[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 193 (Monday, November 17, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H4680-H4681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DHS INTELLIGENCE ROTATIONAL ASSIGNMENT PROGRAM AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
SUPPORT ACT
Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2212) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
establish the Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program, and for other
purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2212
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 ``DHS Intelligence Rotational
Assignment Program and Law Enforcement Support Act''.
SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY INTELLIGENCE
ROTATIONAL ASSIGNMENT PROGRAM.
Section 844 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C.
414) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(b) Office of the Director of National Intelligence
(ODNI) Intelligence Community Civilian Joint Duty Program.--
The Secretary shall require all components of the Department
that are members of the DHS Intelligence Enterprise to
participate in the ODNI Intelligence Community Civilian Joint
Duty Program in a manner consistent with the policies
established by the Director of National Intelligence for the
Program.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Garbarino) and the gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Hernandez)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 2212.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2212, the DHS
Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program and Law Enforcement Support
Act. This bill will improve the Department of Homeland Security's
Office of Intelligence and Analysis collaboration with the wider
intelligence community.
As the only intelligence agency with a duty to share information with
State and local law enforcement, it is imperative the Office of
Intelligence and Analysis analysts have effective partnerships within
the intelligence community.
In addition, I also want to take a second to express my gratitude to
the rest of my Committee on Homeland Security colleagues on both sides
of the aisle as we work to advance over a dozen bipartisan pieces of
legislation to the House floor this week. As chairman, I look forward
to sending many more legislative priorities to the House floor.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support for H.R. 2212, and I reserve the balance
of my time.
Mr. HERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill which directs the
Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Director of
National Intelligence, to require all components of the Department of
Homeland Security intelligence enterprise to participate in the
intelligence community's Civilian Joint Duty Program.
The Civilian Joint Duty Program allows professionals across the 18
U.S. intelligence agencies to temporarily work in a different U.S.
intelligence organization to broaden their skills beyond their home
agencies.
Requiring the participation of all DHS intelligence offices in the
program will expose the DHS intelligence workforce to best practices in
the field and promote cross-organizational networks.
H.R. 2212 not only supports the professional development of the DHS
intelligence workforce but fosters more information sharing and better
positions DHS to identify and mitigate threats to the homeland.
Mr. Speaker, I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Mackenzie).
Mr. MACKENZIE. Madam Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 2212, the DHS
Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program and Law Enforcement Support
Act.
Next year, our Nation will mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11
terrorist attacks. As we approach this solemn milestone, it is
important that we reflect on the progress we have made in preventing
attacks, as well as the areas where we can continue to improve.
Countless Americans work every day across numerous agencies to keep
our citizens safe from potential threats. In the aftermath of the 9/11
attacks, the intelligence community was strengthened and its ranks were
bolstered. Because of their work, and the courage of our veterans and
servicemembers, our Nation has been spared from similar attacks.
We thank all of those who serve our Nation, both as civilians and
servicemembers, in the fight to secure our homeland.
Despite this success, we remain vigilant in the face of continuing
threats against our country. That means continuing to analyze our
tactics, refine our strategies, and ensure that critical information is
efficiently shared between agencies.
Information silos are not unique to the intelligence community, but
the need to overcome them is more acute. The consequences are far
greater if there are problems that arise. The intelligence community's
ability to detect and prevent attacks against our homeland depends on
coordinated and efficient information flows.
We expect smooth interaction and joint maneuvers from our Nation's
warfighters, and we depend upon the same thing across all components of
our intelligence community.
However, this coordination can be improved. In 2017, the inspectors
general of the Intelligence Community, the Department of Homeland
Security, and the Department of Justice all completed a report that
noted the DHS intelligence enterprise was not as effective and as
valuable as it could be. This was attributed, in part, to a lack of
unity throughout the DHS intelligence enterprise.
For the intelligence community, the stakes could not be higher. Our
Nation's security depends on streamlined coordination across agencies.
That is why this bill ensures that the intelligence components of DHS
are fully integrated within joint duty programs across the broader
intelligence community. This allows intelligence analysts at DHS to
sharpen their knowledge and expertise by spending time across different
agencies.
{time} 1640
These benefits are similar to what many Americans have experienced
throughout private industry. As a one-time board member for the
Pennsylvania Workforce Development Board and as Republican chair of the
Pennsylvania House Labor and Industry
[[Page H4681]]
Committee, I got to see how innovative ideas like these can improve
workplaces. Gaining experience and making contacts across departments
can enhance the efficiency and morale of the organization, helping them
to achieve their objectives.
Rotational programs can take employees out of their respective
bubbles, helping them see the big picture of the organization and the
important roles that are played by employees in other areas.
These same principles and strategies can certainly be translated into
the homeland security space, where wider knowledge and institutional
connections mean stronger security. By giving DHS staff the opportunity
to gain knowledge and skills from throughout the department, we give
the intelligence community a leg up in the fight to protect our Nation.
It is time for Congress to codify DHS' Intelligence Rotational
Assignment program and ensure that our intelligence community has the
breadth of experience necessary to tackle the threats of tomorrow.
Mr. HERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R.
2212, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I, again, urge my colleagues to support
H.R. 2212, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Miller of Illinois). The question is on
the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that
the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2212, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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