Castro Welcomes Senate Committee Passage of Bill to Protect Foreign Service Officers
WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and First Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, today welcomed the passage of the Protecting Diplomats from Surveillance Through Consumer Devices Act (H.R. 4989) through the Senate Foreign Relations Committee:
“It’s critical we protect our frontline civilians who serve in the most dangerous corners of our world. This includes adapting to new technologies that compromise security, and ensuring that the State Department works to specifically address vulnerabilities exposed through location-tracking consumer devices. I’m glad to see the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted in favor of the Protecting Diplomats from Surveillance Through Consumer Devices Act today, and hope to see it sent to the President’s desk soon. Today’s passage brings us one step closer to comprehensively protecting those who risk their lives in service to our nation.”
Background: In February, Congressman Castro introduced H.R.4989 along with Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee Michael T. McCaul (TX-10). This legislation would require the State Department to account for all location-tracking consumer devices in security policies at U.S. embassies and consulates.
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