[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19966-19973]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY CBRNE DEFENSE ACT OF 2015

  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3875) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to 
establish within the Department of Homeland Security a Chemical, 
Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives Office, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3875

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Department 
     of Homeland Security CBRNE Defense Act of 2015''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; Table of contents.
Sec. 2. CBRNE Office.
Sec. 3. Chemical Division.
Sec. 4. Biological Division.
Sec. 5. Nuclear Division.
Sec. 6. Explosives Division.
Sec. 7. Savings provisions.
Sec. 8. Clerical amendments.

     SEC. 2. CBRNE OFFICE.

       (a) In General.--The Homeland Security Act of 2002 is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new title:

[[Page 19967]]



                       ``TITLE XXII--CBRNE OFFICE

    ``Subtitle A--Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and 
                           Explosives Office

     ``SEC. 2201. CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, NUCLEAR, AND 
                   EXPLOSIVES OFFICE.

       ``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the 
     Department a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and 
     Explosives Office (referred to in this title as the `CBRNE 
     Office'). The CBRNE Office shall be comprised of the Chemical 
     Division, the Biological Division, the Nuclear Division, and 
     the Explosives Division. The CBRNE Office may include a 
     Health Division.
       ``(b) Mission of Office.--The mission of the CBRNE Office 
     is to coordinate, strengthen, and provide chemical, 
     biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) 
     capabilities in support of homeland security.
       ``(c) Assistant Secretary.--The Office shall be headed by 
     an Assistant Secretary for the Chemical, Biological, 
     Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives Office (referred to in 
     this title as the `Assistant Secretary'), who shall be 
     appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent 
     of the Senate.
       ``(d) Responsibilities.--The Assistant Secretary shall--
       ``(1) develop, coordinate, and maintain overall CBRNE 
     strategy and policy for the Department;
       ``(2) develop, coordinate, and maintain for the Department 
     periodic CBRNE risk assessments;
       ``(3) serve as the primary Department representative for 
     coordinating CBRNE activities with other Federal departments 
     and agencies;
       ``(4) provide oversight for the Department's preparedness 
     for CBRNE threats;
       ``(5) provide support for operations during CBRNE threats 
     or incidents; and
       ``(6) carry out such other responsibilities as the 
     Secretary determines appropriate, consistent with this title.
       ``(e) Other Officers.--The Director of the Chemical 
     Division, the Director of the Biological Division, the 
     Director of the Nuclear Division, and the Director of the 
     Explosives Division shall report directly to the Assistant 
     Secretary.

     ``SEC. 2202. COMPOSITION OF THE CBRNE OFFICE.

       ``The Secretary shall transfer to the CBRNE Office, the 
     functions, personnel, budget authority, and assets of the 
     following:
       ``(1) The Office of Health Affairs as in existence on the 
     day before the date of the enactment of this title, including 
     the Chief Medical Officer authorized under section 516, and 
     the National Biosurveillance Integration Center authorized 
     under section 316.
       ``(2) The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office authorized 
     under title XIX, as in existence on the date before the date 
     of the enactment of this title (and redesignated as the 
     Nuclear Division).
       ``(3) CBRNE threat awareness and risk assessment activities 
     of the Science and Technology Directorate.
       ``(4) The CBRNE functions of the Office of Policy and the 
     Office of Operations Coordination.
       ``(5) The Office for Bombing Prevention of the National 
     Protection and Programs Directorate, as in existence on the 
     day before the date of the enactment of this title.

     ``SEC. 2203. HIRING AUTHORITY.

       ``In hiring personnel for the CBRNE Office, the Secretary 
     shall have the hiring and management authorities provided in 
     section 1101 of the Strom Thurmond National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 (5 U.S.C. 3104 note; 
     Public Law 105-261), except that the term of appointments for 
     employees under subsection (c)(1) of such section may not 
     exceed five years before granting any extension under 
     subsection (c)(2) of such section.

     ``SEC. 2204. GRANTS, COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, AND OTHER 
                   TRANSACTIONS AND CONTRACTS.

       ``The Assistant Secretary, in carrying out the 
     responsibilities under this title, may distribute funds 
     through grants, cooperative agreements, and other 
     transactions and contracts.

     ``SEC. 2205. TERRORISM RISK ASSESSMENTS.

       ``(a) Terrorism Risk Assessments.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Assistant Secretary shall, in 
     coordination with relevant Department components and other 
     appropriate Federal departments and agencies, develop, 
     coordinate, and update periodically terrorism risk 
     assessments of chemical, biological, radiological, and 
     nuclear threats.
       ``(2) Comparison.--The Assistant Secretary shall develop, 
     coordinate, and update periodically an integrated terrorism 
     risk assessment that assesses all of the threats referred to 
     in paragraph (1) and, as appropriate, explosives threats, and 
     compares each such threat against one another according to 
     their relative risk.
       ``(3) Inclusion in assessment.--Each terrorism risk 
     assessment under this subsection shall include a description 
     of the methodology used for each such assessment.
       ``(4) Updates.--Each terrorism risk assessment under this 
     subsection shall be updated not less often than once every 
     two years.
       ``(5) Provision to congress.--The Assistant Secretary shall 
     provide a copy of each risk assessment under this subsection 
     to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate not later than 30 days 
     after completion of each such assessment.
       ``(b) Methodology.--In developing the terrorism risk 
     assessments under subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary, in 
     consultation with appropriate Federal departments and 
     agencies, shall--
       ``(1) assess the proposed methodology to be used for such 
     assessments; and
       ``(2) consider the evolving threat to the United States as 
     indicated by the intelligence community (as such term is 
     defined in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 
     (50 U.S.C. 3003(4))).
       ``(c) Usage.--The terrorism risk assessments required under 
     subsection (a) shall be used to inform and guide allocation 
     of resources for chemical, biological, radiological, and 
     nuclear threat activities of the Department.
       ``(d) Input and Sharing.--The Assistant Secretary shall, 
     for each terrorism risk assessment under subsection (a)--
       ``(1) seek input from national stakeholders and other 
     Federal, State, local, tribal, and territorial officials 
     involved in efforts to counter chemical, biological, 
     radiological, and nuclear threats;
       ``(2) ensure that written procedures are in place to guide 
     the development of such assessments, including for input, 
     review, and implementation purposes, among relevant Federal 
     partners;
       ``(3) share such assessments with Federal, State, local, 
     tribal, and territorial officials with appropriate security 
     clearances and a need for the information in the classified 
     versions of such assessments; and
       ``(4) to the maximum extent practicable, make available an 
     unclassified version of such assessments for Federal, State, 
     local, tribal, and territorial officials involved in 
     prevention and preparedness for chemical, biological, 
     radiological, and nuclear events.

