Legislation would designate \u2018critical cyber threat actors,\u2019 direct sanctions against them | CyberScoop<\/title> <meta name=\"description\" content=\"A House Republican introduced legislation Tuesday aimed at deterring cyberattacks against the United States at a time when the Trump administration is prioritizing the punishment of malicious hackers.\"> <link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them\/\"> <meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\"> <meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\"> <meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Legislation would designate \u2018critical cyber threat actors,\u2019 direct sanctions against them\"> <meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A House Republican introduced legislation Tuesday aimed at deterring cyberattacks against the United States at a time when the Trump administration is prioritizing the punishment of malicious hackers.\"> <meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them\/\"> <meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"CyberScoop\"> <meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/cyberscoop\/\"> <meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-12-02T18:30:06+00:00\"> <meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-02T18:30:08+00:00\"> <meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-5.jpg\"> <meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\"> <meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1281\"> <meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\"> <meta name=\"author\" content=\"Tim Starks\"> <meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\"> <meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@timstarks\"> <meta 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content=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/cropped-cs_favicon-2.png?w=270\"> <\/head><body class=\"wp-singular post-template-default single single-post postid-86996 single-format-standard wp-theme-scoopnewsgroup wp-child-theme-cyberscoop\" id=\"readabilityBody\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them\/#main\" class=\"skip-to-content-link visually-hidden-focusable\">Skip to main content<\/a> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--top ad--top-desktop\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <main id=\"main\" role=\"main\" tabindex=\"-1\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--top ad--top-mobile\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section id=\"stickybar\" class=\"stickybar stickybar--newsletter js-stickybar\" readability=\"0.82\"> <button class=\"stickybar__close js-stickybar-close\" aria-controls=\"stickybar\"> <svg class=\"icon icon--close\" width=\"21\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 21 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"m.822.518-.805.805L9.695 11 .017 20.678l.805.805 9.678-9.678 9.677 9.678.806-.805L11.305 11l9.678-9.677-.806-.805-9.677 9.677L.822.518Z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg> <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Close<\/span> <\/button> <\/section>\n<article class=\"single-article content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__container js-single-article-content\">\n<header class=\"single-article__header \" readability=\"26.231316725979\">\n<div class=\"single-article__header-content\" readability=\"35.570048309179\">\n<p> The bill is a bid at further deterring cyberattacks, a sentiment with growing focus on the Hill and in the Trump administration. <\/p>\n<p>  <br \/>\n<audio id=\"audio-player\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-tts-cdn.api.scpnewsgrp.com\/cyberscoop\/86996\/english.openai.mp3\"><\/audio> <\/p>\n<div readability=\"11\">\n<div>\n<p>Listen to this article<\/p>\n<p>  <\/p>\n<p>0:00<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <\/p>\n<p> <span id=\"tts-tooltip\">Learn more.<\/span> <span> This feature uses an automated voice, which may result in occasional errors in pronunciation, tone, or sentiment. <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>  <\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__cover-wrap\">\n<figure class=\"single-article__cover\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1\" class=\"single-article__cover-image wp-post-image\" alt decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-5.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-5.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-5.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-5.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-5.jpg?resize=1536,1025 1536w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-5.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-5.jpg?resize=252,168 252w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-5.jpg?resize=505,337 505w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-5.jpg?resize=1012,675 1012w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-5.jpg?resize=1264,843 1264w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1012px) 100vw, 1012px\"><figcaption> U.S. Rep. August Pfluger, R-Tex., speaks during a news conference in front of the U.S. Capitol on March 21, 2024. (Photo by Alex Wong\/Getty Images) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"single-article__content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__content-inner has-drop-cap\"> <html readability=\"25.368541530412\"><body readability=\"54.396955503513\"><\/p>\n<p>A House Republican introduced legislation Tuesday aimed at deterring cyberattacks against the United States at a time when the Trump administration is prioritizing the punishment of malicious hackers.<\/p>\n<p>Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, revived legislation he first sponsored in 2022, <a href=\"https:\/\/files.constantcontact.com\/d6c983c4801\/f3861181-68ec-4a66-b27d-7a47a019079b.pdf?rdr=true\">the Cyber Deterrence and Response Act<\/a>. The legislation would direct the executive branch to formally designate foreign parties behind major cyberattacks against the United States as a \u201ccritical cyber threat actor\u201d who would be subject to sanctions. It also would establish a framework for attributing who\u2019s behind cyber attacks, including contributions from cyber agencies and threat intelligence companies.