[House Report 114-907]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Union Calendar No. 718
114th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 114-907
_______________________________________________________________________
REPORT ON LEGISLATIVE AND OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
of the
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND
SECURITY
together with
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH CONGRESS
second session
(Pursuant to House Rule XI, 1(d))
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
January 3, 2017.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
LEGISLATIVE AND OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY
114th Congress
Union Calendar No. 718
114th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 114-907
_______________________________________________________________________
REPORT ON LEGISLATIVE AND OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
of the
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND
SECURITY
together with
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH CONGRESS
second session
(Pursuant to House Rule XI, 1(d))
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
January 3, 2017.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_________
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
23-222 WASHINGTON : 2017
COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY
MICHAEL T. McCAUL, Texas, Chairman
LAMAR SMITH, Texas BENNIE G. THOMPSON, Mississippi
PETER T. KING, New York LORETTA SANCHEZ, California
MIKE ROGERS, Alabama SHEILA JACKSON LEE, Texas
CANDICE S. MILLER, Michigan, Vice JAMES R. LANGEVIN, Rhode Island
Chair BRIAN HIGGINS, New York
JEFF DUNCAN, South Carolina CEDRIC L. RICHMOND, Louisiana
TOM MARINO, Pennsylvania WILLIAM R. KEATING, Massachusetts
LOU BARLETTA, Pennsylvania DONALD M. PAYNE, Jr., New Jersey
SCOTT PERRY, Pennsylvania FILEMON VELA, Texas
CURT CLAWSON, Florida BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN, New Jersey
JOHN KATKO, New York KATHLEEN M. RICE, New York
WILL HURD, Texas NORMA J. TORRES, California
EARL L. ``BUDDY'' CARTER, Georgia
MARK WALKER, North Carolina
BARRY LOUDERMILK, Georgia
MARTHA McSALLY, Arizona
JOHN RATCLIFFE, Texas
DANIEL M. DONOVAN, Jr., New York
Brendan P. Shields, Staff Director
Joan V. O'Hara, General Counsel
Michael S. Twinchek, Chief Clerk
I. Lanier Avant, Minority Staff Director
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
----------
House of Representatives,
Committee on Homeland Security,
Washington, DC, January 3, 2017.
Hon. Karen L. Haas,
Clerk of the House of Representatives,
The Capitol, Washington, DC.
Dear Ms. Haas: Pursuant to Rule X and clause 1(d)(1) of
Rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, attached,
please find the report of the legislative and oversight
activities of the Committee on Homeland Security during the
114th Congress.
Sincerely,
Michael T. McCaul,
Chairman.
Union Calendar No. 718
114th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 114-907
======================================================================
LEGISLATIVE AND OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND
SECURITY
114TH CONGRESS
_______
January 3, 2017.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. McCaul, from the Committee on Homeland Security, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
together with
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
Overview
The Committee on Homeland Security met on January 21, 2015,
for an organizational meeting for the 114th Congress under the
direction of Chairman Michael T. McCaul of Texas. The Committee
Membership, was set at 30 Members; with 18 Republicans, and 12
Democrats.
The Committee established six Subcommittees: The
Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence; the
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security; the Subcommittee
on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security
Technologies; the Subcommittee on Oversight and Management
Efficiency; the Subcommittee on Transportation Security; and
the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications.
CONTENTS
Page
Jurisdiction and Legislative History............................. 3
Membership and Organization...................................... 9
History of the Committee on Homeland Security.................... 13
Full Committee
Legislative Activities....................................... 26
Oversight Activities......................................... 147
Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence
Legislative Activities....................................... 165
Oversight Activities......................................... 172
Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency
Legislative Activities....................................... 185
Oversight Activities......................................... 193
Subcommittee on Transportation Security
Legislative Activities....................................... 215
Oversight Activities......................................... 235
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security
Legislative Activities....................................... 247
Oversight Activities......................................... 265
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and
Security Technologies
Legislative Activities....................................... 277
Oversight Activities......................................... 292
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications
Legislative Activities....................................... 301
Oversight Activities......................................... 318
Committee Oversight Plan
Part A, Oversight Plan As Agreed to.......................... 337
Part B, Implementation of the Oversight Plan................. 350
Appendices
Appendix I--Committee Rules.................................. 365
Appendix II--Membership Changes to the Committee............. 375
Appendix III--List of Public Laws............................ 383
Appendix IV--Committee Legislative Reports................... 387
Appendix V--Status of Legislation Referred to the Committee.. 397
Appendix VI--Executive Communications, Memorials, and
Presidential Messages...................................... 413
Appendix VII--Committee Staff................................ 417
Appendix VIII--Witnesses..................................... 421
Appendix IX--Printed Hearings................................ 445
Appendix X--Committee Prints................................. 453
Appendix XI--Summary of Committee Activities................. 455
Additional Views................................................. 457
Jurisdiction and Legislative History
A provision for the establishment of a Committee on
Homeland Security was included in H. Res. 5, the Rules of the
House of Representatives for the 114th Congress, agreed to on
January 3, 2015. The jurisdiction of the Committee is as
follows:
HOUSE RULE X
ORGANIZATION OF COMMITTEES
Committees and their legislative jurisdictions
1. There shall be in the House the following standing committees,
each of which shall have the jurisdiction and related functions
assigned by this clause and clauses 2, 3, and 4. All bills,
resolutions, and other matters relating to subjects within the
jurisdiction of the standing committees listed in this clause shall be
referred to those committees, in accordance with clause 2 of rule XII,
as follows:
(I) Committee on Homeland Security
(1) Overall homeland security policy.
(2) Organization, administration, and general management of the
Department of Homeland Security.
(3) Functions of the Department of Homeland Security relating to
the following:
(A) Border and port security (except immigration policy and non-
border enforcement).
(B) Customs (except customs revenue).
(C) Integration, analysis, and dissemination of homeland
security information.
(D) Domestic preparedness for and collective response to
terrorism.
(E) Research and development.
(F) Transportation security.
General oversight responsibilities
2. (a) The various standing committees shall have general
oversight responsibilities as provided in paragraph (b) in order to
assist the House in--
(1) its analysis, appraisal, and evaluation of--
(A) the application, administration, execution, and
effectiveness of Federal laws; and
(B) conditions and circumstances that may indicate the necessity
or desirability of enacting new or additional legislation; and
(2) its formulation, consideration, and enactment of changes in
Federal laws, and of such additional legislation as may be necessary or
appropriate.
(b)(1) In order to determine whether laws and programs addressing
subjects within the jurisdiction of a committee are being implemented
and carried out in accordance with the intent of Congress and whether
they should be continued, curtailed, or eliminated, each standing
committee (other than the Committee on Appropriations) shall review and
study on a continuing basis--
(A) the application, administration, execution, and
effectiveness of laws and programs addressing subjects within its
jurisdiction;
(B) the organization and operation of Federal agencies and
entities having responsibilities for the administration and execution
of laws and programs addressing subjects within its jurisdiction;
(C) any conditions or circumstances that may indicate the
necessity or desirability of enacting new or additional legislation
addressing subjects within its jurisdiction (whether or not a bill or
resolution has been introduced with respect thereto); and
(D) future research and forecasting on subjects within its
jurisdiction.
(2) Each committee to which subparagraph (1) applies having more
than 20 members shall establish an oversight subcommittee, or require
its subcommittees to conduct oversight in their respective
jurisdictions, to assist in carrying out its responsibilities under
this clause. The establishment of an oversight subcommittee does not
limit the responsibility of a subcommittee with legislative
jurisdiction in carrying out its oversight responsibilities.
(c) Each standing committee shall review and study on a continuing
basis the impact or probable impact of tax policies affecting subjects
within its jurisdiction as described in clauses 1 and 3.
(d)(1) Not later than February 15 of the first session of a
Congress, each standing committee shall, in a meeting that is open to
the public and with a quorum present, adopt its oversight plan for that
Congress. Such plan shall be submitted simultaneously to the Committee
on Oversight and Government Reform and to the Committee on House
Administration. In developing its plan each committee shall, to the
maximum extent feasible--
(A) consult with other committees that have jurisdiction over
the same or related laws, programs, or agencies within its jurisdiction
with the objective of ensuring maximum coordination and cooperation
among committees when conducting reviews of such laws, programs, or
agencies and include in its plan an explanation of steps that have been
or will be taken to ensure such coordination and cooperation;
(B) review specific problems with Federal rules, regulations,
statutes, and court decisions that are ambiguous, arbitrary, or
nonsensical, or that impose severe financial burdens on individuals;
(C) give priority consideration to including in its plan the
review of those laws, programs, or agencies operating under permanent
budget authority or permanent statutory authority;
(D) have a view toward ensuring that all significant laws,
programs, or agencies within its jurisdiction are subject to review
every 10 years;
(E) have a view toward insuring against duplication of Federal
programs; and
(F) include proposals to cut or eliminate programs, including
mandatory spending programs, that are inefficient, duplicative,
outdated, or more appropriately administered by State or local
governments.
(2) Not later than March 31 in the first session of a Congress,
after consultation with the Speaker, the Majority Leader, and the
Minority Leader, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform shall
report to the House the oversight plans submitted by committees
together with any recommendations that it, or the House leadership
group described above, may make to ensure the most effective
coordination of oversight plans and otherwise to achieve the objectives
of this clause.
(e) The Speaker, with the approval of the House, may appoint
special ad hoc oversight committees for the purpose of reviewing
specific matters within the jurisdiction of two or more standing
committees.
Special oversight functions
3. (g)(1) The Committee on Homeland Security shall review and
study on a continuing basis all Government activities relating to
homeland security, including the interaction of all departments and
agencies with the Department of Homeland Security.
(2) In addition, the committee shall review and study on a
primary and continuing basis all Government activities, programs and
organizations related to homeland security that fall within its primary
legislative jurisdiction.
__________
Legislative History to Accompany Changes to Rule X
[Congressional Record, January 4, 2005, Page H25]
Rule X and the Committee on Homeland Security
Legislative History
Overall homeland security policy--The jurisdiction of the Committee
on Homeland Security over ``overall homeland security policy'' is to be
interpreted on a government-wide or multi-agency basis similar to the
Committee on Government Reform's jurisdiction over ``overall economy,
efficiency, and management of government operations and activities. . .
.'' Surgical addresses of homeland security policy in sundry areas of
jurisdiction occupied by other committees would not be referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security on the basis of ``overall'' homeland
security policy jurisdiction.
For example, the Committee on Homeland Security shall have
jurisdiction over a bill coordinating the homeland security efforts by
all of the critical infrastructure protection sectors. Jurisdiction
over a bill addressing the protection of a particular sector would lie
with the committee otherwise having jurisdiction over that sector.
Organization and administration of the Department of Homeland
Security--The jurisdiction of the Committee on Homeland Security would
apply only to organizational or administrative aspects of the
Department where another committee's jurisdiction did not clearly
apply. The Committee's jurisdiction is to be confined to organizational
and administrative efforts and would not apply to programmatic efforts
within the Department of Homeland Security within the jurisdiction of
other committees.
Homeland Security Oversight--This would vest the Committee on
Homeland Security with oversight jurisdiction over the homeland
security community of the United States. Nothing in this clause shall
be construed as prohibiting or otherwise restricting the authority of
any other committee to study and review homeland security activities to
the extent that such activity directly affects a matter otherwise
within the jurisdiction of that committee.
Individual Committee Concerns
Agriculture--The jurisdiction of the Committee on Homeland Security
over ``border and port security'' shall be limited to agricultural
importation and entry inspection activities of the Department of
Homeland Security under section 421 of the Homeland Security Act of
2002. The Committee on Agriculture shall retain jurisdiction over
animal and plant disease policy including the authority reserved to the
Department of Agriculture to regulate policy under section 421 of the
Homeland Security Act of 2002, and the Animal Health Protection Act,
the Plant Protection Act, the Plant Quarantine Act, and the Agriculture
Quarantine Inspection User Fee Account. The Committee on Agriculture
shall retain jurisdiction over the agricultural research and diagnosis
mission at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center.
Armed Services--The Committee on Armed Services shall retain
jurisdiction over warfighting, the military defense of the United
States, and other military activities, including any military response
to terrorism, pursuant to section 876 of the Homeland Security Act of
2002.
Energy and Commerce--The Committee on Homeland Security shall have
jurisdiction over measures that address the Department of Homeland
Security's activities for domestic preparedness and collective response
to terrorism. The words ``to terrorism'' require a direct relation to
terrorism. The Committee on Homeland Security's jurisdiction over
``collective response to terrorism'' means that it shall receive
referrals of bills addressing the Department of Homeland Security's
responsibilities for, and assistance to, first responders as a whole.
The Committee on Energy and Commerce (and other relevant committees)
shall retain their jurisdiction over bills addressing the separate
entities that comprise the first responders. For example, the Committee
on Energy and Commerce shall retain its jurisdiction over a bill
directing the Department of Health and Human Services to train
emergency medical personnel.
Financial Services--The Committee on Financial Services shall
retain jurisdiction over the National Flood Insurance Program and
Emergency Food and Shelter Program of FEMA, and the Defense Production
Act. The Committee on Financial Services shall retain its jurisdiction
over the anti-money laundering, terrorist financing, and anti-
counterfeiting activities within the Department of the Treasury and the
financial regulators.
Government Reform--The Committee on Homeland Security shall have
jurisdiction over ``the organization and administration of the
Department of Homeland Security.'' The Committee on Government Reform
shall retain jurisdiction over federal civil service, the overall
economy, efficiency, and management of government operations and
activities, including Federal procurement, and federal paperwork
reduction. The Committee on Government Reform shall retain jurisdiction
over government-wide information management efforts including the
Federal Information Security Management Act. The Committee on Homeland
Security shall have jurisdiction over integration, analysis, and
dissemination of homeland security information by the Department of
Homeland Security, and the Committee on Government Reform shall retain
jurisdiction over measures addressing public information and records
generally including the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act.
The Committee on Government Reform shall have jurisdiction over the
policy coordination responsibilities of the Office of Counternarcotics
Enforcement.
Intelligence--The Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence shall
retain jurisdiction over the intelligence and intelligence-related
activities of all departments and agencies of the Federal Government,
including the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the
National Counterterrorism Center as defined in the Intelligence Reform
and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004.
Judiciary--The Committee on the Judiciary shall retain jurisdiction
over immigration policy and non-border enforcement of the immigration
laws. Its jurisdiction over immigration policy shall include matters
such as the immigration and naturalization process, numbers of aliens
(including immigrants and non-immigrants) allowed, classifications and
lengths of allowable stay, the adjudication of immigration petitions
and the requirements for the same, the domestic adjudication of
immigration petitions and applications submitted to the Department of
Labor or the Department of Homeland Security and setting policy with
regard to visa issuance and acceptance. Its jurisdiction over non-
border enforcement shall be limited to those aspects of immigration
enforcement not associated with the immediate entry of individuals into
the country, including those aspects of the Bureau of Immigration and
Customs Enforcement. The Committee on Homeland Security shall have
jurisdiction over border and port security including the immigration
responsibilities of inspectors at ports of entry and the border patrol.
As used in the new Rule X(1)(l)(9) and this legislative history, the
word ``immigration'' shall be construed to include ``naturalization''
and no substantive change is intended by the new rule's not containing
the word ``naturalization.''
Science--The Committee on Science shall retain some jurisdiction
over the research and development activities of the Department of
Homeland Security as such matters are incidental to the Committee on
Science's existing jurisdiction (except where those activities are in
the jurisdiction of another committee).
Transportation and Infrastructure--The Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure shall retain jurisdiction over the Coast Guard.
However, the Committee on Homeland Security has jurisdiction over port
security, and some Coast Guard responsibilities in that area will fall
within the jurisdiction of both committees. Jurisdiction over emergency
preparedness will be split between the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure and the Committee on Homeland Security. The Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure shall retain its jurisdiction under
clause 1(r)(2) over ``federal management of emergencies and natural
disasters.'' This means that the committee retains its general
jurisdiction over the emergency preparedness and response operations of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Bills addressing FEMA's
general preparation for disaster from any cause shall be referred to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The Committee on
Homeland Security shall have jurisdiction over the Department of
Homeland Security's responsibilities with regard to emergency
preparedness only as they relate to acts of terrorism. Thus, the
Committee on Homeland Security shall have jurisdiction over the
responsibilities of the Office for Domestic Preparedness, in accordance
with section 430 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.
As indicated earlier, the Committee on Homeland Security's
jurisdiction over ``collective response to terrorism'' means that it
would receive referrals of bills addressing the Department of Homeland
Security's responsibilities for, and assistance to, first responders as
a whole and not over measures addressing first responder communities
individually.
The Committee on Homeland Security shall have jurisdiction over the
functions of the Department of Homeland Security relating to
transportation security, while the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure shall retain its jurisdiction over transportation
safety. In general, the Committee on Homeland Security would have
jurisdiction over bills addressing the Transportation Security
Administration and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
would have jurisdiction over bills addressing the various entities
within the Department of Transportation having responsibility for
transportation safety, such as the Federal Aviation Administration and
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The jurisdiction of
the Committee on Homeland Security does not include expenditures from
trust funds under the jurisdiction of other committees, including but
not limited to the Highway Trust Fund, the Airport and Airway Trust
Fund, the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, the Federal Buildings Fund,
and the Inland Waterways Trust Fund.
Ways and Means--The jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means
over ``customs revenue'' is intended to include those functions
contemplated in section 412(b)(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002
and includes those functions as carried out in collection districts and
ports of entry and delivery.
__________
Memorandum of Understanding Between the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure and the Committee on Homeland Security
[Congressional Record, H15, January 4, 2007]
On January 4, 2005, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted H.
Res. 5, establishing the Rules of the House for the 109th Congress.
Section 2(a) established the Committee on Homeland Security as a
standing committee of the House of Representatives with specific
legislative jurisdiction under House Rule X. A legislative history to
accompany the changes to House Rule X was inserted in the Congressional
Record on January 4, 2005.
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the
Committee on Homeland Security (hereinafter ``Committees'') jointly
agree to the January 4, 2005 legislative history as the authoritative
source of legislative history of section 2(a) of H. Res. 5 with the
following two clarifications.
First, with regard to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's,
FEMA, emergency preparedness and response programs, the Committee on
Homeland Security has jurisdiction over the Department of Homeland
Security's responsibilities with regard to emergency preparedness and
collective response only as they relate to terrorism. However, in light
of the federal emergency management reforms that were enacted as title
VI of Public Law 109(295, a bill amending FEMA's all-hazards emergency
preparedness programs that necessarily addresses FEMA's terrorism
preparedness programs would be referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure; in addition, the Committee on
Homeland Security would have a jurisdictional interest in such bill.
Nothing in this Memorandum of Understanding affects the jurisdiction of
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and the Federal
Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974.
Second, with regard to port security, the Committee on Homeland
Security has jurisdiction over port security, and some Coast Guard
responsibilities in that area fall within the jurisdiction of both
Committees. A bill addressing the activities, programs, assets, and
personnel of the Coast Guard as they relate to port security and non-
port security missions would be referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure; in addition, the Committee on
Homeland Security would have a jurisdictional interest in such bill.
This Memorandum of Understanding between the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Homeland
Security provides further clarification to the January 4, 2005
legislative history of the jurisdiction of the Committees only with
regard to these two specific issues. The Memorandum does not address
any other issues and does not affect the jurisdiction of other
committees.
James L. Oberstar
Chairman-designate,
Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure
Bennie G. Thompson
Chairman-designate,
Committee on Homeland Security
__________
Changes to the Standing Rules
Section-By-Section Analysis
113th Congress
[Congressional Record, H12 January 3, 2013]
Clarifications in Rule X. Subsection (c) makes two clarifications
with respect to clause 1 of rule X. Paragraph (1) clarifies that the
Committee on Homeland Security's jurisdiction includes the general
management of the Department of Homeland Security. This change is
intended to clarify the Committee's existing jurisdiction over the
organization and administration of the department, and is not intended
to alter the pattern of bill referrals to the Committee on Homeland
Security, nor is it intended to alter the existing oversight
jurisdiction of the Committee on Homeland Security. Paragraph (2)
conforms terminology used in the Committee on Natural Resources
jurisdiction to terminology recognized by the Departments of State and
Interior.
Membership and Organization of the Committee on Homeland Security
(18-12)
COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY
Michael T. McCaul, Texas, Chairman
Lamar Smith, Texas
Peter T. King, New York
Mike Rogers, Alabama
Candice S. Miller, Michigan
Jeff Duncan, South Carolina
Tom Marino, Pennsylvania
Lou Barletta, Pennsylvania
Scott Perry, Pennsylvania
Curt Clawson, Florida
John Katko, New York
Will Hurd, Texas
Earl L. ``Buddy'' Carter, Georgia
Mark Walker, North Carolina
Barry Loudermilk, Georgia
Martha McSally, Arizona
John Ratcliffe, Texas
Daniel M. Donovan, Jr., New York Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
Loretta Sanchez, California
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas
James R. Langevin, Rhode Island
Brian Higgins, New York
Cedric L. Richmond, Louisiana
William R. Keating, Massachusetts
Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey
Filemon Vela, Texas
Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey
Kathleen M. Rice, New York
Norma J. Torres, California
__________
Appointment of Mr. Michael T. McCaul as Chair, and Mr.
Bennie G. Thompson of Mississippi as Ranking Minority Member on
January 6, 2015, pursuant to H. Res. 6 and H. Res. 7,
respectively.
