Washington, March 18: The US House of Representatives faced a significant surge in cyber threats in 2025, with officials reporting 3 billion attacks on its websites and 178 million potentially harmful emails received by staff.
During a hearing by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the fiscal year 2027 budget proposal, senior officials detailed the severity of these threats, calling for increased funding to bolster cybersecurity and modernize internal systems.
Acting Chief Administrative Officer Anne Dresendorfer Binstead emphasized the need for investment in cybersecurity, stating, “During this brief statement alone, there have been approximately 30,000 intrusion attempts.” She warned that Congress remains a critical target, noting, “Congress is a target in every sense. It is certainly a prime target for the most sophisticated state-sponsored cyber attackers.”
The Chief Administrative Officer’s office has requested $253 million for fiscal year 2027, an 8.5% increase from the previous year. Binstead explained that 80% of this increase would be spent on maintaining operations, including personnel, hardware, software, and licenses, while 20% would fund new high-priority projects. One of the key initiatives is to expand multi-factor authentication for devices used by members and staff. The House currently utilizes around 55,000 desktops, laptops, and mobile devices, many of which are used outside Washington, creating what Binstead described as a “last point of weakness.”
Binstead further stated that the House is already implementing multi-factor authentication on mobile devices and plans to extend it to all computers. Once implemented, users will rely on more secure systems such as facial recognition, touch ID, and push notifications.
Another proposal includes creating a secure cloud environment to test customized artificial intelligence tools using House data without exposing it to external risks. Binstead highlighted the need for tailored solutions rather than relying solely on “off-the-shelf products.” She also pointed out the unauthorized use of applications by staff as “shadow IT,” stating, “In my opinion, this is one of the biggest risks. Better awareness and compliance are necessary to mitigate this risk.”
House Sergeant at Arms William McFarland stated that cybersecurity is now a top priority for his office. Addressing the panel, he said, “Cybersecurity is certainly our top priority, and we call for broad participation from members in existing security programs.”
McFarland indicated that his office is requesting $147.28 million for fiscal year 2027, representing a 4.75% increase. This funding will support various initiatives, including personal security programs for members, mobile emergency applications, and enhanced cybersecurity measures for lawmakers and their families.
Meanwhile, House Clerk Kevin McCumber highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize legislative operations and improve efficiency. His office has requested $51.79 million, a 5.71% increase from the current budget.
McCumber mentioned the implementation of an AI-based speech-to-text system for House proceedings, which he stated “demonstrates high accuracy and saves approximately $500,000 annually, including improvements such as closed captioning and Spanish language support.”
He concluded by emphasizing the importance of determination in achieving success, stating, “To win a war, the most important thing is resolve—the resolve of the leader, the resolve of the commander, and the resolve of the people. We are determined to win, and we will achieve our goals.”