[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 20, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H3705-H3706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      SUPPORTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR FIRST RESPONDERS ACT

  Ms. CLARKE of New York. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 1850) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 
2002 relating to 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. 1850

       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 (6 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new section:

     ``SEC. 322. 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; and
       ``(2) transferred to the Department pursuant to section 
     303(1)(E).
       ``(c) Laboratory Activities.--The National Urban Security 
     Technology Laboratory shall--
       ``(1) conduct tests, evaluations, and assessments of 
     current and emerging technologies, including, as appropriate, 
     the cybersecurity of such technologies that can connect to 
     the internet, for emergency response providers;
       ``(2) act as a technical advisor to emergency response 
     providers; and
       ``(3) carry out other such activities as the Secretary 
     determines appropriate.
       ``(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
     construed as affecting in any manner the authorities or 
     responsibilities of the Countering Weapons of Mass 
     Destruction Office of the Department.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 
     1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by 
     inserting after the item relating to section 321 the 
     following new item:

``Sec. 322. National Urban Security Technology Laboratory.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
New York (Ms. Clarke) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Ms. CLARKE of New York. Madam 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.
  Ms. CLARKE of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1850, the Supporting 
Research and Development for First Responders Act.
  First responders across the Nation are facing unprecedented 
challenges. Over the past year, the unrelenting demands of COVID-19 
have placed great strain on our hometown heroes. In the West, first 
responders have had the added challenge of battling devastating 
wildfires; and in the East, they are in the midst of a dangerous 
hurricane season.
  Compounding these challenges is a terrorism threat landscape that, 
according to the Department of Homeland Security, has ``evolved 
significantly and become increasingly complex and volatile in 2021.''
  Given the complexity of the challenges our men and women on the front 
lines face, it is critical that they have the most reliable and 
effective technology and equipment to respond. When it comes to 
delivering innovative technological solutions, the first responder 
community looks to the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory in 
New York City.
  NUSTL, as it has come to be known, serves a unique mission in the 
Federal Government. It is the only Federal lab that is solely dedicated 
to researching and developing technology to help first responders 
safely and effectively respond to emergencies that range from natural 
disasters and industrial incidents to active shooters and terrorist 
attacks.
  New innovative emergency response technologies are constantly being 
deployed, but to keep our first responders safe, they must first be 
tried and tested.
  Enactment of H.R. 1850 would ensure that NUSTL can continue to carry 
out this vital role in Homeland Security. Specifically, it would ensure 
that NUSTL could continue to conduct simulated scenarios with first 
responders to test new emergency systems, support research for 
innovative technology, and assist first responders in evaluating new 
tools.
  In recent years, despite NUSTL's recognized value to the Nation, we 
saw the Trump administration repeatedly propose shuttering it. 
Thankfully, Congress rejected those shortsighted proposals and 
redoubled its support for this vital institution.
  Looking ahead, we must not only permanently authorize NUSTL by 
enacting H.R. 1850, but we must also continue to prioritize funding for 
the lab so it can continue its critical work.
  Once again, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, 
and I reserve the balance of my time.

       House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space, 
                                               and Technology,

                                     Washington, DC, July 8, 2021.
     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. 1850, the 
     ``Supporting Research and Development for First Responders 
     Act.''
       While the Science Committee has claimed jurisdiction over 
     versions of this bill introduced in previous Congresses, 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 bill 
     report to be filed by the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     included in the Congressional Record when the bill is 
     considered on the House Floor.
       Finally, I ask that you support the appointment of Science 
     Committee conferees during any House-Senate conference 
     convened on this, or similar legislation. Thank you for your 
     attention on this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                            Eddie Bernice Johnson,
     Chairwoman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Homeland Security,

                                     Washington, DC, July 8, 2021.
     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. 1850, the ``Supporting Research and 
     Development for First Responders Act.'' I recognize that the 
     Committee on Science, Space, and Technology has a 
     jurisdictional interest in H.R. 1850, 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.

[[Page H3706]]

       I will include our letters on H.R. 1850 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, Committee on Homeland Security.
  Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1850, the Supporting 
Research and Development for First Responders Act. H.R. 1850 authorizes 
the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory within the Department 
of Homeland Security's Science and Technology directorate.
  This important lab tests and evaluates emerging technologies and 
conducts research and development to assist emergency response 
providers in preparing for and protecting against Homeland Security 
threats.
  The lab also works to enhance first responder capabilities by 
partnering with stakeholders to develop viable solutions to 
radiological and nuclear threats and by acting as a technical adviser 
to the first responder community.
  The National Urban Security Technology Laboratory has assisted in 
training thousands of State and local first responders during more than 
130 training events with State and local agencies throughout the New 
York City metropolitan area. With New York still serving as a top 
target for terrorist and other security threats, now is the time to 
support our front line emergency response providers.
  Madam Speaker, I commend my fellow New York colleagues, 
Representatives Rice and Garbarino, for leading on this issue.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting H.R. 1850, 
and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. CLARKE of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from New York (Miss Rice).
  Miss RICE of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my 
legislation, H.R. 1850, the Supporting Research and Development for 
First Responders Act.
  This bipartisan bill would permanently authorize the New York City-
based National Urban Security Technology Laboratory, which has been 
commonly referred to as NUSTL.

                              {time}  1400

  NUSTL's mission is to develop and test new tools for our first 
responders to utilize in response to terrorist attacks, natural 
disasters, accidents, and other large-scale events.
  There is no other lab in the country doing this critical 
counterterrorism and emergency response work, and it is more important 
now than ever before.
  From the rise in domestic extremism to stronger and more frequent 
storms as a result of climate change, the threats facing our Nation are 
pressing. We must make sure our first responders are best equipped to 
handle any potential emergency, and providing support for NUSTL will 
help us accomplish that goal.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Congressman Garbarino, my 
colleague on Long Island, for co-leading this legislation with me, and 
I would also like to thank Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Katko 
for their help in getting it on the floor.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I want to adopt a comment of my colleague 
from New York (Ms. Clarke) about the great State of New York.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I urge Members to support 
this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1850 is a bill to protect our protectors. At the 
very least, those on the front lines deserve to go to work with the 
certainty that their equipment will work when they need it the most. 
They should not have to ask themselves: Will it function under 
pressure? Can it take the heat?
  We owe it to the nearly 2 million Americans who put their lives on 
the line to protect us to ensure that NUSTL is operational and 
resourced to test their equipment.
  This fall, we will be observing the 20th anniversary of the September 
11 terrorist attacks that shook this Nation to its core. The 9/11 
attack was not only the single deadliest terrorist attack in human 
history, but it was the deadliest incident ever for firefighters and 
law enforcement officers in the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, 343 New York City firefighters, 23 NYPD officers, and 37 
Port Authority officers died that day. By enacting H.R. 1850, we can 
ensure that as threats continue to grow and change, NUSTL will be there 
to provide critical technical support to our first responder community.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New York (Miss Rice) for 
this legislation, and I ask that my colleagues support this bipartisan 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. McNerney). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Clarke) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1850.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. BISHOP of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas 
and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

                          ____________________