Appointment of Majority and Minority Members to the
Committee on January 13, 2015, pursuant to H. Res. 29 and H.
Res. 30, respectively.
Mr. Steven M. Palazzo of Mississippi resigned as a Member
of the Committee on Homeland Security on March 24, 2015. (Cong.
Rec. H1855).
Mr. Patrick Meehan of Pennsylvania was elected to the
Committee on April 14, 2015, pursuant to H. Res. 199.
Mr. Patrick Meehan of Pennsylvania resigned as a Member of
the Committee on May 19, 2015. (Cong. Rec. H3318).
Mr. Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. of New York was elected to the
Committee on May 19, 2015, pursuant to H. Res. 272.
----------
SUBCOMMITTEE ON COUNTERTERRORISM AND INTELLIGENCE
Peter T. King, New York, Chairman
Candice S. Miller, Michigan
Lou Barletta, Pennsylvania
John Katko, New York
Will Hurd, Texas
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Brian Higgins, New York
William R. Keating, Massachusetts
Filemon Vela, Texas
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY
Scott Perry, Pennsulvania, Chairman
Jeff Duncan, South Carolina
Curt Clawson, Florida
Earl L. ``Buddy'' Carter, Georgia
Barry Loudermilk, Georgia
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey
Cedric L. Richmond, Louisiana
Norma J. Torres, California
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION SECURITY
John Katko, New York, Chairman
Mike Rogers, Alabama
Earl L. ``Buddy'' Carter, Georgia
Mark Walker, North Carolina
John Ratcliffe, Texas
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Kathleen M. Rice, New York
William R. Keating, Massachusetts
Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON BORDER AND MARITIME SECURITY
Martha McSally, Arizona, Chairman
Lamar Smith, Texas
Mike Rogers, Alabama
Candice S. Miller, Michgan
Jeff Duncan, South Carolina
Lou Barletta, Pennsylvania
Will Hurd, Texas
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Filemon Vela, Texas
Loretta Sanchez, California
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas
Brian Higgins, New York
Norma J. Torres, California
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON CYBERSECURITY, INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION, AND SECURITY
TECHNOLOGIES
John Ratcliffe, Texas, Chairman
Peter T. King, New York
Tom Marino, Pennsylvania
Scott Perry, Pennsylvania
Curt Clawson, Florida
Daniel M. Donovan, Jr., New York
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Cedric L. Richmond, Louisiana
Loretta Sanchez, California
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas
James R. Langevin, Rhode Island
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND COMMUNICATIONS
Daniel M. Donovan, Jr., New York, Chairman
Tom Marino, Pennsylvania
Mark Walker, North Carolina
Barry Loudermilk, Georgia
Martha McSally, Arizona
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey
Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey
Kathleen M. Rice, New York
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
Task Force on
Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel
(March 2--September 2, 2015)
John Katko, New York,
Republican Lead
Will Hurd, Texas
Barry Loudermilk, Georgia
Martha McSally, Arizona
John Ratcliffe, Texas Loretta Sanchez, California,
Democratic Lead
Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey
Filemon Vela, Texas
HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY
Select Committees on Homeland Security
107th Congress
In the 107th Congress, the House Select Committee on
Homeland Security was established on June 19, 2002, pursuant to
H. Res.449 (adopted by voice vote).
The Committee was composed of nine Members of the House:
Mr. Richard ``Dick'' Armey of Texas, Chairman; Mr. Thomas DeLay
of Texas; Mr. Julius Caesar ``J.C.'' Watts of Oklahoma;
Ms.Deborah Pryce of Ohio; Mr. Robert Portman of Ohio; Ms.Nancy
Pelosi of California; Mr. Jonas Martin Frost of Texas; Mr.
Robert Menendez of New Jersey; and Ms.Rosa L. DeLauro of
Connecticut.
The mandate of the Select Committee in the 107th Congress
was to ``develop recommendations and report to the House on
such matters that relate to the establishment of a department
of homeland security.'' The Select Committee accomplished its
mandate on November 22, 2002, when the House concurred in the
Senate amendment to H.R.5005, a bill establishing the
Department of Homeland Security, by unanimous consent, and
cleared H.R.5005 for the President. The bill was presented to
the President on November 22, 2002, and was signed on November
25, 2002, becoming Public Law 107-296.
The termination date of the House Select Committee on
Homeland Security was ``after final disposition of a bill [ . .
. ] including final disposition of any veto message on such
bill,'' which occurred on November 25, 2002.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Law Title Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pub. L. 107-296................. The Homeland H.R.5005
Security Act of
2002..
------------------------------------------------------------------------
108th Congress
The second House Select Committee on Homeland Security was
established in the 108th Congress on January 7, 2003, pursuant
to provisions of H. Res.5 (adopted by a recorded vote of 221
yeas and 203 nays).
The Membership of the Select Committee was established on
February 12, 2003, as: Mr. Christopher Cox of California,
Chairman; Ms.Jennifer Dunn of Washington; Mr. William ``Bill''
Young of Florida; Mr. Donald ``Don'' Young of Alaska; Mr. F.
James Sensenbrenner, Jr. of Wisconsin; Mr. Wilbert Joseph
``Billy'' Tauzin of Louisiana; Mr. David Dreier of California;
Mr. Duncan Hunter of California; Mr.Harold Rogers of Kentucky;
Mr. Sherwood Boehlert of New York; Mr. Lamar Smith of Texas;
Mr.Wayne Curtis ``Curt'' Weldon of Pennsylvania; Mr.
Christopher Shays of Connecticut; Mr. Porter J. Goss of
Florida; Mr. David Camp of Michigan; Mr.Lincoln Diaz-Balart of
Florida; Mr. Robert W. Goodlatte of Virginia; Mr. Ernest James
Istook, Jr. of Oklahoma; Mr. Peter T. King of New York; Mr.
John E. Linder of Georgia; Mr. John B. Shadegg of Arizona; Mr.
Mark E. Souder of Indiana; Mr. William McClellan ``Mac''
Thornberry of Texas; Mr. James A. Gibbons of Nevada; Ms.Kay
Granger of Texas; Mr. Pete Sessions of Texas; Mr. John E.
Sweeney of New York; Mr. Jim Turner of Texas; Mr. Bennie G.
Thompson of Mississippi; Ms.Loretta Sanchez of California; Mr.
Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts; Mr. Norman D. Dicks of
Washington; Mr. Barney Frank of Massachusetts; Ms.Jane Harman
of California; Mr. Benjamin L. Cardin of Maryland; Ms.Louise M.
Slaughter of New York; Mr. Peter A. DeFazio of Oregon; Mrs.Nita
M. Lowey of New York; Mr. Robert E. Andrews of New Jersey;
Ms.Eleanor Holmes Norton, a Delegate from the District of
Columbia; Ms.Zoe Lofgren of California; Ms.Karen McCarthy of
Missouri; Ms.Shiela Jackson Lee of Texas; Mr.William ``Bill''
Pascrell, Jr. of New Jersey; Mrs.Donna M. Christensen, a
Delegate from the U.S.Virgin Islands; Mr. Bobby ``Bob''
Etheridge of North Carolina; Mr.Charles Gonzalez of Texas; Mr.
Ken Lucas of Kentucky; Mr. James R. Langevin of Rhode Island;
and Mr. Kendrick B. Meek of Florida.
The Select Committee was authorized to develop
recommendations and report to the House by bill or otherwise on
such matters that relate to the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Public Law 107-296) as may be referred to it by the Speaker,
and was charged with reviewing and studying on a continuing
basis laws, programs, and Government activities relating to
homeland security. In addition, the Select Committee was
directed to conduct a thorough and complete study of the
operation and implementation of the Rules of the House,
including Rule X, with respect to the issue of homeland
security, and submit its recommendations regarding any changes
in the Rules of the House to the Committee on Rules not later
than September 30, 2004.
On September 30, 2004, the Select Committee on Homeland
Security submitted its recommendations on jurisdictional
changes to the Rules of the House of Representatives to the
Committee on Rules.
The Committee had six measures signed into law during the
108th Congress:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Law Title Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pub. L. 108-136................. National Defense H.R.1588\1\
Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year
2004..
Pub. L. 108-268................. To provide for the H.R.4332
transfer of the
Nebraska Avenue
Naval Complex in
the District of
Columbia to
facilitate the
establishment of
the headquarters
for the
Department of
Homeland
Security, to
provide for the
acquisition by
the Department of
the Navy of
suitable
replacement
facilities..
Pub. L. 108-276................. Project BioShield S.15
Act of 2004.. (H.R.2122)
Pub. L. 108-293................. Coast Guard and H.R.2443
Maritime
Transportation
Act of 2004..
Pub. L. 108-330................. Department of H.R.4259
Homeland Security
Financial
Accountability
Act..
Pub. L. 108-458................. Intelligence S.2845
Reform and (H.R.5223)
Terrorism
Prevention Act of
2004..
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Indicates measures which were not referred directly to the Committee
on Homeland Security.
Pursuant to H.Res. 5, the Select Committee terminated on
January 2, 2005, with the expiration of the 108th Congress.
Committee on Homeland Security
109th Congress
The 109th Congress marked the first Congress for the
standing Committee on Homeland Security. During the two
previous Congresses, the House of Representatives established
separate Select Committees on Homeland Security: the first - to
establish the Department of Homeland Security, the second - to
monitor the initial activities of the Department and to examine
the need for a standing committee in the House with
jurisdictional authority over matters relating to the issue of
homeland security.
The Committee on Homeland Security was established as a
standing Committee of the House with the passage of H.Res. 5,
on January 4, 2005. The resolution was adopted by a recorded
vote of 220 yeas and 195 nays.
The Committee Membership was set at 34 Members with 19
Republicans and 15 Democrats. The following Members were
appointed to the Committee on Homeland Security for all or part
of the Congress: Mr.Christopher Cox of California; Mr.Peter T.
King of New York; Mr.Don Young of Alaska; Mr.Lamar S.Smith of
Texas; Mr.Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania; Mr.Christopher Shays of
Connecticut; Mr.John Linder of Georgia; Mr.Mark E. Souder of
Indiana; Mr.Tom Davis of Virginia; Mr.Daniel E. Lungren of
California; Mr.Jim Gibbons of Nevada; Mr.Rob Simmons of
Connecticut; Mr.Mike Rogers of Alabama; Mr.Stevan Pearce of New
Mexico; Ms.Katherine Harris of Florida; Mr.Bobby Jindal of
Louisiana; Mr.David G. Reichert of Washington; Mr.Michael T.
McCaul of Texas; Mr.Charles W. Dent of Pennsylvania; Ms.Ginny
Brown-Waite of Florida; Mr.Bennie G. Thompson of Mississippi;
Ms.Loretta Sanchez of California; Mr.Edward J. Markey of
Massachusetts; Mr.Norman D. Dicks of Washington; Ms.Jane Harman
of California; Mr.Peter A. DeFazio of Oregon; Ms.Nita M. Lowey
of New York; Ms.Eleanor Holmes Norton of District of Columbia;
Ms.Zoe Lofgren of California; Ms.Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas;
Mr.Bill Pascrell of Jr., New Jersey; Ms.Donna M. Christensen of
U.S.Virgin Islands; Mr.Bob Etheridge of North Carolina;
Mr.James R. Langevin of Rhode Island; and Mr.Kendrick B. Meek
of Florida.
On February 9, 2005, the Committee on Homeland Security
adopted its Rules, which provided for the establishment of five
Subcommittees. The Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and
Biological Attack; the Subcommittee on Intelligence,
Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment; the
Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection,
and Cybersecurity; the Subcommittee on Management, Integration,
and Oversight; and the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness,
Science, and Technology.
On October 7, 2005, the Committee revised its Rules to
establish a Subcommittee on Investigations.
The Committee had eight measures signed into law during the
109th Congress:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Law Title Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pub. L. 109-13.................. Emergency H.R.1268\2\
Supplemental (H.R.418)
Appropriations
Act for Defense,
the Global War on
Terror, and
Tsunami Relief,
2005..
Pub. L. 109-59.................. Safe, Accountable, H.R.3
Flexible,
Efficient
Transportation
Equity Act: A
Legacy for Users..
Pub. L. 109-163................. National Defense H.R.1815
Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year
2006..
Pub. L. 109-241................. Coast Guard and H.R.889
Maritime
Transportation
Act of 2006..
Pub. L. 109-295................. Department of H.R.5441
Homeland Security
Appropriations
Act, 2007..
(Title VI - Post
Katrina Emergency
Management Reform
Act).
Pub. L. 109-347................. ``Security and H.R.4954
Accountability
For Every Port
Act of 2006'' or
the ``SAFE Port
Act''..
Pub. L. 109-364................. John Warner H.R.5122
National Defense
Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year
2007..
Pub. L. 109-367................. Secure Fence Act H.R.6061
of 2006..
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Indicates measures which were not referred directly to the Committee
on Homeland Security.
110th Congress
The Committee on Homeland Security continued as a standing
Committee pursuant to the provisions of H. Res.5, agreed to in
the House on January 4, 2007, by a record vote of 235 yeas and
195 nays.
The Committee on Homeland Security met on January 23, 2007,
for an organizational meeting for the 110th Congress under the
direction of Chairman Bennie G. Thompson of Mississippi. The
Committee Membership was set at 34 Members with 19 Democrats
and 15 Republicans. The following Members were appointed to the
Committee on Homeland Security for all or part of the Congress:
Mr.Bennie G. Thompson of Mississippi; Ms.Loretta Sanchez of
California; Mr.Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts; Mr.Norman D.
Dicks of Washington; Ms.Jane Harman of California; Mr.Peter A.
DeFazio of Oregon; Mrs.Nita M. Lowey of New York; Ms.Eleanor
Holmes Norton a Delegate from the District of Columbia; Ms.Zoe
Lofgren of California; Ms.Sheila Jackson-Lee of Texas;
Mrs.Donna M. Christensen a Delegate from the U.S.Virgin
Islands; Mr.Bob Etheridge of North Carolina; Mr.James R.
Langevin of Rhode Island; Mr.Henry Cuellar of Texas;
Mr.Christopher P. Carney of Pennsylvania; Ms.Yvette D. Clarke
of New York; Mr.Al Green of Texas; Mr.Ed Perlmutter of
Colorado; Mr.Bill Pascrell, Jr. of New Jersey; Mr.Peter T. King
of New York; Mr.Lamar Smith of Texas; Mr.Christopher Shays of
Connecticut; Mr.Mark E. Souder of Indiana; Mr.Tom Davis of
Virginia; Mr.Daniel E. Lungren of California; Mr.Mike Rogers of
Alabama; Mr.David G. Reichert of Washington; Mr.Michael T.
McCaul of Texas; Mr.Charles W. Dent of Pennsylvania; Ms.Ginny
Brown-Waite of Florida; Mr.Gus M. Bilirakis of Florida;
Mr.David Davis of Tennessee; Mr.Paul C. Broun of Georgia;
Mrs.Candice S.Miller of Michigan; Ms.Marsha Blackburn of
Tennessee; Mr.Kevin McCarthy of California; and Mr.Bobby Jindal
of Louisiana.
The Committee established six Subcommittees: the
Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism;
the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and
Terrorism Risk Assessment; the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security and Infrastructure Protection; the Subcommittee on
Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology;
the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and
Response; and the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations,
and Oversight.
The Committee had four measures signed into law during the
110th Congress:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Law Title Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pub. L. 110-53.................. Implementing H.R.1
Recommendations
of the 9/11
Commission Act of
2007..
Pub. L. 110-181................. National Defense H.R.4986\3\
Authorization Act (H.R.1585)
for Fiscal Year
2008..
Pub. L. 110-388................. A bill to provide S.2816
for the
appointment of
the Chief Human
Capital Officer
of the Department
of Homeland
Security by the
Secretary of
Homeland
Security..
Pub. L. 110-412................. Personnel H.R.6098
Reimbursement for
Intelligence
Cooperation and
Enhancement of
Homeland Security
Act of 2008..
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ Indicates measures which were not referred directly to the Committee
on Homeland Security.
111th Congress
The Committee on Homeland Security continued as a standing
Committee pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 5, agreed to in
the House on January 6, 2009, by a record vote of 235 yeas and
195 nays.
The Committee on Homeland Security met on February 4, 2009,
for an organizational meeting for the 111th Congress under the
direction of Chairman Bennie G. Thompson of Mississippi. The
Committee Membership, was set at 34 Members with 21 Democrats
and 13 Republicans. The following Members were appointed to the
Committee on Homeland Security for all or part of the Congress:
Mr.Bennie G. Thompson of Mississippi; Ms.Loretta Sanchez, of
California; Ms.Jane Harman of California; Mr.Peter A. DeFazio
of Oregon; Ms.Eleanor Holmes Norton a Delegate from the
District of Columbia; Ms.Zoe Lofgren of California; Ms.Sheila
Jackson-Lee of Texas; Mr.Henry Cuellar of Texas; Mr.Christopher
P. Carney of Pennsylvania; Ms.Yvette D. Clarke of New York;
Ms.Laura Richardson of California; Mrs.Ann Kirkpatrick of
Arizona; Mr.Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico; Mr.Bill Pascrell, Jr.
of New Jersey; Mr.Emmanuel Cleaver of Missouri; Mr.Al Green of
Texas; Mr.James A. Himes of Connecticut; Ms.Mary Jo Kilroy of
Ohio; Mr.Eric J.J. Massa of New York; Ms.Dina Titus of Nevada;
Mr.William L. Owens of New York; Mr.Peter T. King of New York;
Mr.Lamar Smith of Texas; Mr.Mark E. Souder of Indiana;
Mr.Daniel E. Lungren of California; Mr.Mike Rogers of Alabama;
Mr.Michael T. McCaul of Texas; Mr.Charles W. Dent of
Pennsylvania; Mr.Gus M. Bilirakis of Florida; Mr.Paul C. Broun
of Georgia; Mrs.Candice S.Miller of Michigan; Mr.Pete Olson of
Texas; Mr.Anh ``Joseph'' Cao of Louisiana; Mr.Steve Austria of
Ohio; and Mr.Tom Graves of Georgia.
The Committee established six Subcommittees: the
Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism;
the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and
Terrorism Risk Assessment; the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security and Infrastructure Protection; the Subcommittee on
Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology;
the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and
Response; and the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations,
and Oversight.
The Committee had 14 measures signed into law during the
111th Congress:
111th Congress
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Law Title Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pub. L. 111--84................. National Defense H.R.2647\4\
Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year
2010..
Pub. L. 111--140................ Nuclear Forensics H.R.730
and Attribution
Act..
Pub. L. 111--145................ United States H.R.1299\5\
Capitol Police (H.R.2935)
Administrative
Technical
Correction Act of
2009..
Pub. L. 111--198................ Homebuyer H.R.5623
Assistance and
Improvement Act..
Pub. L. 111--207................ Cruise Vessel H.R.3360
Security and
Safety Act of
2009..
Pub. L. 111--245................ First Responder H.R.3978
Anti-Terrorism
Training
Resources Act..
Pub. L. 111--252................ To allow certain H.R.1517
U.S.Customs and
Border Protection
employees who
serve under an
overseas limited
appointment for
at least 2 years,
and whose service
is rated fully
successful or
higher throughout
that time, to be
converted to a
permanent
appointment in
the competitive
service..
Pub. L. 111--258................ Reducing Over- H.R.553
Classification
Act..
Pub. L. 111--259................ Intelligence H.R.2701
Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year
2011..
Pub. L. 111--271................ Redundancy H.R.3980
Elimination and
Enhanced
Performance for
Preparedness
Grants Act..
Pub. L. 111--281................ Coast Guard H.R.3619
Authorization Act
of 2010..
Pub. L. 111--356................ Northern Border H.R.4748
Counternarcotics
Strategy Act of
2010..
Pub. L. 111--376................ Anti-Border S.3243
Corruption Act of
2010..
Pub. L. 111--383................ Ike Skelton H.R.6523
National Defense
Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year
2011..
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Indicates measures which were not referred directly to the Committee
on Homeland Security.
\5\ Indicates measures which were not referred to the Committee, but to
which measures were included during Congressional action.
112th Congress
The Committee on Homeland Security continued as a standing
Committee pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 5, agreed to in
the House on January 5, 2011, by a record vote of 238 yeas and
191 nays.
The Committee on Homeland Security met on January 26, 2011,
for an organizational meeting for the 112th Congress under the
direction of Chairman Peter T. King of New York.
The Committee Membership, was set at 33 Members with 19
Republicans and 14 Democrats. The following Members were
appointed to the Committee on Homeland Security for all or part
of the Congress: Mr.Peter T. King of New York; Mr.Lamar Smith
of Texas; Mr.Daniel E. Lungren of California; Mr.Mike Rogers of
Alabama; Mr.Michael T. McCaul of Texas; Mr.Gus M. Bilirakis of
Florida; Mr.Paul C. Broun of Georgia; Mrs.Candice S.Miller of
Michigan; Mr.Tim Walberg of Michigan; Mr.Chip Cravaack of
Minnesota; Mr.Joe Walsh of Illinois; Mr.Patrick Meehan of
Pennsylvania; Mr.Benjamin Quayle of Arizona; Mr.Scott Rigell of
Virginia; Mr.Billy Long of Missouri; Mr.Jeff Duncan of South
Carolina; Mr.Tom Marino of Pennsylvania; Mr.Blake Farenthold of
Texas; Mr.Mo Brooks of Alabama; and Mr.Robert L. Turner of New
York.Mr.Bennie G. Thompson of Mississippi; Ms.Loretta Sanchez,
of California; Ms.Jane Harman of California; Ms.Sheila Jackson
Lee of Texas; Mr.Henry Cuellar of Texas; Ms.Yvette D. Clarke of
New York; Ms.Laura Richardson of California;Mrs.Donna M.