     ``SEC. 2206. CBRNE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC MESSAGING.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in coordination with the 
     Assistant Secretary, shall develop an overarching risk 
     communication strategy for terrorist attacks and other high 
     consequence events utilizing chemical, biological, 
     radiological, or nuclear agents or explosives that pose a 
     high risk to homeland security, and shall--
       ``(1) develop threat-specific risk communication plans, in 
     coordination with appropriate Federal departments and 
     agencies;
       ``(2) develop risk communication messages, including pre-
     scripted messaging to the extent practicable;
       ``(3) develop clearly defined interagency processes and 
     protocols to assure coordinated risk and incident 
     communications and information sharing during incident 
     response;
       ``(4) engage private and nongovernmental entities in 
     communications planning, as appropriate;
       ``(5) identify ways to educate and engage the public about 
     CBRNE threats and consequences;
       ``(6) develop strategies for communicating using social and 
     new media; and
       ``(7) provide guidance on risk and incident communications 
     for CBRNE events to State, local, tribal, and territorial 
     governments, and other stakeholders, as appropriate.
       ``(b) Communication During Response.--The Secretary shall 
     provide appropriate timely, accurate information to the 
     public, governmental partners, the private sector, and other 
     appropriate stakeholders in the event of a suspected or 
     confirmed terrorist attack or other high consequence event 
     utilizing chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear 
     agents or explosives that pose a high risk to homeland 
     security.
       ``(c) Reports.--
       ``(1) Development efforts.--Not later than 120 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this title, the Secretary shall 
     submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on current and 
     future efforts of the Department to develop the communication 
     strategy required under subsection (a).
       ``(2) Finalization.--Not later than two years after the 
     date the report required under paragraph (1) is submitted, 
     the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Homeland 
     Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate the 
     communication strategy required under subsection (a).

     ``SEC. 2207. CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, NUCLEAR, AND 
                   EXPLOSIVES INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION 
                   SHARING.

       ``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary of Intelligence and 
     Analysis of the Department shall--
       ``(1) support homeland security-focused intelligence 
     analysis of terrorist actors, their claims, and their plans 
     to conduct attacks involving chemical, biological, 
     radiological, or nuclear materials or explosives against the 
     United States;
       ``(2) support homeland security-focused intelligence 
     analysis of global infectious diseases, public health, food, 
     agricultural, and veterinary issues;

[[Page 19968]]

