[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 96 (Monday, June 10, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H4364-H4365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      SUPPORTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR FIRST RESPONDERS ACT

  Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 542) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to 
establish the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory, and for 
other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 542

       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 by adding at the end 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 inserting after the item 
     relating to section 320 the following new item:

``321. National Urban Security Technology Laboratory.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
New York (Miss Rice) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Crenshaw) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 542, the Supporting 
Research and Development for First Responders Act.
  Terrorism poses a serious threat to our country, especially to the 
New York City metropolitan area. Recently, a man was arrested in New 
York for plotting to use guns, grenades, and a suicide vest to attack 
police officers and innocent people in Times Square.
  Given the complexity of the current terrorism threat environment, it 
is critical that we prioritize the research and development of first 
responder technologies.
  That is why I introduced the Supporting Research and Development for 
First Responders Act. This bill would permanently authorize the New 
York City-based National Urban Security Technology Laboratory, commonly 
referred to as NUSTL.
  H.R. 542 directly supports first responders in New York City and 
across the country by authorizing the testing and evaluation of new 
technologies and systems for counterterrorism work and emergency 
response.
  NUSTL is constantly developing and testing new tools for our brave 
first responders to use in the event of a terrorist attack, industrial 
accident, or natural disaster and closely collaborates with law 
enforcement agencies like the FDNY, the NYPD, and the Nassau County 
Police Department in my district.
  NUSTL organizes simulated scenarios with first responders to test new 
emergency systems, sponsors research for cutting-edge technology, and 
works with first responders in the field to evaluate and assist with 
new tools.
  It is the only Federal lab in this country that is focused entirely 
on helping first responders carry out their mission, wherever it may 
be.
  In each of the last two budgets, the Trump administration has 
proposed closing down NUSTL. Fortunately, Congress has rejected this 
shortsighted move, as it would make my community and so many others 
less safe and less prepared in the face of an emergency.
  Looking ahead, in addition to enacting H.R. 542, Congress needs to 
prioritize funding for NUSTL so that it has the stability it needs to 
continue its critical work, not just for New York City but for urban 
areas in all 50 States.
  I want to thank Congressman Peter King for co-leading this 
legislation, and I thank the chair and ranking member for their support 
in committee.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my House colleagues to support this legislation, 
and I reserve the balance of my time.

                                   Committee on Homeland Security,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                    Washington, DC, June 10, 2019.
     Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson,
     Chairwoman, Committee on Science, Space and Technology,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairwoman Johnson: Thank you for your letter 
     regarding H.R. 542, the ``Supporting Research and Development 
     for First

[[Page H4365]]

     Responders Act.'' The Committee on Homeland Security 
     recognizes that the Committee on Science, Space and 
     Technology has a jurisdictional interest in H.R. 542, and I 
     appreciate your effort to allow this bill to be considered on 
     the House floor.
       I concur with you that forgoing action on the bill does not 
     in any way prejudice the Committee on Science, Space and 
     Technology with respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives on 
     this bill or similar legislation in the future, and I would 
     support your effort to seek appointment of an appropriate 
     number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving 
     this legislation.
       I will include our letters on H.R. 542 in the Congressional 
     Record during floor consideration of this bill. I look 
     forward to working with you on this legislation and other 
     matters of great importance to this nation.
           Sincerely,
                                               Bennie G. Thompson,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Science, Space, 
                                               and Technology,

                                    Washington, DC, June 10, 2019.
     Hon. Bennie G. Thompson,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Thompson: I am writing to address the 
     jurisdictional interests of the Committee on Science, Space, 
     and Technology (``Science Committee'') in H.R. 542, the 
     Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act. 
     The Science Committee submitted, to the Speaker, a 
     jurisdictional claim on February 25th, 2019.
       While the Science Committee is claiming jurisdiction over 
     this bill, I recognize and appreciate your desire to bring 
     this legislation before the House in an expeditious manner, 
     and, accordingly agree not to insist on a sequential 
     referral. This is, of course, conditional on our mutual 
     understanding that nothing in this legislation or my decision 
     to forgo sequential referral waives, reduces, or otherwise 
     affects the jurisdiction of the Science Committee, and that a 
     copy of this letter and your response will be included in the 
     Congressional Record when the bill is considered on the House 
     Floor.
       The Science Committee also expects that you will support 
     our request to be conferees during any House-Senate 
     conference on H.R. 542, or similar legislation.
       Thank you for your attention on this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                            Eddie Bernice Johnson,
                                                       Chairwoman.

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 542. This bill 
authorizes the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory in New 
York City, a one-of-its-kind testing lab for first responders.
  The NUSTL evaluates and validates emerging technologies for use by 
first responders. Their work provides valuable information to first 
responders to increase their ability to save lives and property as 
departments across the Nation respond to incidents.
  H.R. 542 will ensure that the National Urban Security Technology 
Laboratory's work will continue.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
legislation. I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 542 represents a bipartisan effort to support the 
needs of State and local first responders. It is critical that the 
Federal Government have the capacity to develop, test, and transition 
the best new technologies to the first responder community.
  It bears repeating that NUSTL is the only Federal lab in the country 
that is focused entirely on helping first responders carry out their 
mission.
  As the tactics and weapons of terrorists evolve, NUSTL will continue 
to play a key role in ensuring that our first responders are not just 
prepared but that they remain one step ahead.
  Mr. Speaker, before I close, I would note that a similar version of 
this bill passed the House in June 2018 by a voice vote. I would ask my 
colleagues to pass it again today and send it to the Senate, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from New York (Miss Rice) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 542.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Miss RICE of New York. 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.

                          ____________________