6/4/13 - About 170 people Monday heard Howell Congressman Mike Rogers say that cyber-attacks â the majority of them coming from China â pose a greater threat to U.S. security than physical military threats from rogue nations such as North Korea and Iran. What they did not hear him say was whether he would run for U.S. Senate, a decision increasingly anticipated by many GOP officials who view Rogers as the best candidate to win the seat being vacated next year by the retirement of Democrat Carl Levin. Even with the expectation that former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land would announce her candidacy for the post, which she confirmed later in the day, all Rogers would say was that he continues to consider a run, but his responsibilities as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee take precedence. But the major thrust of his talk yesterday was on cyber-attacks. Rogers says that computer hackers from China get into computer systems of U.S. companies daily to steal proprietary information, despite the measures taken to stop them. Rogers says that theft of software, engineering and design plans and other such information gives the Chinese an advantage in the highly competitive global economy. Rogersâs presentation is part of an effort seeking passage of cyber security legislation that would safeguard against hackers aiming to destroy networks and steal trade secrets. The GOP-controlled U.S. House has approved the Rogers-sponsored legislation. But because of concerns of potential civil liberties violations, it has drawn a threat of a White House veto and still awaits action in the U.S. Senate. (JK)
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