[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 22, 2017)]
[House]
[Pages H2304-H2307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SECURING OUR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD ACT
Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1238) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make the
Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Health Affairs responsible
for coordinating the efforts of the Department of Homeland Security
related to food, agriculture, and veterinary defense against terrorism,
and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1238
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 ``Securing our Agriculture and
Food Act''.
SEC. 2. COORDINATION OF FOOD, AGRICULTURE, AND VETERINARY
DEFENSE AGAINST TERRORISM.
(a) In General.--Title V of the Homeland Security Act of
2002 (6 U.S.C. 311 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following new section:
``SEC. 528. COORDINATION OF DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
EFFORTS RELATED TO FOOD, AGRICULTURE, AND
VETERINARY DEFENSE AGAINST TERRORISM.
``(a) Program Required.--The Secretary, acting through the
Assistant Secretary for
[[Page H2305]]
Health Affairs, shall carry out a program to coordinate the
Department's efforts related to defending the food,
agriculture, and veterinary systems of the United States
against terrorism and other high-consequence events that pose
a high risk to homeland security.
``(b) Program Elements.--The coordination program required
by subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum, the following:
``(1) Providing oversight and management of the
Department's responsibilities pursuant to Homeland Security
Presidential Directive 9-Defense of United States Agriculture
and Food.
``(2) Providing oversight and integration of the
Department's activities related to veterinary public health,
food defense, and agricultural security.
``(3) Leading the Department's policy initiatives relating
to food, animal, and agricultural incidents, and the impact
of such incidents on animal and public health.
``(4) Leading the Department's policy initiatives relating
to overall domestic preparedness for and collective response
to agricultural terrorism.
``(5) Coordinating with other Department components,
including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as appropriate,
on activities related to food and agriculture security and
screening procedures for domestic and imported products.
``(6) Coordinating with appropriate Federal departments and
agencies.
``(7) Other activities as determined necessary by the
Secretary.
``(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be
construed as altering or superseding the authority of the
Secretary of Agriculture relating to food and agriculture.''.
(b) 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 527 the
following new item:
``Sec. 528. Coordination of Department of Homeland Security efforts
related to food, agriculture, and veterinary defense
against terrorism.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Donovan) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Correa) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. DONOVAN. 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 New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today in support of H.R. 1238, the Securing our Agriculture
and Food Act, introduced by Congressman David Young of Iowa. This bill
seeks to authorize the Department of Homeland Security's food,
agriculture, and veterinary defense program within the Office of Health
Affairs.
Last year, the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications held a hearing to examine the potential devastating
impacts of an intentional attack on, or a natural disruption of, U.S.
agricultural or food production systems.
The food and agriculture sector is critically important to our
Nation's economy. U.S. food and agriculture accounts for roughly one-
fifth of the Nation's economic activity, and contributed $835 billion
to the U.S. gross domestic product in 2014, and is responsible for 1
out of every 12 U.S. jobs.
Coming from Iowa and as a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee
on Agriculture, Congressman Young of Iowa knows all too well the
importance of protecting this sector, which is vital to the economy and
our way of life. I appreciate him introducing this bill of which I am
pleased to be an original cosponsor.
I thank Chairman Walden of the Energy and Commerce Committee and
Chairman Conaway of the Agriculture Committee for working with us to
advance this bill.
Mr. Speaker, we also look forward to working with our Senate
colleagues, who recently approved companion legislation without
amendment in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Committee.
This bipartisan legislation passed the House last September by voice
vote, and I urge all Members to join me once again in supporting this
bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Energy and Commerce,
Washington, DC, March 16, 2017.
Hon. Michael T. McCaul,
Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman McCaul: I write in regard to H.R. 1238,
Securing our Agriculture and Food Act, which was referred in
addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. I wanted to
notify you that the Committee will forgo action on the bill
so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House floor for
consideration.
The Committee on Energy and Commerce takes this action with
our mutual understanding that by foregoing consideration of
H.R. 1238, the Committee does not waive any jurisdiction over
the subject matter contained in this or similar legislation
and will be appropriately consulted and involved as this or
similar legislation moves forward to address any remaining
issues within the Committee's jurisdiction. The Committee
also reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate
number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving
this or similar legislation and asks that you support any
such request.
I would appreciate your response confirming this
understanding with respect to H.R. 1238 and ask that a copy
of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in your
committee's report on the legislation or the Congressional
Record during its consideration on the House floor.
Sincerely,
Greg Walden,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Homeland Security,
Washington, DC, March 16, 2017.
Hon. Greg Walden,
Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Walden: Thank you for your letter regarding
H.R. 1238, the ``Securing our Agriculture and Food Act.'' I
appreciate your support in bringing this legislation before
the House of Representatives, and accordingly, understand
that the Committee on Energy and Commerce will forego
consideration of the bill.
