[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 10395-10398]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 OMISSION FROM THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD OF WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2005 AT 
                               PAGE 10156

  Mr. COX. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Mississippi for 
purposes of closing debate.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  We have heard a number of statements about this bill. It is an 
initial step in the right direction. It is not comprehensive. There are 
some glaring overlooks in the bill. We do not address any aviation 
security, we do not address chemical security. There are a number of 
things that we could do better in this bill.
  However, I have to join my chairman in recognizing the fact that this 
is our first attempt to do an authorization bill. It is by no means 
complete, but given his leadership and willingness to work in a 
bipartisan spirit, I am looking forward to moving this legislation and 
making sure that we do the right thing for this country. We have to 
secure this Nation.
  I will be offering a substitute later in the debate which obviously 
will cover far more areas than what this authorization bill covers that 
we are debating here today.
  Clearly, if we support the substitute, we can move closer to making 
America secure.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. COX. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, I want to begin by thanking the gentleman from 
Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), both for his generous remarks but, more 
importantly, for his hard work on this piece of legislation over a 
period of several months and, as he pointed out, through ultimately a 
very long, arduous markup in the committee where members on both sides 
had an unlimited opportunity to offer amendments and consider a variety 
of topics.
  As we conclude general debate and prepare to move into debate on the 
specific amendments on this bill, I think we can recognize one 
important fact, and that is that we are all agreed on the essence of 
the underlying bill. We have some things, each of us, that we might 
like to add to this bill, and I predict that in due course, over the 
rest of this year, we will have an opportunity again on this House 
floor to take up issues, including aviation security, chemical 
security, port security, and so on.
  But the entirety of what we do accomplish in this bill is bipartisan 
in nature and agreed upon by the members on both sides of the aisle, at 
least in the Committee on Homeland Security, and we will soon see about 
the House as a whole. That is because we have allocated the $32 
billion, for what is now the third largest Cabinet department, in a way 
that demonstrably advances our number one goal of preventing terrorism 
in the future on American soil, directed against American citizens, 
protecting America's most critical infrastructure against terrorist 
attack, and being prepared to respond and recover should, against all 
our best preparations, that ever occur in the future.
  In order to bring us to this point, we have had to have a great deal 
of bipartisan assistance, all motivated by the best interests of the 
country from Members on both sides.
  I specifically want to mention the vice chairman of the full 
committee, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon); the chairmen 
and ranking members of our five subcommittees, and the Staff Directors 
on both sides, Ben Cohen on the Majority side and Calvin Humphreys on 
the minority side. The staffs have done extraordinary professional 
work, and their staffs are drawn from, in many cases, the executive 
branch, with experience about precisely the work and the programs that 
we are overseeing in this legislation. Many of them have come from the 
intelligence community, others come from the Coast Guard and other 
branches of the armed services.
  We can be very proud in this House about the institutionalization of 
the role of homeland security oversight and authorization that has been 
set in motion as a result of a decision of leadership on both sides, 
and I want to conclude by taking this opportunity, once again, to thank 
the House leadership for its very wise decision to create permanent 
authorizing and oversight responsibility in this Congress on an 
institutionalized basis, and then, today, taking the next important 
step of institutionalizing an annual authorization process so that 
together the legislative branch and the executive branch will closely 
collaborate on what is the essence of our national security 
responsibility to all Americans: making sure that we are safe and 
secure on American territory for the American citizens.
  So, Mr. Chairman, with that, I will draw this general debate to a 
conclusion, and I look forward to working with the body on the several 
amendments that have been made in order under the rule.
  Mr. Chairman, I will at this time introduce into the Record a series 
of letters exchanged between the Committee on Homeland Security and 
other standing committees, including the Permanent Select Committee on 
Intelligence of the House of Representatives, concerning jurisdictional 
issues raised by this legislation.