       ``(3) support homeland security-focused risk analysis and 
     risk assessments of the homeland security hazards described 
     in paragraphs (1) and (2) by providing relevant quantitative 
     and nonquantitative threat information;
       ``(4) leverage existing and emerging homeland security 
     intelligence capabilities and structures to enhance 
     prevention, protection, response, and recovery efforts with 
     respect to a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or 
     explosives attack;
       ``(5) share appropriate information regarding such threats 
     to appropriate State, local, tribal, and territorial 
     authorities, as well as other national biosecurity and 
     biodefense stakeholders; and
       ``(6) perform other responsibilities, as assigned by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(b) Coordination.--Where appropriate, the Under Secretary 
     of Intelligence and Analysis shall coordinate with the heads 
     of other relevant Department components, including the 
     Assistant Secretary, members of the intelligence community, 
     including the National Counter Proliferation Center and the 
     National Counterterrorism Center, and other Federal, State, 
     local, tribal, and territorial authorities, including 
     officials from high-threat areas, to enable such entities to 
     provide recommendations on optimal information sharing 
     mechanisms, including expeditious sharing of classified 
     information, and on how such entities can provide information 
     to the Department.
       ``(c) Report.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date 
     of the enactment of this section and annually thereafter for 
     five years, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
     Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of 
     the Senate a report on--
       ``(A) the intelligence and information sharing activities 
     under subsections (a) and (b) and of all relevant entities 
     within the Department to prevent, protect against, prepare 
     for, respond to, mitigate, and recover from terrorist attacks 
     and other high consequence events utilizing chemical, 
     biological, radiological, or nuclear agents or explosives 
     that pose a high risk to homeland security; and
       ``(B) the Department's activities in accordance with 
     relevant intelligence strategies.
       ``(2) Assessment of implementation.--Each report required 
     under paragraph (1) shall also include--
       ``(A) a description of methods established to assess 
     progress of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis in 
     implementing this section; and
       ``(B) such assessment of such progress.
       ``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Intelligence community.--The term `intelligence 
     community' has the meaning given such term in section 3(4) of 
     the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4)).
       ``(2) National biosecurity and biodefense stakeholders.--
     The term `national biosecurity and biodefense stakeholders' 
     means officials from Federal, State, local, tribal, and 
     territorial authorities and individuals from the private 
     sector who are involved in efforts to prevent, protect 
     against, prepare for, respond to, mitigate, and recover from 
     a biological attack or other phenomena that may have serious 
     health consequences for the United States, including 
     infectious disease outbreaks.''.
       (b) After Action and Efficiencies Review.--Not later than 
     one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Assistant 
     Secretary for the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, 
     Nuclear, and Explosives Office of the Department of Homeland 
     Security (established pursuant to section 2201 of the 
     Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by subsection (a) of 
     this section), shall submit to the Committee on Homeland 
     Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a 
     report that--
       (1) reviews the functions and responsibilities of the 
     Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives 
     Office of the Department (established pursuant to section 
     2201 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by 
     subsection (a) of this section) to identify and eliminate 
     areas of unnecessary duplication;
       (2) provides a detailed accounting of the management and 
     administrative expenditures and activities of the Office, 
     including expenditures related to the establishment of the 
     CBRNE Office, such as expenditures associated with the 
     utilization of the Secretary's authority to award retention 
     bonuses pursuant to Federal law;
       (3) identifies any potential cost savings and efficiencies 
     within the CBRNE Office or its divisions; and
       (4) identifies opportunities to enhance the effectiveness 
     of the management and administration of the CBRNE Office to 
     improve operational impact and enhance efficiencies.
       (c) Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and 
     Explosives Research and Development.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
     assess the organizational structure of the management and 
     execution of the Department of Homeland Security's chemical, 
     biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives research 
     and development activities, and shall develop and submit to 
     the Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on Science, 
     Space, and Technology, and the Committee on Appropriations of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the Senate at the time the President 
     submits the budget under section 1105 of title 31, United 
     States Code, for the fiscal year that follows the issuance of 
     the Comptroller General review required pursuant to 
     subsection (d) a proposed organizational structure for the 
     management and execution of such chemical, biological, 
     radiological, nuclear, and explosives research and 
     development activities.
       (2) Organizational justification.--The Secretary of 
     Homeland Security shall include in the assessment required 
     under paragraph (1) a thorough justification and 
     rationalization for the proposed organizational structure for 
     management and execution of chemical, biological, 
     radiological, nuclear, and explosives research and 
     development activities, including the following:
       (A) A discussion of the methodology for determining such 
     proposed organizational structure.
       (B) A comprehensive inventory of chemical, biological, 
     radiological, nuclear, and explosives research and 
     development activities of the Department of Homeland Security 
     and where each such activity will be located within or 
     outside such proposed organizational structure.
       (C) Information relating to how such proposed 
     organizational structure will facilitate and promote 
     coordination and requirements generation with customers.
       (D) Information relating to how such proposed 
     organizational structure will support the development of 
     chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives 
     research and development priorities across the Department.
       (E) If the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and 
     explosives research and development activities of the 
     Department are not co-located in such proposed organizational 
     structure, a justification for such separation.
       (F) The strategy for coordination between the Under 
     Secretary for Science and Technology and the Assistant 
     Secretary for the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, 
     Nuclear, and Explosives Office on chemical, biological, 
     radiological, nuclear, and explosives research and 
     development activities.
       (G) Recommendations for necessary statutory changes.
       (3) Limitation on action.--The Secretary of Homeland 
     Security may not take any action to reorganize the structure 
     referred to in paragraph (1) unless the Secretary receives 
     prior authorization from the Committee on Homeland Security 
     and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate permitting 
     any such action.
       (d) Government Accountability Office Review of Chemical, 
     Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives Research 
     and Development Activities.--
       (1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall conduct a review of the organizational structure 
     of the Department of Homeland Security's management and 
     execution of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and 
     explosives research and development activities.
       (2) Scope.--The review required under paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following:
       (A) An assessment of the organizational structure for the 
     management and execution of chemical, biological, 
     radiological, nuclear, and explosives research and 
     development activities of the Department of Homeland 
     Security, including identification of any overlap or 
     duplication of effort.
       (B) Recommendations to streamline and improve the 
     organizational structure of the Department's management and 
     execution of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and 
     explosives research and development activities.
       (3) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit 
     to the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the review 
     required under this subsection.
       (e) Dissemination of Information Analyzed by the Department 
     of Homeland Security to State, Local, Tribal, and Private 
     Entities With Responsibilities Relating to Homeland 
     Security.--Paragraph (8) of section 201(d) of the Homeland 
     Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 121(d)) is amended by striking 
     ``and to agencies of State'' and all that follows through the 
     period at the end and inserting ``to State, local, tribal, 
     territorial, and appropriate private entities with such 
     responsibilities, and, as appropriate, to the public, in 
     order to assist in preventing, protecting against, preparing 
     for, responding to, mitigating, and recovering from terrorist 
     attacks against the United States.''.

[[Page 19969]]

       (f) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The Homeland 
     Security Act of 2002 is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2) of section 103(a) (6 U.S.C. 113(a)), 
     by striking ``Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs, the 
     Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, or the Assistant 
     Secretary for Public Affairs,'' and inserting ``Assistant 
     Secretary for Legislative Affairs or the Assistant Secretary 
     for Public Affairs,'';
       (2) in section 302 (6 U.S.C. 182)--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (13) and (14) as paragraphs 
     (14) and (15), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (12) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(13) collaborating with the Assistant Secretary for the 
     Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives 
     Office on all chemical, biological, and explosives research 
     and development activities;'';
       (3) in subsection (b) of section 307 (6 U.S.C. 187), by 
     adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(8) CBRNE defense.--The Director shall coordinate with 
     the Assistant Secretary for the Chemical, Biological, 
     Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives Office on all chemical, 
     biological, and explosives research and development 
     activities.''; and
       (4) in subsection (c) of section 516 (6 U.S.C. 321e)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ``, 
     including the health impacts of chemical, biological, 
     radiological, and nuclear agents and explosives'' after 
     ``natural disasters'';
       (B) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
       ``(2) coordinating the Department's policy, strategy, and 
     preparedness for pandemics and emerging infectious 
     diseases;''; and
       (C) in paragraph (6), by striking ``Under Secretary for 
     Science and Technology'' and inserting ``Assistant Secretary 
     for the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and 
     Explosives Office''.

