[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 179 (Thursday, December 10, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H9248-H9255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1545
DHS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REFORM AND IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2015
Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3578) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002, to
strengthen and make improvements to the Directorate of Science and
Technology of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other
purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3578
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 ``DHS Science and Technology
Reform and Improvement Act of 2015''.
SEC. 2. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN SUPPORT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY.
(a) In General.--Title III of the Homeland Security Act of
2002 is amended--
(1) in section 301 (6 U.S.C. 181)--
(A) by striking ``There'' and inserting the following new
subsection:
``(a) In General.--There''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(b) Mission.--The Directorate of Science and Technology
shall be the primary research, development, testing, and
evaluation arm of the Department, responsible for
coordinating the research, development, testing, and
evaluation of the Department to strengthen the security and
resiliency of the United States. The Directorate shall--
``(1) develop and deliver knowledge, analyses, and
innovative solutions that are responsive to homeland security
capability gaps and threats to the homeland identified by
components and offices of the Department, the first responder
community, and the Homeland Security Enterprise (as such term
is defined in section 322) and that can be integrated into
operations of the Department;
``(2) seek innovative, system-based solutions to complex
homeland security problems and threats; and
``(3) build partnerships and leverage technology solutions
developed by other Federal agencies and laboratories, State,
local, and tribal governments, universities, and the private
sector.'';
(2) in section 302 (6 U.S.C. 182)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for
Science and Technology, shall'' and inserting the following
new subsection:
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Under
Secretary for Science and Technology, shall carry out the
mission described in subsection (b) of section 301 and
shall'';
(B) in subsection (a), as so amended by subparagraph (A) of
this paragraph--
(i) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and serving as the
senior scientific advisor to the Secretary'' before the
semicolon at the end;
(ii) in paragraph (2)--
(I) by striking ``national'';
(II) by striking ``biological,,'' and inserting
``biological,''; and
(III) by inserting ``that may serve as a basis of a
national strategy'' after ``terrorist threats'';
(iii) in paragraph (3)--
(I) by striking ``the Under Secretary for Intelligence and
Analysis and the Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure
Protection'' and inserting ``components and offices of the
Department''; and
(II) by inserting ``terrorist'' before ``threats'';
(iv) in paragraph (4), by striking ``except that such
responsibility does not extend to human health-related
research and development activities'' and inserting the
following: ``including coordinating with relevant components
and offices of the Department appropriate to--
``(A) identify and prioritize technical capability
requirements and create solutions that include researchers,
the private sector, and operational end users, and
``(B) develop capabilities to address issues on research,
development, testing, evaluation, technology, and standards
for the first responder community,
except that such responsibility does not extend to the human
health-related research and development activities;''.
(v) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ``biological,,'' and
inserting ``biological,'';
(vi) by amending paragraph (12) to read as follows:
``(12) coordinating and integrating all research,
development, demonstration, testing, and evaluation
activities of the Department, including through a centralized
Federal
[[Page H9249]]
clearinghouse established pursuant to paragraph (1) of
section 313(b) for information relating to technologies that
would further the mission of the Department, and providing
advice, as necessary, regarding major acquisition
programs;''.
(vii) in paragraph (13), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(viii) in paragraph (14), by striking the period at the end
and inserting a semicolon; and
(ix) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(15) establishing a process that--
``(A) includes consideration by Directorate leadership,
senior component leadership, first responders, and outside
expertise;
``(B) is strategic, transparent, and repeatable with a goal
of continuous improvement;
``(C) through which research and development projects
undertaken by the Directorate are assessed on a regular
basis; and
``(D) includes consideration of metrics to ensure research
and development projects meet Directorate and Department
goals and inform departmental budget and program planning;
``(16) developing and overseeing the administration of
guidelines for periodic external review of departmental
research and development programs or activities, including
through--
``(A) consultation with experts, including scientists and
practitioners, regarding the research and development
activities conducted by the Directorate of Science and
Technology; and
``(B) biennial independent, external review--
``(i) initially at the division level; or
``(ii) when divisions conduct multiple programs focused on
significantly different subjects, at the program level; and
``(17) partnering with components and offices of the
Department to develop and deliver knowledge, analyses, and
innovative solutions that are responsive to identified
homeland security capability gaps and threats to the homeland
and raise the science-based, analytic capability and capacity
of appropriate individuals throughout the Department by
providing guidance on how to better identify homeland
security capability gaps and threats to the homeland that may
be addressed through a technological solution and by
partnering with such components and offices to--
``(A) support technological assessments of major
acquisition programs throughout the acquisition lifecycle;
``(B) help define appropriate technological requirements
and perform feasibility analysis;
``(C) assist in evaluating new and emerging technologies
against homeland security capability gaps and terrorist
threats;
``(D) support evaluation of alternatives;
``(E) improve the use of technology Department-wide; and
``(F) provide technical assistance in the development of
acquisition lifecycle cost for technologies;
``(18) acting as a coordinating office for technology
development for the Department by helping components and
offices define technological requirements, and building
partnerships with appropriate entities (such as within the
Department and with other Federal agencies and laboratories,
State, local, and tribal governments, universities, and the
private sector) to help each such component and office attain
the technology solutions it needs;
``(19) coordinating with organizations that provide venture
capital to businesses, particularly small businesses, as
appropriate, to assist in the commercialization of innovative
homeland security technologies that are expected to be ready
for commercialization in the near term and within 36
months.''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
``(b) Review of Responsibilities.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Under
Secretary for Science and Technology shall submit to the
Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of
the Senate a report on the implementation of paragraphs (2)
(including how the policy and strategic plan under such
paragraph may serve as a basis for a national strategy
referred to in such paragraph), (11), (12), (13), (16), and
(17) of subsection (a).'';
(3) in section 303(1) (6 U.S.C. 183(1)), by striking
subparagraph (F);
(4) in section 305 (6 U.S.C. 185)--
(A) by striking ``The'' and inserting the following new
subsection:
``(a) Establishment.--The''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(b) Conflicts of Interest.--The Secretary shall review
and revise, as appropriate, the policies of the Department
relating to personnel conflicts of interest to ensure that
such policies specifically address employees of federally
funded research and development centers established pursuant
to subsection (a) who are in a position to make or materially
influence research findings or agency decision making.'';
(5) in section 306 (6 U.S.C. 186)--
(A) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following
new sentence: ``If such regulations are issued, the Under
Secretary shall report to the Committee on Homeland Security
and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate prior to such
issuance.''; and
(B) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
``(d) Personnel.--In hiring personnel for the Directorate
of Science and Technology, the Secretary shall have the
hiring and management authorities described in section 1101
of the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 1999 (5 U.S.C. 3104 note; Public Law 105-261).
