Bill Summary
The "Expanding Cybersecurity Workforce Act of 2025" aims to enhance the cybersecurity workforce by creating a program within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) of the Department of Homeland Security. This program is specifically designed to promote opportunities in the cybersecurity field for disadvantaged communities, including older adults, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, women, veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals, among others.
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. **Program Establishment**: CISA is required to establish a program to encourage participation in cybersecurity careers from diverse and underrepresented populations within 180 days of the bill's enactment.
2. **Outreach Efforts**: CISA will conduct outreach to various institutions, such as educators and workforce development offices, to raise awareness about cybersecurity career paths and the new program.
3. **Tailored Approach**: The program will be customized to address the specific needs of different regions and sectors across the U.S.
4. **Annual Reporting**: CISA must provide annual reports to Congress on the program's effectiveness and its impact on the cybersecurity workforce demographics.
5. **Funding Authorization**: The bill authorizes $20 million annually from fiscal year 2026 through 2031 to support the program.
Overall, the legislation seeks to build a more inclusive cybersecurity workforce by targeting support and resources to those historically underrepresented in the field.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Expanding Cybersecurity Workforce Act of 2025" could affect people:
1. **Increased Access to Cybersecurity Careers for Disadvantaged Groups**: The Act aims to promote the cybersecurity field among disadvantaged communities, including racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans. By providing tailored education and training programs, these groups may gain access to careers in cybersecurity that they previously found difficult to enter due to barriers such as socioeconomic status, educational background, or lack of awareness. This could lead to greater economic opportunities and improved job security for individuals from these communities.
2. **Localized Outreach and Education**: The legislation mandates that the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) conduct outreach to various institutions, including community colleges and local workforce development offices. This localized approach means that individuals in different regions—be it urban, suburban, or rural—will receive relevant information and access to training programs that meet their specific needs. As a result, people in geographically diverse areas will have the opportunity to participate in the cybersecurity workforce, which can help bridge the digital divide and promote economic growth in underrepresented regions.
3. **Annual Reporting and Accountability**: The requirement for annual reports on the efficacy of the Program ensures accountability and continuous improvement. By assessing how well the program is impacting the cybersecurity workforce and making recommendations for Congress, stakeholders can adapt and refine initiatives to better serve participants. This could lead to more effective training programs and policies that respond to the evolving needs of the cybersecurity industry, ultimately benefiting individuals who seek to enter this field.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6429 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6429
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.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 4, 2025
Ms. Brown (for herself, Ms. Stevens, Mrs. Ramirez, Ms. Wasserman
Schultz, Ms. Norton, Mr. Quigley, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Mr. Lynch, Mr.
Carson, Ms. Ansari, Ms. Crockett, Mrs. Beatty, Ms. Brownley, Mr.
Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Landsman, Ms. Velazquez, Mr. Larsen of
Washington, Ms. Plaskett, Mrs. Hayes, Mr. Min, Mrs. McBath, Mr. Bell,
Mr. Goldman of New York, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick, Mr. Horsford, Ms.
Johnson of Texas, Mr. Evans of Pennsylvania, Mrs. Foushee, and Mr.
Carter of Louisiana) introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on Homeland Security
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Expanding Cybersecurity Workforce
Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF CISA'S CYBERSECURITY EDUCATION AND TRAINING
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Cybersecurity and
Infrastructure Security Agency of the Department of Homeland Security
shall establish within the Cybersecurity Education and Training
Assistance Program of the Agency a program (in this section referred to
as the ``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.
(b) Outreach.--To carry out subsection (a) and promote awareness of
the Program, the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure
Security Agency of the Department of Homeland Security shall conduct
outreach to different institutions to raise awareness of and promote
the cybersecurity workforce, including to educators, unions, chambers
of commerce, State and local workforce development offices, private
sector entities, community colleges, parents of K-12 students, and
other institutions as the Director determines appropriate.
(c) Applicability.--The Director of the Cybersecurity and
Infrastructure Security Agency of the Department of Homeland Security
shall tailor the Program to the unique needs of each region and sector
across the United States.
(d) Annual Reports.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Director of the
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of the Department of
Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the efficacy of the
Program, including how the Program is impacting the general
characteristics of the cyber workforce throughout the United States,
and suggestions for Congress regarding how to improve the Program.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure
Security Agency of the Department of Homeland Security $20,000,000 for
fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter through 2031.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Disability.--The term ``disability'' means an
intellectual or developmental disability.
(2) Geographically diverse.--The term ``geographically
diverse'' means that the participants should be represented as
close as possible to an equal spread of high-density urban
areas, suburban areas, and rural areas of the United States or
over-represent low-income communities.
(3) Nontraditional educational path.--The term
``nontraditional educational path'' means a graduate of any of
the following:
(A) A two year degree program, trade school, or
community college.
(B) A historically Black college or university.
(C) A Hispanic-serving institution (as such term is
defined in section 502(a) of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a))).
(D) A Tribal College or University (as such term is
defined in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b))).
(E) An Alaska Native-serving institution (as such
term is defined in section 317(b) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b))).
(F) A Native Hawaiian-serving institution (as such
term is defined in section 317(b) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b))).
(G) A Predominantly Black Institution (as such term
is defined in section 318(b) of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059e(b))).
(H) A Native American-serving, nontribal
institution (as such term is defined in section 319(b)
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1059f(b))).
(I) An Asian-American and Native American Pacific
Islander-serving institution (as such term is defined
in section 320(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1059g(b))).
(4) Older.--The term ``older'' means an individual who has
attained the age of 40 or older as of the date on which such
individual is scheduled to begin participation in the Program.
(5) Racial and ethnic minority.--The term ``racial and
ethnic minority'' means Black or African American, Hispanic or
Latino, Asian American, or Native American.
(6) Socioeconomically diverse.--The term
``socioeconomically diverse'' means a spread of income levels,
including low-income individuals.
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