[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 101 (Wednesday, June 18, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H5506-H5510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL BOMBING PREVENTION ACT OF 2008
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the
rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4749) to amend the Homeland Security Act
of 2002 to establish the Office for Bombing Prevention, to address
terrorist explosive threats, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4749
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Bombing Prevention
Act of 2008''.
SEC. 2. BOMBING PREVENTION.
(a) In General.--Subtitle A of title II of the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 121 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 210F. OFFICE FOR BOMBING PREVENTION.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish within the
Protective Security Coordination Division of the Office of
Infrastructure Protection of the Department an Office for
Bombing Prevention (in this section referred to as `the
Office').
``(b) Responsibilities.--The Office shall have the primary
responsibility for enhancing the ability, and coordinating
the efforts, of the United States to deter, detect, prevent,
protect against, and respond to terrorist explosive attacks
in the United States, including by--
``(1) serving as the lead agency of the Department for
ensuring that programs designed to counter terrorist
explosive attacks in the United States function together
efficiently to meet the evolving threat from explosives and
improvised explosive devices;
``(2) coordinating national and intergovernmental bombing
prevention activities to ensure those activities work toward
achieving common national goals;
``(3) conducting analysis of the capabilities and
requirements necessary for Federal, State, local, and tribal
governments to deter, prevent, detect, protect against, and
assist in any response to terrorist explosive attacks in the
United States by--
``(A) maintaining a national analysis database on the
capabilities of bomb squads, explosive detection canine
teams, tactics teams, and public safety dive teams; and
``(B) applying the analysis derived from the database
described in subparagraph (A) in--
``(i) evaluating progress toward closing identified gaps
relating to national strategic goals and standards; and
``(ii) informing decisions relating to homeland security
policy, assistance, training, research, development efforts,
testing and evaluation, and related requirements;
``(4) promoting secure information sharing of sensitive
material and promoting security awareness, including by--
``(A) operating and maintaining a secure information
sharing system that allows the sharing of critical
information relating to terrorist
[[Page H5507]]
explosive attack tactics, techniques, and procedures;
``(B) educating the public and private sectors about
explosive precursor chemicals;
``(C) working with international partners, in coordination
with the Office for International Affairs of the Department,
to develop and share effective practices to deter, prevent,
detect, protect, and respond to terrorist explosive attacks
in the United States; and
``(D) executing national public awareness and vigilance
campaigns relating to terrorist explosive threats, preventing
explosive attacks, and activities and measures underway to
safeguard the United States;
``(5) assisting State, local, and tribal governments in
developing multi-jurisdictional improvised explosive devices
security plans for high-risk jurisdictions;
``(6) helping to ensure, in coordination with the Under
Secretary for Science and Technology and the Administrator of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the identification
and availability of effective technology applications through
field pilot testing and acquisition of such technology
applications by Federal, State, local, and tribal governments
to deter, prevent, detect, protect, and respond to terrorist
explosive attacks in the United States;
``(7) coordinating the efforts of the Department relating
to, and assisting departments and agencies of Federal, State,
local, and tribal governments, and private sector business
in, developing and implementing national explosives detection
training, certification, and performance standards;
``(8) ensuring the implementation of any recommendations in
the national strategy required under section 210G, including
developing, maintaining, and tracking progress toward
achieving objectives to reduce the vulnerability of the
United States to terrorist explosive attacks;
``(9) developing, in coordination with the Administrator of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, programmatic
guidance and permitted uses for bombing prevention activities
funded by homeland security assistance administered by the
Department; and
``(10) establishing and executing a public awareness
campaign to inform the general public and private sector
businesses on ways they can deter, detect, prevent, protect
against, and respond to terrorist explosive attacks in the
United States, that--
``(A) utilizes a broad spectrum of both mainstream and
specialty print, radio, television outlets, and the Internet;
``(B) utilizes small and disadvantaged businesses, as
defined under the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.);
and
``(C) ensures that the public awareness messages under the
campaign reach and are understandable to underserved
populations, including--
``(i) persons with physical and mental disabilities, health
problems, visual impairments, hearing impairments, limited
English proficiency, and literacy barriers;
``(ii) socially and economically disadvantaged households
and communities;
``(iii) the elderly; and
``(iv) children.
