"On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) said that if the chamber cannot move forward on a vote to defund Planned Parenthood – an effort that is likely doomed by opposition from Democrats – it will look to pass the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA), the National Journal reported. The bill would grant companies more protections when it comes to gathering potentially threat-related data and allow them to share that information with government departments like the National Security Agency.

"McConnell’s comments were something of a surprise considering that just two days earlier, reports suggested consideration of CISA would slip past recess and be delayed for at least another month.

"Following the majority leader’s comments, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) attacked the plan, saying any movement on CISA, and cybersecurity in general, 'requires a thoughtful and bipartisan response from Congress.'

"'If the Majority Leader is serious about improving our nation’s cybersecurity,” Leahy added, he will allow for a “meaningful amendment process.' Such a move would allow critics a chance to strengthen the bill’s privacy protections."

-- http://cybersecuritycaucus.com/secret-surveillance-bill-senate-could-pass-cisa-info-sharing-bill-with-barely-any-debate/