     SEC. 3. CHEMICAL DIVISION.

       (a) In General.--Title XXII of the Homeland Security Act of 
     2002, as added by section 2 of this Act, is amended by adding 
     at the end the following new subtitle:

                    ``Subtitle B--Chemical Division

     ``SEC. 2211. CHEMICAL DIVISION.

       ``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the CBRNE 
     Office a Chemical Division, headed by a Director of the 
     Chemical Division (in this subtitle referred to as the 
     `Director').
       ``(b) Mission and Responsibilities.--The Director shall be 
     responsible for coordinating departmental strategy and policy 
     relating to terrorist attacks and other high-consequence 
     events utilizing chemical agents that pose a high risk to 
     homeland security, including the following:
       ``(1) Developing and maintaining the Department's strategy 
     against chemical threats.
       ``(2) Serving as the Department representative for chemical 
     threats and related activities with other Federal departments 
     and agencies.
       ``(3) Providing oversight of the Department's preparedness, 
     including operational requirements, for chemical threats.
       ``(4) Enhancing the capabilities of Federal, State, local, 
     tribal, and territorial governments, and private entities as 
     appropriate, against chemical threats.
       ``(5) Evaluating and providing guidance to Federal, State, 
     local, tribal, and territorial governments, and private 
     entities as appropriate, on detection and communication 
     technology that could be effective in terrorist attacks and 
     other high-consequence events utilizing chemical agents.
       ``(6) Supporting and enhancing the effective sharing and 
     use of appropriate information generated by the intelligence 
     community (as such term is defined in section 3(4) of the 
     National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4))), law 
     enforcement agencies, other Federal, State, local tribal, and 
     territorial governments, and foreign governments, on chemical 
     threats.

     ``SEC. 2212. DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.

       ``(a) In General.--The Director may, subject to the 
     availability of appropriations for such purpose, partner with 
     high-risk urban areas or facilities to conduct demonstration 
     projects to enhance, through Federal, State, local, tribal, 
     and territorial governments, and private entities, 
     capabilities of the United States to counter terrorist 
     attacks and other high-consequence events utilizing chemical 
     agents that pose a high risk to homeland security.
       ``(b) Goals.--The Director may provide guidance and 
     evaluations for all situations and venues at risk of 
     terrorist attacks and other high-consequence events utilizing 
     chemical agents, such as at ports, areas of mass gathering, 
     and transit facilities, and may--
       ``(1) ensure all high-risk situations and venues are 
     studied; and
       ``(2) ensure key findings and best practices are made 
     available to State, local, tribal, and territorial 
     governments and the private sector.
       ``(c) Congressional Notification.--The Director shall 
     notify the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate not later than 30 days 
     before initiating a new demonstration project.''.
       (b) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate an assessment 
     of the Department of Homeland Security's programs and 
     activities related to terrorist attacks and other high-
     consequence events utilizing chemical agents that pose a high 
     risk to homeland security.

     SEC. 4. BIOLOGICAL DIVISION.

       Title XXII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added 
     by section 2 of this Act and as amended by section 3 of this 
     Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following 
     new subtitle:

                   ``Subtitle C--Biological Division

     ``SEC. 2221. BIOLOGICAL DIVISION.

       ``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the CBRNE 
     Office a Biological Division, headed by a Director of the 
     Biological Division (in this subtitle referred to as the 
     `Director').
       ``(b) Mission and Responsibilities.--The Office shall be 
     responsible for coordinating departmental strategy and policy 
     relating to terrorist attacks and other high-consequence 
     events utilizing biological agents that pose a high risk to 
     homeland security, including the following:
       ``(1) Developing and maintaining the Department's strategy 
     against biological threats.
       ``(2) Serving as the Department representative for 
     biological threats and related activities with other Federal 
     departments and agencies.
       ``(3) Providing oversight for the Department's 
     preparedness, including operational requirements, for 
     biological threats.
       ``(4) Enhancing the capabilities of Federal, State, local, 
     tribal, and territorial governments, and private entities as 
     appropriate, against biological threats.
       ``(5) Supporting and enhancing the effective sharing and 
     use of appropriate information generated by the intelligence 
     community (as such term is defined in section 3(4) of the 
     National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4))), law 
     enforcement agencies, other Federal, State, local, tribal, 
     and territorial governments, and foreign governments, on 
     biological threats.
       ``(6) Achieving a biological detection program.
       ``(7) Maintaining the National Biosurveillance Integration 
     Center, authorized under section 316.''.

     SEC. 5. NUCLEAR DIVISION.

       (a) In General.--Title XXII of the Homeland Security Act of 
     2002, as added by section 2 of this Act and as amended by 
     sections 3 and 4 of this Act, is further amended by adding at 
     the end the following new subtitle:

                     ``Subtitle D--Nuclear Division

     ``SEC. 2231. NUCLEAR DIVISION.

       ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall include within 
     the CBRNE Office the Nuclear Division under title XIX, headed 
     by the Director of the Nuclear Division (in this subtitle 
     referred to as the `Director') pursuant to section 1901.
       ``(b) Mission and Responsibilities.--In addition to the 
     responsibilities specified in title XIX, the Director shall 
     also be responsible for coordinating departmental strategy 
     and policy relating to terrorist attacks and other high-
     consequence events utilizing nuclear or other radiological 
     materials, and for coordinating Federal efforts to detect and 
     protect against the unauthorized importation, possession, 
     storage, transportation, development, or use of a nuclear 
     explosive device, fissile material, or radiological material 
     in the United States, and to protect against an attack using 
     such devices or materials against the people, territory, or 
     interests of the United States, in accordance with title 
     XIX.''.
       (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--Title XIX of the 
     Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended--
       (1) in the title heading, by striking ``DOMESTIC NUCLEAR 
     DETECTION OFFICE'' and inserting ``NUCLEAR DIVISION'';
       (2) in section 1901 (6 U.S.C. 591)--
       (A) in the heading, by striking ``domestic nuclear 
     detection office'' and inserting ``nuclear division'';
       (B) in subsection (a), by striking ``There shall be 
     established in the Department a Domestic Nuclear Detection 
     Office'' and inserting ``There is in the Department a Nuclear 
     Division, located in the CBRNE Office''; and
       (C) in subsection (b), by striking ``Director for Domestic 
     Nuclear Detection, who shall be appointed by the President'' 
     and inserting ``Director of the Nuclear Division'';
       (3) in subsection (a) of section 1902 (6 U.S.C. 592)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
       (i) by inserting after ``responsible for'' the following: 
     ``coordinating departmental strategy and policy relating to 
     terrorist attacks and other high-consequence events utilizing 
     nuclear or other radiological materials, and for''; and
       (ii) by striking ``to protect'' and inserting 
     ``protecting''; and

[[Page 19970]]

       (B) in paragraph (11), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
     (A), by striking ``Domestic Nuclear Detection Office'' and 
     inserting ``Nuclear Division'';
       (4) by repealing section 1903 (6 U.S.C. 593);
       (5) in section 1906 (6 U.S.C. 596)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
       (i) by striking ``Domestic Nuclear Detection'' and 
     inserting ``the Nuclear Division''; and
       (ii) by striking ``paragraphs (6) and (7) of''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``paragraphs (6) and (7) 
     of'';
       (6) in section 1907 (6 U.S.C. 596a)--
       (A) by striking ``Annual'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``Biennial'';
       (B) by striking ``each year'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``every two years'';
       (C) by striking ``previous year'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``previous two years'';
       (D) in the heading of subsection (a), by striking 
     ``Annual'' and inserting ``Biennial''; and
       (E) subsection (b)--
       (i) in the heading, by striking ``Annual'' and inserting 
     ``Biennial'';
       (ii) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``odd-numbered'' after 
     ``each''; and
       (iii) in paragraph (2), by striking ``annual'' and 
     inserting ``biennial''; and
       (7) by adding at the end the following new section:

     ``SEC. 1908. DOMESTIC IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL NUCLEAR 
                   DETECTION ARCHITECTURE.

       ``In carrying out the mission of the Office under 
     subparagraph (A) of section 1902(a)(4), the Director of the 
     Nuclear Division shall provide support for planning, 
     organization, equipment, training, exercises, and operational 
     assessments to Federal, State, local, tribal, and territorial 
     governments to assist such governments in implementing 
     radiological and nuclear detection capabilities in the event 
     of terrorist attacks or other high-consequence events 
     utilizing nuclear or other radiological materials that pose a 
     high risk to homeland security. Such capabilities shall be 
     integrated into the enhanced global nuclear detection 
     architecture referred to in such section 1902(a)(4), and 
     shall inform and be guided by architecture studies, 
     technology needs, and research activities of the Office.''.
       (c) Reference.--Any reference in any law, regulation, or 
     rule to the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office or the Director 
     for Domestic Nuclear Detection of the Department of Homeland 
     Security shall be deemed to be a reference to the Nuclear 
     Division or the Director of the Nuclear Division, 
     respectively, of the Department.

     SEC. 6. EXPLOSIVES DIVISION.

       Title XXII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added 
     by section 2 of this Act and as amended by sections 3, 4, and 
     5 of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the 
     following new subtitle:

                   ``Subtitle E--Explosives Division

     ``SEC. 2241. EXPLOSIVES DIVISION.

       ``(a) Establishment.--There is established within the CBRNE 
     Office an Explosives Division, headed by a Director of the 
     Explosives Division (in this subtitle referred to as the 
     `Director').
       ``(b) Mission and Responsibilities.--The Director shall be 
     responsible for coordinating departmental strategy and policy 
     relating to terrorist attacks and other high-consequence 
     events utilizing explosives that pose a high risk to homeland 
     security, including the following:
       ``(1) Developing and maintaining the Department's strategy 
     against explosives threats.
       ``(2) Serving as the Department representative for 
     explosives threats and related activities with other Federal 
     departments and agencies.
       ``(3) Providing oversight of the Department's preparedness, 
     including operational requirements, for explosives threats.
       ``(4) Enhancing the capabilities of Federal, State, local, 
     tribal, and territorial governments, and private entities as 
     appropriate, to counter terrorist attacks and other high-
     consequence events utilizing explosives.
       ``(5) Evaluating and providing guidance to Federal, State, 
     local, tribal, and territorial governments and appropriate 
     private entities on detection and communication technology 
     that could be effective during terrorist attacks or other 
     high-consequence events utilizing explosives.
       ``(6) Supporting and enhancing the effective sharing and 
     use of appropriate information generated by the intelligence 
     community (as such term is defined in section 3(4) of the 
     National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4))), law 
     enforcement agencies, other Federal, State, local, tribal, 
     and territorial government agencies, and foreign governments, 
     on explosives threats.''.

     SEC. 7. SAVINGS PROVISIONS.

       Nothing in this Act shall change the authority of the 
     Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to 
     lead the emergency management system of the United States. 
     Nothing in this Act shall alter the responsibility of the 
     Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Homeland Security 
     to serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security and the Administrator of the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency on medical and public health 
     issues pursuant to paragraph (1) of section 516(c) of the 
     Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 321e(c)).

