[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 146 (Tuesday, September 4, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H7810-H7811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        DHS COUNTERING UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS COORDINATOR ACT

  Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 6438) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in 
the Department of Homeland Security an Unmanned Aircraft Systems 
Coordinator, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6438

       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 Countering Unmanned 
     Aircraft Systems Coordinator Act''.

     SEC. 2. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS COUNTERMEASURES 
                   COORDINATOR.

       (a) In General.--Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 
     2002 (6 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new section:

     ``SEC. 321. COUNTERING UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS COORDINATOR.

       ``(a) Coordinator.--The Secretary shall designate an 
     official of the Department as the Countering Unmanned 
     Aircraft Systems (UAS) Coordinator (in this section referred 
     to as the `Coordinator') to coordinate with relevant 
     Department offices and components on the development of 
     policies and plans to counter threats associated with UAS, 
     including--
       ``(1) countering UAS that may be used in a terrorist 
     attack;
       ``(2) promoting research and development of counter UAS 
     technologies;
       ``(3) ensuring the dissemination of information and 
     guidance related to countering UAS threats;
       ``(4) serving as the Department point of contact for 
     Federal, State, local, and tribal law enforcement entities 
     and the private sector regarding the Department's activities 
     related to countering UAS; and
       ``(5) carrying out other related UAS activities, as 
     directed by the Secretary.
       ``(b) Coordination With Applicable Federal Laws.--The 
     Coordinator shall, in addition to other assigned duties, 
     coordinate with relevant Department components and offices to 
     ensure testing, evaluation, or deployment of a system used to 
     identify, assess, or defeat a UAS is carried out in 
     accordance with applicable Federal laws.
       ``(c) Coordination With Private Sector.--The Coordinator 
     shall, working with the Office of Partnership and Engagement 
     and other relevant Department offices and components, or 
     other Federal agencies, as appropriate, serve as the 
     principal Department official responsible for disseminating 
     to the private sector information regarding counter UAS 
     technology, particularly information regarding instances in 
     which counter UAS technology may impact lawful private sector 
     services or systems.''.
       (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Redesignation of duplicate section number.--Title III 
     of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by 
     redesignating the second section 319 (relating to EMP and GMD 
     mitigation research and development) as section 320.
       (2) Table of contents.--The table of contents in section 
     1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by 
     striking the items relating to sections 317, 319, 318, and 
     319 and inserting the following new items:

``Sec. 317. Promoting antiterrorism through international cooperation 
              program.
``Sec. 318. Social media working group.
``Sec. 319. Transparency in research and development.
``Sec. 320. EMP and GMD mitigation research and development.
``Sec. 321. Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems Coordinator.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry) and the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. 
Watson Coleman) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PERRY. 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 Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6438, the DHS 
Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems Coordinator Act.
  In 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration estimated that there 
were 1.9 million consumer unmanned aircraft systems vehicles, commonly 
known as drones, in the U.S. This number is expected to grow to a 
staggering 4.3 million by the end of 2020.
  The increased availability and expanded use of drones has led to 
concerns over the potential risks to national security. Drones provide 
malicious actors both a robust aerial delivery mechanism for 
potentially hazardous payloads and anonymity in carrying out an attack.

[[Page H7811]]