Christensen a Delegate from the U.S.Virgin Islands; Mr.Danny K.
Davis of Illinois; Mr.Brian Higgins of New York; Ms.Jackie
Speier of California; Mr.Cedric L. Richmond of Louisiana;
Mr.Hansen Clarke of Michigan; Mr.William R. Keating of
Massachusetts; Ms.Kathleen C. Hochul of New York; Ms.Janice
Hahn of California; and Mr.Ron Barber of Arizona.
The Committee established six Subcommittees: The
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and
Security Technologies; the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security; the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and
Management; the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness,
Response, and Communications; the Subcommittee on Border and
Maritime Security; and the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and
Intelligence.
The Committee had 10 measures signed into law during the
112th Congress:
112th Congress
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Law Title Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pub. L. 112--54................. Asia-Pacific S.1487
Economic (H.R.2042)
Cooperation
Business Travel
Cards Act of
2011..
Pub. L. 112--81................. National Defense H.R.1540
Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year
2012..
Pub. L. 112--86................. Risk-Based H.R.1801
Security
Screening for
Members of the
Armed Forces Act.
Pub. L. 112--127................ Border Tunnel H.R.4119
Prevention Act of
2012.
Pub. L. 112--171................ To require the H.R.3670
Transportation
Security
Administration to
comply with the
Uniformed
Services
Employment and
Reemployment
Rights Act..
Pub. L. 112--199................ Whistleblower S.743
Protection (H.R.3289)
Enhancement Act
of 2012..
Pub. L. 112--205................ Jaime Zapata H.R.915
Border
Enforcement
Security Task
Force Act..
Pub. L. 112--213................ Coast Guard and H.R.2838
Maritime
Transportation
Act of 2012 ..
Pub. L. 112--217................ DHS Audit S.1998
Requirement (H.R.5941)
Target Act of
2012..
Pub. L. 112--218................ No-Hassle Flying S.3542
Act of 2012.. (H.R.6028)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ Indicates measures which were not referred directly to the Committee
on Homeland Security.
\7\ Indicates measures which were not referred to the Committee, but to
which Members were appointed as Conferees.
113th Congress
The Committee on Homeland Security continued as a standing
Committee pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 5, agreed to in
the House on January 3, 2013, by a record vote of 228 yeas and
196 nays.
The Committee on Homeland Security met on January 23, 2013,
for an organizational meeting for the 113th Congress under the
direction of Chairman Michael T. McCaul of Texas.
The Committee Membership, was set at 32 Members with 18
Republicans and 14 Democrats. The following Members were
appointed to the Committee on Homeland Security for all or part
of the Congress: Mr. Michael T. McCaul of Texas; Mr. Lamar
Smith of Texas; Mr. Peter T. King of New York; Mr. Mike Rogers
of Alabama; Mr. Paul C. Broun of Georgia; Mrs. Candice S.
Miller of Michigan; Mr. Patrick Meehan of Pennsylvania; Mr.
Jeff Duncan of South Carolina; Mr. Tom Marino of Pennsylvania;
Mr. Jason Chaffetz of Utah; Mr. Steven M. Palazzo of
Mississippi; Mr. Lou Barletta of Pennsylvania; Mr. Chris
Stewart of Utah; Mr. Keith J. Rothfus of Pennsylvania; Mr.
Richard Hudson of North Carolina; Mr. Steve Daines of Montana;
Mrs. Susan W. Brooks of Indiana; Mr. Scott Perry of
Pennsylvania; Mr. Mark Sanford of South Carolina; Mr. Curtis
Clawson of Florida; Mr. Bennie G. Thompson of Mississippi; Ms.
Loretta Sanchez of California; Ms. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas;
Ms. Yvette D. Clarke of New York; Mr. Brian Higgins of New
York; Mr. Cedric L. Richmond of Louisiana; Mr. William R.
Keating of Massachusetts; Mr. Ron Barber of Arizona; Mr. Donald
M. Payne, Jr. of New Jersey; Mr. Beto O'Rourke of Texas; Ms.
Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii; Mr. Filemon Vela of Texas; Mr. Steven
A. Horsford of Nevada; and Mr. Eric Swalwell of California.
The Committee established six Subcommittees: the
Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence; the
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security; the Subcommittee
no Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies; the Subcommittee on Oversight and Management
Efficiency; the Subcommittee on Transportation Security; and
the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications.
The Committee had 11 measures signed into law during the
113th Congress:
113th Congress
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Law Title Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pub. L. 113--27................. Helping Heroes Fly H.R. 1344
Act.. (S. 1367)
(S. 1403)
Pub. L. 113--221................ Honor Flight Act.. H.R. 4812
(S. 2659)
(S. 2671)
Pub. L. 113--238................ Aviation Security H.R. 1204
Stakeholder (S. 1804)
Participation Act
of 2014..
Pub. L. 113--245................ Transportation H.R. 2719
Security (S. 1893)
Acquisition
Reform Act..
Pub. L. 113--246................ Cybersecurity H.R.2952
Workforce
Assessment Act..
Pub. L. 113--254................ Protecting and H.R. 4007
Securing Chemical
Facilities from
Terrorist Attacks
Act of 2014..
Pub. L. 113--277................ Patrol Agent Pay S. 1691
Reform Act of
2014..
Pub. L. 113--282................ National S. 2519
Cybersecurity (H.R. 3696)
Protection Act of
2014..
Pub. L. 113--283................ Federal S. 2521
Information (H.R. 1163)
Security
Modernization Act
of 2014 ..
Pub. L. 113--284................ DHS OIG Mandates S. 2651
Revision Act of
2014 ..
Pub. L. 113--294................ To amend title 49, H.R. 5462
United States
Code, to provide
for limitations
on the fees
charged to
passengers of air
carriers..
------------------------------------------------------------------------
114th Congress
The Committee on Homeland Security continued as a standing
Committee pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 5, agreed to in
the House on January 6, 2015, by a record vote of 234 yeas, 172
nays, and 1 voting `present' (Roll no. 6).
The Committee on Homeland Security met on January 21, 2015,
for an organizational meeting for the 114th Congress under the
direction of Chairman Michael T. McCaul of Texas.
The Committee Membership, was set at 32 Members with 18
Republicans and 12 Democrats. The following Members were
appointed to the Committee on Homeland Security for all or part
of the Congress: Mr. Michael T. McCaul of Texas; Mr. Lamar
Smith of Texas; Mr. Peter T. King of New York; Mr. Mike Rogers
of Alabama; Mrs. Candice S. Miller of Michigan; Mr. Jeff Duncan
of South Carolina; Mr. Tom Marino of Pennsylvania; Mr. Steven
M. Palazzo ofMississippi; Mr. Lou Barletta of Pennsylvania; Mr.
Scott Perry of Pennsylvania; Mr., Curt Clawson of Florida; Mr.
John Katko of New York; Mr. Will Hurd of Texas; Mr. Earl L.
``Buddy'' Carter of Georgia; Mr. Mark Walker of North Carolina;
Mr. Barry Loudermilk of Georgia; Ms. Martha McSally of Arizona;
Mr. John Ratcliffe of Texas; Mr. Patrick Meehan of
Pennsylvania;; Mr. Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. of New York; Mr.
Bennie G. Thompson of Mississippi; Ms. Loretta Sanchez of
California; Ms. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas; Mr. James R.
Langevin of Rhode Island; Mr. Brian Higgins of New York; Mr.
Cedric L. Richmond of Louisiana; Mr. William R. Keating of
Massachusetts; Mr. Donald M. Payne, Jr. of New Jersey; Mr.
Filemon Vela of Texas; Mrs. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New
Jersey; Miss Kathleen M. Rice of New York; and Ms. Norma J.
Torres of California.
The Committee established six Subcommittees: the
Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence; the
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security; the Subcommittee
no Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies; the Subcommittee on Oversight and Management
Efficiency; the Subcommittee on Transportation Security; and
the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications.
The Committee had 24 measures signed into law during the
114th Congress, consisting of provisions of 40 measures
referred to the Committee:
114th Congress
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Law Title Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pub. L. 114--22................. Justice for S. 178
Victims of (H.R. 460)
Trafficking Act
of 2015.
Pub. L. 114--29................. Department of H.R. 615
Homeland Security
Interoperable
Communications
Act.
Pub. L. 114--41................. Surface H.R. 3236
Transportation
and Veterans
Health Care
Choice
Improvement Act
of 2015.
Pub. L. 114--43................. DHS IT Duplication H.R. 1626
Reduction Act of
2015.
Pub. L. 114--50................. Gerardo Hernandez H.R. 720
Airport Security
Act of 2015.
Pub. L. 114--53................. TSA Office of H.R. 719
Inspection
Accountability
Act of 2015.
Continuing
Appropriations
Act, 2016.
Pub. L. 114--68................. Border Jobs for H.R. 2835
Veterans Act of
2015.
Pub. L. 114--80................. DHS Social Media H.R. 623
Improvement Act
of 2015.
Pub. L. 114--92................. National Defense S. 1356
Authorization Act (H.R. 1735)
for Fiscal Year
2016.
Pub. L. 114--113................ Consolidated H.R. 2029
Appropriations (H.R. 158)
Act, 2016. (H.R. 1731)
(H.R. 3305)
(H.R. 3313)
Pub. L. 114--125................ Trade Facilitation H.R. 644
and Trade (H.R. 998)
Enforcement Act (H.R. 878)
of 2015.
Pub. L. 114--136................ Edward `Ted' S. 1172
Kaufman and
Michael Leavitt
Presidential
Transitions
Improvements Act
of 2015.
Pub. L. 114--143................ Integrated Public S. 1180
Alert and Warning (H.R. 1738)
System (H.R. 1472)
Modernization Act
of 2015.
Pub. L. 114--150................ DHS Headquarters S. 1638
Consolidation (H.R. 1640)
Accountability
Act of 2015.
Pub. L. 114--190................ Federal Aviation H.R. 636
Administration (H.R. 2843)
Reauthorization (H.R. 4698)
Act of 2016. (H.R. 5388)
Pub. L. 114--267................ Northern Border S. 1808
Security Review H.R. 455
Act.
Pub. L. 114--268................ First Responder S. 1915
Anthrax H.R. 1300
Preparedness Act.
Pub. L. 114--278................ Essential H.R. 710
Transportation
Worker
Identification
Credential
Assessment Act.
Pub. L. 114--279................ Cross-Border Trade H.R. 875
Enhancement Act
of 2016.
Pub. L. 114--285................ Federal Law H.R. 3842
Enforcement
Training Centers
Reform and
Improvement Act.
Pub. L. 114--293................ Bottles and H.R. 5065
Breastfeeding
Equipment
Screening Act.
Pub. L. 114--301................ GAO Mandates H.R. 5687
Revision Act of
2016.
Pub. L. 114--304................ United States- H.R. 5877
Israel Advanced
Research
Partnership Act
of 2016.
Pub. L. 114-- .................. National Defense S. 2943
Authorization Act (H.R. 399)
for Fiscal Year (H.R. 1073)
2017. (H.R. 3510)
(H.R. 3572)
(H.R. 3586)
(H.R. 4402)
(H.R. 4408)
(H.R. 4509)
(H.R. 4780)
(H.R. 5064)
(S. 2976)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ Indicates measures which were not referred to the Committee, but to
which Members were appointed as Conferees.
\9\ Indicates measures which were not referred directly to the Committee
on Homeland Security.
\10\ Indicates measures which were signed into law, but a Public Law
number was not assigned at the time of filing of this report.
Full Committee
Michael T. McCaul, Texas, Chairman
Lamar Smith, Texas
Peter T. King, New York
Mike Rogers, Alabama
Candice S. Miller, Michigan
Jeff Duncan, South Carolina
Tom Marino, Pennsylvania
Lou Barletta, Pennsylvania
Scott Perry, Pennsylvania
Curt Clawson, Florida
John Katko, New York
Will Hurd, Texas
Earl L. ``Buddy'' Carter, Georgia
Mark Walker, North Carolina
Barry Loudermilk, Georgia
Martha McSally, Arizona
John Ratcliffe, Texas
Daniel M. Donovan, Jr, New York Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
Loretta Sanchez, California
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas
James R. Langevin, Rhode Island
Brian Higgins, New York
Cedric L. Richmond, Louisiana
William R. Keating, Massachusetts
Donald M. Payne, Jr, New Jersey
Filemon Vela, Texas
Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey
Kathleen M. Rice, New York
Norma J. Torres, California
----------
During the 114th Congress, the Committee on Homeland
Security held 19 hearings, receiving testimony from 51
witnesses, and considered 79 measures, resulting in 24 measures
signed into law during the 114th Congress, consisting of the
provisions of 40 measures referred to the Committee.
----------
Organizational Meeting of the Committee
The Committee on Homeland Security met on January 21, 2015,
for an organizational meeting for the 114th Congress under the
direction of Chairman Michael T. McCaul of Texas.
The Full Committee met, pursuant to notice, and adopted the
Committee Rules for the 114th Congress by voice vote. The
Committee also approved the Committee on Homeland Security's
Oversight Plan for the 114th Congress and Committee Resolution
No. 1, relating to staff hiring, both adopted by voice vote.
AMENDING THE RULES OF THE COMMITTEE
The Committee met on March 26, 2015, to consider Committee
Resolution No. 2, modifying Rule V of the Rules of the
Committee on Homeland Security, as adopted on January 21, 2015.
The Committee adopted the resolution by voice vote.
----------
Legislative Activities of the Committee
HUMAN TRAFFICKING DETECTION ACT OF 2015
Public Law 114-22 H.R. 460 (S. 178 / S. 623)
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to train
Department of Homeland Security personnel how to effectively
deter, detect, disrupt, and prevent human trafficking during
the course of their primary roles and responsibilities, and for
other purposes.
Summary
An estimated 17,500 individuals are trafficked into the
United States each year. Victims include both U.S. citizens and
noncitizens and trafficking occurs in every State in the
nation. H.R. 460 requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to
implement a human trafficking awareness program to train and
periodically retrain relevant Departmental personnel. The
training must be given to personnel within the Transportation
Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection,
and other Departmental offices. Additionally, the legislation
requires the Secretary to annually reassess the training
program to ensure it is consistent with current techniques,
patterns, and trends associated with human trafficking and
authorizes the Secretary to provide training curricula to any
State, local, or Tribal Government or private organization
seeking to establish a human trafficking awareness training
program.
Legislative History
H.R. 460
H.R. 460 was introduced in the House on January 21, 2015,
by Mr. Walker and nine original cosponsors, and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the
Committee on the Judiciary. Within the Committee, H.R. 460 was
referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security,
and the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
On January 22, 2015, the Chair of the Committee on the
Judiciary sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to expedite
consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on the
Judiciary would waive further consideration of H.R. 406; on
that same date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security
responded acknowledging the jurisdictional interests of the
Committee on the Judiciary, and the agreement to not waive
further consideration.
The House considered H.R. 460 under Suspension the Rules on
January 27, 2015, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 460 was received in the Senate on January 28, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered H.R. 460 on March 4, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate, favorably. The Senate
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
reported H.R.460 to the Senate on May 15, 2015, as S. Rpt. 114-
46.
The text of H.R. 460, as passed by the House was added to
Title IX of S. 178, as passed by the Senate.
S. 178
S. 178, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015,
was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2015, by Mr. Cornyn
and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
The Senate Committee on the Judiciary considered S. 178 on
February 26, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the Senate, favorably, with an Amendment in the Nature of a
Substitute.
On March 2, 2015, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary
reported S. 178 to the Senate with no written report.
The Senate considered S. 178 on March 10, 11, 12, 16, 17,
18, 19; April 14, 16, 20, 21, and 22, 2015. On April 22, 2015,
the Senate passed S. 178 by a recorded vote of 99 yeas and 0
nays, (Roll No. 163).
S. 178 was received in the House on April 23, 2015, and
held at the Desk.
The House considered S. 178 under Suspension of the Rules
on May 18, 2015, and on May 19, 2015, passed the measure, by a
\2/3\ recorded vote of 420 yeas and 3 nays, (Roll No. 244).
Subsequently, pursuant to H. Con. Res. 47, the enrollment
of S. 178 was corrected.
S. 178 was presented to the President on May 21, 2015. The
President signed S. 178 into law on May 29, 2015, as Public Law
114-22.
S. 623
S. 623, the Human Trafficking Detection Act of 2015, the
Senate companion measure of H.R. 460, was introduced in the
Senate on March 3, 2015, by Mr. Johnson, and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS ACT
Public Law 114-29 H.R. 615
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Under
Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security
to take administrative action to achieve and maintain
interoperable communications capabilities among the components
of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
Summary
This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L.
107-295) to include, among the responsibilities of the Under
Secretary for Management (USM) of the Department of Homeland
Security, achieving and maintaining interoperable
communications among the Department's components. The law
requires the USM to develop, and 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 strategy for achieving and maintaining interoperable
communications among the Department's components. The law
further requires the USM to report to the Committees on the
status of efforts to achieve the milestones detailed in the
strategy.
H.R. 615 advances the Committee's oversight of
interoperable communications by ensuring that the Department
will continue to keep the Committee informed of its efforts to
address the Department's Inspector General recommendations in
its November 2012 report DHS' Oversight of Interoperable
Communications [OIG-13-06] and develop and maintain
interoperable communications among the components.
Legislative History
113th Congress
In the 113th Congress, H.R. 4450 was introduced in the
House on March 24, 2014, by Mr. Payne and Mrs. Brooks of
Indiana and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 4289 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications.
On March 27, 2014, the Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response, and Communications considered H.R.
4289, and forwarded the measure to the Full Committee for
consideration, without amendment, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 4289 on June 11, 2014,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, without amendment by voice vote.
H.R. 4289 was reported to the House on June 19, 2014, as H.
Rpt. 113-484.
The House considered H.R. 4289 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 8, 2014, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 393 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No. 370).
H.R. 4289 was received in the Senate, on July 9, 2014, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
114th Congress
H.R. 615 was introduced in the House on January 28, 2015,
by Mr. Payne, Mrs. Brooks of Indiana, Mr. Thompson of
Mississippi, and Mr. McCaul, and referred to the Committee on
Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 615 was referred
to the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications.
The House considered H.R. 615 under Suspension of the Rules
on February 2, 2015, and passed the measure by a \2/3\ recorded
vote of 379 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No. 52).
H.R. 615 was received in the Senate on February 3, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered H.R. 615 on March 4, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate favorably, with an
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute.
On May 21, 2015, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs reported H.R. 615 to the Senate as S.
Rpt. 114-53.
The Senate passed H.R. 615 with an amendment by unanimous
consent on June 11, 2015.
The House concurred in the Senate amendment to H.R. 615
under Suspension of the Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the
measure by voice vote. Clearing the measure for the President.
H.R. 615 was presented to the President on June 24, 2015.
The President signed H.R. 615 into law on July 6, 2015, as
Public Law 114-29.
------
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION AND VETERANS HEALTH CARE CHOICE IMPROVEMENT ACT
OF 2015
Public Law 114-41 H.R. 3236
To provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety,
motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of
the Highway Trust Fund, to provide resource flexibility to the
Department of Veterans Affairs for health care services, and
for other purposes.
Summary
Public Law 114-41 authorizes appropriations for various
surface transportation programs, including revisions to the
aviation security service passenger fee requirements, among
other things. Aviation security services are authorized for
Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025,
Legislative History
H.R. 3236 was introduced in the House on July 28, 2015, by
Mr. Shuster, Mr. Miller of Florida, and Mr. Ryan of Wisconsin,
and referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and
Means, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on
Science, Space and Technology, the Committee on Natural
Resources, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the Committee on
Education and the Workforce, the Committee on the Budget, and
the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R.
3236 was referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security.
The Committee on Rules met on July 28, 2015, and granted a
Rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 3236, the Rule was
filed in the House as H.Res. 388 (H. Rpt. 114-234). The House
agreed to the Rule on July 29, 2015, by a recorded vote of 243
yeas and 183 nays, (Roll No. 484).
The House considered H.R. 3236 on July 29, 2015, under the
provisions of H.Res. 388, and passed the measure by a recorded
vote of 385 yeas, 34 nays, and 1 voting present, (Roll No.
486).
H.R. 3236 was received in the Senate on July 30, 2015, read
twice, considered, read the third time, and passed under the
order of July 29, 2015, without amendment, by a recorded vote
of 91 yeas and 4 nays, (Record Vote No. 261).
H.R. 3236 was presented to the President on July 31, 2015.
The President signed H.R. 3236 into law on July 31, 2015, as
Public Law 114-41.
------
DHS IT DUPLICATION REDUCTION ACT OF 2015
Public Law 114-43 H.R. 1626
To reduce duplication of information technology at the
Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
Summary
This law requires the Chief Information Officer of the
Department of Homeland Security to identify duplicative
information technology systems within the Department and
develop a strategy to reduce such duplications.
Legislative History
H.R. 1626 was introduced in the House on March 25, 2015, by
Mr. Hurd of Texas and seven original cosponsors and referred to
the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R.
