[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 102 (Tuesday, June 19, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H5266-H5267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      SUPPORTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR FIRST RESPONDERS ACT

  Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4991) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to 
establish the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory, and for 
other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4991

       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 ``Supporting Research and 
     Development for First Responders Act''.

     SEC. 2. NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY.

       (a) In General.--Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 
     2002 is amended--
       (1) by redesignating the second section 319 (relating to 
     EMP and GMD mitigation research and development) as section 
     320; and
       (2) by inserting after section 320, as so redesignated, the 
     following new section:

     ``SEC. 321. NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Under 
     Secretary for Science and Technology, shall designate the 
     laboratory described in subsection (b) as an additional 
     laboratory pursuant to the authority under section 308(c)(2). 
     Such laboratory shall be used to test and evaluate emerging 
     technologies and conduct research and development to assist 
     emergency response providers in preparing for, and protecting 
     against, threats of terrorism.
       ``(b) Laboratory Described.--The laboratory described in 
     this subsection is the laboratory--
       ``(1) known, as of the date of the enactment of this 
     section, as the National Urban Security Technology 
     Laboratory;
       ``(2) previously known as the Environmental Measurements 
     Laboratory; and
       ``(3) transferred to the Department pursuant to section 
     303(1)(E).
       ``(c) Laboratory Activities.--The laboratory designated 
     pursuant to subsection (a), shall--
       ``(1) conduct tests, evaluations, and assessments of 
     current and emerging technologies, including, as appropriate, 
     cybersecurity of such technologies that can connect to the 
     internet, for emergency response providers;
       ``(2) conduct research and development on radiological and 
     nuclear response and recovery;
       ``(3) act as a technical advisor to emergency response 
     providers; and
       ``(4) carry out other such activities as the Secretary 
     determines appropriate.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 
     1(b) of such Act is amended by striking both items relating 
     to section 319 and the item relating to section 318 and 
     inserting the following:
``318. Social media working group.
``319. Transparency in research and development.
``320. EMP and GMD mitigation research and development.
``321. National Urban Security Technology Laboratory.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Donovan) and the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin) 
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 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include any extraneous materials 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.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4991, the Supporting Research 
and Development for First Responders Act. H.R. 4991 authorizes the 
National Urban Security Technology Laboratory, NUSTL, within the 
Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate.
  Located in New York City, NUSTL has been a critical resource in 
protecting our homeland since 1947. Today, NUSTL is a one-of-its-kind 
test and evaluation laboratory for the first responder community.
  I had the opportunity to visit NUSTL last year and saw firsthand the 
impressive work being done there on a daily basis. During my visit, I 
witnessed NUSTL's work to test and validate equipment used by our first 
responders to protect our communities. NUSTL has conducted more than 
1,000 assessments on current and emergency first responder equipment.
  I also learned about NUSTL's radiological and nuclear research and 
development, which focuses on response and recovery efforts.
  Additionally, last November, Chief Timothy Rice from the New York 
City Fire Department testified before the Subcommittee on Emergency 
Preparedness, Response, and Communications, which I chair, on the 
importance of NUSTL to FDNY's daily operations. Chief Rice highlighted 
that the fire department's relationship with NUSTL has ``strengthened 
the department's ability to save life and property, and ultimately, 
make the people of New York and millions of visitors to the region 
safer each day.''
  Simply put, this bill will authorize the test and evaluation and 
research and development activities currently being conducted at NUSTL. 
Given the current threat environment, we need to ensure that DHS 
continues to support our first responders, and this bill will do just 
that. H.R. 4991 will ensure that the valuable work being done at NUSTL 
will continue for years to come.
  I want to recognize the tireless efforts of the staff at NUSTL to 
support first responders and secure our homeland.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that this bill is supported by the American 
Federation of Government Employees, and I include in the Record their 
letter dated June 15, 2018.

