[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 12, 2017)]
[House]
[Pages H7236-H7237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PATHWAYS TO IMPROVING HOMELAND SECURITY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL ACT
Mr. GALLAGHER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2427) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002, to direct
the Assistant Secretary for State and Local Law Enforcement to produce
and disseminate an annual catalog on Department of Homeland Security
training, publications, programs, and services for State, local, and
tribal law enforcement agencies, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows
H.R. 2427
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 ``Pathways to Improving
Homeland Security At the Local Level Act''.
SEC. 2. ANNUAL CATALOG ON DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
TRAINING, PUBLICATIONS, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES
FOR STATE, LOCAL, AND TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCIES.
Section 2006(b)(4) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6
U.S.C. 607(b)(4)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(G) produce an annual catalog that summarizes
opportunities for training, publications, programs, and
services available to State, local, and tribal law
enforcement agencies from the Department and from each
component and office within the Department and, not later
than 30 days after the date of such production, disseminate
the catalog, including by--
``(i) making such catalog available to State, local, and
tribal law enforcement agencies, including by posting the
catalog on the website of the Department and cooperating with
national organizations that represent such agencies;
``(ii) making such catalog available through the Homeland
Security Information Network; and
``(iii) submitting such catalog to the Committee on
Homeland Security and the Committee on the Judiciary of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on the
Judiciary of the Senate.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Wisconsin (Mr. Gallagher) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Barragan) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin.
General Leave
Mr. GALLAGHER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Wisconsin?
There was no objection.
Mr. GALLAGHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, the Pathways to Improving Homeland Security at the Local
Level Act, sponsored by the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Demings),
ensures that State and local law enforcement will continue to receive
valuable information on DHS resources and programs available to law
enforcement.
The bill requires the Office for State and Local Law Enforcement to
produce and disseminate an annual catalog that summarizes opportunities
for training, publications, programs, and services available to non-
Federal law enforcement agencies from the Department of Homeland
Security, and to disseminate the catalog to State and local law
enforcement entities within 30 days of production.
This also requires DHS to share the catalog through the Homeland
Security Information Network. By requiring the Office to share this
catalog through this existing information sharing platform, it will
expand the number of State and local law enforcement partners who
receive it.
This bill is a commonsense measure focused on increasing transparency
on DHS tools and resources available to State and local law
enforcement.
I commend the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Demings) for her work on
this measure. She is unable to be present today because of Hurricane
Irma. Our thoughts and prayers are with her, her district, and the
State of Florida as recovery efforts continue.
On behalf of the Committee on Homeland Security, I want to express
our appreciation to the Judiciary Committee for working with us to move
this measure.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the measure, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on the Judiciary,
Washington, DC, September 5, 2017.
Hon. Michael T. McCaul,
Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman McCaul: I write with respect to H.R. 2427,
the ``Pathways to Improving Homeland Security at the Local
Level Act.'' As a result of your having consulted with us on
provisions within H.R. 2427 that fall within the Rule X
jurisdiction of the Committee on the Judiciary, I forego any
further consideration of this bill so that it may proceed
expeditiously to the House floor for consideration.
The Judiciary Committee takes this action with our mutual
understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 2427 at
this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject
matter contained in this or similar legislation and that our
committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as
this bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may
address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction. Our
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 a response to this letter confirming
this understanding with respect to H.R. 2427 and would ask
that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be
included in the Congressional Record during floor
consideration of this bill.
Sincerely,
Bob Goodlatte,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Homeland Security,
Washington, DC, September 6, 2017.
Hon. Bob Goodlatte,
Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Goodlatte: Thank you for your letter
regarding H.R. 2427, the ``Pathways to Improving Homeland
Security at the Local Level Act.'' I appreciate your support
in bringing this legislation before the House of
Representatives, and accordingly, understand that the
Committee on the Judiciary will forego further consideration
of the bill.
The Committee on Homeland Security concurs with the mutual
understanding that by foregoing consideration of this bill at
this time, the Judiciary 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 the Judiciary 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.
Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2427, Pathways to Improving
Homeland Security at the Local Level Act.
Sixteen years ago, the terrorist attacks of September 11 brought home
the reality that terrorism prevention and preparedness is a shared
Federal, State, and local responsibility.
[[Page H7237]]
Today, the Department of Homeland Security's training catalog is a
primary resource for State and local jurisdictions to find
opportunities to enhance their counterterrorism and preparedness
capabilities. H.R. 2427 seeks to ensure that, going forward, this vital
resource remains available to the first responder community.
