[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 68 (Tuesday, April 20, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HOMELAND SECURITY ACQUISITION PROFESSIONAL CAREER PROGRAM ACT

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                               speech of

                            HON. DINA TITUS

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 19, 2021

  Ms. TITUS. Madam Speaker, the Department of Homeland Security's 
staff, like all our government agencies, should reflect the diversity 
of this country. That is why I rise to offer H.R. 367, the ``Homeland 
Security Acquisition Professional Career Program Act.''
  Due in large part to the American Rescue Plan, the United States is 
well on its way to crushing the virus that has plagued us for over a 
year. As a result, domestic travel is increasing.
  Accordingly, we must ensure that airports, like McCarran 
International in Las Vegas, have the equipment and trained personnel 
they need to safely and efficiently welcome travelers.
  We can and should fill these frontline jobs, ranging from TSA agents 
to cyber security analysts, with veterans and graduates of HBCUs and 
Hispanic-serving institutions. That is exactly what my bill seeks to 
do.
  Each year, the Department spends billions of dollars acquiring the 
goods and services needed to carry out its many missions. In addition 
to COVID-19 supplies, this includes everything from Coast Guard ships 
to the screening technologies that the Transportation Security 
Administration uses to secure our nation's travel infrastructure.
  Unfortunately, a Government Accountability Office review found that 
51 of these DHS major acquisition programs experienced workforce 
shortfalls.
  In an effort to address said shortages, DHS established the 
Acquisition Professional Career Program.
  This 3-year development program affords individuals rigorous training 
and on-the-job experience within DHS.
  It also provides rotations to other components or offices within the 
Department, mentorship, and additional career development 
opportunities.
  As a result, program participants graduate as certified acquisition 
professionals in their respective fields, such as contract specialists, 
cost estimators, and systems engineers.
  H.R. 367 will ensure this program remains in place for years to come 
so that DHS maintains a pipeline for qualified acquisition leaders.
  My bill will also require DHS to provide Congress with key 
information on the program for the next 5 years.
  H.R. 367, if enacted, would help DHS strengthen and diversify its 
acquisition workforce by directing recruitment efforts to historically 
underrepresented individuals.
  This will ensure that the Department, specifically including our TSA 
officials, is more representative and is more sensitive to the needs, 
cultural differences, and societal expectations of our heterogenous 
population, including the traveling public.
  With that, I urge my colleagues to vote `yes' on its passage.

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