The Committee on Homeland Security concurs with the mutual
understanding that by foregoing consideration on this bill at
this time, the Committee on Energy and Commerce 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 a request by the Committee on Energy and Commerce for
conferees on those provisions within your jurisdiction.
I will insert copies of this exchange in the report or 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.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Agriculture,
Washington, DC, March 10, 2017.
Hon. Michael McCaul,
Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman McCaul: Thank you for the opportunity to
review H.R. 1238, ``Securing our Agriculture and Food Act.''
As you are aware, the bill was primarily referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, while the Agriculture
Committee received an additional referral.
I recognize and appreciate your desire to bring this
legislation before the House in an expeditious manner and,
accordingly, I agree to discharge H.R. 1238 from further
consideration by the Committee on Agriculture. I do so with
the understanding that by discharging the bill, the Committee
on Agriculture does not waive any future jurisdictional claim
on this or similar matters. Further, the Committee on
Agriculture reserves the right to seek the appointment of
conferees, if it should become necessary.
I ask that you insert a copy of our exchange of letters
into the Congressional Record during consideration of this
measure on the House floor.
Thank you for your courtesy in this matter and I look
forward to continued cooperation between our respective
committees.
Sincerely,
K. Michael Conaway,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Homeland Security,
Washington, DC, March 10, 2017.
Hon. K. Michael Conaway,
Chairman, Committee on Agriculture,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Conaway: Thank you for your letter regarding
H.R. 1238, the ``Securing our Agriculture and Food Act.'' I
appreciate your support in bringing this legislation before
the House of Representatives, and accordingly, understand
that the Committee on Agriculture will forego consideration
of the bill.
The Committee on Homeland Security concurs with the mutual
understanding that by foregoing consideration on this bill at
this time, the Committee on Agriculture does not
[[Page H2306]]
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 a request by the Committee on Agriculture for
conferees on those provisions within your jurisdiction.
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.
Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of H.R. 1238, the Securing our Agriculture and Food
Act.
Mr. Speaker, U.S. agriculture and agriculture-related business
represents about 6 percent of our gross domestic product as of 2014.
Protecting this industry, which contributes $985 billion to our
economy, from international and naturally occurring biological events
is critical not only to the stability of our national economy, but also
to the security of our national food supply and our human health.
This bill would clarify the responsibilities of the Department of
Homeland Security's Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs as they
relate to the DHS' responsibilities under the Homeland Security
Presidential Directive 9, entitled: ``The Defense of U.S. Agriculture
and Food.''
The bill includes language offered by Representative Donald Payne,
Jr., my colleague on the committee, directing the Assistant Secretary
for Health Affairs to coordinate with all departmental components with
responsibilities related to food and agriculture security and screening
procedures. Such coordination will include Customs and Border
Protection, which has historically struggled to maintain agriculture
inspection staffing levels at ports of entry.
Mr. Speaker, agriculture and agriculture-related businesses
constitute a major portion of California's economy. Agriculture plays
an integral role in industries ranging from transportation and
warehousing to finance and insurance, to accommodation and food
services.
{time} 1245
The cascading effects of national and international outbreaks
compromise agriculture, food, and could have devastating effects on the
State's economy.
I encourage my colleagues to support this bill to ensure the
integrity of our agriculture industry and food supply.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Young).
Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman of the
subcommittee for shepherding this through the committee as well as
being a cosponsor. I appreciate that.
Mr. Speaker, in 2015, our Nation experienced the worst animal disease
outbreak in our history, as highly pathogenic avian influenza wreaked
havoc on turkey farmers and egg producers in the Midwest.
This naturally occurring outbreak revealed significant
vulnerabilities and coordination challenges between Federal, State, and
local stakeholders in responding quickly to prevent the spread of avian
influenza.
It also demonstrated the importance of having mitigation and response
strategies and processes in place to ensure any naturally occurring
outbreak or coordinated attack against our Nation's agricultural sector
can be prevented quickly and be contained.
Maintaining the integrity of our agricultural and food supply system
is imperative. The folks I talked to have great concerns about the
safety and security of our homeland and our people, and their concerns
are warranted.
The reality of living in this day and age is that it is just not the
big cities that have to be prepared for a terror attack. All
counterterrorism measures must reflect a universal understanding of
potential vulnerabilities, which includes our agriculture and rural
communities.
Farming and agriculture are not only the backbone of the Iowa
economy, but of the entire Nation. Any attack on our food supply could
have devastating consequences on our economy and our communities. It is
essential that we take the proper steps against potential threats.
