To watch Senator Capito’s questioning, click here or the image above.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, participated in a subcommittee hearing with FBI Director Christopher Wray and addressed rising crime levels across the country, examined reasons for Americans feeling the need to protect themselves, and inquired about how the United States is preparing to defend against future cyber and ransomware attacks.
HIGHLIGHTS:
ON RECORD NUMBER OF BACKGROUND CHECKS PROCESSED FOR GUN PURCHASES: “We had the highest May ever of 3,222,105 background checks, which is amazing…I want to be as supportive as we possibly can be through this committee to help you with the resources that you need.”
ON RISE IN CRIME DRIVING INCREASED GUN PURCHASES: “And, we've heard about the rise in crime over the last two years, particularly this summer seems to be particularly troublesome…I think the rise also is, obviously, if you're going to legally purchase and go through a background check it's probably in response to a rising criminal element for a defense. More people are feeling defenseless. More people at home more, and feel like they may be making those purchases to protect them and their family. So, I thank you for making sure those are getting safely into those hands.”
ENSURING THE U.S. IS PREPARED FOR CYBER/RANSOMWARE ATTACKS: “It is a global issue as well…I'm interested to know if you're working with your global partners on how to address ransomware. You read from time to time, what the different advice is: pay the ransom, don't pay the ransom…How are you all addressing that? For a large breach like the Colonial Pipeline, certainly you have to be involved with that. We know it's going to get worse…I suppose that's why the cyber part of your budget is going to be increased and that would be the area that you would look at the ransomware issue?...We want to be as supportive as we can because this is growing problem.”
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