``(c) Limitation on Statutory Construction.--Nothing in
this section shall be construed to affect the authority of
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency,
or the Attorney General of the United States.
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to carry out this section--
``(A) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
``(B) $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through
2012; and
``(C) such sums as may be necessary for each subsequent
fiscal year.
``(2) Availability.--Amounts made available pursuant to
paragraph (1) are authorized to remain available until
expended.
``(e) Enhancement of Explosives Detection Canine Resources
and Capabilities.--To enhance the Nation's explosives
detection canine resources and capabilities the Secretary of
Homeland Security shall, by partnering with other Federal,
State, local, and tribal agencies, nonprofit organizations,
universities including historically black colleges and
universities and minority serving institutions, and the
private sector--
``(1) within 270 days after the date of the enactment of
this subsection--
``(A) develop a pilot program that includes a domestic
breeding program for purpose-bred explosives detection
canines; and
``(B) increase the current number of capability assessments
of explosives detection canine units to identify common
challenges and gaps in canine explosives detection, to
provide for effective domestic preparedness and collective
response to terrorism, and to inform grant guidance and
priorities, consistent with national capabilities database
efforts;
``(2) continue development of a scientifically-based
training curriculum to enhance consensus-based national
training and certification standards to provide for effective
domestic preparedness and collective response to terrorism
through the effective use of explosives detection canines for
explosives detection canines; and
``(3) continue engagement in explosives detection canine
research and development activities through partnerships with
the Science and Technology Directorate and the Technical
Support Working Group.
``SEC. 210G. NATIONAL STRATEGY.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall develop and
periodically update a national strategy to prevent and
prepare for terrorist explosive attacks in the United States.
``(b) Development.--Not later than 90 days after the date
of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall develop
the national strategy required under subsection (a).
``(c) Reporting.--Not later than six months after the date
of the submission of the report regarding each quadrennial
homeland security review conducted under section 707, the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report
regarding the national strategy required under subsection
(a), which shall include recommendations, if any, for
deterring, preventing, detecting, protecting against, and
responding to terrorist attacks in the United States using
explosives or improvised explosive devices, including any
such recommendations relating to coordinating the efforts of
Federal, State, local, and tribal governments, emergency
response providers, and the private sector.''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of
contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 210E the following new items:
``Sec. 210F. Office for Bombing Prevention.
``Sec. 210G. National strategy.''.
SEC. 3. EXPLOSIVES TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFER.
(a) In General.--Title III of the Homeland Security Act of
2002 (6 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following new sections:
``SEC. 318. EXPLOSIVES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Under
Secretary for Science and Technology, and in coordination
with the Under Secretary for National Protection and
Programs, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Defense, and
the head of any other relevant Federal department or agency,
shall ensure coordination and information sharing regarding
nonmilitary research, development, testing, and evaluation
activities of the Federal Government relating to the
detection and prevention of, protection against, and response
to terrorist attacks in the United States using explosives or
improvised explosive devices, and the development of tools
and technologies necessary to neutralize and disable
explosive devices.
``(b) Leveraging Military Research.--The Secretary, acting
through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, and
in coordination with the Under Secretary for National
Protection and Programs, shall coordinate with the Secretary
of Defense and the head of any other relevant Federal
department or agency to ensure that, to the maximum extent
possible, military policies and procedures, and research,
development, testing, and evaluation activities relating to
the detection and prevention of, protection against, and
response to terrorist attacks using explosives or improvised
explosive devices, and the development of tools and
technologies necessary to neutralize and disable explosive
devices, are adapted to nonmilitary uses.
``SEC. 319. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Under
Secretary for Science and Technology, and in coordination
with the Under Secretary for National Protection and
Programs, shall establish a technology transfer program to
facilitate the identification, modification, and
commercialization of technology and equipment for use by
Federal, State, and local governmental agencies, emergency
response providers, and the private sector to deter, prevent,
detect, protect, and respond to terrorist attacks in the
United States using explosives or improvised explosive
devices.
