[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 77 (Monday, May 16, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H2406-H2409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1715
REQUIRING COMPTROLLER GENERAL TO ASSESS OPTIONS FOR DISPOSITION OF PLUM 
         ISLAND ANIMAL DISEASE CENTER IN PLUM ISLAND, NEW YORK

  Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1887) to amend certain appropriation Acts to repeal the 
requirement directing the Administrator of General Services to sell 
Federal property and assets that support the operations of the Plum 
Island Animal Disease Center in Plum Island, New York, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1887

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) The Federal Government has owned Plum Island, New York, 
     since 1899.
       (2) Since 1954, the Plum Island Animal Disease Center has 
     conducted unrivaled scientific research on a variety of 
     infectious animal-borne diseases, including foot-and-mouth 
     disease, resulting, most recently, in the development of a 
     new cell line that rapidly and reliably detects this highly 
     debilitating disease of livestock.
       (3) Over 62 years, the Center has had a strong, proven 
     record of safety.
       (4) $23,200,000 in Federal dollars have been spent on 
     upgrades to, and the maintenance of, the Center since January 
     2012.
       (5) In addition to the Center, Plum Island contains 
     cultural, historical, ecological, and natural resources of 
     regional and national significance.
       (6) Plum Island is situated where the Long Island Sound and 
     Peconic Bay meet, both of which are estuaries that are part 
     of the National Estuary Program and are environmentally and 
     economically significant to the region.
       (7) The Federal Government has invested hundreds of 
     millions of Federal dollars over the last two decades to make 
     long-term improvements with respect to the conservation and 
     management needs of Long Island Sound and Peconic Bay.

[[Page H2407]]

       (8) The Department of Homeland Security has undertaken a 
     study to consider alternatives for the final disposition of 
     Plum Island, including an analysis of--
       (A) conservation of the island's resources;
       (B) any remediation responsibilities;
       (C) the need for any legislative changes;
       (D) cost; and
       (E) any revenues from the alternatives.

     SEC. 2. REPORT REQUIRED ON STUDY BY DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 
                   SECURITY ON CLEAN UP AND ALTERNATIVE USES OF 
                   PLUM ISLAND.

       (a) Assessment by Comptroller General.--
       (1) Assessment required.--The Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall conduct an assessment of the study by the 
     Department of Homeland Security on the options for the 
     disposition of Plum Island referred to in section 1(8). Such 
     assessment shall include a determination of whether the 
     methodologies used by the Department in conducting such study 
     adequately support the Department's findings with respect to 
     the following:
       (A) The possible alternative uses for Plum Island, 
     including the transfer of ownership to another Federal 
     agency, a State or local government, a nonprofit 
     organization, or a combination thereof for the purpose of 
     education, research, or conservation.
       (B) The possible issues and implications, if any, of 
     pursuing such alternative uses for Plum Island.
       (C) The potential cost to be incurred for expenses related 
     to the transition, cleanup, and hazard mitigation of Plum 
     Island by a recipient of such property.
       (2) Report required.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date on which the Department of Homeland Security completes 
     the study referred to in section 1(8), the Comptroller 
     General of the United States shall submit to Congress a 
     report containing the following:
       (A) The results of the assessment described under paragraph 
     (1).
       (B) A description of the Secretary of Homeland Security's 
     coordination with the Administrator of General Services, the 
     Secretary of the Interior, and the Administrator of the 
     Environmental Protection Agency in conducting the Department 
     of Homeland Security study referred to in section 1(8).
       (b) Study by Comptroller General.--
       (1) Study required.--If the Comptroller General of the 
     United States determines that the methodologies referred to 
     in subsection (a)(1) do not adequately support the Department 
     of Homeland Security's findings related to an issue described 
     in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of such subsection, the 
     Comptroller General shall conduct a study on any such issue.
       (2) Report required.--If the Comptroller General of the 
     United States conducts a study under paragraph (1), not later 
     than one year after the date on which the Department of 
     Homeland Security completes the study referred to in section 
     1(8), the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a 
     report containing the results of the study conducted under 
     paragraph (1).

     SEC. 3. SUSPENSION OF ACTION.

