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BISHOP STATEMENT ON COLONIAL PIPELINE ATTACK

May 12, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), released the following statement regarding the recent ransomware attack that shut down the Colonial Pipeline:

"I am deeply disturbed by the ransomware attack that shut down the Colonial Pipeline, an important source of gasoline. As a former member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I have long been a supporter of increased investment in our cybersecurity infrastructure. As a nation, we have underinvested in cybersecurity which has left us vulnerable to foreign hackers.

The adverse impacts of this attack are being felt across the East Coast, and in our daily lives, especially in Georgia. Gas prices have risen sharply and a report this morning found that 15% of gas stations in Georgia are without fuel. While the Colonial Pipeline expects to restart services soon, the Biden Administration is working diligently to increase the supply of gas to Georgia. The Department of Transportation has issued a temporary hours of service exemption to provide greater flexibility to motor carriers and drivers transporting gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other refined petroleum products. Additionally, the Administration supported Georgia's waiver to allow higher weight limits for fuel tank trucks.

I will continue to closely monitor the situation and support efforts at the federal, state, and local levels to provide relief to those most affected by this attack."