1626 was referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Management Efficiency.
The Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency
considered H.R. 1626 on May 13, 2015, and ordered the measure
reported to the Full Committee for consideration, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 1626 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 1626 to the House on June 17,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-162.
The House considered H.R. 1626 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the measure, amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 1626 was received in the Senate on June 24, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1626
on July 23, 2015, and the measure was passed, without
amendment, by unanimous consent. Clearing the measure for the
President.
H.R. 1626 was presented to the President on July 27, 2015.
The President signed H.R. 1626 into law on August 6, 2015, as
Public Law 114-43.
------
GERARDO HERNANDEZ AIRPORT SECURITY ACT OF 2015
Public Law 114-50 H.R. 720
To improve intergovernmental planning for and communication
during security incidents at domestic airports, and for other
purposes.
Summary
Public Law 114-50 improves security incident preparedness
by directing the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
to verify that airports across the United States have
incorporated procedures for responding to active shooters
targeting security checkpoints into existing incident plans.
Additionally, the Administrator of the TSA is directed to
report to the appropriate Congressional committees on the
Administration's findings regarding the levels of preparedness
at airports. Further, the law mandates that TSA establish a
mechanism by which best practices in security incident
mitigation can be shared with airports across the country and
requires that the agency certify to the appropriate
Congressional committees that all screening personnel have
participated in training for active shooter scenarios.
Additionally, TSA is required to provide an analysis to the
appropriate Congressional committees on how cost savings can be
used to increase funding for reimbursable agreements for
airport law enforcement over the next five years. Finally, the
legislation requires TSA to conduct a review of the
interoperable communications capabilities of the law
enforcement, fire, and medical personnel responsible for
responding to a security incident at airports in the United
States.
Legislative History
113th Congress
In the 113th Congress, H.R. 4802 was introduced in the
House on June 5, 2014, by Mr. Hudson and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 4802
was referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
The Chair discharged the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security from further consideration of H.R. 4802 on June 11,
2014. The Full Committee considered H.R. 4802 on June 11, 2014,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 4802 to
the House on July 3, 2014, as H. Rpt. 113-512.
The House considered H.R. 4802 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 22, 2014, and passed the measure, as amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 4802 was received in the Senate on July 23, 2014, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
114th Congress
H.R. 720 was introduced in the House on February 4, 2015,
by Mr. Katko and seven original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 720
was referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
The House considered H.R. 720 under Suspension of the Rules
on February 10, 2015, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 411 yeas and 1 nay, (Roll No. 70).
H.R. 720 was received in the Senate on February 11, 2015,
and on February 12, 2015, was referred to the Senate Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation considered H.R. 720 on February 26, 2015, and
reported the measure to the Senate, favorably, as amended.
Senate Committee report filed on July 23, 2015, as S. Rpt. 114-
92.
The Senate considered H.R. 720 on August 5, 2015, and
passed the measure, amended, by unanimous consent.
The House agreed on September 16, 2015, to Suspend the
Rules and concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 720, by voice
vote.
Presented to the President on September 17, 2015. The
President signed H.R. 720 into law on September 24, 2015, as
Public Law 114-50.
------
TSA OFFICE OF INSPECTION ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2015
Public Law 114-53 H.R. 719
To require the Transportation Security Administration to
conform to existing Federal law and regulations regarding
criminal investigator positions, and for other purposes.
Summary
This law requires the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) to certify to the Congress, and the
Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General
(DHS OIG) to validate that only TSA employees who meet the
relevant legal and regulatory requirements are classified as
criminal investigators and receive premium pay. If the
Inspector General finds that TSA is using inadequate or invalid
data and methods to classify criminal investigators; the TSA
may not hire any new employees to work in the Office of
Inspection (OOI) until TSA makes a new certification, and the
DHS OIG submits to Congress a finding that TSA utilized
adequate and valid data and methods to make its certification.
The bill also requires TSA to reclassify any criminal
investigators who don't meet the legal requirements and report
to Congress on any associated cost savings.
In addition, this law requires TSA to submit to Congress
any materials associated with OOI's review of instances in
which Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) officials obtained
discounted or free firearms for personal use. Furthermore, it
requires the TSA to submit information on specific actions that
will be taken to prevent FAMS officials from using their
official positions, or exploiting in any way, the Service's
relationships with private vendors to obtain discounted or free
firearms for personal use.
Legislative History
113th Congress
In the 113th Congress, H.R. 4803 was introduced in the
House on June 5, 2014, by Mr. Sanford and Mr. Hudson and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the
Committee, H.R. 4802 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security.
The Chair discharged the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security from further consideration of H.R. 4803 on June 11,
2014. The Full Committee considered H.R. 4803 on June 11, 2014,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 4803 to
the House on July 3, 2014, as H. Rpt. 113-513.
The House considered H.R. 4803 under Suspension of the
Rules and passed the measure on July 22, 2014, as amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 4803 was received in the Senate on July 23, 2014, and
referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
114th Congress
H.R. 719 was introduced in the House on February 4, 2015,
by Mr. Katko, Miss Rice of New York, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Thompson
of Mississippi, and Mr. Sanford and referred to the Committee
on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 719 was
referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
The House considered H.R. 719 under Suspension of the Rules
on February 10, 2015, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 414 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No. 69).
H.R. 719 was received in the Senate on February 11, 2015,
and on February 24, 2015, was referred to the Senate Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation considered H.R. 719 on February 26, 2015, and
reported the measure to the Senate, favorably, amended.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation reported H.R. 719 to the Senate on August 4,
2015, as S. Rpt. 114-111.
The Senate considered H.R. 719 on September 17, 2015, and
passed the measure, amended, by unanimous consent.
The House agreed to Suspend the Rules and passed H.Res.
434, by voice vote on September 24, 2015. H.Res. 434 provided
for the concurrence of the House to the Senate amendment to
H.R. 719, with an amendment.
H.R. 719 was laid before the Senate by unanimous consent on
September 24, 2015. A motion was made in the Senate to concur
in the House amendment to the Senate amendment with an
amendment (Senate amendment SA 2689, which inserted at the end
the ``Continuing Appropriations Act, 2016''). A second motion
was made in the Senate to refer to the Senate Committee on
Appropriations the House message, with instructions to report
back with the Senate amendment (SA 2691). A cloture motion on
the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate
amendment with an amendment (SA 2689) was presented in the
Senate. On September 24, 2015, a unanimous consent agreement
was reached providing that, on Monday, September 28, 2015, the
Senate resume consideration of the amendment of the House of
Representatives to the amendment of the Senate to H.R. 719,
with the time until the vote on the motion to invoke cloture on
the motion to concur in the amendment of the House of
Representatives to the amendment of the Senate to the bill,
with Senate Amendment No. 2689.
The Senate continued consideration of H.R. 719 on September
28, 29, and 30, 2015. On September 30, 2015, the Senate
concurred in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to
H.R. 719 with an amendment (SA 2689) by a recorded vote of 78
yeas and 20 nays, (Record Vote No. 272).
The Committee on Rules met on September 30, 2015, and
granted a Rule providing for the consideration of H. Con. Res.
79. Rule filed in the House as H.Res. 448. (H. Rpt. 114-272).
The House considered H.Res. 448 as a privileged matter, and
agreed to the Rule by a recorded vote of 239 yeas and 187 nays,
(Roll No. 525). On September 30, 3015, the House agreed to the
Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment
by a recorded vote 277 yeas and 151 nays, (Roll No. 528).
Clearing the measure for the President.
H.R. 719 was presented to the President on September 30,
2015. The President signed H.R. 719 into law on September 30,
2015, as Public Law 114-53.
------
BORDER JOBS FOR VETERANS ACT OF 2015
Public Law 114-68 H.R. 2835 (S. 1603)
To actively recruit members of the Armed Forces who are
separating from military service to serve as Customs and Border
Protection Officers.
Summary
The purpose this law is to connect veterans of the Armed
Forces in need of employment with U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP), a component in need of qualified applicants
to fill vacancies at understaffed U.S. ports of entry. The
legislation requires the Department of Defense (DoD) and the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to cooperate on efforts
to recruit and expedite the hiring of outgoing U.S. military
service members and report back to Congress on the progress
made.
Legislative History
H.R. 2835
H.R. 2835 was introduced in the House on June 18, 2015, by
Ms. McSally and nine original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, and the Committee on Armed
Services. Within the Committee, H.R. 2835 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security and the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency.
The Chair of the Committee on Armed Services sent a letter
to the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security on September
25, 2015, agreeing that, in order to expedite consideration on
the House Floor, the Committee on Armed Services would not seek
a sequential referral of H.R. 2835. On that same date, the
Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security responded, agreeing
to the jurisdictional interests of the Committee on Armed
Services, and support for the appointment of Conferees, should
a House-Senate Conference be called.
The House agreed to Suspend the Rules and passed H.R. 2835
on September 28, 2015, as amended, by a \2/3\ record vote of
410 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No. 519).
H.R. 2835 was received in the Senate and read twice on
September 29, 2015.
The Senate passed H.R. 2835, without amendment, by
unanimous consent on October 1, 2015. Clearing the measure for
the President.
H.R. 2835 was presented to the President on October 7,
2015. The President signed H.R. 2835 into law on October 16,
2015, as Public Law 114-68.
S. 1603
S. 1603, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in
the Senate on June 17, 2015, by Mr. Flake, Mr. Johnson, Mr.
McCain, and Mr. Schumer, and referred to the Senate Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered S. 1603 on June 24, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported with an Amendment in the Nature of a
Substitute, favorably.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs filed a report on August 5, 2015, as (S. Rpt. 114-116).
The Senate passed S. 1603 on September 9, 2015, as amended,
by unanimous consent.
S. 1603 was received in the House on September 10, 2015,
and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and the
Committee on Armed Services. Within the Committee, S. 1603 was
referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
The Committee on Rules met on September 16, 2015, and filed
a Rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 3134 and H.R.
3504. Rule filed in the House as H.Res. 421 (H. Rpt. 114-262).
Section 4 of H.Res. 421 provided that upon passage of H.R. 3504
the House shall be considered to have: (1) stricken all after
the enacting clause of S. 1603 and inserted in lieu thereof the
provisions of H.R. 3504, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors
Protection Act, as passed by the House; and (2) passed the
Senate bill as so amended.
The House considered H.Res. 421 as a privileged matter on
September 17, 2015, and agreed to the Rule by a recorded vote
of 246 yeas and 179 nays, (Roll No. 503). Pursuant to the
provisions of H.Res. 421, S. 1603, as amended with the text of
H.R. 3504, as adopted by the House, was passed by the House.
The legislative text within the jurisdiction of the Committee
on Homeland Security was thereby removed.
On September 21, 2015, the message on the House action was
received in Senate and at held at the desk.
------
SOCIAL MEDIA WORKING GROUP ACT OF 2015
Public Law 114-80 H.R. 623
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the
Department of Homeland Security to establish a social media
working group, and for other purposes.
Summary
This law amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L.
107-296) to authorize and enhance the Department of Homeland
Security's Virtual Social Media Working Group (the Group), a
group existing within the Department's Science and Technology
Directorate. During two hearings in the 113th Congress, the
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications heard from numerous stakeholders, including the
private sector, on this new reality and the vital role social
media plays in the response efforts after a disaster. One of
the key takeaways from the hearings was that during and after a
disaster there needs to be better communication between the
public and private sectors, specifically in the use of social
media and other emerging technologies.
H.R. 623 considered the lessons learned from those hearings
and amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize and
enhance the Group to ensure information sharing between the
Department and appropriate stakeholders regarding the use of
social media before, during, and after a terrorist attack or
other emergency. It expands the membership of the Group to
include representatives from state, local, and tribal law
enforcement, the fire service, emergency management, and public
health; along with universities and academia, non-profit
disaster relief organizations, and no fewer than three private
sector organizations. The bill appoints the Secretary, or a
designee, as the Chair of the working group and requires the
Secretary, or designee, to appoint a co-chair from among the
group's state or local representatives.
The law requires the Group to meet within 90 days of
enactment and biannually thereafter, or at the call of the
Chair. The bill also requires the Group to submit an annual
report to Congress on its activities, including a review of
current and emerging technologies; best practices and lessons
learned; available training on the use of social media in the
aftermath of a disaster; and recommendations to improve the
Department's use of social media for emergency management
purposes.
Legislative History
113th Congress
In the 113th Congress, H.R. 4263 was introduced in the
House on March 14, 2013, by Mrs. Brooks of Indiana, Mr. Payne,
Mr. Palazzo, and Mr. Swalwell of California, and referred to
the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R.
4263 was referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response, and Communications.
On March 27, 2014, the Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response, and Communications considered H.R.
4263, and forwarded the measure to the Full Committee for
consideration, as amended, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 4263 on June 11, 2014,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 4263 was reported to the House on June 19, 2014, as H.
Rpt. 113-480.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security on July 7, 2014, agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration of H.R. 4263, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would not seek a sequential
referral of H.R. 4263. The letter further requested the
appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be
called. On that same date, the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security responded acknowledging the jurisdictional
interests of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
and the agreement to not seek a sequential referral.
The House considered H.R. 4263 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 8, 2014, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 375 yeas and 19 nays, (Roll No. 369).
H.R. 4263 was received in the Senate, on July 9, 2014, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
114th Congress
H.R. 623 was introduced in the House on January 30, 2015,
by Mrs. Brooks of Indiana, Mr. McCaul, and Mr. Payne and
referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
and the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee,
H.R. 623 was referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response, and Communications.
The House considered H.R. 623 under Suspension of the Rules
on February 2, 2015, and passed the measure by a \2/3\ recorded
vote of 328 yeas and 51 nays, (Roll No. 53).
H.R. 623 was received in the Senate on February 3, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered H.R. 623 on May 6, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate, with an amendment,
favorably.
Senate considered H.R. 623 on October 7, 2015, and passed
the measure with an Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute.
On October 28, 2015, the House agreed to Suspend the Rules
and concurred in the Senate amendment to H.R. 623. Clearing the
measure for the President.
H.R. 623 was presented to the President on November 2,
2015. The President signed H.R.623 into law on November 5,
2015, as Public Law 114-80.
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NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016
Public Law 114-92 S. 1356 (H.R. 1735 / H.R. 399)
To clarify that certain provisions of the Border Patrol Agent
Pay Reform Act of 2014 will not take effect until after the
Director of the Office of Personnel Management promulgates and
makes effective regulations relating to such provisions.
(To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2016 for military
activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such
fiscal year, and for other purposes.)
Summary
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016
authorizes Fiscal Year 2016 appropriations and policies for the
Department of Defense, military construction, and the national
security programs of the Department of Energy. As signed into
law, provisions of S.399 were included.
H.R. 399, the Secure Our Borders First Act, includes a
capability deployment through a sector-by-sector analysis of
threats and needs and attaches to that the resources necessary
to gain operational control of the border. The measure requires
fencing where fencing is needed and technology where technology
is needed to provide for a smart, safe, and cost effective
border security policy. This bill also requires the Department
of Homeland Security to conduct a similar analysis of the
threats and needs associated with the Northern border. Further
discussion of H.R.399 is listed below.
Legislative History
H.R. 1735
H.R. 1735 was introduced in the House on April 13, 2015, by
Mr. Thornberry, and Mr. Smith of Washington and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
The Committee on Armed Services considered H.R. 1735 on
April 29 and 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported
to the House, as amended, by a recorded vote of 60 yeas and 2
nays.
The Committee on Armed Serviced reported H.R. 1735 to the
House on May 5, 2015, H. Rpt. 114-102. On May 12, 2015, a
unanimous consent request was made in the House that the
Committee on Armed Services be authorized to file a
supplemental report on the bill, H.R. 1735. Agreed to without
objection. Subsequently, the Committee on Armed Services filed
a supplemental report as H. Rpt. 114-102, Part II.
The House considered H.R. 1735 on May 13, 14, and 15, and
passed the bill on May 15, 2015 by a recorded vote of 269 yeas
and 151 nays, (Roll No. 239). The title of the measure was
amended so as to read ``To authorize appropriations for fiscal
year 2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense,
for military construction, and for defense activities of the
Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths
for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.''
H.R. 1735 was received in the Senate on May 21, 2015, read
twice, and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar.
The Senate considered H.R. 1735 on June 4, 8, 9, 10, 11,
16, 17, and 18, 2015. The Senate passed H.R. 1735 on June 18,
2015, with an amendment by a recorded vote of 71 yeas and 25
nays, (Record Vote No. 215).
The House agreed to H.Res. 340 on June 25, 2015. H.Res. 340
authorized returning to the Senate H.R. 1735, with the Senate
amendment thereto. Subsequently, the Senate passed version of
H.R. 1735 was returned to the Senate on June 25, 2015.
The Senate considered H.R. 1735, as returned by the House,
and struck Section 636 by unanimous consent.
The message on the Senate action to H.R. 1735 was received
in the House on June 25, 2015.
The House disagreed to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1735 on
June 25, 2015, and requested a Conference with the Senate
thereon by voice vote. The Speaker appointed Conferees from the
Committee on Armed Services for consideration of the House bill
and the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to
conference on June 25, 2015.
The Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security sent a
letter to the Speaker of the House on June 29, 2015, requesting
the appointment of Members of the Committee on Homeland
Security to serve as Conferees to the House-Senate Conference
on H.R. 1735. The letter further requested appointment of
Conferees to the following sections: Of the House passed bill:
Section 514; Sec. 532; Sec. 526; Sec. 591; Sec. 1060b; Sec.
1267; and Sec. 1269; Of the Senate passed bill: Section 589;
Sec. 1041; Sec. 1065; Sec. 1272; and Sec. 1637.
The Senate insisted upon its amendment on July 9, 2015, and
requested a Conference with the House thereon. The Senate then
appointed Conferees on the part of the Senate: Senators McCain,
Inhofe, Sessions, Wicker, Ayotte, Fischer, Cotton, Rounds,
Graham, Reed, Nelson, Manchin, Gillibrand, Donnelly, Hirono,
and Kaine.
The Speaker appointed additional Conferees on the part of
the House: from the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence;
the Committee on Energy and Commerce; the Committee on Foreign
Affairs; the Committee on Homeland Security; the Committee on
the Judiciary; the Committee on Natural Resources; the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform; the Committee on
Rules; the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology; the
Committee on Small Business; the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure; and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Members from the Committee on Homeland Security were appointed
for consideration of secs. 589 and 1041 of the Senate
amendment, and modifications committed to conference:
Representatives Mr. McCaul, Mrs. Miller of Michigan, and Mr.
Thompson of Mississippi.
Senate Amendment: Sec. 589. Priority processing of applications
for Transportation Worker Identification Credentials for
members undergoing discharge or release from the Armed Forces;
and Sec. 1041. Assistance to secure the southern land border of
the United States.
The Conferees agreed on September 29, 2015, to file a
Conference Report to accompany H.R. 1735. Conference Report
filed in the House as H. Rpt. 114-270. The Conference Papers,
the Senate report and the managers statement were held at the
Desk in the Senate on September 30, 2015.
The House considered the Conference Report to accompany
H.R. 1735 on October 1, 2015. After rejecting a motion to
recommit with instructions to the Committee of Conference, by a
recorded vote of 186 yeas and 241 nays, the House passed the
Conference Report to accompany H.R. 1735 by a recorded vote of
270 yeas and 156 nays, (Roll No. 532). The House further agreed
by unanimous consent to H. Con. Res. 81, providing for
corrections to the enrollment of H.R. 1735.
The Senate began consideration of the Conference Report to
accompany H.R. 1735 on October 1, 2015. A cloture motion on the
Conference Report to accompany H.R. 1735 was made in the Senate
on October 1, 2015.
On October 6, 2015, the Senate invoked cloture on the
Conference Report to accompany H.R. 1735 by a recorded vote of
73 yeas and 26 nays, (Record Vote No. 275). The Senate then
proceeded to the consideration of the Conference Report to
accompany H.R. 1735.
The Senate agreed to the Conference Report to accompany
H.R. 1735 on October 7, 2015, by a recorded vote of 70 yeas and
27 nays (Vote No. 277). The Senate then agreed to H. Con. Res.
81, providing for corrections to the enrollment of H.R. 1735.
Clearing the measure for the President.
The House agreed by unanimous consent that if a veto
message on H.R. 1735 is laid before the House, then after the
message is read and the objections of the President are spread
at large upon the Journal, further consideration of the veto
message and the bill shall be postponed until the legislative
day of November 5, 2015, and that on that legislative day, the
House shall proceed to the constitutional question of
reconsideration and dispose of such question without
intervening motion.
H.R. 1735 was presented to the President on October 21,
2015. On October 22, 2015, the President vetoed H.R. 1735.
The House read the Message of Disapproval of H.R. 1735 (H.
Doc. 114-70). Pursuant to the order of the House of October 21,
2015, further consideration of the veto message and the bill
are postponed until the legislative day of November 5, 2015,
and that on that legislative day, the House shall proceed to
the constitutional question of reconsideration and dispose of
such question without intervening motion.
S. 1356
S. 1356 was introduced in the Senate, read twice,
considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment
by unanimous consent on April 14, 2014. As introduced, S. 1356,
to clarify that certain provisions of the Border Patrol Agent
Pay Reform Act of 2014 will not take effect until after the
Director of the Office of Personnel Management promulgates and
makes effective regulations relating to such provisions.