       No action may be taken to carry out section 538 of title V 
     of division D of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 
     (Public Law 112-74; 125 Stat. 976) until at least 180 days 
     after the reports required by subsection (a)(2) of section 2 
     and, if applicable, subsection (b)(2) of such section have 
     been submitted to Congress.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Ratcliffe) and the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) 
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 
have 5 legislative days within 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, after my remarks, I will include an exchange of letters 
between the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the 
Committee on Homeland Security regarding H.R. 1887.
  Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 1887, which suspends an 
appropriations provision in order to ensure that all necessary 
information is accessible before deciding how to move forward with Plum 
Island Animal Disease Center.
  Since 1954, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and 
Technology Directorate's Plum Island Animal Disease Center has served 
the Nation in defending against accidental or intentional introduction 
of foreign animal diseases. In 2005, DHS announced that Plum Island 
would be moved to a new Federal facility in Kansas. While DHS will 
eventually move the research conducted, Plum Island will continue to 
operate until the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility is fully 
operational and a complete transition has been made in 2022 or 2023.
  The gentleman from New York, Representative Zeldin, my friend, 
introduced H.R. 1887 with strong bipartisan support from the entire 
Long Island and Connecticut delegations in both the House and the 
Senate to stop the sale of Plum Island.
  DHS recently undertook a study on alternatives for the disposition of 
Plum Island. As amended, H.R. 1887 suspends the sale of Plum Island 
until a thorough review of the analysis of alternatives is conducted by 
DHS and GAO. The bill before us today requires GAO to review the DHS 
study and report to Congress on whether the methodologies DHS uses 
adequately support the Department's findings. If those methodologies 
are found lacking, GAO must study possible alternative uses for Plum 
Island and possible costs associated for the transition and cleanup of 
the island.
  H.R. 1887 delays the sale of Plum Island until GAO reports its 
findings to Congress, allowing for a complete understanding of possible 
options for Plum Island once the Animal Disease Center functions are 
transitioned. This bill ensures consideration of all options for the 
disposition of the island.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

         Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of 
           Representatives,
                                    Washington, DC, May, 12, 2016.
     Hon. Michael McCaul,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McCaul: I write concerning H.R. 1887, a bill 
     to amend certain appropriation Acts to repeal the requirement 
     directing the Administrator of General Services to sell 
     federal property and assets that support the operations of 
     the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in Plum Island, New 
     York.'' This legislation includes matters that fall within 
     the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation 
     and Infrastructure.
       In order to expedite Floor consideration of H.R. 1887, the 
     Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will forgo 
     action on this bill. However, this is conditional on our 
     mutual understanding that forgoing consideration of the bill 
     does not prejudice the Committee with respect to the 
     appointment of conferees or to any future jurisdictional 
     claim over the subject matters contained in the bill or 
     similar legislation that fall within the Committee's Rule X 
     jurisdiction. I request you urge the Speaker to name members 
     of the Committee to any conference committee named to 
     consider such provisions.
       Please place a copy of this letter and your response 
     acknowledging our jurisdictional interest in the 
     Congressional Record during House Floor consideration of the 
     bill. I look forward to working with the Committee on 
     Homeland Security as the bill moves through the legislative 
     process.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Bill Shuster,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Homeland Security,

                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2016.
     Hon. Bill Shuster,
     Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Shuster: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 1887. I appreciate your support in bringing this 
     legislation before the House of Representatives, and 
     accordingly, understand that the Committee on Transportation 
     and Infrastructure will not seek a sequential referral on the 
     bill.
       The Committee on Homeland Security concurs with the mutual 
     understanding that by foregoing a sequential referral of this 
     bill at this time, the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure does not waive any jurisdiction over the 
     subject matter contained in this bill or similar legislation 
     in the future. In addition, should a conference on this bill 
     be necessary, I would support your request to have the 
     Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure represented on 
     the conference committee.
       I will insert copies of this exchange in the Congressional 
     Record during consideration of this bill on the House floor. 
     I thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                Michael T. McCaul,
                         Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security.