The term of appointments for employees under subsection
(c)(1) of such section may not exceed five years before the
granting of any extension under subsection (c)(2) of such
section.'';
(6) in section 308 (6 U.S.C. 188)--
(A) in subsection (b)(2)--
(i) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) in clause (iv), by striking ``and nuclear
countermeasures or detection'' and inserting ``nuclear, and
explosives countermeasures or detection (which may include
research into remote sensing and remote imaging)''; and
(II) by adding after clause (xiv) the following new clause:
``(xv) Cybersecurity.''; and
(ii) by amending subparagraph (D) to read as follows:
``(D) Annual report to congress.--Not later than one year
after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph and
annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a
report on the implementation of this section. Each such
report shall--
``(i) indicate which center or centers have been designated
pursuant to this section;
``(ii) describe how such designation or designations
enhance homeland security;
``(iii) provide information on any decisions to revoke or
modify such designation or designations;
``(iv) describe research that has been tasked and completed
by each center that has been designated during the preceding
year;
``(v) describe funding provided by the Secretary for each
center under clause (iv) for that year; and
``(vi) describe plans for utilization of each center or
centers in the forthcoming year.''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(d) Test, Evaluation, and Standards Division.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the
Directorate of Science and Technology a Test, Evaluation, and
Standards Division.
``(2) Director.--The Test, Evaluation, and Standards
Division shall be headed by a Director of Test, Evaluation,
and Standards, who shall be appointed by the Secretary and
report to the Under Secretary for Science and Technology.
``(3) Responsibilities, authorities, and functions.--The
Director of Test, Evaluation, and Standards--
``(A) through the Under Secretary for Science and
Technology, serve as an adviser to the Secretary and the
Under Secretary of Management on all test and evaluation or
standards activities in the Department; and
``(B) shall--
``(i) establish and update as necessary test and evaluation
policies for the Department, including policies to ensure
that operational testing is done at facilities that already
have relevant and appropriate safety and material
certifications to the extent such facilities are available;
``(ii) oversee and ensure that adequate test and evaluation
activities are planned and conducted by or on behalf of
components and offices of the Department with respect to
major acquisition programs of the Department, as designated
by the Secretary, based on risk, acquisition level, novelty,
complexity, and size of any such acquisition program, or as
otherwise established in statute;
``(iii) review major acquisition program test reports and
test data to assess the adequacy of test and evaluation
activities conducted by or on behalf of components and
offices of the Department, including test and evaluation
activities planned or conducted pursuant to clause (ii); and
``(iv) review available test and evaluation infrastructure
to determine whether the Department has adequate resources to
carry out its testing and evaluation responsibilities, as
established under this title.
``(4) Limitation.--The Test, Evaluation, and Standards
Division is not required to carry out operational testing of
major acquisition programs.
``(5) Evaluation of department of defense technologies.--
The Director of Test, Evaluation, and Standards may evaluate
technologies currently in use or being developed by the
Department of Defense to assess whether such technologies can
be leveraged to address homeland security capability gaps.'';
(7) in section 309(a) (6 U.S.C. 189(a)), by adding at the
end the following new paragraph:
``(3) Treatment of certain funds.--Notwithstanding any
other provision of law, any funds provided to a Department of
Energy national laboratory by the Department may not be
treated as an assisted acquisition.'';
(8) in section 310 (6 U.S.C. 190), by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(e) Successor Facility.--Any successor facility to the
Plum Island Animal Disease Center, including the National Bio
and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) under construction as of the
date of the enactment of this subsection, which is intended
to the replace the Plum Island Animal Disease Center shall be
[[Page H9250]]
subject to the requirements of this section in the same
manner and to the same extent as the Plum Island Animal
Disease Center under this section.'';
(9) in section 311 (6 U.S.C. 191)--
(A) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (1)--
(I) by striking ``20 members'' and inserting ``not fewer
than 15 and not more than 30''; and
(II) by inserting ``academia, national labs, private
industry, and'' after ``representatives of'';
(ii) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
(iii) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new
paragraph:
``(2) Subcommittees.--The Advisory Committee may establish
subcommittees that focus on research and development
challenges, as appropriate.'';
(B) in subsection (c)--
(i) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``on a rotating basis''
before the period at the end;
(ii) by striking paragraph (2) and redesignating paragraph
(3) as paragraph (2); and
(iii) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated, by striking
``be appointed'' and inserting ``serve'';
(C) in subsection (e), in the second sentence, by striking
``the call of'';
(D) in subsection (h)--
(i) in paragraph (1)--
(I) in the first sentence--
(aa) by striking ``render'' and inserting ``submit''; and
(bb) by striking ``Congress'' and inserting ``the
appropriate congressional committees'';
(II) in the second sentence, by inserting ``, and
incorporate the findings and recommendations of the Advisory
Committee subcommittees,'' before ``during''; and
(ii) in paragraph (2)--
(I) striking ``render'' and inserting ``submit''; and
(II) by striking ``Congress'' and inserting ``the Committee
on Homeland Security and the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the
Senate'';
(E) in subsection (i), by inserting ``, except that the
Advisory Committee shall file a charter with Congress every
two years in accordance with subsection (b)(2) of such
section (14)'';
(F) in subsection (j), by striking ``2008'' and inserting
``2020'';
(10) in section 313 (6 U.S.C. 193)--
(A) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
(B) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new
subsection:
``(c) Application of Program.--The Secretary, acting
through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, shall
use the program established under subsection (a) to--
``(1) enhance the cooperation between components and
offices of the Department on projects that have similar
goals, timelines, or outcomes;
``(2) ensure the coordination of technologies to eliminate
unnecessary duplication of research and development;
``(3) ensure technologies are accessible for component and
office use on a Department website; and
``(4) carry out any additional purpose the Secretary
determines necessary.'';
(11) by adding after section 317 (6 U.S.C. 195c) the
following new sections:
``SEC. 318. IDENTIFICATION AND PRIORITIZATION OF RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT.