Specifically, H.R. 2427 directs DHS' Office for State and Local Law
Enforcement to produce and distribute an annual catalog of DHS'
training, programs, and services for State, local, and tribal law
enforcement.
Further, to ensure that this information is shared throughout the law
enforcement community, the Pathways to Improving Homeland Security at
the Local Level Act requires this comprehensive catalog be posted on
the DHS website, as well as on the Homeland Security Information
Network.
My district is home to the Coast Guard, DHS personnel, and officials
from the Port of Los Angeles, who all have to work together to prepare
and respond to threats. This bill would provide the information they
need to work together and get the necessary training.
This measure, which was introduced by my Democratic colleague on the
Homeland Security Committee, Representative Val Demings, highlights the
importance of equipping law enforcement with necessary tools so that
they can quickly adapt and discover new ways to evolve with the current
terrorist threat landscape.
Enactment of this bill will further strengthen the Department's
partnership with State and local law enforcement to help protect the
homeland.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2427 is an important piece of legislation that has
strong support on both sides of the aisle.
Consideration of this measure today is particularly timely, as this
week we remember those who sacrificed their lives and ran toward danger
during the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil. We owe it to their
memory and to the men and women that today stand on the front lines to
ensure that they have access to the training and tools they need to
keep their communities secure.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 2427, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GALLAGHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Once again, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2427 to ensure that
State and local law enforcement continue to receive valuable
information on the Department of Homeland Security's services and
resources.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the House
Committee on Homeland Security, I rise in support of H.R. 2427,
Pathways to Improving Homeland Security At the Local Level Act.
This bipartisan bill would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002,
to direct the Assistant Secretary for State and Local Law Enforcement
to produce and disseminate an annual catalog on Department of Homeland
Security training, publications, programs, and services for State,
local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, and for other purposes.
The coordination program under the measure would include:
1. Producing an annual catalog that summarizes opportunities for
training, publications, programs, and services available to State,
local, and tribal law enforcement agencies from the Department and from
each component and office within the Department;
2. Making such catalog available to State, local, and tribal law
enforcement agencies, including by posting the catalog on the website
of the Department and cooperating with national organizations that
represent such agencies;
3. Making such catalog available through the Homeland Security
Information Network; and
4. Submitting such catalog to the Committee on Homeland Security of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
It is important to ensure our first responders and local law
enforcement agencies are trained in homeland security programs,
especially in times of natural disasters such as Hurricane Harvey and
Hurricane Irma.
During relief efforts after Hurricane Harvey and the widespread
flooding in Houston, Sgt. Steve Perez of the Houston Police Department
drowned after his patrol car got stuck on a flooded road. His death
could have been prevented if first responders were given proper
materials and training on how to manage crisis situations in rising
flood water.
Currently, we fail to provide proper training for catastrophic flood
events that would ensure greater safety of both citizens and first
responders.
Programs and materials need to be created in order to train our
responders in handling wide-spread flooding that simulate dangerous
situations that could be encountered in their day-to-day life.
Over the past three years, Houston has experienced record-breaking
flooding. If first responders were provided with proper tools and
trainings in handling rescues in these conditions, we would see less of
loss of life among both citizens and responders.
The most chaotic times for first responders are in response to
natural disasters, and it is important to ensure that our nation is
protected when we are the most vulnerable.
During Hurricane Harvey and the flooding that followed, if there were
to have been a homeland security incident, Texas would have been left
susceptible due to the chaos surrounding our first responders.
It is important to equip our first responders with every opportunity
for training in homeland security to ensure that in times of natural
disaster such as Hurricane Harvey and the flooding across Southeast
Texas, they are prepared to handle any situation they may face, with
the smallest amount of lives lost as possible.
The bill would produce an annual catalog with training opportunities
and other services available to state, local, and tribal law
enforcement agencies, which I wish to ensure address catastrophic flood
events.
The department's Office for State and Local Law Enforcement would
have to publish the catalogs on the DHS website within 30 days of
production and distribute them through the Homeland Security
Information Network (HSIN).
Sharing the catalog on the HSIN would allow the office to reach as
many stakeholders as possible.
Through this catalog, local law enforcement agencies would be able to
ensure their first responders are aware of training programs over
counterterrorism and homeland security.
It is vital to provide these resources to local law enforcement
agencies in order to ensure they are aware of opportunities for their
first responders, so they are trained to protect the United States and
its citizens when it is most vulnerable.
I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2427.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Gallagher) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2427, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________