  This threat is not just imaginary. Known incidents involving drones 
have included weaponized use by ISIS and cartels, smuggling operations, 
intrusions at NFL and Olympic stadiums, and damage to electrical grid 
infrastructure in Canada.
  Several DHS offices and components assess drone threats and are 
members of interagency and industry drone working groups which promote 
information sharing, research, and joint problem-solving initiatives. 
However, DHS currently does not have a centralized, departmentwide 
official responsible for the coordination of counter-drone policies and 
activities.
  H.R. 6438 authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Homeland 
Security to designate a countering unmanned aircraft systems 
coordinator at the Department to serve as the lead DHS official for 
coordinating counter-drone threat planning policies and plans. H.R. 
6438 enables DHS to centralize the coordination of counter-drone threat 
planning efforts under one official.
  Under H.R. 6438, the countering UAS coordinator is responsible for 
coordinating with relevant DHS components on the development of 
policies and plans to counter threats from drones. The countering UAS 
coordinator promotes the research and development of counter-drone 
technologies within the Department and ensures that information and 
guidance regarding drone threats is disseminated across the Department 
as appropriate.
  The coordinator will also serve as the principal Department official 
responsible for disseminating information to the private sector 
regarding DHS counter-drone measures and will ensure that DHS counter-
drone activities are carried out in accordance with Federal laws.
  H.R. 6438 is an important and timely piece of legislation that seeks 
to further prepare the Department in carrying out its duties in 
countering this emerging threat.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting H.R. 6438, 
and I reserve the balance of my time.
         Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of 
           Representatives,
                                Washington, DC, September 4, 2018.
     Hon. Michael T. McCaul,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security,
                                                   Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McCaul: I write concerning H.R. 6438, the DHS 
     Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems Coordinator Act. This 
     legislation includes matters that I believe fall within the 
     Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure.
       In order to expedite floor consideration of H.R. 6438, the 
     Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will forgo 
     action on this bill, including seeking a sequential referral. 
     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. Finally, should a 
     conference on the bill be necessary, I ask that you support 
     my request to have the Committee represented on the 
     conference committee.
       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, September 4, 2018.
     Hon. Bill Shuster,
     Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Shuster: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 6438, the ``DHS Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems 
     Coordinator Act.'' I appreciate your support in bringing this 
     legislation expeditiously before the House of 
     Representatives. I understand that the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure, to the extent it may have 
     a jurisdictional claim, will not seek a sequential referral 
     on the bill; and therefore, there has been no formal 
     determination as to its jurisdiction by the Parliamentarian.
       The Committee on Homeland Security concurs with the mutual 
     understanding that the absence of a decision on this bill at 
     this time does not prejudice any claim the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure may have held or may have 
     on similar legislation in the future. In addition, should a 
     conference on this bill be necessary, I would support a 
     request by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
     for conferees on those provisions determined to be within its 
     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.

                              {time}  1930

  Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6438, the DHS Countering 
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Coordinator Act.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6438 directs the Department of Homeland Security to 
have a designated official to coordinate the Department's unmanned 
aircraft systems, or UAS, plans and policies.
  The countering UAS coordinator would work with Department components 
and offices to ensure testing, evaluation, or deployment of systems to 
identify, assess, or defeat a UAS threat are in compliance with 
applicable Federal laws. The coordinator would also serve as the 
principal Department official responsible for disseminating information 
to the private sector regarding counter-UAS technology.
  In homeland security circles, there is broad recognition that UAS 
technology enhances capabilities to, among other things, deliver 
disaster relief to affected areas and surveil weak spots along the 
southwest border.
  At the same time, Mr. Speaker, today, there is considerable concern 
regarding the security threats that UAS may pose. More and more, we 
hear of instances where unmanned aircraft systems, commonly referred to 
as drones, are used for nefarious reasons, such as smuggling operations 
or to conduct surveillance to evade law enforcement. The threat was 
underscored last month when a drone was used in an unsuccessful 
assassination attempt on the life of the Venezuelan President as he 
spoke at a massive military parade.
  As such, I support DHS organizing itself to better address this 
emerging homeland security threat, as set forth in H.R. 6438.
  There is increasingly more concern regarding the potential threats 
that UAS may pose to the security of our Nation and its people.
  Last Congress, when I served as the ranking member of the Oversight 
and Management Efficiency Subcommittee with Mr. Perry, we worked 
together on legislation that I drafted to address the UAS threat. Since 
that time, the range of threats associated with UAS has grown more 
complex and demand that DHS prioritize counter-UAS efforts in an 
unprecedented way. Designating an official to coordinate Department 
counter-UAS plans and policies is a step in the right direction.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry) for 
his work on this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey. She has 
been a leader on this issue, and it is something that is important to 
both of us and to our country. I applaud her efforts and thank her for 
her support of these efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6438, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6438, 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.

                          ____________________