On September 19, Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, sent a letter to the CEOs of all Fortune 500 companies seeking their input on the nation’s cybersecurity needs. Responses are due by Friday, October 19. Sen. Rockefeller intends to use the letter to continue his drive towards the passage of cybersecurity legislation, which faltered in the Senate last month.

Senator Rockefeller’s letter states his strong belief that the Senate’s failure to pass cybersecurity legislation last month leaves the country increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. He places the blame for the filibuster that blocked the bill largely on the United States Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of the letter, he says, is to seek the unfiltered views of the nation’s biggest companies on issues associated with the legislation.