``(b) Program.--The activities under the program
established under subsection (a) shall include--
``(1) applying the analysis conducted under section
210F(b)(3) of the capabilities and requirements of bomb
squad, explosive detection canine teams, tactical teams, and
public safety dive teams of Federal, State, and local
governments, to determine the training and technology
requirements for Federal, State, and local governments,
emergency response providers, and the private sector;
``(2) identifying available technologies designed to deter,
prevent, detect, protect, or respond to terrorist attacks
using explosives or improvised explosive devices that have
been, or are in the process of being, developed, tested,
evaluated, or demonstrated by the Department, other Federal
agencies, the private sector, foreign governments, or
international organizations;
``(3) reviewing whether a technology described in paragraph
(2) may be useful in assisting Federal, State, or local
governments, emergency response providers, or the private
sector in detecting, deterring, preventing, or responding to
terrorist attacks using explosives or improvised explosive
devices; and
``(4) communicating to Federal, State, and local
governments, emergency response providers, and the private
sector the availability of any technology described in
paragraph (2), including providing the specifications of any
such technology, indicating whether any such technology
satisfies appropriate standards, and identifying grants, if
any, available from the Department to purchase any such
technology.
``(c) Working Group.--To facilitate the transfer of
military technologies, the Secretary, acting through the
Under Secretary for Science and Technology, in coordination
with the Secretary of Defense, and in a manner consistent
with protection of sensitive sources and methods, shall
establish a working group to advise and assist in the
identification of military technologies designed to deter,
prevent, detect, protect, or respond to terrorist explosive
attacks that are in the process of being developed, or are
developed, by the Department of Defense or the private
sector.''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of
contents in section 1(b) of
[[Page H5508]]
the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 317
the following new items:
``Sec. 318. Explosives research and development.
``Sec. 319. Technology transfer.''.
SEC. 4. GAO STUDY OF EXPLOSIVES DETECTION CANINE TEAMS.
Section 1307(f) of the Implementing Recommendations of the
9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-53; 121 Stat.
395) is amended by striking ``utilization'' and all that
follows through the end of the sentence and inserting
``utilization of explosives detection canine teams, by the
Transportation Security Administration and all other agencies
of the Department of Homeland Security that utilize
explosives detection canines, to strengthen security and the
capacity of explosive detection canine detection teams of the
Department.''.
SEC. 5. REPORT ON CANINE PROCUREMENT ACTIVITIES.
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit a report to
the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate by not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act examining the
administration of canine procurement activities by the
Department of Homeland Security to deter, prevent, detect,
and protect against terrorist explosive attacks in the United
States, that includes consideration of the feasibility of
reducing the price paid for the procurement of untrained
canines, including by utilizing an expanded pool of breeds,
procuring canines from domestic breeders, and acquiring
canines from animal shelters, rescue societies, and other
not-for-profit entities.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) and the gentleman from California (Mr.
Daniel E. Lungren) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Mississippi.
General Leave
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Mississippi?
There was no objection.
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support
of this bill and yield myself as much time as I may consume.
Explosives remain the preferred weapon of choice for terrorists the
world over. Explosives have been used against this Nation abroad and on
American soil. Because explosives, be they military grade or homemade,
improvised explosive devices are easy to obtain and use, the explosives
threat needs a focused, coordinated approach.
In the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attack, a great deal
of attention was paid to the emerging threats, such as chemical,
biological, radiological and nuclear weapons of mass destruction. At
the same time, needed focus on the explosives threat has been lacking,
despite the issuance of Homeland Security Presidential Directive 19,
Combating Terrorist Use of Explosives in the United States, in February
2007. H.R. 4749, the National Bombing Prevention Act of 2008, will help
fill this gap.
The legislation that the gentleman from Long Island (Mr. King) and I
introduced was considered in committee in May. It was improved at full
committee markup with the addition of some key amendments and reported
unanimously by our committee.
