[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 28, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H7073-H7075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REDUNDANCY ELIMINATION AND ENHANCED PERFORMANCE FOR PREPAREDNESS GRANTS
ACT
Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in
the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 3980) to provide for identifying
and eliminating redundant reporting requirements and developing
meaningful performance metrics for homeland security preparedness
grants, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the Senate amendment is as follows:
Senate amendment:
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Redundancy Elimination and
Enhanced Performance for Preparedness Grants Act''.
SEC. 2. IDENTIFICATION OF REPORTING REDUNDANCIES AND
DEVELOPMENT OF PERFORMANCE METRICS FOR HOMELAND
SECURITY PREPAREDNESS GRANT PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--Title XX of the Homeland Security Act of
2002 (6 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``SEC. 2023. IDENTIFICATION OF REPORTING REDUNDANCIES AND
DEVELOPMENT OF PERFORMANCE METRICS.
``(a) Definition.--In this section, the term `covered
grants' means grants awarded under section 2003, grants
awarded under section 2004, and any other grants specified by
the Administrator.
``(b) Initial Report.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of enactment of the Redundancy Elimination and Enhanced
Performance for Preparedness Grants Act, the Administrator
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
report that includes--
``(1) an assessment of redundant reporting requirements
imposed by the Administrator on State, local, and tribal
governments in connection with the awarding of grants,
including--
``(A) a list of each discrete item of data requested by the
Administrator from grant recipients as part of the process of
administering covered grants;
``(B) identification of the items of data from the list
described in subparagraph (A) that are required to be
submitted by grant recipients on multiple occasions or to
multiple systems; and
``(C) identification of the items of data from the list
described in subparagraph (A) that are not necessary to be
collected in order for the Administrator to effectively and
efficiently administer the programs under which covered
grants are awarded;
``(2) a plan, including a specific timetable, for
eliminating any redundant and unnecessary reporting
requirements identified under paragraph (1); and
``(3) a plan, including a specific timetable, for promptly
developing a set of quantifiable performance measures and
metrics to assess the effectiveness of the programs under
which covered grants are awarded.
``(c) Biennial Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the
date on which the initial report is required to be submitted
under subsection (b), and once every 2 years thereafter, the
Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a grants management report that includes--
``(1) the status of efforts to eliminate redundant and
unnecessary reporting requirements imposed on grant
recipients, including--
``(A) progress made in implementing the plan required under
subsection (b)(2);
``(B) a reassessment of the reporting requirements to
identify and eliminate redundant and unnecessary
requirements;
``(2) the status of efforts to develop quantifiable
performance measures and metrics to assess the effectiveness
of the programs under which the covered grants are awarded,
including--
``(A) progress made in implementing the plan required under
subsection (b)(3);
``(B) progress made in developing and implementing
additional performance metrics and measures for grants,
including as part of the comprehensive assessment system
required under section 649 of the Post-Katrina Emergency
Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 749); and
``(3) a performance assessment of each program under which
the covered grants are awarded, including--
[[Page H7074]]
``(A) a description of the objectives and goals of the
program;
``(B) an assessment of the extent to which the objectives
and goals described in subparagraph (A) have been met, based
on the quantifiable performance measures and metrics required
under this section, section 2022(a)(4), and section 649 of
the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6
U.S.C. 749);
``(C) recommendations for any program modifications to
improve the effectiveness of the program, to address changed
or emerging conditions; and
``(D) an assessment of the experience of recipients of
covered grants, including the availability of clear and
accurate information, the timeliness of reviews and awards,
and the provision of technical assistance, and
recommendations for improving that experience.
``(d) Grants Program Measurement Study.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the
enactment of Redundancy Elimination and Enhanced Performance
for Preparedness Grants Act, the Administrator shall enter
into a contract with the National Academy of Public
Administration under which the National Academy of Public
Administration shall assist the Administrator in studying,
developing, and implementing--
``(A) quantifiable performance measures and metrics to
assess the effectiveness of grants administered by the
Department, as required under this section and section 649 of
the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6
U.S.C. 749); and
``(B) the plan required under subsection (b)(3).
``(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on
which the contract described in paragraph (1) is awarded, the
Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report that describes the findings and
recommendations of the study conducted under paragraph (1).
``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator such sums
as may be necessary to carry out this subsection.''.
(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 adding at the end the
following:
``Sec. 2023. Identification of reporting redundancies and development
of performance metrics.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Cuellar) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
General Leave
Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and insert extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. CUELLAR. I rise in support of the motion to concur in the Senate
amendment to H.R. 3980, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I introduced H.R. 3980, the Redundancy Elimination
Enhanced Performance for Preparedness Grants Act, because I believe
that we need greater accountability for the $4 billion in grant funding
provided annually by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
I want to thank Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member King of the
committee, as well as Congresswoman Richardson and Congressman Rogers
from Alabama, the chairman and the ranking member of the Subcommittee
on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response, as well as my
good friend, Senator Joe Lieberman, for the support in moving this
bill, plus the staff who has worked very hard.
This bill passed unanimously, and I ask that we concur with the
Senate amendment to H.R. 3980 that builds upon this legislation by
directing FEMA to work with the National Academy of Public
Administration to formulate performance measures for the grant
programs.