S. 1356 was received in the House and held at the Desk on
April 14, 2015.
After the Message of Disapproval of H.R.1735 (listed
above), the House proceeded to the consideration of the Senate
companion measure. On November 5, 2015, the House agreed to
Suspend the Rules and passed S. 1356, with an amendment by a
\2/3\ recorded vote of 370 yeas and 58 nays, (Roll No. 618).
On that same date, the House agreed consider H. Con. Res.
90, directing the Secretary of the Senate to make a technical
correction in the enrollment of S. 1356, and agreed to the
resolution without objection.
The Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 90, correcting the
enrollment of S. 1356 on November 5, 2015.
The Senate considered S. 1356 by unanimous consent and
concurred in the House amendment to the Senate bill on November
10, 2015, and agreed to the measure by a recorded vote of 91
yeas and 3 nays, (Roll No. 301). Clearing the Measure for the
President.
S. 1356 was presented to the President on November 17,
2015. The President signed S. 1356 into law on November 25,
2015, as Public Law 114-92.
H.R. 399
H.R. 399, the Secure Our Borders First Act, was included
within S. 1356 as signed into law. (See discussion of H.R. 399,
listed below).
------
CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2016
(MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2016)
Public Law 114-113 H.R. 2029 (H.R. 158 / H.R. 1731 / H.R.
3305 / H.R. 3313)
Making appropriations for military construction, the Department
of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2016, and for other purposes.
Summary
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 provides for
Fiscal Year 2016 appropriations; extends expiring tax
provisions; and affects policies in areas including oil
exports, intelligence, cybersecurity, health care, financial
services, visa waivers, and conservation.
As signed into law, the Consolidated Appropriations bill
contains provisions of the following measures:
H.R. 158 which seeks to deny entry into the United States
to individuals who have connections to terrorist hotspots.
H.R.1731, improve the sharing of information regarding
cybersecurity risks and facilitating cooperation between the
Federal Government and the private sector and to strengthen
privacy and civil liberties protections.
H.R. 3305, the Einstein Act of 2015, authorizes the
Department of Homeland Security to deploy and operate
capabilities to protect Federal Agency information and Federal
civilian information systems, including technologies to
diagnose, detect, prevent and mitigate against cybersecurity
risks to that information or those information systems. The
goal of the bill is to codify the Department's EINSTEIN 3A
program that provides a perimeter defense snapshot in an effort
to prevent cyber breaches.
Further discussion of these measures is listed below.
Legislative History
H.R. 2029
H.R. 2029 was reported to the House as an original measure
by the Committee on Appropriations on April 24, 2015, as H.
Rpt. 114-92.
The House considered H.R. 2029 on April 29 and 30, 2015,
under the provisions of H.Res. 223, and passed the measure by a
recorded vote of 255 yeas and 163 nays, (Roll No. 193).
H.R. 2029 was received in the Senate on May 5, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
The Senate Committee on Appropriations reported H.R. 2029
to the Senate on May 21, 2015, amended, as S. Rpt. 114-57.
A motion to proceed to the consideration of H.R. 2029 was
made in the Senate on September 30, 2015. A cloture on the
motion to proceed to the consideration of H.R. 2029 was
presented in the Senate. A motion to proceed to the
consideration of H.R. 2029 was made in the Senate on October 1,
2015, cloture on the motion to proceed was not invoked by a
recorded vote of 50 yeas and 44 nays, (Record Vote No. 273). On
November 5, 2015, a motion to proceed to the consideration of
H.R. 2029 was made in the Senate and agreed to by a recorded
vote of 93 yeas and 0 nays, (Record vote no. 299). The Senate
considered H.R. 2029 on November 9 and 10, 2015, and passed the
measure, amended by a recorded vote of 93 yeas and 0 nays,
(Record Vote No. 302).
On December 16, 2015, the House Committee on Rules met and
granted a Rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 2029.
The Rule was filed in the House as H.Res. 566 (H. Rpt. 114-382)
and provides for the consideration of the Senate amendment to
H.R. 2029. The Rule makes in order a motion that the House
concur in the Senate amendment with two House amendments and
provides that the question shall be divided between the two
House amendments. If only House amendment #2 is adopted, that
amendment shall be engrossed as an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2029. Amendment #1
is the text of the ``Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016''.
As introduced, Amendment #1 includes the text of H.R. 158; and
provisions of H.R. 1731, H.R. 3305, and H.R. 3333. Amendment #2
is the text of the ``Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of
2015''
The House considered H.Res. 566, the Rule providing for the
consideration of H.R. 2029 on December 17, 2015and agreed to
the Rule by a record vote of 240 yeas and 185 nays, (Roll No.
702). Pursuant to the Rule, the House divided the question on
the amendments to the Senate amendment; and on December 17,
2015, agreed to amendment #2 by a recorded vote of 318 yeas and
109 nays, (Roll No. 703). The House agreed on December 18,
2015, to concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment
to H.R. 2029 with an amendment #1 by a recorded vote of 316
yeas and 113 nays, (Roll No. 705).
The Senate considered H.R. 2029 on December 18, 2015, by
unanimous consent. A motion to concur in the House amendments
to the Senate amendment was made in the Senate on December 18,
2015. A cloture motion on the motion to concur in the House
amendments to the Senate amendment was on December 18, 2016,
and was invoked in the Senate by a recorded vote of 72 yeas and
26 nays, (Record Vote No. 336). A motion to table the first
House amendment to the Senate amendment was rejected by a
recorded vote of 31 yeas and 67 nays, (Record Vote No. 336).
The Senate then agreed to the House amendments to the Senate
amendment to H.R. 2029 by a recorded vote of 65 yeas and 33
nays, (Record Vote No. 339)
H.R. 2029 was presented to the President on December 18,
2015. The President signed H.R.2029 into law on December 18,
2015, as Public Law 114-113.
(See also action on H.R. 158, H.R. 1731, H.R. 3305 listed
below).
H.R. 3305
H.R. 3305, the EINSTEIN Act of 2015, was introduced in the
House on July 29, 2015, by Mr. Hurd of Texas, Mr. McCaul, and
Mr. Ratcliffe, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, and the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 3305 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and
Security Technologies. Provisions of H.R.3305 were included in
Sec. 223 of Pub. L. 114-113.
H.R. 3313
H.R. 3313, the Cyber Defense of Federal Networks Act of
2015, was introduced in the House by Mr. McCaul and Mr.
Ratcliffe on July 29, 2015, and referred to the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 3313
was referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity,
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies.
Provisions of H.R.3313 were included in Sec. 223 of Pub. L.
114-113.
------
CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2016
(TRADE FACILITATION AND TRADE ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2015
UNITED STATES CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION AUTHORIZATION ACT)
Public Law 114-125 H.R. 644 (H.R. 1907 / S. 1269 / H.R. 878
/ H.R. 998)
To reauthorize trade facilitation and trade enforcement
functions and activities, and for other purposes.
Summary
Public Law 114-125 authorizes the U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP), which had been operating without
authorization since it was established. As a result, this
provided the first time since the passage of the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-296), that a major
operational component of the Department of Homeland Security
was been formally authorized.
This law includes authorization for several of CBP
subcomponents, including: The U.S. Border Patrol, the Office of
Field Operations, Air and Marine Operations, the Office of
Intelligence, and the Office of Professional Responsibility.
Legislative History
H.R. 644
H.R. 644 was introduced in the House on February 2, 2015,
by Mr. Reed, and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
The Committee on Ways and Means considered H.R. 644 on
February 4, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to the
House, as amended, by a recorded vote of 22 yeas and 14 nays.
The Committee on Ways and Means reported H.R. 644 to the House
on February 9, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-18.
The Committee on Rules met on February 10, 2015, and
granted a Rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 644.
Rule filed in the House as H.Res. 101 (H. Rpt. 114-23).
The House considered H.Res. 101 on February 12, 2015, and
agreed to the Rule by a recorded vote of 233 yeas and 163 nays,
(Roll No. 78).
The House considered H.R. 644 under the provisions of
H.Res. 101 on February 12, 2015, and passed the measure by a
recorded vote of 279 yeas and 137 nays, (Roll No. 80)
H.R. 644 was received in the Senate on February 23, 2015.
H.R. 644 was read a first and second time on April 16 and 20,
respectively.
The Senate considered H.R. 644 by unanimous consent on May
14, 2015, and passed the measure, amended, by a recorded vote
of 78 yeas and 20 nays, (Record Vote No. 179). During
consideration of H.R. 644 in the Senate, provisions of H.R. 878
were included in Title VIII.
On June 10, 2015, the Committee on Rules met and granted a
Rule providing for the consideration of the Senate amendments
to H.R. 644. Rule filed in the House as H.Res. 305 (H. Rpt.
114-146).
The House considered H.R. 644 on June 12, 2016, under the
provisions of H.Res. 305. The House agreed to H.R. 644 with an
amendment to the Senate amendments by a recorded vote of 240
yeas and 190 nays, (Roll No. 363).
The Senate considered H.R. 644 on June 23, 2015, by
unanimous consent. A motion was made in the Senate to insist on
the Senate amendment to the House amendment; agree to a request
for Conference; and authorize the Presiding Officer to appoint
Conferees made in Senate. A cloture motion on the motion was
presented in the Senate; the motion was amended to request a
Conference with the House by Unanimous Consent.
The Senate considered H.R. 644 on June 24, 2015. The
cloture motion on the motion to insist on the Senate amendment
to the House amendment; request a Conference; and authorize the
Presiding Officer to appoint conferees was withdrawn by
unanimous consent in Senate. The motion to insist on the Senate
amendment to the House amendment; request a Conference with the
House thereon; and authorize the Presiding Officer to appoint
Conferees, was agreed to by voice vote.
The Senate on June 24, 2015, insisted upon its amendment;
requested a Conference the House thereon, and appointed
Conferees on the part of the Senate: Hatch; Cornyn; Thune;
Isakson; Wyden; Schumer; Stabenow.
A motion that the House insist on its amendment to the
Senate amendment, and to agree to the Conference with the
Senate thereon was made in the House on December 1, 2015, and
agree to by a recorded vote of 252 yeas and 170 nays, (Roll No.
652).
A motion to instruct House Conferees was made in the House
on December 1, 2016, and not agreed to by a recorded vote of
193 yeas and 232 nays, (Roll No. 655).
The Speaker appointed Conferees on December 2, 2015: Brady
of Texas, Reichert, Tiberi, Levin, and Linda T. Sanchez of
California.
Conference Committee held on December 7, 2015; and on
December 9, 2015, the Conferees agreed to file a Conference
Report to accompany H.R. 644. The Conference papers were held
at the Desk in the Senate.
The Committee of Conference reported the Conference Report
to Accompany H.R. 644 to the House on December 9, 2015, as H.
Rpt. 114-376.
The House considered the Conference Report to accompany
H.R. 644 on December 11, 2015. A motion to recommit the
Conference Report to the Committee of Conference failed by a
recorded vote of 172 yeas and 239 nays, (Roll No. 692). The
House then agreed to the Conference Report to accompany H.R.
644 by a recorded vote of 256 yeas and 158 nays, (Roll No.
693).
The Senate considered the Conference Report to accompany
H.R. 644 on February 9, 2016; a cloture motion on the
Conference Report to accompany H.R. 644 was presented in the
Senate. The Senate continued consideration of the Conference
Report on February 11, 2016; the cloture motion was invoked in
the Senate by a recorded vote of 73 yeas and 22 nays, (Record
Vote No. 21). Subsequently, the Senate agreed to the Conference
Report to accompany H.R. 644 by a recorded vote of 75 yeas and
20 nays, (Record Vote No. 22).
H.R. 644 was presented to the President on February 23,
2016. The President signed H.R.644 into law on February 24,
2016, as Public Law 114-125.
H.R. 878
H.R. 878, the United States Customs and Border Protection
Authorization Act, was introduced in the House February 11,
2015, by Mrs. Miller of Michigan, Mr. McCaul, and Mr. Vela and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition
to the Committee on Ways and Means. Within the Committee, H.R.
878 was referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime
Security.
During consideration of H.R. 644 in the Senate, provisions
of H.R. 878 were included in Title VIII.
H.R. 998
H.R. 998, the United States Customs and Border Protection
Authorization Act, was introduced in the House on February 13,
2015, by Mr. Meehan and five original cosponsors, and referred
to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the
Committee on Ways and Means. Within the Committee, H.R. 998 was
referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security
and the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
On June 25, 2015, the Chair discharged the Subcommittee on
Border and Maritime Security and the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security from further consideration of H.R. 998.
The Committee considered H.R. 998 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means sent a letter
to the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security on July 16,
2015, agreeing that, in order to expedite consideration on the
House Floor, the Committee on Ways and Means would forgo
further consideration of H.R. 998.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 998 to the
House on July 22, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-219, Pt. I.
Subsequently, the Committee on Ways and Means was discharged
from further consideration of H.R. 998.
The House considered H.R. 998 under Suspension of the Rules
on July 27, 2015, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 998 was received in the Senate on July 28, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
considered H.R. 998 on October 7, 2015, and ordered the measure
to be reported to the Senate, with an Amendment in the Nature
of a Substitute.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported H.R. 998 to the Senate on December 15, 2015,
as S. Rpt. 114-180.
H.R. 998 was included as section 811 of H.R. 644 as
reported by the Committee of Conference. (See also action on
H.R.998 listed above).
H.R. 1907
H.R. 1907, the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act
of 2015, was introduced in the House on April 21, 2015, by Mr.
Tiberi and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in
addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, and
the Committee on the Judiciary. Within the Committee, H.R. 1907
was referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime
Security.
The Committee on Ways and Means considered H.R. 1907 on
April 23, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to the
House, as amended.
The Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security sent a
letter to the Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means on May
14, 2015, agreeing that, in order to expedite consideration of
H.R. 1907 on the House Floor, the Committee on Homeland
Security would forego further consideration of H.R. 1907. The
letter further requested the appointment of Conferees should a
House-Senate Conference be called. On that same date, the Chair
of the Committee on Ways and Means sent a letter to the Chair
of the Committee on Homeland Security acknowledging the
jurisdictional interests of the Committee on Homeland Security
and the agreement to forego consideration of H.R. 1907. The
letter further agreed to support the appointment of Conferees
should a House-Senate Conference be called.
On May 14, 2015, the Committee on Ways and Means reported
H.R. 1907 to the House as H. Rpt. 114-114, Pt. I. Subsequently,
the Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, and the Committee
on the Judiciary were discharged from further consideration of
H.R. 1907.
S. 1269
The Senate Committee on Finance considered an original
measure, the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of
2015, on May 11, 2015, and reported the measure to the Senate,
with no written report. Measure introduced in the Senate as S.
1269, and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under
General Orders. Calendar No. 76.
Senate Committee on Finance report filed on May 12, 2015,
as S. Rpt. 114-45.
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EDWARD `TED' KAUFMAN AND MICHAEL LEAVITT PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITIONS
IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2015
Public Law 114-136 S. 1172
To improve the process of presidential transition.
Summary
S. 1172 amends the Presidential Transition Act of 1963
(Pub. L. 88-277) to provided for enhanced coordination in the
transfer of power for the 2016 Presidential Election.
Section 6 of this law directs the Department of Homeland
Security to report to Congressional committees, not later than
February 15, 2016, on threats and vulnerabilities during
Presidential transitions. The report shall identify and discuss
vulnerabilities related to border security and threats related
to terrorism, including from weapons of mass destruction; shall
identify steps being taken to address the threats and
vulnerabilities during a presidential transition; and may
include recommendations for actions by components and agencies
within the Department of Homeland Security.
Legislative History
S. 1172 was introduced in the Senate by Mr. Carper and Mr.
Johnson on April 30, 2015, and referred to the Senate Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered S. 1172 on May 6, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported with amendments favorably.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported S. 1172 to the Senate on July 27, 2015, as S.
Rpt. 114-94.
The Senate considered S. 1172 on July 30, 2015, and passed
the measure, amended, by unanimous consent.
S. 1172 was received in the House on July 31, 2016, and
referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,
and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security. Within
the Committee, S. 1172 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Management Efficiency.
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform considered
S. 1172 on October 9, 2015, and ordered the measure to be
reported to the House with an Amendment in the Nature of a
Substitute, by unanimous consent.
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform reported
S. 1172 to the House on December 18, 2015 as H. Rpt. 114-384,
Part I. Subsequently, the Committee on Homeland Security was
discharged from further consideration.
The House agreed to Suspend the Rules and passed S. 1172 on
February 29, 2016, as amended, by voice vote.
On March 8, 2016, the Senate concurred in the House
amendment to S. 1172 by unanimous consent, clearing the measure
for the President.
S. 1172 was presented to the President on March 15, 2016.
The President signed S. 1172 into law on March 18, 2016, as
Public Law 114-136.
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INTEGRATED PUBLIC ALERT AND WARNING SYSTEM MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2015
Public Law 114-143 S. 1180 (H.R. 1738 / H.R. 1472)
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the
Secretary of Homeland Security to modernize and implement the
national integrated public alert and warning system to
disseminate homeland security information and other
information, and for other purposes.
Summary
Since its establishment in April 2007, the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) Integrated Public Alert and Warning
System (IPAWS) Program Management Office (PMO) has been
operating without Congressional authorization. Given the
significant progress that the PMO has accomplished since its
establishment, the time has come for Congress to provide the
necessary support and direction to ensure that IPAWS reaches
its goals. This legislation provides the Secretary with
direction on the necessary system requirements that IPAWS must
achieve, such as the ability to provide timely alerts and
warnings to the largest segment of the population possible.
This legislation is the product of a number of hearings and
briefing held by the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness,
Response, and Communications in the 112th and 113th Congresses,
including a July 8, 2011, hearing entitled, ``Communicating
With the Public During Emergencies: An Update on Federal Alerts
and Warnings,'' which focused specifically on IPAWS and at
which Members of the Subcommittee received testimony from
Federal witnesses and stakeholders. The Subcommittee continued
its oversight of IPAWS at a November 17, 2011, hearing, which
explored the various emergency communications offices and
programs at the Department of Homeland Security. The director
of the IPAWS PMO testified at that hearing and provided Members
of the Subcommittee with an update on the national test of the
Emergency Alert System and implementation of the Commercial
Mobile Alert System (CMAS) now known as Wireless Emergency
Alert (WEA). The Subcommittee also held a Member briefing on
May 7, 2013, to receive an update on the system and its use.
The Assistant Administrator for National Continuity Programs
from the Federal Emergency Management Administration provided
the briefing.
The need for, and benefit of, a robust integrated public
alert and warning system has been repeatedly demonstrated in
recent events. Alerts through the IPAWS system were sent after
the Boston Marathon bombings and wireless emergency alerts have
been credited with helping to save lives during natural
disasters, including Hurricane Sandy and the severe tornadoes
hit the South and Midwest in Spring 2014. This legislation will
help to ensure that as much information as possible is made
available and accessible to the public before, during, and
after terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and other
emergencies to get them out of harm's way.
Legislative History
112th Congress
In the 112th Congress, H.R. 3563 was introduced in the
House on December 6, 2011, by Mr. Bilirakis and Ms. Richardson,
and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Within the
Committee, H.R. 3563 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications.
The Subcommittee considered H.R. 3563 on December 8, 2011,
and reported the measure to the Full Committee with a favorable
recommendation, amended, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 3563 on March 28, 2012,
and ordered the measure to be favorably reported to the House,
amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 3563 to
the House on September 20, 2012, as H. Rpt. 112-685, Pt. I.
Subsequently, the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure was discharged from further consideration.
A provision similar to H.R. 3563 was included in section
102 of the FEMA Reauthorization Act of 2012 (H.R. 2903), which
passed the House of Representatives on September 19, 2012.
113th Congress
In the 113th Congress, H.R. 3283 was introduced in the
House on October 10, 2013, by Mr. Bilirakis and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Within the
Committee, H.R. 3283 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications.
On March 27, 2014, the Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response, and Communications considered H.R.
3283, and forwarded the measure to the Full Committee for
consideration, as amended, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 3283 on April 30, 2014,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, as
amended, by voice vote.
114th Congress
S. 1180
S. 1180 was introduced in the Senate on May 4, 2015, by Mr.
Johnson and Ms. McCaskill and referred to the Senate Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered S. 1180 on June 6, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate with an amendment,
favorably.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported S. 1180 to the Senate on June 25, 2015, as S.
Rpt. 114-73.
The Senate considered S. 1180 on July 9, 2015, and passed
the measure, with amendments, by unanimous consent.
S. 1180 was received in the House on July 13, 2015, and
held at the Desk.
The House considered S. 1180 under Suspension of the Rules
on March 21, 2016, and passed the measure by voice vote.
Clearing the measure for the President.
S. 1180 was presented to the President on March 31, 2016,
and signed into law on April 11, 2016, as Public Law 114-143.
H.R. 1738
H.R. 1738 was introduced in the House on April 13, 2015, by
Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. McCaul, and Mrs. Brooks of Indiana and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Within the
Committee, H.R. 1738 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications.
The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications was discharged from further consideration of
H.R. 1738 on May 20, 2015.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 1738 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 1738 to the House on December
8, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-854, Pt. I.
H.R. 1472
H.R. 1472 was introduced in the House on March 19, 2015, by
Mr. Barletta, Mr. Carson of Indiana, Mr. Shuster, and Mr.