This is a straightforward bipartisan bill. It establishes the Office
of Bombing Prevention within the Office of Infrastructure Protection at
the Department of Homeland Security.
As with other bills we have brought to the floor today, I strongly
believe that this bill fits well with the priorities found in H.R.
1684, the DHS authorization bill that is pending before the Senate.
The Office of Bombing Prevention, in fact, already exists in the
Department. This bill simply authorizes it and sets forth its
responsibilities in law. The bill authorizes $10 million for FY 2009, a
little over the administration's budget request.
For fiscal years 2010 through 2012, the bill authorizes $25 million
annually. Then, for each subsequent fiscal year, such sums as may be
necessary are provided. The Office is responsible for coordinating the
government efforts to deter, detect, prevent, protect against and
respond to terrorist explosive attacks in the United States.
To do so, the Office is required to conduct analysis of the Federal,
State, local and tribal government capabilities and maintain a national
database on the capabilities of bomb squads, explosive detection,
canine teams, tactic teams and public safety dive teams around the
Nation.
Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to
develop and periodically update a national strategy to prevent and
prepare for terrorist explosive attacks in the United States. A
national strategy is also required under HSPD 19.
H.R. 4749 also authorizes the Office to support efforts, as well as
research, into explosives detection and mitigation. An informed public
is a prepared public. In this spirit, the bill directs the Office to
develop and implement a public awareness campaign that can reach the
private sector as well as ordinary citizens.
Finally, the bill ensures that we understand and enhance bomb
detection through the proper training and use of canine detection
units. For all these reasons, I encourage my colleagues to support this
important legislation.
House of Representatives, Committee on Science and
Technology,
Washington, DC, June 16, 2008.
Hon. Bennie G. Thompson,
Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Ford House Office
Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman, I am writing to you concerning the
jurisdictional interest of the Committee on Science and
Technology in H.R. 4749, the National Bombing Prevention Act
of 2008. H.R. 4749 was introduced by Congressman Peter T.
King on December 1, 2007, and the bill was subsequently
marked up by the Committee on Homeland Security on May 20,
2008.
H.R. 4749 implicates the Committee on Science and
Technology's jurisdiction over Homeland Security research and
development under Rule X(1)(o)(14) of the House Rules. The
Committee on Science and Technology acknowledges the
importance of H.R. 4749 and the need for the legislation to
move expeditiously. Therefore, while we have a valid claim to
jurisdiction over this bill, I agree not to request a
sequential referral. This, of course, is conditional on our
mutual understanding that nothing in this legislation or my
decision to forgo a sequential referral waives, reduces, or
otherwise affects the jurisdiction of the Committee on
Science and Technology, and that a copy of this letter and of
your response will be included in the Congressional Record
when the bill is considered on the House Floor.
The Committee on Science and Technology also expects that
you will support our request to be conferees during any
House-Senate conference on H.R. 4749 or similar legislation.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Bart Gordon,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Homeland Security,
Washington, DC, June 16, 2008.
Hon. Bart Gordon,
Chairman, Committee on Science and Technology, Rayburn House
Office Bldg., Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R.
4749, the National Bombing Prevention Act of 2008.
I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this
legislation. I acknowledge that H.R. 4749 contains provisions
that fall under the jurisdictional interests of the Committee
on Science and Technology. I appreciate your agreement to not
seek a sequential referral of this legislation and I
acknowledge that your decision to forgo a sequential referral
does not waive, alter, or otherwise affect the jurisdiction
of the Committee on Science and Technology.
Further, I recognize that your Committee reserves the right
to seek appointment of conferees on the bill for the portions
of the bill that are within your jurisdiction and I agree to
support such a request.
I will ensure that this exchange of letters is included in
the Congressional Record during floor consideration of H.R.
4749, the National Bombing Prevention Act of 2008. I look
forward to working with you on this legislation and other
matters of great importance to this nation.
Sincerely,
Bennie G. Thompson,
Chairman.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself
such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, before I begin I would ask that the Record include a
letter from the National Tactical Officers Association to Congressman
King and Congressman Rogers in support of this bill.
