Sponsors (31)
The bill directs modest, multi-year federal funding to expand cybersecurity training and improve access for underrepresented groups, trading a small recurring taxpayer cost and risks of hurried startup and exclusionary eligibility rules for increased workforce development capacity and clearer congressional oversight.
People from disadvantaged and underrepresented groups (racial-ethnic minorities, women, people with disabilities) gain targeted access to cybersecurity career pathways through regional outreach and tailored programs.
Community colleges and educators receive increased engagement and partnership opportunities to expand local training capacity and student pipelines into cybersecurity jobs.
Provides sustained federal funding ($20M/year for FY2026–2031) to support program continuity and allow scaling of outreach efforts.
Taxpayers will fund $20M/year (FY2026–2031), increasing federal spending that could displace other priorities.
Narrow statutory definitions (e.g., 'older' = 40+, limited disability and racial/ethnic categories) may exclude individuals the program intends to serve, reducing reach and equity.
The 180-day implementation timeline may force a rushed setup, limiting early program quality, regional tailoring, and participant outcomes.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Directs CISA to create a regional, sector-tailored cybersecurity workforce program for underrepresented groups and authorizes $20M/year for FY2026–2031.
Official title: To establish in the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of the Department of Homeland Security a program to promote the cybersecurity field to disadvantaged communities, including older individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, geographically diverse communities, socioeconomically diverse communities, women, individuals from nontraditional educational paths, individuals who are veterans, and individuals who were formerly incarcerated, and for other purposes.
Introduced December 4, 2025 by Shontel M. Brown · Last progress December 4, 2025
Creates a new CISA program to recruit, train, and promote cybersecurity careers for disadvantaged and underrepresented populations through regional and sector-specific outreach. The Director of CISA must stand up the program within 180 days and deliver annual reports to Congress; the bill authorizes $20 million per year for FY2026–2031 to support implementation. The program is housed in CISA’s Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program and targets groups such as racial and ethnic minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, older individuals, formerly incarcerated people, geographically and socioeconomically diverse communities, and those from nontraditional education pathways. CISA must tailor outreach by region and sector and report annually on activities and outcomes.