                               Committee on Government Reform,

                                     Washington, DC, May 18, 2005.
     Hon. Christopher Cox,
     Chairman, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your willingness to 
     consult and work with me as you guided H.R. 1817, ``the 
     Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal 
     Year 2006'' from introduction, through the Homeland Security 
     Committee, and to the floor. As you know, the Committee on 
     Government Reform has been interested in a number of 
     provisions within H.R. 1817. The Committee has been concerned 
     that the expansion of the Department's responsibilities for 
     information sharing in Title II, Subtitle B, Homeland 
     Security Information Sharing and Analysis Enhancement, not 
     lessen the Department's responsibility to follow government-
     wide policies and procedures for the sharing of information. 
     In addition to the information sharing provisions of Subtitle 
     B, the Committee has specific jurisdictional interests in the 
     following provisions of your substitute: Sec. 201--
     Consolidated Background Check Process; Sec. 216--Coordination 
     of homeland security threat analysis provided to non-Federal 
     officials; Sec. 217--9/11 Homeland Security Fellows Program; 
     Sec. 221--IAIP Personnel Recruitment; Sec. 302--Technology 
     Development and Transfer; Sec. 303--Review of Antiterrorism 
     Activities; Title III, Subtitle B--Department of Homeland 
     Security Cybersecurity Enhancement; Sec. 334--Protection of 
     Information; and Sec. 502--GAO Report to Congress.
       I would like to confirm our mutual understanding with 
     respect to the consideration of H.R. 1817. As you know, H.R. 
     1817 was sequentially referred to the Committee on Government 
     Reform. Because of your willingness to work with us to 
     resolve issues of concern to the Committee and to include 
     those improvements to the bill in your amendment in the 
     nature of a substitute on the floor, the Committee on 
     Government Reform did not consider H.R. 1817. However, the 
     Committee has done so only with the understanding that this 
     procedural route would not prejudice the Committee on 
     Government Reform's jurisdictional interest and prerogatives 
     on this bill or similar legislation.
       I respectfully request your support for the appointment of 
     outside conferees from the Committee on Government Reform 
     should this bill or a similar Senate bill be considered in 
     conference with the Senate. Finally, I would ask that you 
     include a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter in 
     the Congressional Record during the House debate of this 
     bill. If you have questions regarding this matter, please do 
     not hesitate to call me. Thank you for your attention to this 
     matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                        Tom Davis,
                                                         Chairman.

[[Page 10396]]

     
                                  ____
                               Committee on Homeland Security,

                                     Washington, DC, May 18, 2005.
     Hon. Tom Davis,
     Chairman, Committee on Government Reform,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your recent letter 
     regarding the Committee on Government Reform's jurisdictional 
     interest in H.R. 1817, ``the Department of Homeland Security 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006'', and your 
     willingness to forego consideration of H.R. 1817 by the 
     Committee.
       I agree that the Committee on Government Reform has a valid 
     jurisdictional interest in particular sections of H.R. 1817, 
     and that the committee's jurisdiction with respect to those 
     provisions will not be adversely affected by the Committee's 
     decision to not consider H.R. 1817. In addition, I agree that 
     for provisions of the bill that are determined to be within 
     the jurisdiction of the Committee on Government Reform, I 
     will support representation for your Committee during 
     conference with the Senate on this or similar legislation, 
     should such a conference be convened.
       As you have requested, I will include a copy of your letter 
     and this response in the Congressional Record during 
     consideration of the legislation on the House floor. Thank 
     you for your assistance as we work towards the enactment of 
     H.R. 1817.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Christopher Cox,
     Chairman.
                                  ____