Now, the reality is agroterrorism and other high-risk events pose
serious threats to our food, agriculture, and livestock industries
across the United States. For that reason, I introduced, in a
bipartisan fashion, the Securing Our Agriculture and Food Act together
with Congressman Dan Donovan and Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., the
chairman and ranking member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, to ensure our
Nation has a plan and strategy to prepare for and respond to any high-
risk event threatening our agricultural sector, our food supply, and,
ultimately, our people.
The Securing Our Agriculture and Food Act requires the Secretary of
Homeland Security, through the Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs,
to lead the government's efforts to secure our Nation's food,
agriculture, and our veterinary systems against terrorism and high-risk
events.
This bipartisan bill also authorizes the Secretary to collaborate
with other agencies to ensure food, agriculture, and animal and human
health sectors receive the attention and are integrated into the DHS'
domestic preparedness policy initiatives.
I appreciate the support of Subcommittee Chairman Donovan--thank
you--and Ranking Member Payne as we work to better secure our
agriculture and food sectors. I thank you both for elevating the
importance of this issue.
I also want to thank the chairman and ranking members of the full
committee and all their staff for their assistance in bringing this
bill to the floor today in the House.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this bill.
Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, Securing Our Agriculture and Food Act passed the House
in September of 2016, and the Senate companion bill was reported out of
committee last week.
Passage of this measure will send a strong message about our
commitment to protecting our Nation's food and agricultural sectors. As
such, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1238.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may
consume, and I once again urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1238.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1238,
``Securing Our Agriculture and Food Act.''
This bipartisan bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make
the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Health Affairs
responsible for coordinating the efforts for the DHS related to food,
agriculture, and veterinary defense against terrorism.
The coordination program under the measure would include:
1. Overseeing and managing DHS's responsibilities under the
presidential directive;
2. Integrating activities related to veterinary public health, food
and agriculture security;
3. Leading the department's policy initiatives relating to food,
animal, and agriculture incidents, as well as domestic preparedness for
and collective response to agricultural terrorism; and
4. Coordinating with other parts of the federal government.
Agro-terrorism is defined as the deliberate introduction of an animal
or plant disease for the purpose of generating fear, causing economic
losses, or undermining social stability.
Killing livestock and plants or contaminating food can help
terrorists cause economic crises in the agriculture and food
industries.
Agriculture comprises the largest single sector in U.S. economy,
making agro-terrorism an attractive opportunity for many terrorist
organizations.
Attacks directed against the cattle, pork, or poultry industries or
via the food chain pose the most serious danger for latent, ongoing
effects and general socioeconomic and political disruption.
Food availability becomes a matter of immediate life and death in
such circumstances, and significant national and global resources need
to be dedicated to emergency relief efforts.
Any attacks of agro-terrorism would be particularly devastating for
the citizens of Texas.
In Texas, the largest source of agricultural revenue comes from the
sale of beef cattle.
Texas produces roughly 20 percent of the nation's cattle and ranks
first in the country in the value of cattle raised.
It is crucial that we have preparedness policies in place to quickly
respond to events
[[Page H2307]]
threatening U.S. agriculture or food production systems.
I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1238.
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong support to
H.R. 1238, the Securing Our Agriculture and Food Act of 2017.
Our nation's agricultural sector comprises a substantial portion of
our economy. In my home state of Georgia, eggs, beef, poultry, peanuts,
onions, and many other agricultural commodities allow for agriculture
to be an almost $14 billion industry. Furthermore, the food and fiber
industry directly and indirectly results in a total economic impact of
tens of billions of dollars annually and the creation of hundreds of
thousands of jobs in Georgia. Moreover, agricultural industries serve
as a vital backbone to the nutrition and nourishment of both America's
citizens and consumers abroad.
Naturally, an industry as critical to the United States' stability as
the country's food production must not be compromised by threats of
sabotage or acts of terrorism.
Passing this bill will amend portions of the Homeland Security Act of
2002 (HSA) to allow the Department of Homeland Security to better
protect America's agricultural sector. The reorganization of DHS
resources outlined in this bill ensure that proper oversight and
management of our nation's agriculture necessary to prevent a
devastating attack on our agricultural sector.
The level of bipartisan cooperation and support for the Securing our
Agricultural and Food Act reflects the importance of this bill to
security and economic interests of American's citizens. The security of
our nation's food supplies is not an issue defined by political party,
nor is the concern only relevant to rural populations. All American's
will suffer if we are unable to ensure the safety of the country's
agricultural sector.
This bill provides security to a fundamental and often. overlooked
area of our economy and existence. We as lawmakers must ensure the
preparedness of our Federal government to react to events of ecological
sabotage and terrorism.
I strongly urge my colleagues to vote YES on the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Donovan) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 1238.
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. DONOVAN. 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.
____________________