Expanding Cybersecurity Workforce Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 6429

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Labor and Employment

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-05: Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection.

Last Updated

2026-05-16T08:07:34Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 6429: Expanding Cybersecurity Workforce Act of 2025

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill aims to broaden participation in the cybersecurity field by creating a targeted outreach and promotion program within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) of the Department of Homeland Security. It focuses on reaching individuals from groups that have historically faced barriers to entry, such as older adults, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, women, veterans, and those with nontraditional education backgrounds.

Key Provisions Outlined

• Program Establishment: Within 180 days of enactment, the CISA Director must create a new program under the existing Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program to promote cybersecurity careers to the specified disadvantaged communities.
• Outreach Requirements: The Director must engage with educators, unions, chambers of commerce, state and local workforce offices, private sector groups, community colleges, parents of K-12 students, and other relevant institutions to raise awareness.
• Regional Customization: The program must be adapted to the specific needs of different U.S. regions and industry sectors.
• Reporting Obligations: Annual reports must be submitted to the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, detailing the program's effectiveness in changing the makeup of the cyber workforce and offering improvement suggestions.
• Funding Authorization: Up to $20,000,000 is authorized annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2031.
• Defined Terms: The bill provides specific definitions, including:
• Disability: Limited to intellectual or developmental disabilities.
• Geographically diverse: Emphasizing balanced representation across urban, suburban, and rural areas, or prioritizing low-income areas.
• Nontraditional educational path: Includes graduates from two-year programs, trade schools, community colleges, and various minority-serving institutions (e.g., historically Black colleges, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal colleges).
• Older: Individuals aged 40 or above at the start of participation.
• Racial and ethnic minority: Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian American, or Native American.
• Socioeconomically diverse: A range of income levels, including low-income individuals.

Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced

The legislation amends the structure of CISA's current education and training efforts by adding a dedicated outreach component focused on diversity and inclusion. It introduces new mandatory reporting, tailored regional implementation, and multi-year funding authorization, which were not previously specified in this form.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Increases responsibilities and resources for CISA, requiring new program management, outreach coordination, and annual reporting to Congress.
• On Citizens: Expands opportunities for career entry into cybersecurity for the listed groups, potentially improving access through education, awareness, and workforce development support.
• On International Relations: No direct effects identified in the bill text.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Individuals from the targeted disadvantaged communities (e.g., older adults, minorities, people with disabilities, women, veterans, and formerly incarcerated persons).
• Educational institutions, including community colleges and minority-serving schools.
• Workforce development entities, such as state and local offices, unions, and chambers of commerce.
• The Department of Homeland Security and CISA.
• Private sector entities involved in cybersecurity.
• Congressional committees responsible for oversight.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

The bill operates within existing federal authority over homeland security and workforce programs, with no apparent conflicts with constitutional provisions. It emphasizes federal investment in domestic workforce expansion without altering international obligations or core legal frameworks.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]

Cosponsors (30)

Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2], Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-05: Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection.
• 2025-12-04: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
• 2025-12-04: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-04: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Expanding Cybersecurity Workforce Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-04 — PDF (6 pages)