                                            American Federation of


                                Government Employees, AFL-CIO,

                                    Washington, DC, June 15, 2018.
       Dear Representative, On behalf of the American Federation 
     of Government Employees, AFL-CIO (AFGE), which represents 
     more than 700,000 federal and DC government workers who serve 
     the American people in 70 different agencies, including 20 
     employees at the National Urban Security Technology 
     Laboratory (NUSTL), I am writing to indicate our support of 
     H.R. 4991, the Supporting Research and Development for First 
     Responders Act. This bill would provide for the authorization 
     of this important program.
       The National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) 
     works primarily on testing technologies used by first 
     responders. The scientists and engineers at NUSTL ensure 
     first responders are safe and equipped to perform their 
     duties. They support the training of first responders to use 
     radiation detection equipment to interdict a terrorist act 
     involving radiological dispersion devices (RDDs) or 
     improvised nuclear devices (INDs). They also publish reports 
     that allow first responders to purchase radiation and 
     explosives detection equipment best suited for their needs. 
     They ensure unmanned aerial vehicles or drones are not used 
     as weapons.
       NUSTL labs give police officers, fire fighters and other 
     first responders the opportunity to test drive technological 
     equipment and offer feedback for how to make it safer and 
     more effective. NUSTL allows first responders to test 
     prototypes of products in the pipeline at DHS to help improve 
     them. They also offer training about how to respond to 
     emergencies and natural disasters. NUSTL employees' work 
     keeps first responders safe and up to date with the latest 
     technologies. NUSTL ensures our communities are safe and 
     thriving.
       AFGE strongly supports H.R. 4991, the Supporting Research 
     and Development for First Responders Act.
           Thank you,
                                                   Thomas S. Kahn,
                         Director, Legislative Affairs Department.

  Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in voting for 
the Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.

         House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space, 
           and Technology,
                                    Washington, DC, June 14, 2018.
     Hon. Michael T. McCaul,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning H.R. 4991, the 
     ``Supporting Research and Development for First Responders 
     Act,'' which your Committee ordered reported on June 6, 2018.
       H.R. 4991 contains provisions within the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology's Rule X jurisdiction. As a 
     result of

[[Page H5267]]

     you having consulted with the Committee regarding revisions 
     to the bill, and in order to expedite this bill for floor 
     consideration, the Committee on Science, Space, and 
     Technology will forego action on the bill. 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 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.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                              Commmittee on Homeland Security,

                                    Washington, DC, June 14, 2018.
     Hon. Lamar Smith,
     Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Smith: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 4991, the ``Supporting Research and Development for 
     First Responders Act.'' I appreciate your support in bringing 
     this legislation before the House of Representatives, and 
     accordingly, understand that the Committee on Science, Space, 
     and Technology 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 Science, Space, and 
     Technology 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 
     Science, Space, and Technology 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,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4991, the Supporting Research 
and Development for First Responders Act.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4991 would authorize the National Urban Security 
Technology Laboratory, also known as NUSTL, within the Department of 
Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate.
  Established in 1947, NUSTL has a long, rich history of supporting the 
first responder community. This laboratory, located in New York City, 
is central to the research and development of technologies that give 
first responders the tools to mitigate, respond to, and recover from 
national security threats.
  In recent years, NUSTL's work has fostered the emergence of thousands 
of innovative radiation detectors for use in the Securing the Cities 
program. NUSTL's engagement with homeland security stakeholders has 
ensured that as technology is developed, the particular concerns of end 
users, such as first responders, are taken into consideration. With the 
homeland security threat evolving daily, the importance of this lab to 
national security cannot be overstated.
  While the good work of NUSTL is evident to myself and my colleagues 
on the House Homeland Security Committee, President Trump, 
unfortunately, does not have the same level of appreciation. In the 
last two budget cycles, the Trump administration, in its efforts to 
free up resources to build a wall along the southern border, has 
proposed completely cutting funding for NUSTL. The elimination of this 
laboratory as a first responder resource is absolutely senseless.
  I am glad to see that our committee worked in a bipartisan fashion to 
craft this legislation, which would ensure that the work being 
performed at NUSTL will continue.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in advancing research 
development of technologies for first responders by supporting H.R. 
4991.
  Mr. Speaker, NUSTL's work is integral to protecting our Nation's 
first responders from threats.
  On the one hand, it is unfortunate that the Trump administration's 
proposal to cut spending for NUSTL is what prompted the creation of 
H.R. 4991 in the first place; however, it has given this Chamber an 
opportunity to recognize the value of NUSTL and push for it to maintain 
its place at the Department of Homeland Security.
  So I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 4991, and I thank my 
colleague across the aisle for his work on this important bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Langevin from 
Rhode Island, for his help in this matter. And I once again urge all of 
my colleagues to support H.R. 4991, as amended, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  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. 4991, 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.

                          ____________________