     SEC. 8. CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.

       The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland 
     Security Act of 2002 is amended--
       (1) by striking the item relating to title XIX and 
     inserting the following new item:

                    ``TITLE XIX--NUCLEAR DIVISION'';

       (2) by striking the item relating to section 1901 and 
     inserting the following new item:

``Sec. 1901. Nuclear Division.'';

       (3) by striking the item relating to section 1903;
       (4) by adding after the item relating to section 1907 the 
     following new item:

``Sec. 1908. Domestic Implementation of the global nuclear detection 
              architecture.''; and

       (5) by adding at the end the following:

                       ``TITLE XXII--CBRNE OFFICE

    ``Subtitle A--Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and 
                           Explosives Office

``Sec. 2201. Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and 
              Explosives Office.
``Sec. 2202. Composition of the CBRNE Office.
``Sec. 2203. Hiring authority.
``Sec. 2204. Grants, cooperative agreements, and other transactions and 
              contracts.
``Sec. 2205. Terrorism risk assessments.
``Sec. 2206. CBRNE communications and public messaging.
``Sec. 2207. Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and 
              explosives intelligence and information sharing.''.

                    ``Subtitle B--Chemical Division

``Sec. 2211. Chemical Division.
``Sec. 2212. Demonstration projects.''.

                   ``Subtitle C--Biological Division

``Sec. 2221. Biological Division.''.

                     ``Subtitle D--Nuclear Division

``Sec. 2231. Nuclear Division.''.

                   ``Subtitle E--Explosives Division

``Sec. 2241. Explosives Division.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. McCaul) and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill, the Department of 
Homeland Security CBRNE Defense Act of 2015.
  The threat from weapons of mass destruction is real and growing. We 
have seen groups like ISIS make makeshift chemical weapons; and on the 
battlefield last summer, a laptop reportedly retrieved from an ISIS 
hideout in Syria contained plans for weaponizing bubonic plague and 
documents discussing advantages of using biological weapons. They have 
also boasted about plans to smuggle radiological material into the 
United States. With recent FBI stings in places like Moldova, we know 
that there are sellers ready to supply the ingredients for these tools 
of terror, which brings us to the purpose of this legislation before us 
today.
  Mr. Speaker, the Department of Homeland Security must play a leading 
role in defending our homeland from CBRNE threats. Departments and 
agencies across the United States Government have centralized their 
weapons of mass destruction programs to provide clear focal points for 
dealing with this threat. Within the Department of Homeland Security, 
however, leadership, expertise, personnel, and resources related to 
chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats are 
disbursed across numerous organizations within DHS headquarters. By 
consolidating offices within the DHS headquarters with responsibility 
for CBRNE, H.R. 3875 will ensure better coordination within the 
Department and interagency.
  Mr. Speaker, we are living in dangerous times, and we must ensure the 
Federal Government is prepared to address these threats. This bill will 
ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is able to do so.

[[Page 19971]]

  Before I close, I would like to thank Chairmen Shuster and Smith for 
their cooperation in moving this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

         Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of 
           Representatives,
                                 Washington, DC, December 8, 2015.
     Hon. Michael T. McCaul,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Ford House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McCaul: I write concerning H.R. 3875, the 
     ``Department of Homeland Security CBRNE Defense Act of 
     2015''. This legislation includes matters that I believe fall 
     within the rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure.
       In order to expedite Floor consideration of H.R. 3875, the 
     Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure agrees to 
     forgo action on this bill. However, this is conditional on 
     our mutual understanding that forgoing consideration of the 
     bill would not prejudice the Committee with respect to the 
     appointment of conferees or to any future jurisdictional 
     claim over the subject matters contained in the bill or 
     similar legislation that fall within the Committee's rule X 
     jurisdiction.
       I request that you please place a copy of this letter and 
     your response acknowledging our jurisdictional interest into 
     the Congressional Record.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Bill Shuster,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Homeland Security,

                                 Washington, DC, December 8, 2015.
     Hon. Bill Shuster,
     Chairman, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, 
         Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Shuster, Thank you for your interest in H.R. 
     3875, the ``Department of Homeland Security CBRNE Defense Act 
     of 2015.'' I appreciate your cooperation in allowing the bill 
     to move expeditiously under suspension of the House Rules on 
     December 8, 2015. Because your assertion of jurisdictional 
     interest was raised after the report for H.R. 3875 was filed, 
     the Parliamentarians were not able to render an official 
     decision as to any jurisdictional claim the Transportation 
     and Infrastructure Committee may have had.
       I agree that the absence of a decision on this bill will 
     not prejudice any claim the Transportation and Infrastructure 
     Committee may have had, or may have with respect to similar 
     measures in the future.
       A copy of this letter will be entered into the 
     Congressional Record.
           Sincerely,
                                                Michael T. McCaul,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space, 
           and Technology,
                                 Washington, DC, December 8, 2015.
     Hon. Michael McCaul,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning H.R. 3875, the 
     ``Department of Homeland Security CBRNE Defense Act of 
     2015,'' which your Committee reported on November 16, 2015.
       H.R. 3875 contains provisions within the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology's Rule X jurisdiction. As a 
     result of your having consulted with the Committee and in 
     order to expedite this bill for floor consideration, the 
     Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will forego 
     action on the bill. This is being done on the basis of our 
     mutual understanding that doing so will in no way diminish or 
     alter the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, Space, 
     and Technology with respect to the appointment of conferees, 
     or to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject 
     matters contained in the bill or similar legislation.
       I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming 
     this understanding, and would request that you include a copy 
     of this letter and your response in the Congressional Record 
     during the floor consideration of this bill. Thank you in 
     advance for your cooperation.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Lamar Smith,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Homeland Security,