[[Page H5509]]
National Tactical
Officers Association,
Doylestown, PA, January 27, 2008.
Hon. Peter T. King,
Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee, Cannon
House Office Building, Washington, DC.
Hon. Mike Rogers,
Committee Member, Homeland Security and the House Armed
Services Committee, Cannon House Office Building,
Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman King and Congressman Rogers: The National
Tactical Officers Association strongly supports Congressman
King's Bill (HR4749) amending the Homeland Security Act of
2002 to establish the Office for Bombing Prevention and
addressing terrorist explosive threats. We also continue to
support Senator Collins' and Senator Lieberman's Bill (S2292)
to increase funding for the Department of Homeland Security
Office for Bombing Prevention. Both amendments provide
important resources against the use of terrorist improvised
Explosive Devices, including coordination of national and
intergovernmental bombing prevention activities,
requirements, capabilities, gap analysis and information
sharing and awareness.
The Department of Homeland Security Office for Bombing
Prevention coordinates national and intergovernmental bombing
prevention activities in our national bombing prevention
posture and runs information sharing and awareness programs
for State and local governments, law enforcement, first
responders, the private sector and the public. As recently
demonstrated in Glasgow, London and in daily news reports
from Iraq and Afghanistan, terrorist use of IEDs is a primary
threat. We commend you for your support and your leadership
in focusing the attention of the House and the nation on this
serious issue and on the role of the Department of Homeland
Security Office for Bombing Prevention in leading national
efforts to prevent the use of explosives by terrorists in the
United States.
The NTOA is the professional association for law
enforcement personnel, sworn correctional officers, tactical
emergency medical personnel, military police and special
operations personnel who specialize in the resolution of
critical incidents. Since 1983, NTOA has worked to provide
professional education, training and research for law
enforcement personnel engaged in tactical missions and
currently has over 30,000 members representing over 1,600
police agencies. NTOA has worked with the Department of
Homeland Security Office for Bombing Prevention to integrate
SWAT and bomb squad personnel and capabilities to protect
soft targets against threats for an armed adversary using
explosive devices, as seen in the 2004 Beslan School attack
in Russia. OBP provides an invaluable resource to State and
local law enforcement through the Tripwire system which
allows responders to access an unprecedented library of
information and analysis on terrorist IED tactics, techniques
and procedures. TRlPwire provides SWAT operators with the
knowledge needed to identify explosive hazards, including IED
components and potential terrorist tactics, during high risk
operations.
The Department of Homeland Security's Office for Bombing
Prevention has been an exemplary partner for its State and
local stakeholders in the bombing prevention and law
enforcement communities. The National Tactical Officers
Association applauds Senator Collins, Senator Lieberman,
Representative Rogers and yourself for your support for the
bombing prevention community.
Sincerely,
John Gnagey,
Executive Director.
Madam Speaker, the ranking member of Homeland Security, Peter King of
New York, introduced this bill to authorize the Office of Bombing
Prevention within the Department of Homeland Security. He would
obviously be here were he not attending the family funeral for Tim
Russert, and I am here in his stead.
The Office of Bombing Prevention provides the necessary analysis and
coordination of our Nation's bomb prevention capability to best protect
our citizens from the threat posed by explosive materials. We only need
to look at terrorist activities overseas to understand that
conventional and improvised explosive devices, IEDs, are a terrorist's
weapon of choice against military and civilian targets.
Within the United States, we have been subject to our own share of
explosive attacks, including the 1993 World Trade Center bombings, the
1995 Oklahoma City bombing, the Centennial Olympic Park bombing, among
others. State and local authorities have developed the capabilities to
respond to potential explosive threats and to neutralize them.
As a matter of fact, these are among the bravest men and women that
we have as our first responders. Yet without the office established in
this bill, there would be no analysis of our nationwide capability to
respond to explosive threats, or where gaps exist in training,
equipment and personnel against a national baseline.
