[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 17 (Monday, February 2, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E145-E146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HOMELAND SECURITY BILLS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 2, 2015

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the three 
Homeland Security bills under consideration today. H.R. 615, the DHS 
Interoperable Communications Act, is a bipartisan bill which would 
improve communication between the many components of the Department of 
Homeland Security. It is critical for our

[[Page E146]]

Homeland Security Department to have a state-of-the-art communications 
infrastructure. The Department needs that infrastructure to ensure the 
smooth functioning of everything from routine daily operations to 
terrorism response efforts. To understand the importance of a strong 
communications network, we only need to look back a few weeks ago, when 
radio communications failed in a Washington Metro tunnel as emergency 
officials worked to rescue passengers trapped aboard a smoke-filled 
train.
  H.R. 361, the Medical Preparedness Allowable Use Act, would use grant 
funding to enhance our nation's preparedness for chemical and 
biological events. It is an unfortunate fact of modern life that our 
nation faces genuine threats from chemical and biological attacks. It 
makes sense for us to take precautions which will put us in a position 
to deal with such attacks if they occur.
  Finally, H.R. 623, the Social Media Working Group Act of 2015, would 
authorize the Department of Homeland Security to establish a social 
media working group, which would offer guidance to the emergency 
preparedness and response community on how to use social media. I have 
spent years using social media to communicate with my constituents, and 
have found it extremely effective in rapidly disseminating important 
information to a wide audience. Emergency services need to be taught 
how they can best use social media to quickly and effectively 
communicate with Americans in the period surrounding a terrorist attack 
or other crisis.
  All three of these bills take sensible steps to further protect the 
American people against threats to their well-being. I urge the House 
to pass these bills.

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