                                 Washington, DC, December 8, 2015.
     Hon. Lamar Smith,
     Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 
         Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Smith, Thank you for your interest in H.R. 
     3875, the ``Department of Homeland Security CBRNE Defense Act 
     of 2015.'' I appreciate your cooperation in allowing the bill 
     to move expeditiously under suspension of the House Rules on 
     December 8, 2015. Because your assertion of jurisdictional 
     interest was raised after the report for H.R. 3875 was filed, 
     the Parliamentarians were not able to render an official 
     decision as to any jurisdictional claim the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology may have had.
       I agree that the absence of a decision on this bill will 
     not prejudice any claim the Committee on Science, Space, and 
     Technology may have had, or may have with respect to similar 
     measures in the future.
       A copy of this letter will be entered into the 
     Congressional Record.
           Sincerely,
                                                Michael T. McCaul,
                                                         Chairman.

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3875, the Department of 
Homeland Security CBRNE Defense Act of 2015.
  Mr. Speaker, we were here 2 days ago, and I said that the American 
people are looking for the homeland to be safe. As I stand here today 
in the backdrop of a recent classified briefing for many Members, I 
again say that the issue of homeland security is not a partisan issue.
  I am very grateful to Mr. McCaul and Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, the 
ranking member, for their bipartisanship and the bipartisanship of this 
committee. Working alongside the other jurisdictional committees--that 
includes my other committee, Judiciary, that has, as their ranking 
member, Mr. Conyers, and chairman, Mr. Goodlatte, and many other 
committees--our commitment should be to secure the American people.
  So, in this instance, pursuant to the fiscal year 2013 Consolidated 
and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, the Department of Homeland 
Security was directed to evaluate its activities related to preventing 
and responding to threats posed by chemical, biological, radiological, 
nuclear, and explosive, CBRNE, weapons and to determine whether there 
were ways to improve coordination of those activities.
  Nearly 2 years later, DHS submitted its report to Congress and 
requested that certain activities and offices within the Department be 
consolidated to create a center of gravity for the DHS CBRNE 
activities.
  H.R. 3875 seeks to implement much of the Department's proposal. In 
particular, the bill would bring the Office of Health Affairs, the 
Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, the Office of Bombing Prevention, 
the chemical and biological risk assessment activities Science and 
Technology Directorate, and staff from the Office of Policy and Office 
of Coordination Operations together in a single office, headed by a new 
assistant secretary.
  I distinctly remember being in some of the meetings and hearings that 
drew about some of these coordinated activities, and I believe the new 
assistant secretary will be a very effective tool for making America 
safer.
  During committee consideration of the measure, the committee accepted 
an amendment authored by Ranking Member Thompson to protect the 
missions of the offices brought together and prevent some of the 
disruption that could be caused by this kind of reorganization.
  The amendment acknowledges that this reorganization will likely 
necessitate new expenditures. For instance, DHS may need to utilize 
retention bonuses to retain highly skilled, much-sought-after nuclear 
and biodefense experts who otherwise would leave DHS because of their 
lowered position and reduced prospects for advancement. I believe we 
should do that.
  Ranking Member Thompson's amendment also protects the role of the 
Chief Medical Officer as a leader within the Department on public 
health and medical issues by preserving the CMO's direct line to the 
Secretary.
  The amendment allows for the establishment of a health division 
within the new office which could serve as a base of operations for the 
Chief Medical Officer's public health activities.
  I might comment very briefly further on this. We have found that we 
live in a situation where, whether it is a natural disaster, but in 
this instance a terrorist situation that comes about, there is 
certainly major need for coordinated health activities that a person 
briefed, informed, and trained under DHS, with the expertise, can give 
to local entities and States.
  For example, a hospital in my community, St. Joseph Medical Center, 
is

[[Page 19972]]

the only hospital in a very intense downtown urban center. We would be 
interested in making sure that all of those health systems work.
  As a nation, we cannot afford to have focus and attention toward the 
CBRNE mission diminished as a result of the unavoidable staff upheaval 
and infighting associated within any organization of this order.
  Accordingly, I am pleased that H.R. 3875, as amended, will help 
bolster the Department's ability to carry out this reorganization 
without diminishing its ability to continue to carry out its CBRNE 
mission.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak in support of H.R. 3875, the 
``Department of Homeland Security CBRNE Defense Act of 2015.''
  As a Senior Member of the Homeland Security Committee, I served as 
Ranking Member of the Border and Maritime Subcommittee during the last 
Congress and in a previous Congress chaired the Subcommittee on 
Transportation Security.
  It is important that the House take up the issue of how the WMD 
programs within the Department of Homeland Security are managed, which 
is why I am an original sponsor of the bill.
  Events over the last Congress make it clear that Congress should be 
even more vigilant in providing for the protection of the United 
States.
  Congress should be mindful of the: United States' leadership in the 
effort to forge an enforceable and verifiable nuclear agreement with 
Iran; deadliness of chemical weapons when they were used during the 
Syrian conflict against unarmed men, women, and children; and arrival 
of Ebola in Dallas, Texas and the cases that were treated around the 
nation.
  The bill authorizes an Office of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, 
Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Defense within the Department of 
Homeland Security (DHS).
  Departments and agencies across the U.S. government have centralized 
their weapons of mass destruction (WMD) defense programs to provide 
clear focal points for dealing with this threat.
  However, DHS responsibilities in the chemical, biological, 
radiological, nuclear, and explosives areas continue to be spread 
across many offices in the Department with varying authorities and 
functions, affecting strategic direction as well as interdepartmental 
and interagency coordination.
  This bill will bring DHS into line with the Defense Department, State 
Department, CIA, and FBI, which each have a lead office or bureau 
charged with defending America against chemical, biological, 
radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) threats.
  This is the result of many years of oversight by the Committee on 
Homeland Security on the Department's management of CBRNE activities.
  The bill authorizes a CBRNE Office, led by a Presidentially-appointed 
Assistant Secretary.
  The bill directs the Secretary to include within the new CBRNE 
Office: the Office of Health Affairs; the Domestic Nuclear Detection 
Office; risk assessment activities and personnel of the Science and 
Technology Directorate; CBRNE activities and personnel of the Office of 
Policy and Operations Coordination and Planning; and the Office for 
Bombing Prevention.
  The bill provides specific responsibilities of the Assistant 
Secretary and needed structure for the management of CBRNE activities.
  DHS provided its proposal for consolidation of CBRNE activities to 
the Committee in June.
  The Subcommittees on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and 
Communications; and Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and 
Security Technologies held a hearing in July on the Department's 
proposal.
  I urge my colleagues on in the House to join me in supporting this 
important step forward.
  Our work is not yet done, but we are creating the groundwork for a 
safer and more resilient WMD deterrent, detection, and remediation 
federal homeland effort.
  I appreciate the Homeland Security Committee's interest in my bill 
H.R. 85, Terrorism Prevention and Critical Infrastructure Protection 
Act.
  Like Chairman McCaul, and Ranking Member Thompson, I regard securing 
our nation's critical infrastructure from terrorist threats as a top 
national and homeland security priority.
  I share the understanding regarding how important it is to draft 
legislation that addresses the cyber threat posed by computer viruses 
and worms designed to destroy or cripple industrial control systems 
that sustain critical infrastructure is a serious challenge.