                                     Committee on Agriculture,

                                      Washington, DC, May 2, 2005.
     Hon. Christopher Cox,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Cox: On April 27, 2005, the Committee on 
     Homeland Security ordered reported a committee print titled 
     the, ``Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2006.'' Section 309 of the bill, which provides 
     for a report to Congress on protecting agriculture from 
     terrorist attack, falls within the jurisdiction of the 
     Committee on Agriculture. Recognizing your interest in 
     bringing this legislation before the House quickly, the 
     Committee on Agriculture agrees not to seek a sequential 
     referral of the bill. By agreeing not to seek a sequential 
     referral, the Committee does not waive its jurisdiction over 
     this provision or any other provisions of the bill that may 
     fall within its jurisdiction. The Committee also reserves its 
     right to seek conferees on any provisions within its 
     jurisdiction considered in the House-Senate conference, and 
     asks for your support in being accorded such conferees.
       Please include this letter as part of the report on the 
     Department of Homeland Security Act for Fiscal Year 2006, or 
     as part of the Congressional Record during consideration of 
     this bill by the House.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Bob Goodlatte,
     Chairman.
                                  ____



                               Committee on Homeland Security,

                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2005.
     Hon. Bob Goodlatte,
     Chairman, Committee on Agriculture,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your recent letter 
     expressing the Agriculture Committee's jurisdictional 
     interest in section 309 of the ``Department of Homeland 
     Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006.'' I 
     appreciate your willingness not to seek a sequential referral 
     in order to expedite proceedings on this legislation. I agree 
     that, by not exercising your right to request a referral, the 
     Agriculture Committee does not waive any jurisdiction it may 
     have over section 309. In addition, I agree to support 
     representation for your Committee during the House-Senate 
     conference on provisions determined to be within your 
     Committee's jurisdiction.
       As you have requested, I will include a copy of your letter 
     and this response as part of the Committee on Homeland 
     Security's report or the Congressional Record during 
     consideration of the legislation on the House floor. Thank 
     you for your cooperation as we work towards the enactment of 
     the ``Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2006.''
           Sincerely,
                                                  Christopher Cox,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Ways and Means,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 13, 2005.
     Hon. Christopher Cox,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Adams Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Cox: I am writing concerning H.R. 1817, the 
     ``Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2006,'' which the Committee on Homeland Security 
     reported on May 3, 2005. Subsequently, the Committee on Ways 
     and Means received a joint, sequential referral on the bill 
     for a period not ending later than May 13, 2005.
       As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means has 
     jurisdiction over trade and customs revenue functions. A 
     range of provisions in H.R. 1817 affects the Committee's 
     jurisdiction, including: authorization language for the 
     Department of Homeland Security, a required review of trade 
     documents that accompany crossborder shipments, a required 
     plan to reduce disparities in customs processing at major 
     airports, a requirement that certain recommendations of a 
     commercial advisory committee representing the trade 
     community be embodied in new regulations, a requirement of a 
     study of the potential merger of the Department of Homeland 
     Security bureau implementing most customs revenue functions 
     with the bureau charged with immigration enforcement, and 
     authorization of a program that would merge security and 
     customs revenue inspection equipment and requirements.
       I am pleased to acknowledge the agreement, outlined in the 
     attached chart, between our Committees to address various 
     issues, including changes you will include in the Manager's 
     Amendment to the bill. Thus, in order to expedite this 
     legislation for floor consideration, the Ways and Means 
     Committee agrees to forgo action on this bill based on the 
     agreement reached by our Committees and that no other 
     provisions affecting the jurisdiction of the Ways and Means 
     Committee are included in the Manager's Amendment. This is 
     being done with the understanding that it does not in any way 
     prejudice the Committee with respect to the appointment of 
     conferees or its jurisdictional prerogatives on this or 
     similar legislation. In addition, I would appreciate if you 
     would share with my staff copies of the amendments when they 
     are made available to the Homeland Security Committee staff.
       I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming 
     this understanding with respect to H.R. 1817, and would ask 
     that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be 
     included in the Congressional Record during floor 
     consideration.
           Best regards,
                                                      Bill Thomas,
                                                         Chairman.
       Attachment.