``(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this section, the Under Secretary for
Science and Technology shall establish a process to define,
identify, prioritize, fund, and task the basic and applied
homeland security research and development activities of the
Directorate of Science and Technology to meet the needs of
the components and offices of the Department, the first
responder community, and the Homeland Security Enterprise (as
such term is defined in section 322).
``(b) Process.--The process established under subsection
(a) shall--
``(1) be responsive to near-, mid-, and long-term needs,
including unanticipated needs to address emerging terrorist
threats;
``(2) utilize gap analysis and risk assessment tools where
available and applicable;
``(3) include protocols to assess--
``(A) off-the-shelf technology to determine if an
identified homeland security capability gap or threat to the
homeland can be addressed through the acquisition process
instead of commencing research and development of technology
to address such capability gap or threat; and
``(B) communication and collaboration for research and
development activities pursued by other executive agencies,
to determine if technology can be leveraged to identify and
address homeland security capability gaps or threats to the
homeland and avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts;
``(4) provide for documented and validated research and
development requirements;
``(5) strengthen first responder participation to identify
and prioritize homeland security technological gaps,
including by--
``(A) soliciting feedback from appropriate national
associations and advisory groups representing the first
responder community and first responders within the
components and offices of the Department; and
``(B) establishing and promoting a publicly accessible
portal to allow the first responder community to help the
Directorate of Science and Technology develop homeland
security research and development goals;
``(6) institute a mechanism to publicize the Department's
homeland security technology priorities for the purpose of
informing Federal, State, and local governments, first
responders, and the private sector;
``(7) establish considerations to be used by the
Directorate in selecting appropriate research entities,
including the national laboratories, federally funded
research and development centers, university-based centers,
and the private sector, to carry out research and development
requirements;
``(8) incorporate feedback derived as a result of the
mechanism established in section 323, ensuring the
Directorate is utilizing regular communication with
components and offices of the Department; and
``(9) include any other criteria or measures the Under
Secretary for Science and Technology considers necessary for
the identification and prioritization of research
requirements.
``SEC. 319. DEVELOPMENT OF DIRECTORATE STRATEGY AND RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN.
``(a) Strategy.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date
of the enactment of this section, the Under Secretary for
Science and Technology shall develop and submit to the
Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of
the Senate a strategy to guide the activities of the
Directorate of Science and Technology. Such strategy shall be
updated at least once every five years and shall identify
priorities and objectives for the development of science and
technology solutions and capabilities addressing homeland
security operational needs. Such strategy shall include the
coordination of such priorities and activities within the
Department. Such strategy shall take into account the
priorities and needs of stakeholders in the Homeland Security
Enterprise (as such term is defined in section 322). In
developing such strategy, efforts shall be made to support
collaboration and avoid unnecessary duplication across the
Federal Government. Such strategy shall be risk-based and
aligned with other strategic guidance provided by--
``(A) the National Strategy for Homeland Security;
``(B) the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review; and
``(C) any other relevant strategic planning documents, as
determined by the Under Secretary.
``(2) Contents.--The strategy required under paragraph (1)
shall be prepared in accordance with applicable Federal
requirements and guidelines, and shall include the following:
``(A) An identification of the long-term strategic goals,
objectives, and metrics of the Directorate, including those
to address terrorist threats.
``(B) A technology transition strategy for the programs of
the Directorate.
``(C) Short- and long-term strategic goals, and objectives
for increasing the number of designations and certificates
issued under subtitle G of title VIII, including
cybersecurity technologies that could significantly reduce,
or mitigate the effects of, cybersecurity risks (as such term
is defined in subsection (a)(1) of the second section 226,
relating to the national cybersecurity and communications
integration center), without compromising the quality of the
evaluation of applications for such designations and
certificates.
``(b) Five-year Research and Development Plan.--
``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary for Science and
Technology shall develop, and update at least once every five
years, a five-year research and development plan for the
activities of the Directorate of Science and Technology. The
Under Secretary shall develop the first such plan by the date
that is not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this section.
