[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 8, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E233-E234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        DHS BASIC TRAINING ACCREDITATION IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2021

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 7, 2022

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5616, the 
``DHS Basic Training Accreditation Improvement Act of 2021'' which 
addresses issues involving accreditation and law enforcement training, 
research, and development at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
  This bill requires DHS to report annually to the congressional 
homeland security committees on the accreditation status for each basic 
training program within DHS.

[[Page E234]]

  If a basic training program loses accreditation, the relevant DHS 
component shall notify the department within 30 days after such loss.
  H.R. 5616 also would require the DHS Science and Technology 
Directorate to carry out research and development to enhance state, 
local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement access to training on 
homeland security threats.
  Program level academic accreditation requires a discipline to have 
identified and vetted a set of student learning outcomes.
  Without accreditation it remains extremely difficult for a discipline 
to demonstrate true legitimacy because there would be an absence of 
standards associated with the curriculum and teaching methods.
  Professional legitimacy requires that, integrated with the 
discipline, is a recognized accreditation process which helps develop 
incentives for academic programs to adopt accreditation into a 
widespread practice.
  There is a recognized need for responders from all disciplines, 
including public sector responders and private sector security 
professionals, to have the knowledge, skills and abilities that allow 
them to participate in Homeland Protection activities.
  Homeland Protection activities are common to both the public and 
private sector and include prevention, preparedness, protection, 
mitigation, response and recovery from, ``all hazards'', including 
terrorism.
  Employers must know that their employees and prospective employees 
have demonstrated competency in the area of Homeland Protection.
  Professionals must have a predetermined blend of experience and 
education, show completed course work in the knowledge areas required 
by the Certification Board and take an online course and pass the 
Homeland Protection Professional test.
  The Congressional Budget Office estimates that meeting the reporting 
requirements of the bill would cost DHS less than $500,000 over the 
2022 through 2026 period.
  For programs that are not accredited, the Secretary must provide the 
reasons for not obtaining or maintaining accreditation, the activities, 
taken to achieve accreditation, and the anticipated timeline for 
accreditation of the program.
  Unfortunately, several DHS law enforcement basic training programs 
are not accredited, including the U.S. Border Patrol Academy, Customs 
and Border Protection's Field Operations Academy Officer Basic Training 
Program, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' Officer Basic 
Training Program.
  In some cases, programs have been unaccredited for several years, 
e.g., the Border Patrol Academy submitted an initial application in 
2006 but did not pursue accreditation further.
  As the Chairwoman of the Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security 
Subcommittee, I believe efficient training can and will save lives, and 
that Department of Homeland Security officers deserve the highest 
standards of preparation.
  Proper training is the only way our authorities can safely and 
effectively carry out their missions.
  Madam Speaker, we need to ensure that our DHS officers are properly 
trained and educated on their basic trainings.
  I urge all members to join me in voting to pass H.R. 5616, the ``DHS 
Basic Training Accreditation Improvement Act of 2021'', which is 
critical to ensuring the safety of all Americans.

                          ____________________