[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 27 (Monday, February 10, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H990-H991]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HOMELAND SECURITY FOR CHILDREN ACT

  Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2932) to amend the Homeland Security Act 
of 2002 to ensure that the needs of children are considered in homeland 
security planning, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2932

       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 ``Homeland Security for 
     Children Act''.

     SEC. 2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR STRATEGY, 
                   POLICY, AND PLANS.

       Paragraph (6) of section 709(c) of the Homeland Security 
     Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 349(c)) is amended by inserting ``, 
     including feedback from organizations representing the needs 
     of children,'' after ``stakeholder feedback''.

     SEC. 3. TECHNICAL EXPERT AUTHORIZED.

       Paragraph (2) of section 503(b) of the Homeland Security 
     Act (6 U.S.C. 313(b)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in subparagraph (H), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(I) identify and integrate the needs of children into 
     activities to prepare for, protect against, respond to, 
     recover from, and mitigate against the risk of natural 
     disasters, acts of terrorism, and other manmade disasters, 
     including catastrophic incidents, including by appointing a 
     technical expert, who may consult with relevant outside 
     organizations and experts, as necessary, to coordinate such 
     integration, as necessary.''.

     SEC. 4. REPORT.

       Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act and annually thereafter for five years, the Under 
     Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans of the Department 
     of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of 
     the Senate a report describing the efforts the Department has 
     undertaken to review and incorporate feedback from 
     organizations representing the needs of children into 
     Department policy in accordance with paragraph (6) of section 
     709(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (as amended by 
     section 2 of this Act), including information on the 
     following:
       (1) The designation of any individual responsible for 
     carrying out such paragraph (6).
       (2) Any review, formal or informal, of Department policies, 
     programs, or activities to assess the suitability of such 
     policies, programs, or activities for children and where 
     feedback from organizations representing the needs of 
     children should be reviewed and incorporated.
       (3) Any review, change, modification, or promulgation of 
     Department policies, programs, or activities to ensure that 
     such policies, programs, or activities are appropriate for 
     children.
       (4) Coordination with organizations or experts outside the 
     Department pursuant to such paragraph (6) conducted to inform 
     any such review, change, modification, or promulgation of 
     such policies, programs, or activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
New Mexico (Ms. Torres Small) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Crenshaw) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New Mexico.


                             General Leave

  Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. 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 Mexico?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  I rise in strong support of H.R. 2932, the Homeland Security for 
Children Act.
  Mr. Speaker, when it comes to the Department of Homeland Security's 
policies and programs, it is important the children, the most 
vulnerable among us, are taken into consideration.
  H.R. 2932, introduced by my fellow Subcommittee Chairman   Donald 
Payne, would, for the first time, authorize the children's technical 
expert position within FEMA to ensure the needs of children are 
incorporated in all disaster-related activities.
  Importantly, the bill recognizes that, when it comes to DHS, the 
impacts of policies and programs go well beyond disaster response and 
recovery. It recognizes that, from screening protocols at TSA 
checkpoints to short-term detention standards to active-shooter 
training, DHS policy must incorporate the needs of children.
  To that end, H.R. 2932 would direct the Department of Homeland 
Security's Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans to 
incorporate the needs of children in all departmental policies, 
programs, and activities. A similar measure passed by voice vote in the 
full House passed last Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my House colleagues to support this legislation, 
and I reserve the balance of my time.

         Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. 
           House of Representatives,
                                  Washington, DC, January 7, 2020.
     Hon. Bennie G. Thompson,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Thompson: I write concerning H.R. 2932, the 
     Homeland Security for Children Act. There are certain 
     provisions in this legislation that fall within the Rule X 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure.
       In order to expedite floor consideration of H.R. 2932, the 
     Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure agrees to 
     forgo action on the bill. However, this is conditional on our

[[Page H991]]

     mutual understanding that forgoing consideration of the bill 
     would 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. I also request that you urge the Speaker to 
     name members of this Committee to any conference committee 
     which is named to consider such provisions.
       Please place a copy of this letter and your response 
     acknowledging our jurisdictional interest into the committee 
     report on H.R. 2932 and into the Congressional Record during 
     consideration of the measure on the House floor.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Peter A. DeFazio,
     Chair.
                                  ____