``(2) Contents.--Each five-year research and development
plan developed and revised under subsection (a) shall--
``(A) define the Directorate of Science and Technology's
research, development, testing, and evaluation activities,
priorities, performance metrics, and key milestones and
deliverables for, as the case may be, the five-fiscal-year
period from 2016 through 2020, and for each five-fiscal-year
period thereafter;
``(B) describe, for the activities of the strategy
developed under subsection (a), the planned annual funding
levels for the period covered by each such five-year research
and development plan;
``(C) indicate joint investments with other Federal
partners where applicable, and enhanced coordination, as
appropriate, with organizations as specified in paragraph
(19) of section 302;
``(D) analyze how the research programs of the Directorate
support achievement of the strategic goals and objectives
identified in the strategy required under subsection (a);
``(E) describe how the activities and programs of the
Directorate meet the requirements or homeland security
capability gaps or threats to the homeland identified by
customers within and outside of the Department, including the
first responder community; and
``(F) describe the policies of the Directorate regarding
the management, organization, and personnel of the
Directorate.
[[Page H9251]]
``(3) Scope.--The Under Secretary for Science and
Technology shall ensure that each five-year research and
development plan developed and revised under subsection (a)--
``(A) reflects input from a wide range of stakeholders; and
``(B) takes into account how research and development by
other Federal, State, private sector, and nonprofit
institutions contributes to the achievement of the priorities
identified in each plan, and avoids unnecessary duplication
with such efforts.
``(4) Reports.--The Under Secretary for Science and
Technology shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security
and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate an annual
report for seven years beginning not later than one year
after the date of the development of the initial five-year
research and development plan under paragraph (1) on the
status and results to date of the implementation of such plan
and the updates to such plan, including--
``(A) a summary of the research and development activities
for the previous fiscal year in each mission area, including
such activities to address homeland security risks, including
threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences, and a summary of
the coordination activities undertaken by the Directorate of
Science and Technology for components and offices of the
Department, together with the results of the process
specified in paragraph (15) of section 302;
``(B) clear links between the Directorate's budget and each
mission area or program, including those mission areas or
programs to address homeland security risks, including
threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences, specifying which
mission areas or programs fall under which budget lines, and
clear links between Directorate coordination work and
priorities and annual expenditures for such work and
priorities, including joint investments with other Federal
partners, where applicable;
``(C) an assessment of progress of the research and
development activities based on the performance metrics and
milestones set forth in such plan; and
``(D) any changes to such plan.
``SEC. 320. MONITORING OF PROGRESS.
``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary for Science and
Technology shall establish and utilize a system to track the
progress of the research, development, testing, and
evaluation activities undertaken by the Directorate of
Science and Technology, and shall provide to the Committee on
Homeland Security and the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate
and customers of such activities, at a minimum on a biannual
basis, regular updates on such progress.
``(b) Requirements.--In order to provide the progress
updates required under subsection (a), the Under Secretary
for Science and Technology shall develop a system that--
``(1) monitors progress toward project milestones
identified by the Under Secretary;
``(2) maps progress toward deliverables identified in each
five-year research and development plan required under
section 319(b);
``(3) generates up-to-date reports to customers that
transparently disclose the status and progress of research,
development, testing, and evaluation efforts of the
Directorate of Science and Technology; and
``(4) allows the Under Secretary to report the number of
products and services developed by the Directorate that have
been transitioned into acquisition programs and resulted in
successfully fielded technologies.
``(c) Evaluation Methods.--
``(1) External input, consultation, and review.--The Under
Secretary for Science and Technology shall implement
procedures to engage outside experts to assist in the
evaluation of the progress of research, development, testing,
and evaluation activities of the Directorate of Science and
Technology, including through--
``(A) consultation with experts, including scientists and
practitioners, to gather independent expert peer opinion and
advice on a project or on specific issues or analyses
conducted by the Directorate; and
``(B) periodic, independent, external review to assess the
quality and relevance of the Directorate's programs and
projects.
``(2) Component feedback.--The Under Secretary for Science
and Technology shall establish a formal process to collect
feedback from customers of the Directorate of Science and
Technology on the performance of the Directorate that
includes--
``(A) appropriate methodologies through which the
Directorate can assess the quality and usefulness of
technology and services delivered by the Directorate;
``(B) development of metrics for measuring the usefulness
of any technology or service provided by the Directorate; and
``(C) standards for high-quality customer service.
``SEC. 321. HOMELAND SECURITY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FELLOWS
PROGRAM.
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary, acting through the
Under Secretary for Science and Technology and the Under
Secretary for Management, shall establish a fellows program,
to be known as the Homeland Security Science and Technology
Fellows Program (in this section referred to as the
`Program'), under which the Under Secretary for Science and
Technology, in coordination with the Office of University
Programs of the Department, shall facilitate the placement of
fellows in relevant scientific or technological fields for up
to two years in components and offices of the Department with
a need for scientific and technological expertise.
``(b) Utilization of Fellows.--
``(1) In general.--Under the Program, the Department may
employ fellows--
``(A) for the use of the Directorate of Science and
Technology; or
``(B) for the use of a component or office of the
Department outside the Directorate, under a memorandum of
agreement with the head of such a component or office under
which such component or office will reimburse the Directorate
for the costs of such employment.
