WASHINGTON — The University of Texas at San Antonio’s drive to expand an already robust cybersecurity program won a key endorsement from Congress on Thursday with House passage of major legislation to stiffen the nation’s cyberdefenses.

Before approving broad legislation to increase sharing of threat information, the House adopted an amendment sought by UTSA to formally recognize its existing arrangement with other universities to provide cybersecurity training.

As it stands, the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium is an informal alliance of programs at UTSA, Texas A&M, the University of Arkansas, the University of Memphis and Norwich University in Vermont.

Since last year, the universities have shared over $3 million in Homeland Security Department funding primarily to conduct cybersecurity training in states and localities, as well as businesses. In recent years, UTSA has run programs in Texas and from California to Delaware.

The amendment adopted Thursday gives the Homeland Security Department authority to formally recognize the consortium, an elevated status that could bring UTSA a higher profile and increased funding.

UTSA officials and San Antonians in Congress believe that the department will do what Congress wants and designate the existing consortium for wider training duties around the country.

“I know of no other entity doing what we’re doing,” said Gregory White, who heads UTSA’s cybersecurity program.

Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, engineered the amendment with support from other House members from San Antonio.

“This signifies the prime place UTSA has in the cybersecurity world,” he said.

It helped that the broader legislation passed Thursday was written by Texans — Republican Reps. Michael McCaul of Austin, and John Ratcliffe of Heath. The bill grants legal immunity to companies that share threat information with the government and with another, removing an obstacle in fighting back against hackers.

Congress and the Obama administration still must work out the extent of liability and privacy protections. The White House this week threatened a veto unless an agreement is reached.

But with cybersecurity one of few matters in Washington featuring cooperation between Republicans and Democrats these days, a deal is widely expected.

Castro said he told McCaul it felt like “Texas Day” in Congress after the bill and Texas-sponsored amendments passed.

“It speaks to the outsized role Texas is playing in cybersecurity,” Castro said.

bill.lambrecht@hearstdc.com