage with our allies and partners, private-sector companies, and other important stakeholders at the Paris Peace Forum.

In advance of this event, we would like to better understand your agenda for the forum. What are the administration’s top priorities, and how do you plan to work with our allies, partners, and the private sector on cybersecurity? Further, how will you engage with ongoing multilateral cybersecurity efforts, including the Paris Call for Trust and Security in Cyberspace?

Sincerely,