``(2) Responsibilities.--Under an agreement referred to in
subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1)--
``(A) the Under Secretary for Science and Technology and
the Under Secretary for Management shall--
``(i) solicit and accept applications from individuals who
are currently enrolled in or who are graduates of
postgraduate programs in scientific and engineering fields
related to the promotion of securing the homeland or critical
infrastructure sectors;
``(ii) screen applicants and interview them as appropriate
to ensure that such applicants possess the appropriate level
of scientific and engineering expertise and qualifications;
``(iii) provide a list of qualified applicants to the heads
of components and offices of the Department seeking to
utilize qualified fellows;
``(iv) subject to the availability of appropriations, pay
financial compensation to such fellows;
``(v) coordinate with the Chief Security Officer to
facilitate and expedite provision of security and suitability
clearances to such fellows, as appropriate; and
``(vi) otherwise administer all aspects of the employment
of such fellows with the Department; and
``(B) the head of the component or office of the Department
utilizing a fellow shall--
``(i) select such fellow from the list of qualified
applicants provided by the Under Secretary;
``(ii) reimburse the Under Secretary for the costs of
employing such fellow, including administrative costs; and
``(iii) be responsible for the day-to-day management of
such fellow.
``(c) Applications From Nonprofit Organizations.--The Under
Secretary for Science and Technology may accept an
application under subsection (b)(2)(A) that is submitted by a
nonprofit organization on behalf of individuals whom such
nonprofit organization has determined may be qualified
applicants under the Program.
``SEC. 322. CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary for Science and
Technology shall support research, development, testing,
evaluation, and transition of cybersecurity technology,
including fundamental research to improve the sharing of
information, analytics, and methodologies related to
cybersecurity risks and incidents, consistent with current
law.
``(b) Activities.--The research and development supported
under subsection (a) shall serve the components of the
Department and shall--
``(1) advance the development and accelerate the deployment
of more secure information systems;
``(2) improve and create technologies for detecting attacks
or intrusions, including real-time continuous diagnostics and
real-time analytic technologies;
``(3) improve and create mitigation and recovery
methodologies, including techniques and policies for real-
time containment of attacks, and development of resilient
networks and information systems;
``(4) support, in coordination with the private sector, the
review of source code that underpins critical infrastructure
information systems;
``(5) develop and support infrastructure and tools to
support cybersecurity research and development efforts,
including modeling, testbeds, and data sets for assessment of
new cybersecurity technologies;
``(6) assist the development and support of technologies to
reduce vulnerabilities in industrial control systems; and
``(7) develop and support cyber forensics and attack
attribution.
``(c) Coordination.--In carrying out this section, the
Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall coordinate
activities with--
``(1) the Under Secretary appointed pursuant to section
103(a)(1)(H);
``(2) the heads of other relevant Federal departments and
agencies, including the National Science Foundation, the
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Information
Assurance Directorate of the National Security Agency, the
National Institute of Standards and Technology, the
Department of Commerce, the Networking and Information
Technology Research and Development Program Office, Sector
Specific Agencies for critical infrastructure, and other
appropriate working groups established by the President to
identify unmet needs and cooperatively support activities, as
appropriate; and
``(3) industry and academia.
``(d) Transition to Practice.--The Under Secretary for
Science and Technology shall
[[Page H9252]]
support projects through the full life cycle of such
projects, including research, development, testing,
evaluation, pilots, and transitions. The Under Secretary
shall identify mature technologies that address existing or
imminent cybersecurity gaps in public or private information
systems and networks of information systems, identify and
support necessary improvements identified during pilot
programs and testing and evaluation activities, and introduce
new cybersecurity technologies throughout the Homeland
Security Enterprise through partnerships and
commercialization. The Under Secretary shall target federally
funded cybersecurity research that demonstrates a high
probability of successful transition to the commercial market
within two years and that is expected to have notable impact
on the cybersecurity of the information systems or networks
of information systems of the United States.
``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Cybersecurity risk.--The term `cybersecurity risk'
has the meaning given such term in the second section 226,
relating to the national cybersecurity and communications
integration center.
``(2) Homeland security enterprise.--The term `Homeland
Security Enterprise' means relevant governmental and
nongovernmental entities involved in homeland security,
including Federal, State, local, and tribal government
officials, private sector representatives, academics, and
other policy experts.
``(3) Incident.--The term `incident' has the meaning given
such term in the second section 226, relating to the national
cybersecurity and communications integration center.
``(4) Information system.--The term `information system'
has the meaning given that term in section 3502(8) of title
44, United States Code.
``SEC. 323. INTEGRATED PRODUCT TEAMS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish integrated
product teams to serve as a central mechanism for the
Department to identify, coordinate, and align research and
development efforts with departmental missions. Each team
shall be managed by the Under Secretary for Science and
Technology and the relevant senior leadership of operational
components, and shall be responsible for the following:
``(1) Identifying and prioritizing homeland security
capability gaps or threats to the homeland within a specific
mission area and technological solutions to address such
gaps.
``(2) Identifying ongoing departmental research and
development activities and component acquisitions of
technologies that are outside of departmental research and
development activities to address a specific mission area.
``(3) Assessing the appropriateness of a technology to
address a specific mission area.
``(4) Identifying unnecessary redundancy in departmental
research and development activities within a specific mission
area.
``(5) Informing the Secretary and the annual budget process
regarding whether certain technological solutions are able to
address homeland security capability gaps or threats to the
homeland within a specific mission area.
``(b) Congressional Oversight.--Not later than two years
after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary
shall provide to the Committee on Homeland Security and the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate information on the impact
and effectiveness of the mechanism described in subsection
(a) on research and development efforts, component
relationships, and how the process has informed the research
and development budget and enhanced decision making,
including acquisition decision making, at the Department. The
Secretary shall seek feedback from the Under Secretary for
Science and Technology, Under Secretary for Management, and
the senior leadership of operational components regarding the
impact and effectiveness of such mechanism and include such
feedback in the information provided under this subsection.
``SEC. 324. HOMELAND SECURITY-STEM SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary for Science and
Technology shall establish a Homeland Security-STEM
internship program (in this section referred to as the
`program') to carry out the objectives of this subtitle.