  WAYS AND MEANS AMENDMENTS AND LEGISLATIVE HISTORY RELATED TO HOMELAND
                       SECURITY AUTHORIZATION BILL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Issue                      HSC and W&M agreed changes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec. 103--CBP Authorization    Insert CBP Authorization number--
 (includes amount in Customs    $6,926,424,722 in the Manager's
 Reauthorization bill passed    Amendment.
 by the House in 2004, along   Number may be adjusted, but any change
 with additions identified by   would be fully cleared between HSC and
 W&M and HSC).                  Ways and Means.
Sec. 201(b)--Annual cross-     Delete 201 (b)(1)(D) and replace with
 cutting analysis of proposed   ``(1)(D) To facilitate trade and
 funding for DHS programs.      commerce;''
                               Add 201 (b)(1)(E)--``To carry out other
                                important functions of the agencies and
                                subdivisions within the Department not
                                specifically noted above.''
                               Under 201 (b)(2)--Delete the following
                                language: ``for functions that are both
                                related directly and not related
                                directly to homeland security'' and add:
                                ``for functions that would address more
                                than one of the mission areas listed in
                                (b)(1)(A) through (E) of this
                                subsection.''
                               Rewrite 201(b)(3)(F) to state ``(F)
                                Screening cargo to identify and
                                segregate shipments at high risk for
                                compromise by terrorists or terrorist
                                weapons,'' rather than ``screening cargo
                                to identify and segregate high-risk
                                shipments.''
Sec. 306--Security of          Amend Sec. 306(a) to read: ``(a)
 Maritime Cargo Containers      STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS--
 (Sanchez Amendment).
                               (1) STANDARDS.--Not later than 180 days
                                after the date of the enactment of this
                                Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security
                                shall establish standards and procedures
                                for securing maritime cargo containers
                                relating to obligation to seal,
                                recording of seal changes, modal
                                changes, seal placement, ocean carrier
                                seal verification, and addressing seal
                                anomalies. These standards shall include
                                the standards for seals and locks as
                                required under paragraph (3) of
                                subsection (b) of section 70116 of Title
                                46 U.S.C.
                               (2) REGULATIONS.--No later than 90 days
                                after completion of the requirements in
                                subsection (a), the Secretary of
                                Homeland Security shall issue
                                regulations for the security of maritime
                                cargo containers consistent with the
                                standards developed in subsection (a).''
                               Amend Sec. 306(b) to read: ``(b)
                                INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS.--The
                                Secretary, in consultation with the
                                Department of State, Department of
                                Commerce, Department of the Treasury,
                                Office of the United States Trade
                                Representative, and other appropriate
                                Federal agencies, shall seek to enter
                                into agreements with foreign countries
                                and international organizations to
                                establish standards for the security of
                                maritime cargo containers moving within
                                the intermodal transportation system
                                that, to the maximum extent practicable,
                                meet the requirements of subsection
                                (a).''
                               Amend Sec. 306(c) to read ``(c) CONTAINER
                                TARGETING STRATEGY.--STRATEGY.--The
                                Secretary shall develop a strategy to
                                improve the ability of the Department of
                                Homeland Security to use advance cargo
                                information to identify anomalies in
                                such information to determine whether
                                such cargo poses a security risk. The
                                strategy shall include a method of
                                contacting shippers to verify or explain
                                any anomalies discovered in such
                                information.''
                               Will include acknowledgement in
                                legislative history that ``It is
                                intended that the advance cargo
                                information referred to in Section
                                306(c) should be provided to the
                                government by the party that has the
                                most direct knowledge of that
                                information consistent with Public Law
                                107-210 Section 343(a)(3)(B).''
                               Amend Section 306(d) to read: ``(d)
                                CONTAINER SECURITY DEMONSTRATION
                                PROGRAM.--(1) PROGRAM.--The Secretary is
                                authorized to establish and carry out a
                                demonstration program that integrates
                                radiation detection equipment with other
                                types of non-intrusive inspection
                                equipment at an appropriate United
                                States seaport, as determined by the
                                Secretary.