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs cyberattacks in the United States grow more sophisticated and widespread, we must ensure the Trump administration and all future administrations have a strong framework to hold bad actors accountable and safeguard our national security,\u201d Pfluger said in <a href=\"https:\/\/pfluger.house.gov\/news\/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2687\">a news release<\/a>. \u201cProtecting America\u2019s critical infrastructure from malicious cyberattacks is essential, and this bill does exactly that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The legislation is the latest reflection of congressional dismay that began growing last year in response to the Salt Typhoon cyberespionage campaign that infiltrated telecommunications networks, and the sense that the United States wasn\u2019t doing enough to <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/trump-cyber-policy-foreign-hacking-response\/\">make hackers pay<\/a> for their behavior.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>At a hearing Tuesday, Senate Commerce Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Tex., said the United States needs to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.commerce.senate.gov\/2025\/12\/chairman-cruz-we-must-preempt-attacks-on-u-s-communications-networks\">do a better job<\/a> of working \u201ctogether to detect and deter attacks in real time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Trump administration has said deterrence is one of <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/trump-cyber-strategy-six-pillars-industry-partnerships-deterrence\/\">the first pillars<\/a> of its forthcoming cyber strategy.<\/p>\n<p>The definition of \u201ccritical cyber threat actor\u201d under Pfluger\u2019s bill applies to hackers who disrupt the availability of computer networks, compromise computers that provide services in critical infrastructure, steal significant personal data or trade secrets, destabilize the financial or energy sectors or undermine the election process.<\/p>\n<p>The president could waive sanctions against those designees if it explains its reasoning to Congress in writing, a common clause of sanctions legislation.<\/p>\n<p>Pfluger\u2019s measure is updated in some ways from its 2022 incarnation, such as by giving the Office of the National Cyber Director the leading role in designating critical cyber actors.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The legislation draws on bills that former Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla, introduced in past years. That legislation <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/cyber-deterrence-ted-yoho-nation-state-hackers\/\">won House approval<\/a> in 2018, but never advanced further.<\/p>\n<p><\/body> <\/p>\n<footer class=\"single-article__footer\">\n<div class=\"author-card\" readability=\"7.7216117216117\">\n<div class=\"author-card__avatar\">\n<figure class=\"author-card__image-wrap\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"author-card__image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-1.jpg?w=640&ssl=1\" alt=\"Tim Starks\"> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-card__details\" readability=\"10.901098901099\">\n<h4 class=\"author-card__name\">Written by Tim Starks<\/h4>\n<p> Tim Starks is senior reporter at CyberScoop. His previous stops include working at The Washington Post, POLITICO and Congressional Quarterly. An Evansville, Ind. native, he’s covered cybersecurity since 2003. Email Tim here: <a href=\"mailto:tim.starks@cyberscoop.com\">tim.starks@cyberscoop.com<\/a>. <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__tags-container\">\n<h4 class=\"single-article__tags-title\">In This Story<\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<p> <\/html><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__ads js-single-article-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-5 ad--rightrail_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-4 ad--rightrail_2 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-3 ad--rightrail_3 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"popular-stories popular-stories--single-post\">\n<div class=\"popular-stories__container\">\n<h2 class=\"popular-stories__title\"> More Scoops <\/h2>\n<div class=\"popular-stories__stories\">\n<div class=\"popular-stories__cards\">\n<article class=\"post-item post-item--popular-stories-cards \" readability=\"20.782157676349\">\n<figure class=\"post-item__thumbnail\"> <a class=\"post-item__thumbnail-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/house-panel-approves-cyber-information-sharing-grant-legislation-as-expiration-deadlines-loom\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"506\" height=\"337\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-2.jpg?resize=506%2C337&ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-ratio-16-9-md size-ratio-16-9-md wp-post-image\" alt decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-6.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-6.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-6.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-6.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-6.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-6.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-6.jpg?resize=252,168 252w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-6.jpg?resize=506,337 506w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-6.jpg?resize=1013,675 1013w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-6.jpg?resize=1265,843 1265w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 506px) 100vw, 506px\"> <\/a><figcaption class=\"screen-reader-text\"> (L-R) Rep. Nick LaLota R-N.Y., Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. and Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., listen during a hearing with the House Committee on Homeland Security on Jan. 30, 2024. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker\/Getty Images) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<header class=\"post-item__meta\" readability=\"1.6071428571429\">\n<h3 class=\"post-item__title\"> <a class=\"post-item__title-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/house-panel-approves-cyber-information-sharing-grant-legislation-as-expiration-deadlines-loom\/\"> House panel approves cyber information sharing, grant legislation as expiration deadlines loom <\/a> <\/h3>\n<p> The Homeland Security Committee also voted out bills addressing pipeline cybersecurity and terrorists\u2019 use of AI. <\/p>\n<div class=\"post-item__byline\"> <span class=\"post-item__author\"> <span>By <\/span> <a class=\"post-item__author-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/author\/tim-starkscyberscoop-com\/\"> Tim Starks <\/a> <\/span> <\/div>\n<p> <\/header>\n<p> <\/article>\n<article class=\"post-item post-item--popular-stories-cards \">\n<figure class=\"post-item__thumbnail\"> <a class=\"post-item__thumbnail-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/quantum-cybersecurity-migration-act-federal-encryption-legislation\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"252\" height=\"168\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-3.jpg?resize=252%2C168&ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-ratio-16-9-sm size-ratio-16-9-sm wp-post-image\" alt decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-7.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-7.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-7.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-7.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-7.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-7.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-7.jpg?resize=252,168 252w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-7.jpg?resize=506,337 506w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-7.jpg?resize=1013,675 1013w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-7.jpg?resize=1265,843 1265w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px\"> <\/a><figcaption class=\"screen-reader-text\"> Parts of the IBM Quantum System Two are displayed at IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center on June 6, 2025 in Yorktown Heights, New York. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS \/ AFP) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<header class=\"post-item__meta\">\n<h3 class=\"post-item__title\"> <a class=\"post-item__title-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/quantum-cybersecurity-migration-act-federal-encryption-legislation\/\"> Senate legislation would direct federal agencies to fortify against quantum computing cyber threats <\/a> <\/h3>\n<div class=\"post-item__byline\"> <span class=\"post-item__author\"> <span>By <\/span> <a class=\"post-item__author-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/author\/tim-starkscyberscoop-com\/\"> Tim Starks <\/a> <\/span> <\/div>\n<p> <\/header>\n<p> <\/article>\n<article class=\"post-item post-item--popular-stories-cards \">\n<figure class=\"post-item__thumbnail\"> <a class=\"post-item__thumbnail-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/peters-rounds-bill-renew-cyber-threat-information-sharing-law\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"252\" height=\"168\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-4.jpg?resize=252%2C168&ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-ratio-16-9-sm size-ratio-16-9-sm wp-post-image\" alt decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-8.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-8.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-8.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-8.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-8.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-8.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-8.jpg?resize=252,168 252w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-8.jpg?resize=506,337 506w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-8.jpg?resize=1013,675 1013w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them-8.jpg?resize=1265,843 1265w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px\"> <\/a><figcaption class=\"screen-reader-text\"> Chairman Sen. Rand Paul (L), R-Ky., and Ranking Member Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., (R) listens during a nomination hearing with the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on April 3. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker\/Getty Images) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<header class=\"post-item__meta\">\n<h3 class=\"post-item__title\"> <a class=\"post-item__title-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/peters-rounds-bill-renew-cyber-threat-information-sharing-law\/\"> Exclusive: Peters, Rounds tee up bill to renew expiring cyber threat information sharing law <\/a> <\/h3>\n<div class=\"post-item__byline\"> <span class=\"post-item__author\"> <span>By <\/span> <a class=\"post-item__author-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/author\/tim-starkscyberscoop-com\/\"> Tim Starks <\/a> <\/span> <\/div>\n<p> <\/header>\n<p> <\/article>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/div>\n<p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <\/p>\n<section class=\"latest-podcasts\">\n<h2 class=\"latest-podcasts__title\"> Latest Podcasts\t<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"top-categories\">\n<div class=\"top-categories__container\">\n<h3 class=\"top-categories__category-title\">Government<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div 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{"id":8167,"date":"2025-12-02T12:30:06","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T18:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/?p=86996"},"modified":"2025-12-02T12:30:06","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T18:30:06","slug":"legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/2025\/12\/02\/legislation-would-designate-critical-cyber-threat-actors-direct-sanctions-against-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Legislation would designate \u2018critical cyber threat actors,\u2019 direct sanctions against them"},"content":{"rendered":"