``(b) Program.--The program shall provide students with
exposure to Department mission-relevant research areas,
including threats to the homeland, to encourage such students
to pursue STEM careers in homeland security related fields.
Internships offered under the program shall be for up to ten
weeks during the summer.
``(c) Eligibility.--The Under Secretary for Science and
Technology shall develop criteria for participation in the
program, including the following:
``(1) At the time of application, an intern shall--
``(A) have successfully completed not less than one
academic year of study at an institution of higher education
in a STEM field;
``(B) be enrolled in a course of study in a STEM field at
an institution of higher education; and
``(C) plan to continue such course of study or pursue an
additional course of study in a STEM field at an institution
of higher education in the academic year following the
internship.
``(2) An intern shall be pursuing career goals aligned with
the Department's mission, goals, and objectives.
``(3) Any other criteria the Under Secretary determines
appropriate.
``(d) Cooperation.--The program shall be administered in
cooperation with the university-based centers for homeland
security under section 308. Interns in the program shall be
provided hands-on research experience and enrichment
activities focused on Department research areas.
``(e) Academic Requirements; Operation.--The Under
Secretary for Science and Technology shall determine the
academic requirements, other selection criteria, and
standards for successful completion of each internship period
in the program. The Under Secretary shall be responsible for
the design, implementation, and operation of the program.
``(f) Research Mentors.--The Under Secretary for Science
and Technology shall ensure that each intern in the program
is assigned a research mentor to act as counselor and advisor
and provide career-focused advice.
``(g) Outreach to Certain Under-represented Students.--The
Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall conduct
outreach to students who are members of groups under-
represented in STEM careers to encourage their participation
in the program.
``(h) Institution of Higher Education Defined.--In this
section, the term `institution of higher education' has the
meaning given the term in section 102 of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002), except that the term does not
include institutions described in subparagraph (C) of such
section 102(a)(1).''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall take effect on the date that is 30 days after the date
of the enactment of this section.
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 317 the
following new items:
``Sec. 318. Identification and prioritization of research and
development.
``Sec. 319. Development of Directorate strategy and research and
development plan.
``Sec. 320. Monitoring of progress.
``Sec. 321. Homeland Security Science and Technology Fellows Program.
``Sec. 322. Cybersecurity research and development.
``Sec. 323. Integrated product teams.
``Sec. 324. Homeland Security-STEM summer internship program.''.
(d) Research and Development Projects.--Section 831 of the
Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 391) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``2015'' and inserting ``2020'';
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking the last sentence; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) Prior approval.--In any case in which a component or
office of the Department seeks to utilize the authority under
this section, such office or component shall first receive
prior approval from the Secretary by providing to the
Secretary a proposal that includes the rationale for the use
of such authority, the funds to be spent on the use of such
authority, and the expected outcome for each project that is
the subject of the use of such authority. In such a case, the
authority for evaluating the proposal may not be delegated by
the Secretary to anyone other than the Under Secretary for
Management.'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``2015'' and inserting ``2020''; and
(B) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) Report.--The Secretary shall annually submit to the
Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of
the Senate a report detailing the projects for which the
authority granted by subsection (a) was used, the rationale
for such use, the funds spent using such authority, the
extent of cost-sharing for such projects among Federal and
non-federal sources, the extent to which use of such
authority has addressed a homeland security capability gap or
threat to the homeland identified by the Department, the
total amount of payments, if any, that were received by the
Federal Government as a result of the use of such authority
during the period covered by each such report, the outcome of
each project for which such authority was used, and the
results of any audits of such projects.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
``(e) Training.--The Secretary shall develop a training
program for acquisitions staff in the use of other
transaction authority to help ensure the appropriate use of
such authority.
``(f) Other Transaction Authority Defined.--In this
section, the term `other transaction authority' means
authority under subsection (a).''.
(e) Amendment to Definition.--Paragraph (2) of subsection
(a) of the second section 226 of the Homeland Security Act of
2002 (6
[[Page H9253]]
U.S.C. 148; relating to the national cybersecurity and
communications integration center) is amended to read as
follows:
``(2) Incident.--The term `incident' means an occurrence
that actually or imminently jeopardizes, without lawful
authority, the integrity, confidentiality, or availability of
information on an information system, or actually or
imminently jeopardizes, without lawful authority, an
information system.''.
(f) GAO Study of University-based Centers.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall initiate a study to assess the
university-based centers for homeland security program
authorized by section 308(b)(2) of the Homeland Security Act
of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 188(b)(2)), and provide recommendations to
the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate for appropriate
improvements.
(2) Subject matters.--The study required under subsection
(a) shall include the following:
(A) A review of the Department of Homeland Security's
efforts to identify key areas of study needed to support the
homeland security mission, and criteria that the Department
utilized to determine those key areas for which the
Department should maintain, establish, or eliminate
university-based centers.
(B) A review of the method by which university-based
centers, federally funded research and development centers,
and Department of Energy national laboratories receive
tasking from the Department of Homeland Security, including a
review of how university-based research is identified,
prioritized, and funded.
(C) A review of selection criteria for designating
university-based centers and a weighting of such criteria.
(D) An examination of best practices from other agencies'
efforts to organize and use university-based research to
support their missions.
(E) A review of the Department of Homeland Security's
criteria and metrics to measure demonstrable progress
achieved by university-based centers in fulfilling Department
taskings, and mechanisms for delivering and disseminating the
research results of designated university-based centers
within the Department and to other Federal, State, and local
agencies.
(F) An examination of the means by which academic
institutions that are not designated or associated with the
designated university-based centers can optimally contribute
to the research mission of the Directorate of Science and
Technology of the Department of Homeland Security.
