Democrats to scrutinize CISA, AI security, and DOGE probes in new Congress
With Democrats set to regain control of Congress in January, cybersecurity will become a top priority. Experts say the new majority will push to rebuild the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which has lost a third of its workforce and cut key programs under the Trump administration. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), the incoming chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee,…
Key points
- Democrats plan to rebuild CISA’s workforce and restore cut programs, calling Trump-era cuts a public safety risk
- AI security will be a major focus, with potential new regulations for AI labs and CISA’s expanded oversight role
- Lapsed cybersecurity grants for local governments and scrutiny of Trump’s private-sector hacking program may resurface
AI security will also dominate oversight. Democrats may demand stricter regulations on AI labs and push CISA to lead federal efforts on AI safety. They will also revive the lapsed State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, which Democrats created in 2021 to aid underfunded local utilities. Additionally, Democrats may restrict Trump’s proposed private-sector hacking program against foreign cybercrime gangs, citing concerns over unchecked corporate authority. Whether these efforts gain traction depends on bipartisan cooperation, particularly with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who has historically blocked cybersecurity legislation.
Experts say the new Democratic congressional majority will likely seek to rebuild CISA, prioritize AI security, revive local cyber grants, probe DOGE, and more
cybersecuritydive.com · 6 November 2026
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