[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 96 (Monday, June 10, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H4369-H4370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  STRENGTHENING LOCAL TRANSPORTATION SECURITY CAPABILITIES ACT OF 2019

  Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 2539) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security 
to prioritize the assignment of certain officers and intelligence 
analysts from the Transportation Security Administration and the Office 
of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security to 
locations with participating State, local, and regional fusion centers 
in jurisdictions with a high-risk surface transportation asset in order 
to enhance the security of such assets, including by improving timely 
sharing of classified information regarding terrorist and other 
threats, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2539

       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 ``Strengthening Local 
     Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2019''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Public and private sector stakeholders.--The term 
     ``public and private sector stakeholders'' has the meaning 
     given such term in section 114(u)(1)(C) of title 49, United 
     States Code.
       (2) Surface transportation asset.--The term ``surface 
     transportation asset'' includes facilities, equipment, or 
     systems used to provide transportation services by--
       (A) a public transportation agency (as such term is defined 
     in section 1402(5) of the Implementing Recommendations of the 
     9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-53; 6 U.S.C. 
     1131(5)));
       (B) a railroad carrier (as such term is defined in section 
     20102(3) of title 49, United States Code);
       (C) an owner or operator of--
       (i) an entity offering scheduled, fixed-route 
     transportation services by over-the-road bus (as such term is 
     defined in section 1501(4) of the Implementing 
     Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Public 
     Law 110-53; 6 U.S.C. 1151(4))); or
       (ii) a bus terminal; or
       (D) other transportation facilities, equipment, or systems, 
     as determined by the Secretary.

     SEC. 3. THREAT INFORMATION SHARING.

       (a) Prioritization.--The Secretary of Homeland Security 
     shall prioritize the assignment of officers and intelligence 
     analysts under section 210A of the Homeland Security Act of 
     2002 (6 U.S.C. 124h) from the Transportation Security 
     Administration and, as appropriate, from the Office of 
     Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland 
     Security, to locations with participating State, local, and 
     regional fusion centers in jurisdictions with a high-risk 
     surface transportation asset in order to enhance the security 
     of such assets, including by improving timely sharing of 
     classified information regarding terrorist and other threats.
       (b) Intelligence Products.--Officers and intelligence 
     analysts assigned to locations with participating State, 
     local, and regional fusion centers under this section shall 
     participate in the generation and dissemination of 
     transportation security intelligence products, with an 
     emphasis on terrorist and other threats to surface 
     transportation assets that--
       (1) assist State, local, and Tribal law enforcement 
     agencies in deploying their resources, including personnel, 
     most efficiently to help detect, prevent, investigate, 
     apprehend, and respond to terrorist and other threats;
       (2) promote more consistent and timely sharing of threat 
     information among jurisdictions; and
       (3) enhance the Department of Homeland Security's 
     situational awareness of such terrorist and other threats.
       (c) Clearances.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
     make available to appropriate owners and operators of surface 
     transportation assets, and to any other person that the 
     Secretary determines appropriate to foster greater sharing of 
     classified information relating to terrorist and other 
     threats to surface transportation assets, the process of 
     application for security clearances under Executive Order No. 
     13549 (75 Fed. Reg. 162; relating to a classified national 
     security information program) or any successor Executive 
     order.

     SEC. 4. LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SECURITY TRAINING.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Homeland Security, in 
     consultation with public and private sector stakeholders, may 
     develop, through the Federal Law Enforcement Training 
     Centers, a training program to enhance the protection, 
     preparedness, and response capabilities of law enforcement 
     agencies with respect to terrorist and other threats at a 
     surface transportation asset.
       (b) Requirements.--If the Secretary of Homeland Security 
     develops the training program described in subsection (a), 
     such training program shall--
       (1) be informed by current information regarding terrorist 
     tactics;
       (2) include tactical instruction tailored to the diverse 
     nature of the surface transportation asset operational 
     environment; and
       (3) prioritize training officers from law enforcement 
     agencies that are eligible for or receive grants under 
     sections 2003 or 2004 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 
     U.S.C. 604 and 605) and officers employed by railroad 
     carriers that operate passenger service, including interstate 
     passenger service.