This analysis will assist State and local officials in applying for
Homeland Security grants to fill these gaps. As has been mentioned many
times on this floor, there has been a bipartisan effort through our
committee to ensure that we take a risk-based approach to the terrorist
threat. It makes the most sense. It is one that both sides of the aisle
have been committed to, and this enables that even further.
Furthermore, this legislation will authorize the Office to continue
to promote information sharing and IED security awareness through
advanced bomb prevention techniques and usable information. The Office
uses a secure Web site known as TRIPwire to provide to bomb prevention
officials across the country access to current terrorist IED tactics,
techniques and procedures, along with expert analysis and reports,
making it a one-stop shop for actionable information.
As we all know, our troops have had extensive experience with IEDs in
Iraq and Afghanistan. This legislation instructs the Secretary of
Homeland Security to work closely with the Department of Defense to
take advantage of what our troops have learned on the battlefield, both
in tactics and technology, to improve the capability of our first
responders here at home.
Preventing a bomb from going off should involve more than just those
first responders attempting to neutralize the threat once the bomb has
been placed. Education and awareness programs regarding the threat of
IEDs are also included in this legislation to ensure information on
explosive precursors is provided to merchants so that they can
recognize suspicious purchases.
Additionally, this legislation includes an amendment from our
committee colleague, Mike Rogers of Alabama, to improve the canine
explosive detection teams in use around the country. These canine teams
are invaluable resources to detect and deter IED attacks before they
occur.
It is important to note that this office is not designed to replace
existing elements of counter-explosive expertise already found in the
Federal Government, but, rather, to assist in coordinating State, local
and tribal capability. In fact, as I said, the National Tactical
Officers Association supports this legislation in the letter that has
been entered into the Record.
The need for this Office of Bombing Prevention is clear. Therefore, I
urge all of my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 4749.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Al Green).
Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I also thank the
ranking member.
Madam Speaker, the people of America can be proud today of what this
committee is doing. They can be exceedingly proud of the bipartisanship
that is being displayed between the current chairman and the former
chairman, both of whom have worked tirelessly to bring this piece of
legislation to fruition, so I think that today, the people of
Mississippi and the people of New York should span the chasm and
understand that bipartisanship is alive and well because of
representatives that they have sent to the Congress of the United
States of America.
I am honored to support and encourage my colleagues to support this
legislation. It does establish an Office of Bombing Prevention, and if
the truth be told, whatever amount of money we spend on this
legislation will be money well spent, money well spent. Protecting the
American people from persons who would perform dastardly deeds is an
absolute necessity of the government of the United States of America.
I am honored to say that the ranking member, without objection, and
the chairman allowed a piece of legislation, this piece of legislation,
to be amended so that we could have a public awareness campaign so that
the public could be a part of protecting itself. If the public is aware
of the methodologies that are being utilized by those who would perform
insidious acts, the public can help us to defend ourselves.
This legislation requires this public awareness campaign. It will
reach small businesses, it will reach the very large businesses. It
also will, in an effort to reach all, make sure people are
[[Page H5510]]
reached who are physically challenged, those who are mentally
challenged, those who may have some language deficiencies. In fact, in
my district the ballot is printed in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
We must make sure that all persons have an opportunity to receive the
education and the information that this bill requires that we impart to
the public.
To the two outstanding representatives on this committee, the
chairperson and the former chairperson, I want to salute you, and I
want to thank you for allowing the amendment to go forward, such that
it is now a part of the bill.
In closing, I would simply say, as the chairman pointed out, a well-
informed public is a well-protected public.
Mr. Chairman, I salute you and I thank you. Mr. Ranking Member, I
salute you and thank you as well.
{time} 1230
Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Does the gentleman have any
further speakers?
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I have no further
requests for time, and I am prepared to close after the gentleman from
California closes.
Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Madam Speaker, I support this
National Bombing Prevention Act for 2008.
As the gentleman who just spoke from the State of Texas has said,
this is a rather inclusive bill. It has a component of operations and
training in it; also a component of awareness. And together, they
combine to make an excellent bill. I urge my colleagues to support this
bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the
balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, H.R. 4749 is important legislation that will ensure
that we are positioned to address explosive threats at all levels of
government. We know that explosives are all too often terrorists'
weapons of choice.