                                   Committee on Homeland Security,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                  Washington, DC, January 7, 2020.
     Hon. Peter DeFazio,
     Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
         House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman DeFazio: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 2932, the ``Homeland Security for Children Act.'' The 
     Committee on Homeland Security recognizes that the Committee 
     on Transportation Infrastructure has a jurisdictional 
     interest in H.R. 2932, 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 Transportation and 
     Infrastructure with respect to its jurisdictional 
     prerogatives 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. 2932 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.

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2932, the Homeland Security 
for Children Act. This legislation seeks to ensure that the needs of 
children, one of our most vulnerable populations, are considered in 
Department of Homeland Security planning.
  H.R. 2932 directs the Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans 
to incorporate feedback from children's organizations into 
departmentwide activities.
  Furthermore, this bill authorizes the technical expert position 
within the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, to identify 
and integrate the needs of children when preparing for, protecting 
against, responding to, and recovering from natural and manmade 
disasters.
  It is imperative that we ensure that those who are unable to advocate 
for themselves are being represented when disaster strikes.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting this bill, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, children make up nearly 23 percent of the Nation's 
population, and as the threats to our homeland continue to evolve, it 
is important that we be prepared to adequately assist every child at 
every age.
  H.R. 2932 directs the Department of Homeland Security to include the 
needs of children, the most vulnerable among us, in all departmental 
activities.
  Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter of support signed by 
several organizations representing the needs of children, including 
Save the Children, the Child Welfare League of America, Share Our 
Strength, and Zero to Three.

                                             National Coalition on


                                       Children and Disasters,

                                     Arlington, VA, July 12, 2019.
     Hon. Donald M. Payne, Jr.,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Payne: As members of the National 
     Coalition on Children and Disasters, which includes 
     organizations that advocate for the well-being of children 
     and their families in the preparation for, response to, and 
     recovery from natural or man-made disasters, we endorse H.R. 
     2932, the ``Homeland Security for Children Act of 2019.''
       In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the nation learned 
     how unprepared we were at the federal, state, and local 
     levels of government in addressing and responding to the 
     needs of children. As a result, in 2007, Congress established 
     the National Commission on Children and Disasters, which 
     produced a comprehensive book of recommendations in 2010. 
     They included improved mental health services, pediatric and 
     child welfare needs, and disaster management planning, 
     response, and reunification for child care settings. Most 
     importantly, the Commission strongly recommended that 
     improved coordination of the needs of children among federal 
     agencies was needed.
       The Homeland Security for Children Act would help improve 
     the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) and the U.S. 
     Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) response to the needs 
     of children during disasters. Your bill would also increase 
     accountability across government agencies in times of 
     emergency and incorporate feedback from youth-serving 
     organizations to prioritize and represent the needs of 
     children into department-wide policies. In addition, it would 
     mandate that DHS provide routine updates to Congress 
     summarizing efforts undertaken to incorporate the needs of 
     children in Department-wide policies, programs, and 
     activities.
       With natural disasters on the rise, the time is now for 
     Congress to ensure that the necessary supports are in place 
     to address needs of children and families following 
     disasters. Children are not little adults. They have 
     specialized needs that must be considered when planning for, 
     responding to, and recovering from a disaster.
       Thank you for your sponsorship of this critical 
     legislation, as well as your ongoing leadership on behalf of 
     children and families. If we can be of any assistance on 
     advancing this bill, please do not hesitate to contact us.
           Sincerely,
         National Coalition on Children and Disasters Members 
           include: Child Care Aware of America; Child 
           Welfare League of America; Early Care and Education 
           Consortium; First Focus Campaign for Children; 
           Institute for Child Success; National Center for 
           Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University; 1,000 
           Days; Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies; 
           Public Advocacy for Kids; Save the Children; Share Our 
           Strength; Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights; 
           Zero to Three.

  Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to 
support H.R. 2932, 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 Mexico (Ms. Torres Small) that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2932, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. 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.

                          ____________________