DeFazio and referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
considered H.R. 1472 on April 15, 2015 and ordered the measure
to be reported to the House by voice vote.
------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY HEADQUARTERS CONSOLIDATION
ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2015
Public Law 114-150 S. 1638 (H.R. 1640)
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit to
Congress a report on the Department of Homeland Security
headquarters consolidation project in the National Capital
Region, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland
Security to submit to Congress a report on the Department of
Homeland Security's headquarters consolidation project in the
National Capital Region.
Legislative History
H.R. 1640
H.R. 1640 was introduced in the House on March 25, 2015, by
Mr. Walker and seven original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 1640
was referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Management
Efficiency.
The Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency
considered H.R. 1640 on May 13, 2015, and ordered the measure
reported to the Full Committee for consideration, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 1640 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter on June 15, 2015, agreeing to
forgo further consideration of H.R. 1640. The letter further
requested the appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate
Conference be called. The Chair of the Committee on Homeland
Security sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure on June 17, 2015,
acknowledging the jurisdictional interests of the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure and the agreement to not seek
a sequential referral of H.R. 1640, and supporting the request
for Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be called.
The Committee reported H.R. 1640 to the House on June 17,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-166.
The House considered H.R. 1640 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the measure, amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 1640 was received in the Senate on June 24, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
S. 1638
S. 1638, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in
the Senate on June 18, 2015, by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Carper, and
referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered S. 1638 on June 24, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate, without amendment,
favorably.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
reported S. 1638 to the Senate on March 14, 2016, as S. Rpt.
114-227.
The Senate considered S. 1638 on April 6, 2016, and passed
the measure by unanimous consent.
S. 1638 was received in the House on April 11, 2016, and
held at the Desk.
The House considered S. 1638 on April 18, 2016, under
Suspension of the Rules and passed the measure by voice vote.
S. 1638 was presented to the President on April 20, 2016.
The President signed S. 1638 into law on April 29, 2016, as
Public Law 114-150.
------
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2016
(AMERICA'S SMALL BUSINESS TAX RELIEF ACT OF 2015)
Public Law 114-190 H.R. 636 (H.R. 2843, H.R. 4698, H.R.
5338)
To amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize
appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration for
fiscal years 2016 through 2017, and for other purposes.
(To combat terrorist recruitment in the United States, and for
other purposes.)
Summary
This law requires an assessment of the staffing model of
the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to determine
whether those positions are necessary, including canine
explosives detection technology and teams, for all airports in
the U.S. where TSA controls passenger checkpoints.
Additionally, this law requires TSA to utilize Behavior
Detection Officers for baggage and passenger screening areas,
including PreCheck lanes. This law increases efforts to ensure
the public understands the TSA PreCheck program, and requests
the Aviation Security Advisory Committee submit recommendations
on best practices for checkpoint operations optimization.
Legislative History
H.R. 636
H.R. 636 was introduced in the House on February 2, 2015,
by Mr. Tiberi and seven original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means, and the Committee on the Budget.
The Committee on Ways and Means met on February 4, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, amended,
by a recorded vote of 24 yeas and 14 nays.
The Committee on Ways and Means reported H.R. 636 to the
House on February 9, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-21, Part I.
Subsequently, the Committee on the Budget was discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 636.
The Committee on Rules met and granted a Rule providing for
the consideration of H.R. 636. The Rule was filed in the House
as H.Res. 101 (H. Rpt. 114-23) and provides for the
consideration of H.R. 644 and H.R. 636 under closed rules.
The House considered H.Res. 101 and passed the Rule by a
recorded vote of 233 yeas and 163 nays, (Roll No. 78).
The House considered H.R. 636 under the provisions of
H.Res. 101 on February 13, 2015. A motion to recommit to the
Committee on Ways and Means with instructions was not agreed to
by a recorded vote of 173 yeas and 241 nays, (Roll No. 81). The
House passed H.R. 636 by a recorded vote of 272 yeas and 142
nays, (Roll No. 82).
H.R. 636 was received in the Senate on February 23, 2015.
H.R. 636 was read the first time on April 16, 2015, and the
second time on April 20, 2015.
A motion to proceed to the consideration of H.R. 636 was
made in Senate on April 4, 2016. A cloture motion on the motion
to proceed was presented in the Senate on April 4, 2016. A
second motion to proceed to the consideration of H.R. 636 was
made in the Senate on April 6, 2016.
A motion to proceed to the consideration of H.R. 636 was
considered in Senate on April 6, 2016. During consideration,
cloture on the motion to proceed was invoked in the Senate by a
recorded vote of 98 yeas and 0 nays, (Record Vote No. 40). The
motion to proceed to the consideration of H.R. 636 was agreed
to by voice vote, and the measure laid before the Senate on
April 6, 2016.
The Senate considered H.R. 636 on April 7, 11, and 12,
2016. A cloture motion on H.R. 636 was presented in the Senate
on April 12, 2016.
The Senate continued consideration of H.R. 636 on April 13,
12, and 18, 2016. The cloture motion on H.R. 636 was invoked in
the Senate on April 18, 2016, by a recorded vote of 89 yeas and
5 nays, (Record Vote No. 46).
The Senate continued consideration of H.R. 636 on April 19,
2016, and passed the measure, with an amendment, and an
amendment to the Title by a recorded vote of 95 yeas and 3
nays, (Record Vote No. 47).
The Senate agreed to House amendments to Senate amendments
on July 13, 2016, by a record vote of 89 yeas and 4 nays, (Roll
No. 127). Clearing the measure for the President.
H.R. 636 was presented to the President on July 14, 2016.
The President signed H.R. 636 into law on July 15, 2016, as
Public Law 114-190.
H.R. 4698, the Securing Aviation from Foreign Entry Points
and Guarding Airports Through Enhanced Security Act of 2016,
was included in Part B of H.R. 636, as passed by the Senate.
Provisions of H.R. 2843, the TSA PreCheck Expansion Act, and
H.R. 5338, the Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act of
2016, were included in Subtitle A of Title II of H.R. 636 as
passed by the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.
636. (See action taken on H.R. 4698, H.R. 2843, and H.R. 5338
listed below).
------
NORTHERN BORDER SECURITY REVIEW ACT
Public Law 114-267 S. 1808 (H.R. 455)
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a
northern border threat analysis, and for other purposes.
Summary
The Department of Homeland Security had never conducted a
threat analysis for the Northern border. Such an analysis would
help inform future homeland security resourcing needs. Due to
the vast expanse along the 4,000 miles of the Northern border,
it would be cost prohibitive to allocate enforcement resources
using a brute force model of additional agents, technology, and
infrastructure in an ad hoc fashion. A more cost-effective
approach to resource allocation on the Northern border would be
to first analyze the security gaps and most pressing needs to
inform the location and type of solutions required to secure
the Northern border.
H.R. 455 would require the Secretary of Homeland Security
to submit to the appropriate Congressional committees, within
six months from the date of enactment, a northern border threat
analysis. The threat analysis must include an analysis of
current and potential terrorist threats posed by individuals
seeking to enter the United States through the northern border;
an analysis of improvements needed at ports of entry along the
northern border to prevent terrorists and instruments of terror
from crossing the border; an analysis of gaps in law, policy,
international agreements, or tribal agreements that hinder
border security efforts along the northern border; an analysis
of unlawful cross border activity between ports of entry,
including the maritime border of the Great Lakes; an analysis
of the terrain, population density, and climate; and an
analysis of adding new preclearance and pre-inspection
locations.
Legislative History
H.R. 455
H.R. 455 was introduced in the House on January 21, 2015,
by Mr. Katko, Mr. King of New York, Mrs. Miller of Michigan and
Mr. Higgins, and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 455 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
On June 25, 2015, the Chair discharged the Subcommittee on
Border and Maritime Security from further consideration of H.R.
455.
The Committee considered H.R. 455 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 455 to the
House on July 28, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-232. Placed on the Union
Calendar, Calendar No. 175.
On October 28, 2015, the House agreed to Suspend the Rules
and passed H.R. 455, amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 455 was received in the Senate on October 29, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
S. 1808
S. 1808, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in
the Senate on July 21, 2015, by Ms. Heitkamp, Ms. Ayotte, Mr.
Peters, and Mr. Johnson and referred to the Senate Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered S. 1808 on July 29, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate, with an Amendment in the
Nature of a Substitute, favorably.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported S. 1808 to the Senate on October 19, 2015, as
S. Rpt. 114-155. S. 1808 was placed on the Senate Legislative
Calendar, Calendar No. 269.
The Senate passed S. 1808 on November 16, 2016, by
unanimous consent.
S. 1808 was received in the House on November 17, 2016, and
held at the Desk.
The House agreed to take from the Speakers table and passed
S. 1808 on November 29, 2016, clearing the measure for the
President.
S. 1808 was presented to the President on December 2, 2016.
The President signed S. 1808 into Law on December 14, 2016, as
Pub. L. 114-267.
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FIRST RESPONDER ANTHRAX PREPAREDNESS ACT
Public Law 114-268S. 1915 (H.R. 1300)
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to make anthrax
vaccines and antimicrobials available to emergency response
providers, and for other purposes.
Summary
An anthrax attack is a serious mass casualty threat. The
National response capability to a wide-area anthrax attack
would be greatly enhanced by having pre-vaccinated responders,
able to deploy immediately and confidently, knowing that they
have been afforded as much protection as possible. Pre-event
vaccination is a safe, effective way to protect these
responders so they can respond in an anthrax attack without
fear of contracting disease. The first responder community has
been requesting this capability and the Committee has worked
with the Department to establish an effective program.
The Department of Homeland Security Office of Health
Affairs has been working with the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention on a pilot program to provide surplus pre-event
anthrax vaccine from the Strategic National Stockpile to
emergency response providers on a voluntary basis and free of
charge. This legislation authorizes that program.
Legislative History
113th Congress
In the 113th Congress, H.R. 5620 was introduced in the
House on September 18, 2015, by Mr. King of New York and Mr.
Pascrell and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and
the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Within the Committee,
H.R. 5620 was Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response and Communications.
114th Congress
H.R. 1300
H.R. 1300 was introduced in the House on March 4, 2015, by
Mr. King of New York, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Rooney of Florida, and
Mr. Katko and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
and the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Within the Committee,
H.R. 1300 was referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response, and Communications.
The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications considered H.R. 1300 on May 14, 2015, and
forwarded the measure to the Full Committee for consideration,
as amended, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 1300 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce sent a
letter to the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security on
July 22, 2015, agreeing that, in order to expedite
consideration on the Floor of the House, the Committee on
Energy and Commerce would waive further consideration of H.R.
1300. On July 21, 2015, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland
Security responded, acknowledging the jurisdictional interests
of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the agreement to
waive further consideration of H.R. 1300.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 1300 to
the House on July 22, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-222, Pt. I.
Subsequently, the Committee on Energy and Commerce was
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1300.
The House considered H.R. 1300 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 27, 2015, and passed the measure on July 29,
2015, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 424 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll
No. 485).
H.R. 1300 was received in the Senate on July 30, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
S. 1915
S. 1915, the Senate companion measure to Sec. 301 of H.R.
3583 as passed by the House, was introduced in the Senate by
Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Booker, and Mr. Coons on August 3, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered S. 1915 on December 9, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate, with an amendment.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported S. 1915 to the Senate on May 9, 2016, as S.
Rpt. 114-251.
The Senate passed S. 1915 on November 16, 2016, by
unanimous consent with an amendment and an amendment to the
title.
S. 1915 was received in the House on November 17, 2016, and
held at the Desk.
The House agreed to take from the Speakers table and passed
S. 1915 on November 29, 2016, clearing the measure for the
President.
S. 1915 was presented to the President on December 2, 2016.
The President signed S. 1915 into Law on December 14, 2016, as
Pub. L. 114-268.
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ESSENTIAL TRANSPORTATION WORKER IDENTIFICATION CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT
ACT
Public Law 114-278 H.R. 710
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to prepare a
comprehensive security assessment of the transportation
security card program, and for other purposes.
Summary
This measure responds to a key recommendation made by the
Government Accountability Office (GAO), to conduct a security
assessment of the effectiveness of the Transportation Worker
Identification Credential (TWIC).
The TWIC program is run jointly within the Department of
Homeland Security by the U.S. Coast Guard and the
Transportation Security Administration. The program uses
biometric credentials to limit access to secure areas of
maritime facilities and vessels to only those vetted
individuals who have a legitimate need access the ports or
vessels.
The TWIC program remains incomplete, as biometric readers
have not yet been fully deployed, as a result there remains
uncertainty for our Nation's transportation and maritime
industry. While regulations were in place beginning in 2007 for
maritime workers to purchase the biometric credentials,
regulations requiring the issuance of card readers remained
incomplete.
A scathing report by the Government Accountability Office
Transportation Worker Identification Credential:Card Reader
Pilot Results Are Unreliable; Security Benefits Need to Be
Reassessed [GAO-13-198] called into question the underlying
security value of the TWIC program and raised very serious
questions about the future of this program. This legislation
was responsive to the GAO's most recent recommendation on the
program--conducting an independent security assessment of the
TWIC program.
Legislative History
113th Congress
In the 113th Congress, H.R. 3202 was introduced in the
House on September 27, 2013, by Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Thompson
of Mississippi, and Mrs. Miller of Michigan, and referred to
the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R.
3202 was referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime
Security, and the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
On May 20, 2014, the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime
Security considered H.R. 3202 and forwarded the measure to the
Full Committee for consideration, as amended, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 3202 on June 11, 2014,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, as
amended, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter on July 8, 2014, to the Chair of
the Committee on Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would not seek a sequential
referral of H.R. 3202. The letter further requested the
appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be
called. On that same date, the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security responded, agreeing to the jurisdictional
interests of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
and the agreement to not seek a sequential referral of H.R.
3202.
The Committee reported H.R. 3202 to the House on July 18,
2014, as H. Rpt. 113-528.
The House considered H.R. 3202 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 28, 2014, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 400 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No. 456).
H.R. 3202 was received in the Senate on July 29, 2014, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation considered H.R. 3202 on May 20, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the Senate with an
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute, favorably.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation reported H.R. 3202 to the Senate on April 25,
2016 as S. Rpt. 114-244.
114th Congress
H.R. 710 was introduced in the House on February 4, 2015,
by Ms. Jackson Lee, Mrs. Miller of Michigan, and Mr. Thompson
of Mississippi, and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 710 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security and the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security on February 5, 2015, agreeing that, in order
to expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would forego action on H.R.
710. The letter further requested support for the appointment
of Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be called. On
that same date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security
responded acknowledging the jurisdictional concerns of the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the
agreement to forgo consideration.
The House considered H.R. 710 under Suspension of the Rules
on February 10, 2015, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 710 was received in the Senate on February 11, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs. On April 22, 2015, a
unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that H.R. 710
be discharged from the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs and be referred to the Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science and Transportation.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation considered H.R. 710 on May 20, 2015, and
reported the measure to the Senate, with an amendment.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation reported H.R. 710 to the Senate on April 25,
2016, as S. Rpt. 114-244.
The Senate considered H.R. 710 on December 9, 2016, and
passed the measure, amended.
The House concurred in the Senate amendments to H.R. 710 on
December 14, 2016. Clearing the measure for the President.
H.R. 710 was presented to the President on December 15,
2016. The President signed H.R. 710 into law on December 16,
2016, as Public Law 114-278.
------
------
CROSS-BORDER TRADE ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2015
Public Law 114-279 H.R. 875 (S. 461)
To provide for alternative financing arrangements for the
provision of certain services and the construction and
maintenance of infrastructure at land border ports of entry,
and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation reauthorizes and expands the pilot
programs that permit United States Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) to enter into agreements with private or State
or local government entities for reimbursable services or
property donations at CBP ports of entry. The authorization of
public-private partnerships under this bill will allow private
sector and State and local government entities to fund
improvements at CBP ports of entry that will increase trade and
travel efficiencies at no cost to the taxpayer.
Legislative History
H.R. 875
H.R. 875was introduced in the House on February 11, 2015,
by Mr. Cuellar and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means,
and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee
on Homeland Security, and the Committee on Agriculture. Within
the Committee, H.R. 875 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Border and Maritime Security.
The House considered H.R. 875 on December 6, 2016, and
agreed to Suspend the Rules and passed the measure, as amended,
by voice vote.
The Senate considered H.R. 875 on December 9 and 10, 2016,
and passed the measure without amendment, on legislative day of
December 9, 2016. Clearing the measure for the President.
H.R. 875 was presented to the President on December 15,
2016. The President signed H.R. 875 into law on December 16,
2016, as Public Law 114-279.
S. 461
S. 461, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in the
Senate on February 11, 2015, by Mr. Cornyn and Ms. Klobuchar)
and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered S. 461 on May 25, 2016, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate with an Amendment in the
Nature of a Substitute, favorably.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported S. 461 to the Senate on July 12, 2016 with no
written report. The Senate Committee on Homeland Security
report filed in the Senate on August 30, 2016, as S. Rpt. 114-
303.
The Senate considered S. 461 on November 29, 2016, and
withdrew the Committee Substitute by unanimous consent and
subsequently passed the measure.
------
FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CENTERS REFORM AND IMPROVEMENT ACT OF
2015
Public Law 114-285 H.R. 3842 (S. 3781)
To improve homeland security, including domestic preparedness
and response to terrorism, by reforming Federal Law Enforcement
Training Centers to provide training to first responders, and
for other purposes.
Summary
The purpose of H.R. 3842, the FLETC Reform and Improvement
Act of 2015, is to reform and improve the Federal Law
Enforcement Training Centers in the Department of Homeland
Security. H.R. 3842 strengthens the role of the Director of
FLETC and improves training practices.
Legislative History
H.R. 3842
H.R. 3842 was introduced in the House on October 28, 2015,
by Mr. Carter of Georgia and Mrs. Torres and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security and in addition to the Committee
on the Judiciary.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 3842 on November 4,
2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, as
amended, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary sent a letter
to the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security on November
19, 2015, agreeing that, in order to expedite consideration on
the House Floor, the Committee on the Judiciary would not seek
a sequential referral of H.R. 3842. The letter further
requested the support for the request of Conferees should a
House-Senate Conference be called. On that same date, the Chair
of the Committee on Homeland Security sent a letter to the
Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary acknowledging the
jurisdictional interests of the Committee on the Judiciary and
the agreement to not seek a sequential referral, and support
for the request to seek Conferees.
The Committee reported H.R. 3842 to the House on November
19, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-434, Pt. I.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security on December 8, 2015, agreeing that, in order
to expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would not seek a sequential
referral of H.R. 3425. The letter further requested the
appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be
called. On that same date, the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security responded acknowledging the cooperation of
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with respect
to the consideration of H.R. 3842.
The House considered H.R. 3842 under Suspension of the
Rules on December 8, 2016, and passed the measure, as amended,
by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 420 yeas and 2 nays, (Roll No.
680).
H.R. 3842 was received in the Senate on December 9, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on the
Judiciary.
The Senate considered H.R. 3842 on December 8, 2016, and
passed the measure, amended.
The House concurred in the Senate amendments to H.R. 3842
on December 1, 2016. Clearing the measure for the President.
H.R. 3842 was presented to the President on December 15,
2016. The President signed H.R. 3842 into law on December 16,
2016, as Public Law 114-285.
S. 2781
S. 2781 was introduced in the Senate on April 12, 2016, by
Mr. Perdue, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Udall, and Mr. Heinrich, and
referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
------
BOTTLES AND BREASTFEEDING EQUIPMENT SCREENING ACT
Public Law 114-293 H.R. 5065 (S. 3299)
To direct the Administrator of the Transportation Security
Administration to notify air carriers and security screening
personnel of the Transportation Security Administration of such
Administration's guidelines regarding permitting baby formula,
breast milk, purified deionized water, and juice on airplanes,
and for other purposes
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to notify air
carriers and security screening personnel of the Transportation
Security Administration of such Administration's guidelines
regarding permitting baby formula, breast milk, and juice on
airplanes, and for other purposes.
Summary
Although travelers are explicitly permitted by the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to bring formula
and breast milk that exceed the 3-1-1 Liquids Rule for carry-on
baggage, there have been reports of passengers experiencing
inconsistent implementation of these procedures during airport
security screening. As a result some travelers were forced to
dump expressed breast milk; leave behind ice packs or coolers
needed for proper milk storage; or miss their flights. This
measure requires the TSA to provide ongoing training to ensure
its officers consistently enforce TSA Special Procedures
related to breast milk, formula, and infant feeding equipment
across all airport security checkpoints.
Legislative History
H.R. 5065
H.R. 5065 was introduced in the House on April 26, 2016, by
Ms. Herrera Beutler, Mr. Katko, and Miss Rice of New York; and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the
Committee, H.R. 5065 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security.
The Subcommittee on Transportation Security was discharged
from further consideration of H.R. 5065 on September 14, 2016.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5065 on September 14,
2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 5065 to the House on September
20, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-775.
The House considered H.R. 5065 under Suspension of the
Rules on September 27, 2016, and passed the measure by voice
vote. During consideration, the title was amended so as to read
``To direct the Administrator of the Transportation Security
Administration to notify air carriers and security screening
personnel of the Transportation Security Administration of such
Administration's guidelines regarding permitting baby formula,
breast milk, purified deionized water, and juice on airplanes,
and for other purposes.''
The Senate considered H.R. 5065 on December 9 and 10, 2016,
and passed the measure on legislative day of December 9, 2016.
