The Department of National Defense (DND) applauded lawmakers on Friday following the House of Representatives’ final approval of a modernized anti-espionage bill aimed at revamping decades-old national security legislation.
DND Spokesperson Arsenio Andolong praised the House’s passage of the proposed New Espionage Act, describing the measure as a “critical and long-overdue modernization of antiquated laws” built to address evolving national security risks.
Andolong highlighted that the nation’s existing legal system has struggled to keep pace with contemporary warfare and intelligence threats.
“For decades, our legal framework has been dangerously ill-equipped to handle modern, asymmetric security threats,” Andolong noted.
Defense officials emphasized that updated statutory powers are essential to defend the country against non-traditional hostility, including cyber breaches, influence campaigns, and foreign intelligence activities directed at key national assets.
“In an era where hostile actors deploy sophisticated cognitive domain operations and covertly target our critical infrastructure, this legislation provides the State with the indispensable legal tools required to disrupt malicious actors and protect our national secrets,” Andolong added.
Expressing optimism for the bill’s eventual passage into law, the defense establishment signaled that the updated framework will significantly enhance the government’s ability to counter covert operations and safeguard sensitive state intelligence.