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 
1887 and yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, since 1954, the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New 
York's Long Island Sound has served as the primary laboratory in the 
United States responsible for research on foreign animal diseases of 
livestock, such

[[Page H2408]]

as foot-and-mouth disease and other animal diseases that could be 
accidentally or deliberately introduced into the United States.
  At Plum Island, the Department of Homeland Security works with the 
Agricultural Research Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service within the U.S. Department of Agriculture to research and 
develop new vaccines and diagnostic tests to respond to animal disease 
outbreaks.
  On September 11, 2005, DHS announced plans to develop the National 
Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, or NBAF, as a state-of-the-art 
biocontainment laboratory to replace the Plum Island facility, an aging 
facility nearing the end of its lifecycle. After undertaking a 
multiyear site selection process, DHS selected a site in Manhattan, 
Kansas, for the NBAF. It is slated to begin operations in 2022.
  This brings us to H.R. 1887. The focus of this bill is to deal with 
the question of what to do with Plum Island once DHS no longer needs 
it. DHS is currently studying the range of options for disposition of 
the property, including transferring it to another Federal agency, a 
State or local government, or a nonprofit organization for the purposes 
of education, research, or conservation. In doing so, DHS is expected 
to assess the full implications of each option, including cost, 
cleanup, and hazard mitigation.
  H.R. 1887 requires the Government Accountability Office, or GAO, to 
assess whether DHS' forthcoming study is adequate to support its 
findings. In the event that the study is lacking in a key area, GAO 
would be required to conduct its own study on that issue or issues. 
Importantly, H.R. 1887 prohibits the sale of Plum Island operations 
until at least 180 days after the required reports in the bill have 
been submitted to Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Zeldin), my distinguished colleague.
  Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Ratcliffe) and Mr. Thompson as well for both speaking in favor of this 
legislation, H.R. 1887.
  Plum Island is not for sale. The whole purpose of this legislation is 
to prevent the sale of Plum Island by the Federal Government to the 
highest bidder.
  Situated at the gateway of the Long Island Sound, Plum Island is 
treasured by my local community. As a critical resource for research, 
approximately 90 percent of the land on Plum Island has been sheltered 
from development, offering Long Island a diverse wildlife and ecosystem 
and a critical habitat for migratory birds, marine mammals, and rare 
plants.
  With recorded history dating back to the 1700s, Plum Island is also 
an essential cultural and historical resource as well. Since World War 
II, Plum Island has been utilized as a research laboratory. The 
facility, which has been under Federal jurisdiction since 1899, has 
since grown to become what is known today as the Plum Island Animal 
Disease Center.
  In 2005, the Department of Homeland Security, which currently has 
jurisdiction over the island, announced that the Animal Disease Center 
research would be moved to a new Federal facility: the National Bio and 
Agro-Defense Facility in Kansas.
  To offset the cost of the relocation, a law was enacted that called 
for the private sale of Plum Island to the highest bidder. However, due 
to costs associated with the cleanup and closure of Plum Island and 
because of local zoning restrictions, the Federal Government would 
receive little compensation for the sale of Plum Island. Allowing for 
continued research, public access, and permanent preservation of the 
island, H.R. 1887 will reverse a 2008 law that mandated the sale of 
Plum Island.
  The bill, as amended, will commission the Government Accountability 
Office, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, which 
currently owns the island, to formulate a comprehensive plan for the 
future of the island. This plan will include possible alternative uses, 
which can include transfer of ownership to another Federal agency, the 
State or local government, nonprofit, or combination thereof, for the 
purpose of education, research, and conservation.
  Just less than 3 weeks ago, on April 28, 2016, H.R. 1887 was marked 
up with an amendment and passed out of the House Homeland Security 
Committee with unanimous bipartisan support. Currently, 24 Republicans 
and Democrats in this Chamber have signed on as cosponsors of this 
bill.
  I see the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney) is here. He has 
long been championing this issue since before I got here.
  I would especially like to thank House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy 
and House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul for both 
taking such a direct, personal interest in helping with this effort in 
the House. Their leadership is very much appreciated.
  I would also like to thank all the locally elected officials, groups, 
and concerned residents on Long Island and elsewhere who have moved 
heaven and Earth to raise awareness of this cause and help recruit 
cosponsors.
  I encourage all my colleagues to vote in support of this critical 
bill. Hopefully, the Senate also passes this long-awaited legislation 
in earnest so that the President can sign this proposal into law this 
year.
  I have had the opportunity to visit Plum Island. It is a place where 
you feel as if you are thousands of miles away from Long Island. You 
have the history of Fort Terry, the coastline, the dunes, the 
waterways, the water hitting the rocks, and the seals. You literally 
feel as if you are nowhere near the Northeastern United States. It is a 
treasure, and it is one that should be protected.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very grateful for this Chamber's considering this 
legislation and hopefully passing it unanimously.