Clearing the measure for the President.
H.R. 5065 was presented to the President on December 14,
2016. The President signed H.R. 5065 into law on December 16,
2016, as Public Law 114-293.
S. 3299
S. 3299, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in
the Senate on September 9, 2016, by Ms. Ayotte and referred to
the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
------
GAO MANDATES REVISION ACT OF 2016
Public Law 114-301 H.R. 5687
To eliminate or modify certain mandates of the Government
Accountability Office.
Summary
The purpose of H.R. 5687 is to eliminate provisions
mandating certain reviews by the Government Accountability
Office (GAO) related to a variety of topics, such as Federal
Emergency Management Agency's pilot program under the Sandy
Recovery Improvement Act of 2015 (Pub. L. 113-2) and Department
of Homeland Security transportation security information
sharing plan. The bill also makes changes to other existing GAO
mandated reviews.
Legislative History
H.R. 5687 was introduced in the House on July 8, 2016, by
Mr. Jody B. Hice and referred to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, the Committee on Financial
Services, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee
on Ways and Means, and the Committee on Homeland Security.
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform considered
H.R. 5687 on July 12, 2015, and ordered the measure to be
reported to the House, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Oversight and Government
reform sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on Homeland
Security requesting that the Committee on Homeland Security
agree to be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 5687.
The Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security responded on
August 12, 2016, agreeing that, in order to expedite
consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on Homeland
Security would waive its right to consider H.R. 5687.
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform reported
H.R. 5687 to the House on September 19, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-
760, Pt. I. Subsequently, the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, the Committee on Financial Services, the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Ways and
Means, and the Committee on Homeland Security were discharged
from further consideration of H.R. 5687.
The House considered H.R. 5687 under Suspension of the
Rules on September 20, 2016, and passed the measure by voice
vote.
H.R. 5687 was received in the Senate on September 21, 2016,
and on September 22, 2016, read twice and placed on the Senate
Legislative Calendar.
The Senate considered H.R. 5687 on December 9 and 10, 2016,
and passed the measure, without amendment by unanimous consent
on legislative day of December 9, 2016. Clearing the measure
for the President.
H.R. 5867 was presented to the President on December 14,
2016. The President signed H.R. 5867 into law on December 16,
2016, as Public Law 114-301.
------
UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ADVANCED RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP
ACT OF 2016
Public Law 114-304 H.R. 5877
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and the United
States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 to promote
cooperative homeland security research and antiterrorism
programs relating to cybersecurity, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-296) and the United States-Israel Strategic
Partnership Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-296) to allow the
Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State to
enter into cooperative programs with Israel for the purposes of
enhancing cybersecurity capabilities. These programs include
both the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency
and the program for establishing cooperative research
activities with foreign partner governments that are United
States' allies in the global war on terrorism, a program
established by the Department's Under Secretary for Science and
Technology (S&T).
Legislative History
H.R. 5877 was introduced in the House on July 14, 2016, by
Mr. Ratcliffe and Mr. Langevin and referred to the Committee on
Homeland Security and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Within
the Committee, H.R. 5877 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies.
The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies. was discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 5877 on September 14, 2016.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5877 on September 14,
2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs sent a letter
to the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security on November
14, 2016, agreeing that, in order to expedite consideration on
the House Floor, the Committee on Foreign Affairs would forego
further consideration of H.R. 5877. On the following day, the
Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security responded
acknowledging the jurisdictional interests of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs and the agreement to forego consideration.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 5877 to
the House on November 15, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-827, Pt. I.
Subsequently, the Committee on Foreign Affairs was discharged
from further consideration of H.R. 5877.
The House considered H.R. 5877 on November 29, 2016, under
Suspension of the Rules and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 5877 was received in the Senate on November 30, 2016.
The Senate considered H.R. 5877 on December 9 and 10, 2016,
and passed the measure without amendment on legislative day of
December 9, 2016. Clearing the measure for the President.
H.R. 5877 was presented to the President on December 14,
2016. The President signed H.R. 5877 into law on December 16,
2016, as Public Law 114-304.
------
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017
Public Law 114-_\1\ S. 2943 (H.R. 4909 / H.R. 399 / H.R.
1073 / H.R. 3510 / H.R. 3572 / H.R. 3586 / H.R. 4402 / H.R.
4408 / H.R. 4509 / H.R. 4780 / H.R. 5064 / S. 2976)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\This measure was signed into law, but no Public Law number was
assigned by the filing of this report.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military
activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such
fiscal year, and for other purposes.
Summary
S. 2943, provides for the authorization of appropriations
for the military activities of the Departments of Defense and
Energy for Fiscal Year 2017.
Legislative History
H.R. 4909
H.R. 4909 was introduced in the House on April 12, 2016, by
Mr. Thornberry and Mr. Smith of Washington and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
The Committee on Armed Services considered H.R. 4909 on
April 27 and 28, 2016, and ordered the measure to be reported
to the House by a recorded vote of 60 yeas and 2 nays.
The Committee on Armed Services reported H.R. 4909 to the
House on May 4, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-537.
On May 12, 2016, the Chair of the Committee on Armed
Services asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed
Services be permitted to file a supplemental report on H.R.
4909. Subsequently, a supplemental report was filed as H. Rpt.
114-537, Part II.
The Committee on Rules met on May 16, 2016, and granted a
Rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 4909. Rule filed
in the House as H.Res. 732, H. Rpt. 114-569.
The House considered H.Res. 732 as a privileged matter on
May 17, 2016, and agreed to the Rule by a recorded vote of 234
yeas and 181 nays, (Roll No. 197).
The House considered H.R. 4909 under the provisions of
H.Res. 732 on May 17, 2016, and rose, leaving H.R. 4909 as
unfinished business.
The Committee on Rules met on May 17, 2016, and granted a
Rule providing for the continued consideration of H.R. 4909.
Rule filed in the House as H.Res. 735, H. Rpt. 114-571.
The House considered H.Res. 735 as a privileged matter on
May 18, 2016, and agreed to the Rule by a recorded vote of 230
yeas and 175 nays, (Roll No. 200).
On May 18, 2016, the House continued consideration of H.R.
4909 under the provisions of H.Res. 735.
A motion to recommit with instructions to the Committee on
Armed Services failed on May 18, 2016, by a recorded vote of
181 yeas and 243 nays, (Roll No. 215).
The House then passed H.R. 4909 on May 18, 2016, by a
recorded vote of 277 yeas and 147 nays, (Roll No. 216). During
consideration, the title of the measure was amended so as to
read ``To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for
military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of
Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such
fiscal year, and for other purposes.''
H.R. 4909 was received in the Senate on May 26, 2016, read
twice, and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under
General Orders. Calendar No. 502.
S. 2943
The Senate Committee on Armed Services reported an original
measure to the Senate on May 18, 2016, as S. Rpt. 114-255.
A motion to proceed to the consideration of S. 2943 was
made in the Senate on May 23, 2016. Subsequently, a cloture
motion on the motion to proceed to the consideration of S. 2943
was presented in the Senate.
Cloture on the motion to proceed to the consideration of S.
2943 was invoked in the Senate on May 25, 2016, by a recorded
vote of 98 yeas and 0 nays, (Record Vote No. 87).
Motions to proceed to the consideration of S. 2943 were
made in the Senate on May 25 and 26. On June 6, 2016, a motion
to proceed to the consideration of S. 2943 was agreed to in
Senate by unanimous consent. Subsequently, the Senate
considered S. 2943 on June 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, and 14, 2016.
During consideration, on June 8, 2016, a cloture motion on the
measure was presented in the Senate; the Senate invoked cloture
on June 10, 2016, by a recorded vote of 68 yeas and 23 nays,
(Record Vote No. 97)
The Senate passed S. 2943 on June 14, 2016 by a recorded
vote of 85 yeas and 13 nays, (Record Vote No. 98).
S. 2943 was received in the House on June 16, 2016, and
held at the Desk.
The Committee on Rules met on July 7, 2016, and granted a
Rule providing for the consideration of S. 2943. Rule filed in
the House as H.Res. 809, H. Rpt. 114-670. The Rule provides
that upon adoption of the resolution, the House shall be
considered to have taken S. 2943 from the Speaker's table,
stricken all after the enacting clause and inserted the
provisions of H.R. 4909 as passed by the House. S. 2943 shall
be considered as passed as amended. It shall also be in order
for the Chair of the Committee on Armed services to move that
the House insist on its amendment to S. 2943 and request a
conference with the Senate thereon.
The House considered H.Res. 809 on July 7, 2016, as a
privileged matter, and agreed to the Rule by a recorded vote of
243 yeas and 177 nays, (Roll No. 388).
The House considered S. 2943 on July 7, 2016, under the
provisions of H.Res. 809. Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res.
809; The House struck all after the enacting clause and
inserted in lieu thereof H.R. 4909 and the measure was agreed
to.
On July 8, 2016, pursuant to H.Res. 809, the House insisted
to its amendment to S. 2943 and requested a Conference with the
Senate thereon by voice vote. A motion to close portions of the
Conference, was agreed to by voice vote.
The Speaker appointed Conferees on the part of the House
from: The Committee on Armed Services; the House Permanent
Select Committee on Intelligence; the Committee on Education
and the Workforce; the Committee on Energy and Commerce; the
Committee on Foreign Affairs; the Committee on Homeland
Security; the Committee on the Judiciary; the Committee on
Natural Resources; the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform; the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology; the
Committee on Small Business, the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure; the Committee on Veterans' Affairs; and the
Committee on Ways and Means. From the Committee on Homeland
Security for consideration of secs. 564 and 1091 of the Senate
bill, and secs. 1097, 1869, 1869A, and 3510 of the House
amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Mr.
McCaul, Mr. Donovan, and Mr. Thompson of Mississippi.
Senate Bill: Sec. 564. Priority processing of applications for
Transportation Worker Identification Credentials for members
undergoing discharge or release from the Armed Forces; and Sec.
1091. Border security metrics.
House Amendment: Sec. 1097. Waiver of certain polygraph
examination requirements; Sec. 1869. Additional cyber security
assistance for small business development centers; Sec. 1869A.
Cybersecurity outreach for small business development centers;
and Sec. 3510. Expedited processing of applications for
transportation security cards for separating members of the
Armed Forces and veterans.
The message on House action was received in the Senate on
July 11, 2016, and held at the Desk.
The Senate considered the House amendment to S. 2943 on
July 14, 2016. A motion that the Senate disagree to the House
amendment to S. 2943 and agreed to the request for a Conference
thereon was made in the Senate. Cloture on the motion to
disagree to the House amendment to the Senate bill and agree to
the request for Conference, and appoint Conferees was presented
in Senate. The cloture motion was subsequently agreed to by a
recorded vote of 90 yeas and 7 nays, (Record Vote No. 130).
The Senate disagreed to the House amendment to S. 2943 on
July 14, 2016; agreed to request for a Conference Committee,
and appointed Conferees: Senators McCain, Inhofe, Sessions,
Wicker, Ayotte, Fischer, Cotton, Rounds, Ernst, Tillis,
Sullivan, Lee, Graham, Cruz, Reed, Nelson, McCaskill, Manchin,
Shaheen, Gillibrand, Blumenthal, Donnelly, Hirono, Kaine, King,
and Heinrich.
The Conferees agreed to file a Conference Report to
accompany S. 2943 on November 30, 2016.
The Conference Report to accompany S. 2943 was filed in the
House on November 30, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-840. The Conference
Papers, Senate report and the managers statement were held at
the Desk in the Senate.
The Committee on Rules met on November 30, 2016, and agreed
to file a Rule providing for the consideration of the
Conference Report to accompany S. 2943. Rule filed in the House
as H. Res. 937 (H. Rpt. 114-844).
The House agreed to H. Res. 937 on December 1, 2016, by a
recorded vote of 277 ayes to 139 noes, (Roll No. 597).
The House considered the Conference Report to accompany S.
2943 on December 2, 2016, and agreed to the Conference Report
by a recorded vote of 375 yeas and 34 nays, (Roll No. 600). The
House agreed on December 5, 2016, to H. Con. Res. 179,
correcting the enrollment of S. 2943.
The Senate considered of the Conference Report to accompany
S. 2943 on December 5, 7, and 8, 2016. On December 8, 2016, the
Senate agreed to the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943 by
a recorded vote of 92 yeas and 7 nays (Vote No. 159). Clearing
the measure for the President.
S. 2943 was presented to the President. The President
signed S. 2943 into law on December 23, 2016.
Provisions of H.R. 399, the Secure Our Border First Act of
2015, were included in Sec. 1092 of the Conference Report to
accompany S. 2943.
Provisions of H.R. 5064, the Improving Small Business Cyber
Security Act of 2016, were included in Secs. 1841 and 1843 of
the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943.
Provisions of H.R. 3586, the Border and Maritime
Coordination Improvement Act, were included in Section 1901 of
the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943.
Provisions of H.R. 3572 as passed by the House, the DHS
Headquarters Reform and Improvement Act of 2015, were included
in Secs. 1902-04 of the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943.
Provisions relating to H.R. 1637, the Federally Funded
Research and Development Sunshine Act of 2015, were included in
Sec. 1906 of the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943.
Provisions of H.R. 4402, the Foreign Fighter Review Act of
2016, were included in Sec. 1907 of the Conference Report to
accompany S. 2943.
Provisions of H.R. 4408, the National Strategy to Combat
Terrorist Travel Act of 2016, were included in Sec. 1908 of the
Conference Report to accompany S. 2943.
Provisions of S. 2976, the DHS Accountability Act of 2016 ,
were included in Sec. 1906 and 1909 of the Conference Report to
accompany S. 2943.
Provisions of H.R. 4780, the Department of Homeland
Security Strategy for International Programs Act, were included
in Sec. 1910 of the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943.
Provisions of H.R. 4509, the State and High-Risk Urban Area
Working Group Act, were included in Sec. 1911 of the Conference
Report to accompany S. 2943.
Provisions of H.R. 3510, the Department of Homeland
Security Cybersecurity Strategy Act of 2015, were included in
Sec. 1912 of the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943.
Provisions of Sec. 2 of H.R. 1073, the Critical
Infrastructure Protection Act, were included in Sec. 1913 of
the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943.
(See also action on H.R. 399, H.R. 1073, H.R. 1637, H.R.
3510, H.R. 3572, H.R. 3586, H.R. 4402, H.R. 4408, H.R. 4509,
H.R. 4780, H.R. 5064, S. 2976, listed below).
------
VISA WAIVER PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2015
H.R. 158
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide
enhanced security measures for the visa waiver program, and for
other purposes.
[To clarify the grounds for ineligibility for travel to the
United States regarding terrorism risk, to expand the criteria
by which a country may be removed from the Visa Waiver Program,
to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a
report on strengthening the Electronic System for Travel
Authorization to better secure the international borders of the
United States and prevent terrorists and instruments of
terrorism from entering the United States, and for other
purposes.]
Summary
H.R. 158 sought to strengthen the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
and deny individuals who have connections to terrorist hotspots
entry into the United States. VWP country citizens with ties to
high-risk countries such as Iraq and Syria may pose an
increased security risk if allowed to enter the United States.
H.R. 158 denies VWP travel to travelers who are dual nationals
of--or have visited during the past five years--Iraq, Syria,
and other countries with significant terrorist activity.
Instead, these travelers are required to seek a visa for entry
into the United States.
The measure also demanded strong intelligence and law
enforcement information sharing from our VWP partners. When VWP
countries fail to share counterterrorism information with the
United States, it puts our security at risk. H.R. 158
authorized the Secretary of Homeland Security to terminate a
country from the program if the country does not share such
data-and doesn't allow the country back into the VWP until it
complies with the program requirements. Such authority improved
information sharing and help the U.S. better identify potential
terrorists and foreign fighters.
H.R. 158 requires all VWP countries to check travelers
against INTERPOL databases, in order to determine whether the
traveler is wanted by law enforcement agencies based on ties to
terrorism or criminal activity. Better screening against
INTERPOL databases closes a glaring gap in the global travel
system.
The bill was aimed at preventing extremists from using
fraudulent documents to evade detection Secure documents make
it harder for extremists to falsify their identities. H.R. 158
required all VWP countries to issue to their citizens fraud-
resistant ``e-passports,'' containing biometric information and
requires countries to be able to confirm that such documents
are legitimate when they are scanned.
The threat environment can change quickly, which is why
regular reviews of security in VWP countries must be conducted.
H.R. 158 required top U.S. security agencies to conduct more
frequent intelligence and threat assessments of VWP countries
to determine whether they pose a high risk to the national
security of United States. If a VWP country is designated as
``high risk,'' they can be suspended from the program.
Additionally, background checks on VWP travelers are
important, which is the bill ensured that the information they
provide is accurate. H.R. 158 requires the Department of
Homeland Security to take steps to better detect false
information, improve the validation of data supplied by
travelers, and add new data fields to enhance checks on each
traveler.
Legislative History
H.R. 158 was introduced in the House on January 6, 2015, by
Mrs. Miller of Michigan and Mr. McCaul, and referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary and in addition to the Committee on
Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 158 was referred
to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
On June 25, 2015, the Chair discharged the Subcommittee on
Border and Maritime Security from further consideration of H.R.
158.
The Committee considered H.R. 158 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 158 to the House on December 7,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-369, Pt. I.
The House considered H.R. 158 under Suspension of the Rules
on December 8, 2015, and passed the measure, as amended, by a
\2/3\ recorded vote of 407 yeas and 19 nays, (Roll No. 679).
The title of the measure was amended so as to read: ``A bill to
amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide enhanced
security measures for the visa waiver program, and for other
purposes''.
Provisions of H.R. 158 were included in H.R. 2029, Public
Law 114-113. (For further action see H.R. 2029, listed above.)
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MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS ALLOWABLE USE ACT
H.R. 361
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to codify authority
under existing grant guidance authorizing use of Urban Area
Security Initiative and State Homeland Security Grant Program
funding for enhancing medical preparedness, medical surge
capacity, and mass prophylaxis capabilities.
Summary
H.R. 361 amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L.
107-296) to clarify that State Homeland Security Grant Program
(SHSGP) and Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) funds may be
used to enhance medical preparedness, medical surge capacity,
and mass prophylaxis capabilities. Through hearings and
briefings held in the Subcommittee in the 112th and 113th
Congresses, the Committee received information from
stakeholders at the Federal, State, and local level about the
importance of medical preparedness. This legislation, and the
need to ensure that SHSGP and UASI funds remain available for
medical preparedness, was informed by these events.
Legislative History
112th Congress
In the 112th Congress, H.R. 5997 was introduced in the
House on June 21, 2012, by Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Clarke of
Michigan, Mr. Turner of New York, and Mr. Rogers of Alabama;
and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the
Committee, H.R. 5997 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications.
The House considered H.R. 5997 under Suspension of the
Rules on November 27, 2012, and passed the bill, amended, by a
\2/3\ recorded vote of 397 yeas and 1 nay, (Roll No. 609).
113th Congress
In the 113th Congress, H.R. 1791 was introduced in the
House on April 26, 2013, by Mr. Bilirakis, Mrs. Brooks of
Indiana, and Mr. King of New York; and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 1791
was referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness,
Response, and Communications.
On October 29, 2013, the Chair discharged the Subcommittee
on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications from
further consideration of H.R. 1791.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 1791 on October 29,
2013, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 1791 to the House on November
21, 2013, as H. Rpt. 113-273.
The House considered H.R. 1791 under Suspension of the
Rules on February 3, 2014, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 391 yeas and 2 nays, (Roll No. 32).
H.R. 1791 was received in the Senate on February 4, 2014,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
114th Congress
H.R. 361 was introduced in the House on January 14, 2015,
by Mr. Bilirakis, Mrs. Brooks of Indiana, and Mr. King of New
York and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. Within
the Committee, H.R. 361 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications.
The House considered H.R. 361 under Suspension of the Rules
on February 2, 2015, and passed the measure by a \2/3\ recorded
vote of 377 yeas and 2 nays, (Roll No. 51).
H.R. 361 was received in the Senate on February 3, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
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SECURE OUR BORDERS FIRST ACT OF 2015
H.R. 399 (H.R. 229 / S. 208)
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to gain and
maintain operational control of the international borders of
the United States, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 399 is the result of many hearings, meetings and
discussions with border security stakeholders and is based on
the Chair of the Full Committee border security blueprint
released in October 2014.
The bill includes capability deployment through a sector-
by-sector analysis of threats and needs and attaches to that
the resources necessary to gain operational control. The bill
requires fencing where fencing is needed and technology where
technology is needed to provide for a smart, safe, and cost
effective border security policy. This bill also required the
Department to conduct an analysis of the threats and needs
associated with both the southern and northern borders.
The Secure our Borders First Act also established an
independent commission to verify that the border is secure.
Members of the commission are to be border security experts--
people who know the border best.
Legislative History
H.R. 399
H.R. 399 was introduced in the House on January 16, 2015,
by Mr. McCaul and 13 original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, and addition to the Committee
on Armed Services, the Committee on Natural Resources, and the
Committee on Agriculture.
On January 21, 2015, the Committee met and ordered H.R. 399
to be reported to the House with a favorable recommendation,
amended, by a recorded vote of 18 yeas and 12 nays, (Roll Call
Vote No. 11).