[[Page 10397]]

 
                               (2) REQUIREMENT.--The demonstration
                                program shall also evaluate ways to
                                strengthen the capability of Department
                                of Homeland Security personnel to
                                analyze cargo inspection data and ways
                                to improve the transmission of
                                inspection data between appropriate
                                entities within the Department of
                                Homeland Security.''
                               Amend Section 306(e) to read: ``(e)
                                COORDINATION AND CONSOLIDATION OF
                                CONTAINER SECURITY PROGRAMS.--The
                                Secretary shall coordinate all programs
                                that enhance the security of maritime
                                cargo, and, to the extent practicable,
                                consolidate Operation Safe Commerce, the
                                Smart Box Initiative, and similar
                                programs that evaluate security
                                enhancements for maritime cargo
                                containers, to achieve enhanced
                                coordination and efficiency. The
                                Secretary shall report to the
                                appropriate Congressional committees
                                before consolidating any program
                                mentioned in this subsection.''
                               Add new Sec. New Section 306(f):
                                ``DEFINITION.--In this section, the tenn
                                `appropriate congressional committees'
                                means appropriate Congressional
                                Committees as defined in the Homeland
                                Security Act of 2002.''
Sec. 401--Study by Sec. of     Section 401(b)(I)--delete ``to the
 DHS on Organization of DHS.    Committee on Homeland Security of the
                                House of DHS on Organization of
                                Representatives and the Committee on
                                Homeland Security and Government Affairs
                                of the Senate'' and replace with ``to
                                the appropriate Congressional Committees
                                as defined in the Homeland Security Act
                                of 2002.''
Section 402--GAO Report on     Insert at the end of this section: ``The
 DHS Organization.              report shall be submitted to the
                                appropriate Congressional committees as
                                defined in the Homeland Security Act of
                                2002.''
See. 403--Plan for             If Sec. 403, or a similar provision is
 Establishing Consolidated      included in the bill, amend that section
 and Colocated Regional         by adding at the end of the section:
 Offices.                       ``In developing the plan, the Secretary
                                shall ensure that the plan does not
                                compromise the uniform and consistent
                                implementation and application of laws,
                                policies and procedures related to
                                customs processing operations.''
Sec. 404--Plan to Reduce Wait  Amend Sec. 404(2) to include
 Times.                         ``passenger'' following ``customs''.
Ways and Means Customs Bill..  In addition to the authorization for CBP,
                                include all other Customs sections of HR
                                4418 as passed by the House that were
                                not already enacted as part of other
                                laws--Secs. 102, 104, 124, and 125.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Homeland Security,

                                     Washington, DC, May 13, 2005.
     Hon. William Thomas,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, Longworth House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your recent letter 
     expressing the Ways and Means Committee's jurisdictional 
     interest in H.R. 1817, the ``The Department of Homeland 
     Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006.'' I 
     appreciate your willingness to forgo action on this bill, in 
     order to expedite this legislation for floor consideration. I 
     agree that, by forgoing further action on the bill, the 
     Committee on Ways and Means does not waive any jurisdiction 
     it has over provisions within H.R. 1817 and the Manager's 
     amendment. This is being done with the understanding that it 
     does not in any way prejudice the Ways and Means Committee 
     with respect to the appointment of conferees or its 
     jurisdictional prerogatives on this or similar legislation. 
     We will also share with you copies of any amendments as they 
     are made available to us.
       As you have requested, I will include a copy of your letter 
     and this response as part of the Congressional Record during 
     consideration of the legislation on the House floor. Thank 
     you for your cooperation as we work towards the enactment of 
     H.R. 1817.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Christopher Cox,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                      Washington, DC, May 2, 2005.
     Hon. Christopher Cox,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of 
         Representatives, Adams Building, Library of Congress, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: On April 27, 2005, the Committee on 
     Homeland Security ordered reported a committee print, the 
     ``Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2006.'' This bill contains provisions that fall 
     within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Armed Services, 
     including: section 222 (relating to information collection 
     requirements and priorities) and section 302(b) (establishing 
     a working group relating to military technology). Recognizing 
     your interest in bringing this legislation before the House 
     quickly, the Committee on Armed Services agrees not to seek a 
     sequential referral of the bill. By agreeing not to seek a 
     sequential referral, the Committee does not waive its 
     jurisdiction over these provisions or any other provisions of 
     the bill that may fall within its jurisdiction. The Committee 
     also reserves its right to seek conferees on any provisions 
     within its jurisdiction considered in the House-Senate 
     conference, and asks for your support in being accorded such 
     conferees.
       Please include this letter as part of the report, if any, 
     on the Department of Homeland Security Act for Fiscal Year 
     2006 or as part of the Congressional Record during 
     consideration of this bill by the House.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Duncan Hunter,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Homeland Security,