(G) An assessment of the interrelationship between the
different university-based centers and the degree to which
outreach and collaboration among a diverse array of academic
institutions is encouraged by the Department of Homeland
Security, particularly with historically Black colleges and
universities and minority-serving institutions.
(H) A review of any other essential elements of the
programs determined in the conduct of the study.
(g) Prize Authority.--The Under Secretary for Science and
Technology of the Department of Homeland Security shall
utilize, as appropriate, prize authority granted pursuant to
current law.
(h) Prohibition on New Funding.--No funds are authorized to
be appropriated to carry out this section and the amendments
made by this section. Such section and amendments shall be
carried out using amounts otherwise appropriated or made
available for such purposes.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Ratcliffe) and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
General Leave
Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include any extraneous material 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. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3578, the DHS Science and Technology Reform and
Improvement Act of 2015, makes targeted adjustments and strategic
improvements to the ways in which the Department of Homeland Security's
Science and Technology Directorate, or DHS S&T, carries out its
responsibility to conduct research and development. These strategic
improvements will strengthen the Directorate and address some of its
well-documented challenges.
DHS S&T monitors the Nation's evolving threats and makes use of
technological advancements to develop and deliver solutions to meet the
critical needs of the DHS components.
The legislation we are considering today provides a clear mission
statement for the Directorate and it codifies S&T's portfolio review
process. This process engages key leadership and stakeholders to ensure
that research and development meets the Directorate and Department
goals.
Amendments considered at both the subcommittee and full committee
further strengthen this legislation, including Mr. Richmond's amendment
to codify integrated product teams, a mechanism that will support the
Directorate's ability to identify, coordinate, and align research and
development efforts with departmental missions.
H.R. 3578 also ensures that the Directorate identifies technical
capability requirements and creates solutions with researchers and the
private sector. It also bolsters S&T's role as coordinator of research
and development across the Department.
This bill requires additional transparency by requiring S&T to link
its budget with mission areas and programs.
Cybersecurity research and development is essential to support DHS'
efforts to secure the dot-gov domain. The seriousness of this mission
received heightened awareness after the OPM breach compromised the
highly sensitive and personal information of over 20 million Americans.
H.R. 3578 bolsters S&T's cybersecurity research and development by
ensuring sector specific agencies for critical infrastructure are
included in the coordination of cybersecurity research and development
and by codifying the Transition to Practice program to support the
lifecycle of cyber projects, including research, development, testing,
evaluation, and transition.
S&T is the primary research arm of the Department, managing the basic
and applied research and development of science and technology for DHS'
operational components. S&T's work includes supporting research and
development for technologies to benefit first responders, the Nation's
border and maritime security, cybersecurity, and chemical and
biological defenses.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Texas, Chairman
Smith, of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee for his support
in moving this legislation forward.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation would strengthen the important role and
work of the Directorate to meet both the scientific and technological
security needs of our Nation.
I urge all Members to join me in supporting this bill, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology,
Washington, DC, December 4, 2015.
Hon. Michael McCaul,
Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning H.R. 3578, the
``DHS Science and Technology Reform and Improvement Act of
2015,'' which your Committee ordered reported on September
30, 2015.
H.R. 3578 contains provisions within the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology's Rule X jurisdiction.
However, in consideration of your request to expedite this
bill for floor consideration, the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology will forego formal consideration of
H.R. 3578. This is being done on the basis of our mutual
understanding that doing so will in no way diminish or alter
the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology with respect to the appointment of conferees, or
to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters
contained in the bill or similar legislation.
I appreciate that the Committee on Homeland Security has
consulted with the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology and the two Committees have reached agreement on
the final text of H.R. 3578. I understand you acknowledge the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology's jurisdiction
over the legislation and that the Committee on Homeland
Security agrees to work with the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology to develop and enact an additional homeland
security research and development measure early in 2016.
I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming
this understanding and would request that you include a copy
of this letter and your response in the Congressional Record
during the floor consideration of this bill. Thank you in
advance for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Lamar Smith,
Chairman.
[[Page H9254]]
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Homeland Security,
Washington, DC, December 4, 2015.
Hon. Lamar Smith,
Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Smith: Thank you for your letter regarding
H.R. 3578, the ``DHS Science and Technology Reform and
Improvement Act of 2015.'' I acknowledge that by forgoing
action on this legislation your Committee is not diminishing
or altering its jurisdiction.
I also concur with you that forgoing action on this bill
does not in any way prejudice the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology with respect to its jurisdictional
prerogatives on this bill or similar legislation in the
future. Furthermore, I would support your effort to seek
appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any
House-Senate conference involving this or similar
legislation.
In addition, I agree that the Committee on Homeland
Security will continue to work with the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology to develop additional legislation
addressing homeland security research and development in
early 2016.
I will include copies of this exchange in the Congressional
Record during consideration of this measure on the House
floor. I appreciate your cooperation regarding HR. 3578, and
I look forward to working with the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology as the bill moves through the
legislative process.
Sincerely,
Michael T. McCaul,
Chairman,
Committee on Homeland Security.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise to support H.R. 3578, the Department of Homeland Security
Science and Technology Reform and Improvement Act of 2015.
First, I want to say to the gentleman from Texas, thank you so very
much for your leadership. Again, we have a great opportunity working
together, along with your ranking member, Mr. Richmond, and the
chairman of the full committee, Mr. McCaul, and, as well, Mr. Thompson.
I believe we are continuously building blocks of security for the
American people.
