Week ahead: House votes on NSA reform bill

The House is scheduled to vote on legislation to reform the NSA, including ending its controversial bulk collection of phone records.

The USA Freedom Act is expected to easily pass the House, most likely on Wednesday, but the bill’s path forward remains unclear in the Senate. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) favors a clean reauthorization of the Patriot Act and its related surveillance programs.

An appeals court ruling on Thursday declaring the bulk collection program illegal has also thrown a wrench in the Capitol Hill proceedings.

Congress has just a handful of working days left before three sections of the Patriot Act expire on June 1, and the pressure is on to wrap up work before the Memorial Day holiday.

NSA Director Adm. Michael Rogers could address the standoff when he speaks Monday at The George Washington University.

Rogers, head of the U.S. Cyber Command, is scheduled to discuss cybersecurity threats and the Defense Department’s recently updated cyber strategy.

Two congressional committees will grapple with cyber policy during the week — in fact, both hearings are currently scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday.

The Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee that covers cybersecurity policy will hear from State Department Coordinator for Cyber Issues Christopher Painter.

Painter, and another panel of two outside experts, will discuss how the United States can help set cyber norms around the world.

At the same time, the House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing on protecting consumers’ financial data from hackers.

A variety of outside groups will also hold cyber events.

The Center for Digital Democracy will hold a discussion on companies’ collection of personal data on Monday.

The Hudson Institute will hold a talk about the cyber threat from Russia and China on Tuesday.

The Atlantic Council will look at the Defense Department’s new outreach campaign to Silicon Valley on Wednesday. Later that day, the International Spy Museum will hold a briefing on global terrorism, espionage and cybersecurity.

Finally, Microsoft will host a cybersecurity panel on Thursday, with remarks from Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) and a panel discussion including James Trainor, the acting assistant director of the FBI’s Cyber Division.

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