I don't think this is a good idea. Dems should go, but stand silently with their backs turned. By not going, it sends a message that we're retreating. It gives them all the attention they want. Please don't do this! I want my representative to represent my existence!

7/As to my original point: cyber threats affect everyone, not just government agencies, and that defensive capabilities take years to build but can be compromised quickly if dismantled or disrupted. It's no drop in the bucket. It's a huge threat.

6/Pausing offensive cyber operations against Russia while making significant changes to govt IT infrastructure without traditional oversight raises serious national security concerns. Cyber defense requires continuity & institutional knowledge that can be compromised during rapid restructuring.

5/As seen with the Colonial Pipeline attack, cyber incidents can cause shortages of essential goods and services.

4/Local government systems that handle everything from water treatment to traffic management can be compromised, affecting daily life for residents.

3/Hospitals and healthcare providers have been victims of ransomware attacks, which can delay critical care and put patient data at risk.

2/Ransomware attacks, like those attributed to Russian-based groups, can target banking systems, payment processors, and financial institutions, potentially affecting citizens' ability to access funds or complete transactions.

1/Even though the industrial control systems are designed to be isolated, "air gaps" are often compromised through supply chain attacks, infected hardware, or insider threats. When Russia targeted Ukraine's power grid in 2015-2016, they used precisely these methods to bypass isolation measures.

5/DHS and FBI confirmed in 2018 that Russian hackers had penetrated our power grid. These threats are why CISA and the energy sector work closely together on cybersecurity measures. The interconnected nature of our critical infrastructure makes robust cyber defense absolutely essential.

4/ Many power grid systems have connections to the internet for monitoring and maintenance. U.S. intelligence agencies and security researchers have documented multiple instances where foreign actors, including Russia, have gained access to parts of our power infrastructure.

3/ Cyber attacks on power grids:
-2015 & 2016 attacks on Ukraine's power grid caused widespread outages
-2021, water treatment facility in FL attack to try increase chemicals to dangerous amounts
-Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack in 2021 affected fuel distribution across the Eastern U.S.

2/ The power grid is not completely isolated from the internet. Modern power infrastructure uses Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and SCADA systems that, while designed to be separate, often have connections to corporate networks and the internet for monitoring and maintenance purposes.

1/ While the power grid is largely operated by private companies, they work in coordination with government agencies like the Department of Energy and CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) on security matters.

Stopping our cyber security defense is not a drop in the bucket when being undefended allows Russia to break into our power grid and/or internet and shut it down. Kind of a big deal to regular people.

But why are you saying it doesn't matter? If Russia didn't need Hegseth to do this already, then why are they getting him to do it?

Yes, it matters because it's like opening a vault and letting robbers in. It all matters. We need to know what they are doing and prepare accordingly.