                                      Washington, DC, May 2, 2005.
     Hon. Duncan Hunter,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services,
     Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your recent letter 
     expressing the Armed Services Committee's jurisdictional 
     interest in Section 222 and the working group on transfer of 
     military technologies established under Section 302(b) of the 
     ``Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2006.'' I appreciate your willingness not to seek 
     a sequential referral in order to expedite proceedings on 
     this legislation. I agree that, by not exercising your right 
     to request a referral, the Armed Services Committee does not 
     waive any jurisdiction it may have over the relevant 
     provisions of Sections 222 and 302(b). In addition, I agree 
     to support representation for your Committee during the 
     House-Senate conference on any provisions determined to be 
     within your Committee's jurisdiction.
       As you have requested, I will include a copy of your letter 
     and this response as part of the Committee on Homeland 
     Security's report and the Congressional Record during 
     consideration of the legislation on the House floor. Thank 
     you for your cooperation as we work towards the enactment of 
     the ``Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2006.''
           Sincerely,
                                                  Christopher Cox,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Permanent Select Committee on 
           Intelligence,
                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2005.
     Hon. Christopher Cox,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: In recognition of the importance of 
     expediting the passage of H.R. 1817, the ``Department of 
     Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006,'' 
     the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence hereby waives 
     further consideration of the bill. The Committee has 
     jurisdictional interests in H.R. 1817, including but not 
     limited to intelligence activities within the Department of 
     Homeland Security authorized within the National Intelligence 
     Program.
       The Committee takes this action only with the understanding 
     that this procedural route should not be construed to 
     prejudice the House Permanent Select Committee on 
     Intelligence's jurisdictional interest over this bill or any 
     similar bill and will not be considered as precedent for 
     consideration of matters of jurisdictional interest to the 
     Committee in the future. In addition, the Permanent Select 
     Committee on Intelligence reserves the possibility of seeking 
     conferees on any provisions of the bill that are within its 
     jurisdiction during any House-Senate conference that may be 
     convened on this legislation.
       Finally, I would ask that you include a copy of our 
     exchange of letters on this matter in the Congressional 
     Record during the House debate on H.R. 1817. I appreciate the 
     constructive work between our committees on this matter and 
     thank you for your consideration.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Peter Hoekstra,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Homeland Security,

                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2005.
     Hon. Peter Hoekstra,
     Chairman, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your recent letter 
     expressing the Intelligence Committee's jurisdictional 
     interest in H.R. 1817, the ``The Department of Homeland 
     Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006.'' I 
     appreciate your willingness to waive further consideration of 
     the bill in order to expedite this legislation for floor 
     consideration: I agree that by waiving further consideration, 
     the Intelligence Committee does not waive any jurisdiction it 
     may have over provisions of the bill, including those 
     relating to intelligence activities of the Department of 
     Homeland Security authorized within the National Intelligence 
     Program.
       As you have requested, I will include a copy of your letter 
     and this response as part of the Congressional Record during 
     consideration of the legislation on the House floor. Thank 
     you for your cooperation as we work towards the enactment of 
     H.R. 1817.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Christopher Cox,
                                                          Chairman


[[Page 10398]]



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