  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 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 in support of H.R. 2539, the Strengthening Local 
Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2019.
  Every day, tens of millions of Americans rely on our Nation's vast 
transportation surface system. Securing that system must remain one of 
our top national security priorities.
  H.R. 2539 will help bolster situational awareness about threats to 
these vital systems by requiring DHS to prioritize the assignment of 
officers and intelligence analysts to State, local, and regional fusion 
centers located in areas with high-risk surface transportation assets.
  Further, H.R. 2539 authorizes a training program to enhance the 
effectiveness of law enforcement agencies that protect surface 
transportation assets.
  I would like to thank my colleague, Ms. Barragan, for introducing 
this important bill. I urge my House colleagues to support H.R. 2539.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 2539, the Strengthening Local 
Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2019. This bill will 
provide important support to surface transportation security at a time 
when our transportation sector faces evolving threats.
  This bill ensures that the Secretary of Homeland Security will 
prioritize the assignment of intelligence analysts to fusion centers in 
areas with high-risk surface transportation assets to bolster security, 
improve coordination, and enhance information sharing.
  This bill underscores the critically important work of State, local, 
and regional fusion centers in protecting the homeland. These centers 
analyze current threats and push critical threat information to the 
front lines.
  It is important that Congress pass bills like this to strengthen the 
relationships among Federal, State, and local jurisdictions so that 
relevant threat information reaches the right people in a timely 
manner.
  I am pleased by the support of my Democratic colleagues for fusion 
centers and hope this will lead to quick

[[Page H4370]]

passage of another bill, introduced by Homeland Security Committee 
Ranking Member Rogers, H.R. 480, the Homeland Threat Assessment Act.
  Keeping transportation systems secure is part and parcel to 
protecting the American way of life and keeping America moving forward. 
I commend this legislation for raising the baseline on how the 
Department of Homeland Security supports the security of surface 
transportation systems, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I am 
prepared to close after the gentleman from Texas closes.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, 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.
  H.R. 2539 would be an important step toward securing some of our 
country's most important transportation systems.
  DHS is faced with an enormous challenge of combating the constantly 
evolving threats facing our Nation's transportation systems. Timely 
information sharing about these systems is essential to counter any 
threat.
  Last Congress, a similar measure passed the House with wide 
bipartisan support. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
important legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, terrorists continue to pose a significant 
threat to transportation systems.
  Since 9/11, Congress has supported efforts to strengthen the security 
of our transportation systems.
  Working with the private sector and state and local governments, we 
have invested substantial resources to prevent attacks and improve our 
intelligence around potential threats.
  Still, terrorists continue to probe critical infrastructure- looking 
for ``soft targets'' to attack.
  Worldwide, increasingly, terrorist have turned their attention to 
mass transit systems, bus stations, and freight and passenger rail 
systems.
  In America, surface transportation systems transport millions of 
passengers and tons of freight every day.
  In my district, my constituents rely on L.A. Metro rail and bus 
systems to get them to their offices, doctor's appointments, places of 
worship, and homes every day.
  According to L.A. Metro Monthly Ridership stats, over 31 million 
riders travel by bus or rail each month.
  Due to the high accessibility of transit systems, protecting 
passengers and personnel is difficult.
  Law enforcement agencies rely on credible, timely intelligence to 
keep systems secure.
  My bill seeks to enhance security in two key ways.
  First, it requires DHS to prioritize the assignment of officers and 
intelligence analysts to State, local, and regional fusion centers 
areas with a high-risk surface transportation asset.
  Such deployments would help ensure that intelligence relating to 
threats is shared with appropriate stakeholders in a timely manner, 
improving the chances of preventing the next attack.
  Second, my bill authorizes DHS to develop a training program to 
enhance the protection, preparedness, and response capabilities of law 
enforcement agencies that operate at surface transportation assets.
  Surface transportation systems are unique in their layouts and use, 
and training tailored to the uniqueness of these systems would help 
improve law enforcement capabilities.
  This transportation security bill is supported on a bipartisan basis 
and, when it was considered last month in the Committee on Homeland 
Security, was approved unanimously.
  As such, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  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. 2539.
  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.

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