The Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing Thursday on what the U.S. is doing to protect against cyberattacks, and top White House cybersecurity official and National Security Council member Rob Joyce was conspicuously absent.
Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ), in his opening remarks, said the White House blocked Joyce from appearing, "citing executive privilege and 'precedent against having nonconfirmed NSC staff testifying before Congress.”
While cybersecurity officials from the Pentagon, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security did testify, Senator McCain explained why Joyce's presence was necessary and his absence frustrating:
“All of our witnesses answer to the Congress for their part of the cyber mission. But none of them is accountable for addressing cyber in its entirety. In theory, that is the White House Cyber Coordinator’s job, but that nonconfirmable position lacks the full authority to make cyber policy and strategy and direct our government’s efforts. And that official is literally prohibited by legal precedent from appearing before the Congress.”
When fellow committee member Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) suggested issuing a subpoena forcing Joyce to testify, Senator McCain said that would have to be discussed in committee.
McCain says White House blocked cyber czar from testifying (The Hill)
Senator McCain suggests subpoena to make White House cyber aide testify (Reuters)
Watch the hearing: Roles and Responsibilities for Defending the Nation from Cyber Attack (Senate Armed Services Committee)