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney).
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to, first of all, thank Mr. 
Thompson of Mississippi for his interest and support in this measure, 
even though he hails from a part of the country which is far away from 
the Long Island Sound. But, again, going back to his days on the 
Agriculture Committee, he clearly knows the forensics of this 
legislation, and, again, his interest and support is much appreciated.
  I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ratcliffe) for bringing this 
bill up today.
  Again, Long Island Sound, maybe, is not right on your radar screen, 
but as Congressman Zeldin said, it is an incredibly special place, a 
tidal estuary which separates Connecticut from New York, and it is 
within the New York territory. Frankly, it is a very small, densely 
populated area, and the interest level on both sides of the Long Island 
Sound in terms of passage of this legislation is off the charts.
  I again want to thank Mr. Zeldin for his efforts.
  Again, this measure started in 2013 in response to the GAO report 
that basically signaled that the sale of this island was on the fast 
track, and it really took persistence up until today's vote on the 
floor to make sure that we stop that process, as Mr. Zeldin indicated, 
and send the message that Plum Island is not for sale.
  Again, because of its unique history, the activity that took place 
there with the Animal Disease Center made it unsuitable for residential 
development and commercial development, but sort of the outcome of that 
is that this incredibly rich diversity of biology has sprung up there.
  Like the gentleman from Long Island, I have had the opportunity to 
visit there, and it is as if you were in a different world. That is 
something that we can never take for granted, particularly in a part of 
the country where, again, there are tremendous amounts of sea traffic, 
maritime activity, and economic activity. To try and, again, basically 
preserve this 840-acre parcel with its incredible richness is something 
that really will live on for generations and, really, I think, will 
make the 114th Congress memorable, certainly in terms of that region, 
for many years to come.
  Again, like the gentleman from New York, I want to say that the 
external pressure which was brought to bear by municipal officials and 
by folks from

[[Page H2409]]

Save the Sound--that is an umbrella group on both sides of the Long 
Island Sound--and the Connecticut Fund for the Environment, again, is 
what really kept the interest level and the pressure on both 
delegations to make sure that this didn't get lost in the process and 
allow that mandated sale to move forward.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge passage of this bill, and, again, with 
the gentleman from New York, am determined to make sure that this moves 
as quickly as possible through the Upper Chamber and is signed into law 
by President Obama, sending a message to all the individuals and groups 
that are so interested in preserving Plum Island that, in fact, we, 
again, have taken it off this sort of conveyor belt and we are going to 
make sure that it gets the careful treatment that it deserves. At the 
end of the day, it is going to basically preserve this for generations 
to come.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1887 has broad bipartisan support. It will ensure 
that, before DHS disposes of Plum Island, there is a thorough vetting 
of all the options.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.
  I yield back the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1730

  Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I once again urge my colleagues to 
support Mr. Zeldin's bill, H.R. 1887.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1887, repeals 
the requirement directing the Administrator of General Services to sell 
Federal property and assets that support the operations of the Plum 
Island Animal Disease Center in Plum Island, New York, and for other 
purposes.
  Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Homeland Security I support 
this bill because the safety record of the Plum Island Animal Disease 
Center is unparalleled.
  The Plum Island Animal Disease Center is a United States federal 
research facility dedicated to the study of animal diseases. It is part 
of the DHS Directorate for Science and Technology.
  Since 1954, the center has had the goal of protecting America's 
livestock from animal diseases
  Throughout the history of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, 
there have been no accidental releases of infected animals to the 
mainland.
  The Animal Disease Center on Plum Island has conducted first rate 
scientific research on a variety of infectious animal-borne diseases, 
including foot-and-mouth disease, resulting most recently, in the 
development of a new cell line that rapidly and reliably detects this 
highly debilitating disease of livestock
  Mr. Speaker, in addition to the Animal Disease Center Plum Island 
contains cultural, historical, ecological, and natural resources of 
regional and national significance.
  Importantly, the Federal Government has invested hundreds of millions 
of tax payer dollars over the last two decades to make long-term 
improvements with respect to the conservation and management needs of 
Long Island Sound and Peconic Bay.
  Mr. Speaker, preserving historical and geographical entities play a 
pivotal role in maintaining homeland security and the sustainability of 
our ecosystem and health of our community.
  I urge all members to join me in voting to pass H.R. 1887.
  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. 1887, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to 
authorize the Comptroller General of the United States to assess a 
study on the alternatives for the disposition of Plum Island Animal 
Disease Center, and for other purposes.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________