ROGERS URGES BIDEN TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST CHINA FOLLOWING MICROSOFT HACK

Jul 21, 2021

Press Release

Washington, DC - U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to President Biden urging him to take action following China's cyberattacks on Microsoft's email exchange.

In the letter, Ranking Member Rogers specifically called on Biden, '[T]o impose significant sanctions using the authorities in Executive Order 13694, criminal charges, or other punitive measures against the People's Republic of China and the state affiliated actors responsible for the cyberattack on the Microsoft email exchange.'

Ranking Member Rogers then noted that, 'A failure in this situation to punish the People's Republic of China in a manner comparable to our response to Russian hostilities creates an unacceptable double standard in this era of great power competition.'

The full text of the letter is below:

Dear Mr. President:

I commend you for publicly attributing the recent cyberattacks on Microsoft's email exchange to the People's Republic of China and hackers affiliated with their Ministry of State Security, but this action falls short. The People's Republic of China routinely engages in hostile cyber actions against American businesses and our government agencies that goes without a clear and public response. It is imperative that you and your administration do more to dissuade hostile cyber activity by the People's Republic of China against us and our allies.

The SolarWinds exploitation attributed to Russian actors last year rightfully resulted in sanctions and other punitive measures against entities involved. Meanwhile, the extent of the United States' response to an egregious cyberattack on American businesses by the People's Republic of China is a statement of condemnation. Our joint effort to denounce these actions with our allies is a positive step, but the lack of sanctions or direct criminal charges related to this event fails to dissuade further malign cyber activity.

I implore you to impose significant sanctions using the authorities in Executive Order 13694, criminal charges, or other punitive measures against the People's Republic of China and the state affiliated actors responsible for the cyberattack on the Microsoft email exchange. The People's Republic of China and their Ministry of State Security are responsible for this and many other cyber intrusions that go unreported or unnoticed. A failure in this situation to punish the People's Republic of China in a manner comparable to our response to Russian hostilities creates an unacceptable double standard in this era of great power competition. I encourage you to duly consider this request and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,