                        recommendation: support

  Fixing a Broken Bureaucracy--H.R. 3875 increases transparency and 
accountability at DHS by bringing the Department's fragmented WMD 
defense programs under one roof and putting a lead official in charge.
  Most security agencies (the Defense Department, State Department, 
CIA, and FBI) have a lead office or bureau charged with using their 
resources to defend America against chemical, biological, radiological, 
nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) threats.
  But DHS does not--its WMD defense programs are scattered across 
multiple offices, a fractured approach that weakens our ability to 
confront these dangers on the frontlines.
  The disorganization creates inefficiency, generates confusion about 
who is in charge at DHS, makes interagency collaboration more 
difficult, and drives away top talent.
  The CBRNE Defense Act combines six separate offices and programs into 
one central CBRNE Office at DHS headquarters, led by a senior official 
who reports directly to the Secretary.
  Elevating a Critical Mission--H.R. 3875 creates a stronger, unified 
office equipped to keep the nation safe from WMD threats, and it 
ensures these issues will always stay on the Department's ``front 
burner.''
  America faces persistent risk from terrorists and rogue states that 
want to threaten our people with weapons of mass destruction.
  But under the current structure at DHS, important WMD defense efforts 
can get lost in the bureaucratic noise.
  By consolidating these programs, the legislation will keep WMD 
challenges on the radar of top officials.
  It will also allow DHS to conduct its CBRNE activities more 
strategically and effectively.
  Streamlining Government--H.R. 3875 helps prevent taxpayer dollars 
from being wasted--and aims to reduce overlap and duplication wherever 
possible.
  Hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent on failed 
CBRNE programs at DHS that were ill-planned and lacked effective 
oversight and management.
  This legislation ensures DHS programs for combating WMD threats will 
be better coordinated and more closely monitored at the highest levels 
of the Department.
  The bill simplifies the Secretary's ability to oversee the 
Department's WMD defense activities by consolidating standalone offices 
and streamlining the reporting structure.
  I also creates the possibility of long-term savings by allowing the 
merged offices to combine their administrative functions.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers. If the gentlewoman 
from Texas has no further speakers, I am prepared to close once the 
gentlewoman does.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman very much for his 
leadership. I do not have any further speakers, but I would like to 
close and thank the committee as well for considering a bill that is 
now being reviewed--I want to thank the committee--H.R. 85, Terrorism 
Prevention and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act, which I hope 
contributes to all of our discussions about securing America.
  This bill, Mr. Speaker, in particular, H.R. 3875, would consolidate 
important CBRNE activities within the Department of Homeland Security. 
I am hopeful that this reorganization will improve DHS' ability to 
carry out its mission in this space.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, the diversity in the terrorist landscape is 
unprecedented. There are actors with aspirations to hit Western targets 
with deadly conventional weapons. There are also actors that are 
actively seeking to secure radiological and other nonconventional 
weaponry to exact maximum death, destruction, and chaos.
  The Department of Homeland Security, first established after 9/11, 
has been designated and dictated to by the American people to keep them 
safe. It has an important role to play to address these threats. It is 
my great hope that this reorganization will help DHS take its CBRNE 
efforts to the next level.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, let me first thank my colleagues on the other side of 
the aisle, Ms. Jackson Lee and Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, for their 
coordination on this bill. I think this committee, probably more than 
any other one, has operated in a very bipartisan fashion. I am proud of 
that, as a chairman. I think in matters of national security, that is 
how we should operate,

[[Page 19973]]

to reach across the aisle to get good things done for the American 
people to make them safer. So let me just say thank you for that.
  I don't have to remind you, Mr. Speaker, the threats are real out 
there. We got a classified briefing on San Bernardino, the pipe bombs 
that were manufactured. In Dabiq Magazine, ISIS' latest publication, 
they discuss the ease with which to move a nuclear device through 
transnational criminal organizations into the Western Hemisphere: 
through Mexico and across our southwest border. That is precisely the 
kind of threat that this bill is designed to stop.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 3875, 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.

                          ____________________