Research and development is a key component of the Department of
Homeland Security's mission to make America more secure and better able
to prevent, respond to, and recover from natural disasters and
terrorist acts.
In the constantly evolving threat landscape, technology-based force
multipliers are essential for managing our borders, safeguarding
cyberspace, and making sure we are resilient in the face of disasters.
H.R. 3578 will improve the way the Science and Technology Directorate
serves its customers within the Department in the first responder
community in three ways.
Before I say that, let me indicate to the chairman, we understand
that we are looking at generational gaps. Terrorists are young. People
who wish to undermine the landscape of cybersecurity can use, if I
might say, these young minds, these technocrats, to do things that we
may have never heard of, so our system must be resilient.
First, this bill requires S&T to engage in strategic planning and
priority-setting exercises that will assist Congress in measuring the
management effectiveness and utility of the research and technologies
it funds. This kind of self-assessment will make S&T a more effective
partner to its customers and will help make its program more efficient.
Second, H.R. 3578 directs S&T to evaluate its university programs and
collaborative agreements and assess its efforts to broaden outreach to
diverse institutions, which may have a unique expertise to add to S&T's
ongoing work.
Given the current fiscal challenges, it is critical that we maximize
the way we leverage the capabilities of knowledge-rich universities,
and this provision will help S&T do just that. In fact, I believe that
the universities are our richest source of talent, and not only for the
researchers and the professors, but certainly the students who are
young, who are there to do good, of whom we can utilize both their
talents, their approach, and their intellect.
Finally, the bill encourages carefully targeted venture capital
investments in the homeland security enterprise that can accelerate
product development and add mission critical capabilities quickly and
efficiently.
These targeted investments will help put better technologies into the
hands of DHS boots-on-the-ground State and local first responders soon.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3578 codifies existing practices at S&T that are
working and will make S&T a stronger, more reliable partner in the
homeland security mission.
I encourage my colleagues to support this important bipartisan
legislation, and, as well, I continue to look forward to working with
this subcommittee, among others, to begin to look at the cyber space
and the cybersecurity infrastructure.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Smith), my friend and colleague.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from
Texas (Mr. Ratcliffe) for his work on this legislation, for his earlier
generous comments, and for yielding me time as well. I also want to
thank both him and the gentleman from Texas, Michael McCaul, the full
committee chairman, for their work on this legislation.
The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology shares jurisdiction
with the Homeland Security Committee over the research and development
programs carried out by the Department of Homeland Security. In the
case of this bill, H.R. 3578, it is the R&D of the Department of
Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, which was
established by legislation that originated in the House Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology.
The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, likewise, shares
jurisdiction of the bill we just considered, H.R. 3875. That bill will
assess and plan DHS research and development of chemical, biological,
radiological, nuclear, and explosives defenses.
Next year, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology expects to
continue to advance science and technology efforts to counter terrorist
threats to the homeland.
In anticipation of today's legislation, our committee exercised its
jurisdiction by holding two hearings. In September of 2014, the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology's Research and Technology
Subcommittee held a joint DHS S&T Directorate oversight hearing with
Homeland Security's Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and
Security Technologies Subcommittee.
The hearing focused on a series of Government Accountability Office
reviews that found serious problems with management and coordination of
R&D within the Department of Homeland Security. This includes
fragmented and overlapping R&D programs and millions of taxpayer
dollars spent on duplicative R&D projects.
The GAO recommended that the S&T Directorate develop stricter
policies and guidance to help define, oversee, coordinate, and track
R&D across the Department of Homeland Security.
The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology conducted a follow-up
oversight hearing on October 27 of this year. At that hearing, Under
Secretary Brothers described the progress made in its implementation of
the GAO's recommendations and updated us on the S&T Directorate's
initiatives to help DHS meet the full spectrum of threats.
The legislation before the House today reflects the work of the
members of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the
Committee on Homeland Security to help the S&T Directorate meet a broad
range of homeland security challenges by stretching the technological
envelope.
The bill establishes a clear mission for the Directorate, updates its
responsibilities, and requires strategy and R&D plans to prioritize
addressing homeland threats. It also authorizes targeted cybersecurity
R&D projects and creates new S&T integrated product teams to develop
technological solutions to meet the Department's mission areas and
address threats to the homeland.
Last week's horrifying terrorist attack in San Bernardino,
California, just days after a terrorist attack in Paris, reminds us
that this legislation is ultimately about defending the American people
and our country from terrorists.
Again, I thank Chairman McCaul for taking the initiative with this
critical legislation, and I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Ratcliffe) as well.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
[[Page H9255]]
In order to meet the needs of those on the front line of homeland
security activities from Customs and Border Protection and the
Transportation Security to local first responders, the Science and
Technology Directorate must rapidly develop and deliver innovative
solutions that advance DHS' mission.
I am convinced that the whole matter of cyber technology are the new
frontier of terrorism and that this Department must be, as it has been,
very well prepared with human personnel being on the front lines of the
first responders, and must give them extra tools through S&T to help to
further the mission of the security of this Nation. It is a complex and
difficult mission.
H.R. 3578 puts S&T on a pathway to making smarter and quicker R&D
investment in technology and tools that help our first responders do
their jobs better and more effectively.
With that, I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 3578, and I thank the
proponent of this legislation.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I thank the gentlewoman for her support and leadership in connection
with this bill. I would also like to thank Chairman McCaul and Ranking
Member Thompson for their leadership in moving this important bill
forward.
Mr. Speaker, threats in technologies are always changing. This bill
will help DHS S&T find strategic and focused technology options and
innovative solutions to address homeland security capability gaps and
threats to our homeland.
I, once again, urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 3578, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ratcliffe) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 3578, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________