Washington, DC – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) and Terrorism and Unconventional Threats Subcommittee Chairman Adam Smith (D-WA) released the following statement on the Secretary of Defense’s memorandum establishing a new sub-unified command under Strategic Command (STRATCOM) to deal with cyber issues:

            “Cyber operations are a critical part of our national security and will only become more important in the years ahead. We commend Secretary Gates for establishing a Cyber Command under STRATCOM, which will focus on these issues in a joint and coordinated way. 

            “With his experience as director of the National Security Agency and his extensive background in technology, Lieutenant General Keith Alexander is the right person to set up and lead this command.  We look forward to working with Secretary Gates and with General Alexander to ensure that we take every appropriate measure to protect the American people against unconventional threats.”

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