Under HSPD-19, DHS is tasked with researching, identifying, and
communicating ``lessons learned and best practices, concerning the use
of explosives as a terrorist weapon'' to enhance ``the preparedness of
Federal, State, local, territorial, and tribal government personnel to
deter, prevent, detect, protect against, and respond to explosive
attacks in the United States.''
Passage of H.R. 4749 will put us on a path to enhance the Nation's
terrorism response capability and ensure that first responders and
first preventers have what they need.
Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this important homeland
security measure.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong
support of H.R. 4749, the National Bombing Prevention Act, introduced
by my distinguished colleague from New York, Representative King This
important legislation establishes the Office of Bombing Prevention
within the Protective Security Coordination Division of the Office of
Infrastructure Protection of the Department.
This legislation is a bipartisan bill, whose lead sponsor is the
Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, Representative
King, and is also cosponsored by Chairman Thompson. The function of the
Office of Bombing Prevention already exists in the Department, and this
bill establishes it in statute. The Office is responsible for
coordinating the Government efforts to deter, detect, prevent, protect
against, and respond to terrorist explosive attacks in the United
States. As we all know, the most likely terrorist threat to our
Nation's critical infrastructure and transportation modes is from
explosives.
Madam Speaker, we need to ensure that the Office of Bombing
Prevention has the protection of being established by the force of law,
so the Department can more readily meet the threats to our Nation. This
legislation requires the Secretary to develop and periodically update a
national strategy to prevent and prepare for terrorist explosive
attacks in the United States due 90 days after the date of enactment.
The Secretary is further required to report to Congress regarding the
national strategy. This strategy is also called for by Homeland
Security Presidential Directive-19, Combating Terrorist Use of
Explosives in the United States, issued by the President in February of
2007. This legislation also authorizes the Office to support technology
transfer efforts as well as research into explosives detection and
mitigation.
I did, however, have one reservation with regards to this
legislation, regarding canine procurement, which is why I introduced an
amendment, which was accepted by the full Committee, to address that
issue. Dogs are used to detect illicit and illegal substances every
day. They are used to: detect illegal narcotics; find money that is
being smuggled out of the country; and locate explosives that may be
concealed in cargo, within vehicles, on aircraft, in luggage and on
passengers.
There is no doubt that every day, the actions of these dogs and their
handlers significantly contribute toward deterring threats and
protecting our Nation from terrorists. While the contributions of our
canine forces are priceless, they are not without cost. We must place a
price on what we are willing to pay for untrained dogs.
The Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General has found
that from April 2006 through June 2007, Customs and Border Protection
spent $1.46 million on purchasing 322 untrained dogs--that is about
$4500 per dog. Most of these dogs are purchased in Europe and brought
to America. These are not fully trained animals. They are puppies that
will be trained to provide valuable service. I think most people would
find $4500 for an untrained dog an exorbitant amount.
However, I cannot deem this amount out of bounds because the
Department of Defense pays $3500 for each untrained dog. The Secret
Service pays an average of $4500 for each untrained dog. Therefore, the
price paid by CBP is within the acceptable range of current practice.
However, I think that if we are to be good stewards of the American tax
dollar, we must change the current practice. When one considers that
domestic breeders offer the same kinds of dogs for $500-$2000, we
cannot justify what I can only call a puppy tariff.
My amendment would require the Secretary to explore ways to reduce
the amount we pay for each dog we purchase by considering the use of
different breeds, procuring dogs from domestic breeders and seeking out
dogs from animal shelters or rescue groups. If this Department can
successfully implement a new method to obtain capable dogs for our
homeland security needs, we could begin a trend that would save the
American people millions of dollars each year.
With the inclusion of my amendment, I am deeply satisfied with this
legislation. I am proud to support this legislation, which brings our
great Nation closer to its goal of securing the homeland, and I
encourage my colleagues to support this important legislation.
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance
of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4749, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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