This bill plus the amendment simply calls for greater accountability
that we are able to measure and that we are able to see that we have
results.
So I ask my colleagues to support this Senate amendment to H.R. 3980
and pass this piece of legislation.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3980 as amended by the Senate.
This bill was passed by the House on December 2, 2009, by a vote of
414-0. On September 22, 2010, the bill passed the Senate, with an
amendment, by unanimous consent.
H.R. 3980 requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, to
identify and eliminate any redundant requirements that place an undue
burden on State and local governments to receive grant funds under the
State Homeland Security Grant Program, the Urban Area Security
Initiative, and other programs as determined by the FEMA administrator.
This bill will help address the issue of grant recipients oftentimes
having to report similar information under numerous grant programs.
In addition, H.R. 3980 builds on the requirements in the Post-Katrina
Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 and the 9/11 Act of 2007 by
requiring FEMA to develop and implement performance measures for these
vital programs and to report to Congress every 2 years on the status of
these efforts.
The Post-Katrina Reform Act and the 9/11 Act both required FEMA to
develop metrics to identify and close gaps in preparedness.
Unfortunately, several years later, FEMA continues to struggle with
integrating these requirements to produce meaningful results.
This bill also calls on FEMA to conduct an overall assessment of the
State Homeland Security Grant Program, the Urban Area Security
Initiatives, and other grants specified by the administrator.
Together, these requirements will help ensure that Congress is kept
informed of FEMA's progress in effectively administering these grants
and addressing any deficiencies that may exist.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I congratulate my good
friend and colleague from Texas for the bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
This Senate amendment is an amendment that just adds accountability
to the grant dollars, and I think it is important, just as the
gentleman from Georgia. And I certainly want to thank my friend from
Georgia, because we understand, just as Mr. Rogers, also, that we have
got to make sure that we provide accountability. We are talking about
$4 billion a year. We just have got to have accountability.
I urge all my colleagues to support this measure.
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of
the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3980, the Redundancy Elimination and
Enhanced Performance for Preparedness Grants Act.
I would like to thank Representative Cuellar for introducing this
legislation and my colleagues on the Committee on Homeland Security for
helping to make this a truly bi-partisan effort.
For years, FEMA has struggled to establish a system for determining
the effectiveness of the billions of dollars it gives to State, local,
and tribal governments to help them prepare for natural disasters, acts
of terrorism and other man-made disasters.
Such a system is essential to ensure that the taxpayers' money is
being used wisely and effectively.
The Senate Amendment to H.R. 3980 would address this problem by
requiring the FEMA Administrator to submit a plan to Congress for
developing performance measures for its preparedness grants and
streamlining the grant process by eliminating duplicative reporting
requirements for grant recipients.
In October of 2009, the House Committee on Homeland Security's
Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response,
then chaired by Mr. Cuellar of Texas, held an oversight hearing into
whether FEMA had a plan in place for performance measures for the
approximately $29 billion in homeland security grants it had provided
the nation.
At that hearing, it became evident that FEMA had not yet developed an
effective system for measuring the effectiveness of its grants and that
in administering them, it unnecessarily burdened State, local, and
tribal governments by requiring grant recipients to submit duplicative
information.
On November 2, 2009, Mr. Cuellar translated the Committee's oversight
findings into legislation--H.R. 3980.
Under this bill, FEMA is required to work with State, local, tribal
and territorial stakeholders to develop a plan to:
Streamline homeland security grant reporting requirements, rules and
regulations to eliminate redundant reporting;
Develop a strategy that includes a set timeline to provide much
needed performance metrics for grant programs and ensure that the funds
are going to the areas where they will be the most beneficial; and
[[Page H7075]]
Require an inventory of each homeland security grant program that
incorporates the purpose, objectives and performance goals of each
program.
The Redundancy Elimination and Enhanced Performance for Preparedness
Grants Act would require FEMA to provide the Committee on Homeland
Security with the plan required by the bill not later than 90 days
after enactment of the bill.
This bill would also require biannual updates to maintain a careful
and watchful eye on redundancies in the law that might hamper or
confuse grant recipients.
The House unanimously passed H.R. 3980 on Dec. 2, 2009, and the
Senate passed an amendment in the nature of a substitute for H.R. 3980
on September 22, 2010.
The Senate improved upon the House-passed bill by requiring FEMA to
task the National Academy of Public Administration, NAPA, to study,
develop and recommend performance measures for grants the Department of
Homeland Security administers.
As you know, Mr. Speaker, NAPA is a congressionally-chartered
nonprofit organization that has extensive experience working on
performance measurement and they will provide valuable expertise to
FEMA.
Mr. Speaker, this bill will ensure that FEMA takes steps to determine
the Nation's overall preparedness and how homeland security grants have
built the necessary capabilities to prepare for, protect against, and
respond to an act of terrorism and other threats.
I urge all my colleagues to support the Senate Amendment to H.R.
3980.
Mr. CUELLAR. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Moran of Virginia). The question is on
the motion offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cuellar) that the
House suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill,
H.R. 3980.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the Senate amendment was concurred in.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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