On January 22, 2015, the Chair of the Committee on the
Judiciary sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to expedite
consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on the
Judiciary would not request a sequential referral of H.R. 399;
on that same date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland
Security responded acknowledging the jurisdictional interests
of the Committee on the Judiciary, and the agreement to not
seek a sequential referral. On January 22, 2015, the Chair of
the Committee on Natural Resources sent a letter to the Chair
of the Committee on Homeland Security agreeing that, in order
to expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Natural Resources would waive further consideration of H.R.
399; on that same date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland
Security responded acknowledging the jurisdictional interests
of the Committee on Natural Resources and the agreement to
waive further consideration of H.R. 399.
On January 22, 2015, the Chair of the Committee on
Agriculture sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to expedite
consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on Agriculture
would waive further consideration of H.R. 399; on that same
date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security responded
acknowledging the jurisdictional interests of the Committee on
Agriculture and the agreement to waive further consideration of
H.R. 399. On January 23, 2015, the Chair of the Committee on
Armed Services sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to expedite
consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on Armed
Services would waive further consideration of H.R. 399; on that
same date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security
responded acknowledging the jurisdictional interests of the
Committee on Armed Services and the agreement to waive further
consideration of H.R. 399.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 399 to the
House on January 27, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-10, Pt. I.
Subsequently, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on
Natural Resources, and the Committee on Agriculture were
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 399. (See action
taken on S.1356, listed above).
Provisions of H.R. 399 were included in Sec. 1092 of the
Conference Report to accompany S. 2943. (See action taken on S.
2943, listed above).
H.R. 229
H.R. 229, the Biometric Exit Improvement Act of 2015, was
introduced in the House on January 8, 2015, by Mrs. Miller of
Michigan and Mr. McCaul and referred to the Committee on
Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 229 was referred
to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
The text of H.R. 229 was included in Section 14 of H.R.
399, as reported by the Committee.
S. 208
S. 208, the Senate companion measure of H.R. 399, was
introduced in the Senate on January 21, 2015, by Mr. Johnson,
Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Flake, and Mr. Cain, and referred to the Senate
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
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HUMAN TRAFFICKING DETECTION ACT OF 2015
H.R. 460 (S. 178 / S. 623)
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to train
Department of Homeland Security personnel how to effectively
deter, detect, disrupt, and prevent human trafficking during
the course of their primary roles and responsibilities, and for
other purposes.
Summary
This legislation requires the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) to train Transportation Security Administration,
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other relevant DHS
personnel to counter human trafficking in a manner specific to
their professional roles and responsibilities. The bill also
ensures that such training will be assessed by the Secretary on
an annual basis so that it is based on the most current human
trafficking trends and intelligence and directs the Secretary
to report to Congress on the number of suspected cases reported
by the DHS officials.
Finally, this legislation recognizes the critical role that
State and local authorities play in preventing human
trafficking by authorizing the Department of Homeland Security
to make training curricula available to State, local, Tribal,
and private sector partners.
Legislative History
H.R. 460
H.R. 460 was introduced in the House on January 21, 2015,
by Mr. Walker and nine original cosponsors, and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the
Committee on the Judiciary. Within the Committee, H.R. 460 was
referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
On January 22, 2015, the Chair of the Committee on the
Judiciary sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to expedite
consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on the
Judiciary would waive further consideration of H.R. 460; on
that same date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security
responded acknowledging the jurisdictional interests of the
Committee on the Judiciary, and the agreement to waive further
consideration.
The House considered H.R. 460 under Suspension the Rules on
January 27, 2015, and passed H.R. 460 by voice vote.
H.R. 460 was received in the Senate, read twice, and
referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered H.R. 460 on March 4, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate favorably.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs report filed in the Senate on May 14, 2015, as S. Rpt.
114-46.
The text of H.R. 460, as passed by the House was added to
Title IX of S. 178, as passed by the Senate.
S. 178
S. 178, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015,
was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2015, by Mr. Cornyn
and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
The Senate Committee on the Judiciary considered S. 178 on
February 26, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the Senate, favorably, with an Amendment in the Nature of a
Substitute.
On March 2, 2015, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary
reported S. 178 to the Senate with no written report.
The Senate considered S. 178 on March 10, 11, 12, 16, 17,
18, 19; April 14, 16, 16, 20, 21, and 22, 2015. On April 22,
2015, the Senate passed S. 178 by a recorded vote of 99 yeas
and 0 nays, (Roll No. 163).
S. 178 was received in the House on April 23, 2015, and
held at the Desk.
The House considered S. 178 under Suspension of the Rules
on May 18, 2015, and on May 19, 2015, passed the measure, by a
\2/3\ recorded vote of 420 yeas and 3 nays, (Roll No. 244).
Subsequently, pursuant to H. Con. Res. 47, the enrollment
of S. 178 was corrected.
S. 178 was presented to the President on May 21, 2015. The
President signed S. 178 into law on May 29, 2015, as Public Law
114-22.
S. 623
S. 623, the Senate companion measure to H.R. 460 was
introduced in the Senate on March 3, 2016, by Mr. Johnson and
referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
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PRECLEARANCE AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2015
H.R. 998
To establish the conditions under which the Secretary of
Homeland Security may establish preclearance facilities,
conduct preclearance operations, and provide customs services
outside the United States, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation authorized the operation and expansion of
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance
operations abroad. Preclearance operations, a program under
which passengers and their luggage undergo screening by CBP
officers prior to boarding a U.S.-bound flight, have been in
place in some foreign airports for years and DHS sought to
expand the program. This act established certain guidelines for
the program to help capture the benefits of the program without
jeopardizing security or negatively impacting screening at U.S.
ports of entry and provide for enhanced congressional
oversight.
H.R. 998 creates conditions for the Secretary of Homeland
Security to establish preclearance facilities, conduct
preclearance operations, and provide customs services outside
the United States. Specifically the bill authorizes DHS to
establish preclearance operations in a foreign country. It
further required the Secretary of Homeland Security to notify
Congress 180 days before entering into an agreement with a
foreign government to establish a preclearance operation and
provide Congress with a copy of the proposed agreement, any
proposed terms and conditions for CBP officers operating at the
location, an impact assessment on trade and travel, a threat
assessment of the proposed location, an impact assessment for
CBP staffing at domestic ports of entry, potential economic and
competitive impacts on U.S. air carriers, any anticipated
homeland security details, security vulnerabilities, and
mitigation plans. The bill also requires the Secretary report
to Congress 90 days before entering into an agreement and
provide Congress with a remediation plan to reduce customs
processing times at the 25 domestic airports with the highest
volume of international travel. In addition, aviation security
screening standards at a preclearance location must be
comparable to those required by the Transportation Security
Administration and if they are not, rescreening can occur when
the passenger or goods are in the United States. Finally, the
bill mandates that a foreign country with a preclearance
facility routinely submit information concerning stolen and
lost travel documents to INTERPOL and the U.S. Government.
Legislative History
H.R. 998 was introduced in the House on February 13, 2015,
by Mr. Meehan and five original cosponsors, and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the
Committee on Ways and Means. Within the Committee, H.R. 998 was
referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security
and the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
On June 25, 2015, the Chair discharged the Subcommittee on
Border and Maritime Security and the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security from further consideration of H.R. 998.
The Committee considered H.R. 998 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means sent a letter
to the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security on July 16,
2015, agreeing that, in order to expedite consideration on the
House Floor, the Committee on Ways and Means would forgo
further consideration of H.R. 998.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 998 to the
House on July 22, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-219, Pt. I.
Subsequently, the Committee on Ways and Means was discharged
from further consideration of H.R. 998.
The House considered H.R. 998 under Suspension of the Rules
on July 27, 2015, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 998 was received in the Senate on July 28, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
considered H.R. 998 on October 7, 2015, and ordered the measure
to be reported to the Senate, with an Amendment in the Nature
of a Substitute.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported H.R. 998 to the Senate on December 15, 2015,
as S. Rpt. 114-180.
H.R. 988 was included in Section 811 of H.R. 644, as
reported by the Committee of Conference. (See also action on
H.R.644 listed above).
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CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION ACT
H.R. 1073 (S. 1846)
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to secure critical
infrastructure against electromagnetic threats, and for other
purposes.
Summary
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-296) to secure critical infrastructure against
electromagnetic threats. The Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) has a responsibility to assess critical infrastructure
resilience to both man-made and natural threats. The mission of
DHS is to ensure ``a homeland that is safe, secure, and
resilient against terrorism and other hazards.' The threat of
electromagnetic pulses (EMP), whether due to a nuclear weapon
or solar flares, represents another high-consequence, low-
probability threat.
This legislation requires the Secretary to assess both EMP
threats in the context of other threats to determine the
research and development needs to mitigate the threat and
consequences of EMP events. It also requires the development of
strategic guidance for the Department, and conduct outreach to
educate owners and operators of the critical infrastructure,
emergency planners, and emergency response providers regarding
the threat of EMP events.
Legislative History
113th Congress
In the 113th Congress, H.R. 3410 was introduced in the
House on October 30, 2013, by Mr. Franks of Arizona and Mr.
Sessions, and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 3410 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and
Security Technologies.
On December 1, 2014, the Chair of the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology sent a letter to the Chair of the
Committee on Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology would not seek a sequential
referral of H.R. 3410. On that same date, the Chair of the
Committee on Homeland Security responded, acknowledging the
jurisdictional interests of the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology and the agreement to not seek a sequential
referral.
The House considered H.R. 3410 under Suspension of the
Rules on December 1, 2014, and passed the measure, amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 3410 was received in the Senate on December 2, 2014,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
114th Congress
H.R. 1073
H.R. 1073 was introduced in the House on February 25, 2015,
by Mr. Franks of Arizona and Mr. Sessions, and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 1073
was referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity,
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies.
On June 25, 2015, the Chair discharged the Subcommittee on
Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies from further consideration of H.R. 1073.
The Committee considered H.R. 1073 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 1073 to
the House on August 4, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-240.
The House considered H.R. 1073 under Suspension of the
Rules on November 16, 2015, and passed the measure by voice
vote, as amended.
H.R. 1073 was received in the Senate on November 17, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
Provisions of Sec. 2 of H.R. 1073 were included in Section
1913 of the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943, the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. (See
action taken on S. 2943, listed above).
S. 1846
S. 1846, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in
the Senate on July 23, 2015, by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Cruz and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered S. 1846 on July 29, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate, with an Amendment in the
Nature of a Substitute, favorably.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported S. 1846 to the Senate on May 9, 2016, as S.
Rpt. 114-250.
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DHS FOIA EFFICIENCY ACT OF 2015
H.R. 1615
To direct the Chief FOIA Officer of the Department of Homeland
Security to make certain improvements in the implementation of
section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as
the Freedom of Information Act), and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation directs the Chief Freedom of Information
Act Officer of the Department of Homeland Security to make
certain improvements in the implementation of section 552 of
title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Freedom of
Information Act).
Legislative History
H.R. 1615 was introduced in the House on March 25, 2015, by
Mr. Carter of Georgia and seven original cosponsors and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the
Committee, H.R. 1615 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Management Efficiency.
The Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency
considered H.R. 1615 on May 13, 2015, reported the measure to
the Full Committee for consideration, with a favorable
recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 1615 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 1615 to the House on June 11,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-148.
The House considered H.R. 1615 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the measure on June 25,
2015, amended, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 423 yeas and 0 nays,
(Roll No. 387).
H.R. 1615 was received in the Senate on July 7, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
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DHS PAID ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2015
H.R. 1633
To provide for certain improvements relating to the tracking
and reporting of employees of the Department of Homeland
Security placed on administrative leave, or any other type of
paid non-duty status without charge to leave, for personnel
matters, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation requires the Department of Homeland
Security to track and report on employees placed on
administrative leave for personnel matters. The head of each
component within the Department is directed to report to Chief
Human Capital Office on a quarterly basis on staff who are
placed on administrative leave.
Legislative History
H.R. 1633 was introduced in the House on March 25, 2015, by
Mr. Loudermilk and seven original cosponsors and referred to
the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R.
1633 was referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Management Efficiency.
The Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency
considered H.R. 1633 on May 13, 2015, and ordered the measure
reported to the Full Committee for consideration, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 1633 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 1633 to the House on June 17,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-163.
The House considered H.R. 1633 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the measure, as amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 1633 was received in the Senate on June 24, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
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BORDER SECURITY TECHNOLOGY ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2015
H.R. 1634 (S. 1873)
To strengthen accountability for deployment of border security
technology at the Department of Homeland Security, and for
other purposes.
Summary
Since 2005, Acquisition Management Activities of the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have been on the
Government Accountability Office (GAO) ``High-Risk List''
because of their high susceptibility to waste and
mismanagement. In 2012, GAO found that less than one-third of
major DHS acquisition programs have Acquisition Program
Baselines in place, important measurements for performance and
cost-control.
H.R. 1634 required the Secretary to ensure that each border
security technology acquisition program with an expected
lifecycle cost of at least $300 million have an acquisition
program baseline approved by the relevant acquisition decision
authority. The Secretary is required to document that each such
program is meeting cost, schedule, and performance thresholds
as specified in its baseline and complies with departmental
acquisition policies and the Federal Acquisition Regulation,
and have a plan for meeting program implementation objectives
by managing contractor performance.
H.R. 1634 further required the DHS Under Secretary for
Management should to work with the Commissioner of the U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to implement internal
control standards and best practices for such programs as
identified by the Comptroller General. The DHS Under Secretary
for Management and the Commissioner of the CBP are required to
develop and submit to Congress a plan for the testing and
evaluation of border security technologies, as well as for the
use of independent verification and validation resources.
Legislative History
H.R. 1634
H.R. 1634 was introduced in the House on March 25, 2015, by
Ms. McSally and six original cosponsors, and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 1634
was referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime
Security.
On June 25, 2015, the Chair discharged the Subcommittee on
Border and Maritime Security from further consideration of H.R.
1634.
The Committee considered H.R. 1634 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 1634 to
the House on July 27, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-226.
The House considered H.R. 1634 on July 27, 2015, under
Suspension of the Rules, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 1634 was received in the Senate on July 28, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
S. 1873
S. 1873, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in
the Senate on July 28, 2015, by Mr. McCain and referred to the
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered S. 1873 on October 7, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate with an Amendment in the
Nature of a Substitute.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported S. 1873 to the Senate on April 4, 2016, as S.
Rpt. 114-234.
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FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUNSHINE
ACT OF 2015
H.R. 1637
To require annual reports on the activities and accomplishments
of federally funded research and development centers within the
Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland
Security to annually submit to Congress a list of the ongoing
and completed projects that Federally Funded Research and
Development Centers within the Department have been tasked.
Legislative History
H.R. 1637 was introduced in the House on March 25, 2015, by
Mr. Ratcliffe and seven original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 1637
was referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity,
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies and the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency.
On May 20, 2015, the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity,
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies and the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency were
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1637.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 1637 on
May 20, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to the
House, with a favorable recommendation, without amendment, by
voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 1637 to the House on June 11,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-149.
The Chair of the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security on June 23, 2015, agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee would
not seek a sequential referral of H.R. 1637. The letter further
requested support for the appointment of Conferees should a
House-Senate Conference be called. On that same date, the Chair
of the Committee on Homeland Security sent a letter to the
Chair of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
acknowledging the jurisdictional interests of the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology and the agreement to not seek a
sequential referral of H.R. 1637.
The House considered H.R. 1637 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the measure, amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 1637 was received in the Senate on June 24, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
Provisions relating to H.R. 1637 were included in Sec. 1906
of the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943. (See action
taken on S. 2943, listed above).
------
HOMELAND SECURITY DRONE ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS ACT
H.R. 1646
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to research how
certain commercially available small and medium sized unmanned
aircraft systems could be used in an attack, how to prevent or
mitigate the risk of such an attack, and for other purposes.
[To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to research how
small and medium sized unmanned aerial systems could be used in
an attack, how to prevent or mitigate the effects of such an
attack, and for other purposes.]
Summary
This legislation requires the Department of Homeland
Security, in coordination with the Departments of Defense,
Transportation, and Energy, and the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission to research how commercially available small and
medium sized drones could be used to perpetuate an attack,
conduct a risk assessment of small or medium-sized unmanned
aircraft systems (UAS) attacks, develop policies regarding the
mitigation of risk of small or medium sized UAS attacks, and
disseminate information to law enforcement regarding how to
respond to potential UAS threats.
Legislative History
H.R. 1646 was introduced in the House on March 26, 2015, by
Mrs. Watson Coleman and Mr. Thompson and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Within the
Committee, H.R. 1646 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Management Efficiency and the Subcommittee on
Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
The Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency
considered H.R. 1646 on May 13, 2015, and ordered the measure
reported to the Full Committee for consideration, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence was
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1646 on May 20,
2015.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 1646 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security on June 9, 2015, agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration of H.R. 1646 on the House Floor, the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure would waive
further consideration of H.R. 1646. The letter further
requested the appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate
Conference be called. The Chair of the Committee on Homeland
Security responded on June 10, 2015, acknowledging the
agreement of Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to
waive further consideration of H.R. 1646.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported to the House on
June 18, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-169, Pt. I. Subsequently, the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure was discharged
from further consideration of H.R. 1646.
The House considered H.R. 1646 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the measure, as amended, by
voice vote. During consideration, the title was amended so as
to read ``To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to
research how certain commercially available small and medium
sized unmanned aircraft systems could be used in an attack, how
to prevent or mitigate the risk of such an attack, and for
other purposes.''
H.R. 1646 was received in the Senate on June 24, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY PROTECTION ADVANCEMENT ACT OF 2015
PROTECTING CYBER NETWORKS ACT
H.R. 1731 (H.R. 1560, S. 754)
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance multi-
directional sharing of information related to cybersecurity
risks and strengthen privacy and civil liberties protections,
and for other purposes.
Summary
To secure the Nation's cyber networks and protect critical
infrastructure from attacks, this legislation amends the
Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-296) to improve the
sharing of information regarding cybersecurity risks and
facilitating cooperation between the Federal Government and the
private sector and to strengthen privacy and civil liberties
protections.
Legislative History
H.R. 1731
H.R. 1731 was introduced in the House on April 13, 2015, by
Mr. McCaul and Mr. Ratcliffe, and referred to the Committee on
Homeland Security.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 1731 on April 14, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 1731 to the House on April 17,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-83.
The Committee on Rules met and granted a Rule providing for
the consideration of H.R. 1731. Rule filed in the House as
H.Res. 212 (H. Rpt. 144-88). Among other things, the Rule
provided that in the engrossment of H.R. 1560, the Clerk shall
add the text of H.R. 1731, as passed by the House, as a new
matter at the end of H.R. 1560 and make conforming
modifications in the engrossment.
The House considered H.R. 1731 on April 23, 2015, under the
provisions of H.Res. 212, and passed the measure, amended, by a
recorded vote of 355 yeas and 63 nays, (Roll No. 173). Pursuant
to the provisions of H.Res. 212, in the engrossment of H.R.
1560, the text of H.R. 1731 as passed by the House is appended
to the end of H.R. 1560 as new matter. Subsequently, H.R. 1731
was laid on the table.
Provisions of H.R. 1731 were included in Division N of
Title II of H.R. 2029. (See also action on H.R. 2029 listed
above.)
H.R. 1560
H.R. 1560, was introduced in the House on March 24, 2015,
by Mr. Nunes, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Westmoreland, and Mr. Himes and
referred to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
The Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence considered
H.R. 1560 on March 26, 2015, and ordered the measure to be
reported to the House, as amended, by voice vote.
The Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence reported
H.R. 1560 to the House on April 13, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-63.
The Committee on Rules met and granted a Rule providing for
the consideration of H.R. 1560. Rule filed in the House as
H.Res. 212 (H. Rpt. 144-88). Among other things, the Rule
provides that in the engrossment of H.R. 1560, the Clerk shall
add the text of H.R. 1731, as passed by the House, as a new
matter at the end of H.R. 1560 and make conforming
modifications in the engrossment.
The House agreed to H.Res. 212 on April 22, 2015, by a
recorded vote of 238 yeas and 182 nays, (Roll No. 164). The
House then agreed to H.R. 1560 by a recorded vote of 307 yeas
and 116 nays, (Roll No. 170).
Pursuant to H.Res. 212, the text of H.R. 1731 was added to
the end of H.R. 1560, as passed by the House.
H.R. 1560 was received in the Senate on April 27, 2015, and
referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
S. 754
The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence reported an
original measure, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of
2015, to the Senate on March 17, 2015, as S. 754, and placed on
the Senate Legislative Calendar.
The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence filed a written
report on April 15, 2015, as S. Rpt. 114-32.
A motion to proceed to the consideration of S. 754 was made
in the Senate on August 3, 2015. A cloture motion on the motion
to proceed was made in the Senate on that same day. A second
motion to proceed to the consideration of S. 754 was made in
the Senate on August 4, 2015. A third motion to proceed to the
consideration of S. 754 was made in the Senate on August 5,
2015.
On August 5, 2015, the cloture motion on the motion to
proceed to the consideration of H. 754 was withdrawn in the
Senate.
S. 754 was laid before the Senate by unanimous consent on
October 20, 2015. A cloture motion on S. 754 was presented in
the Senate.
The Senate considered S. 754 on October 21, 22, and 27,
2015. On October 27, 2015, the cloture motion on S. 754 was
withdrawn by unanimous consent. The Senate then passed S. 754,
with an amendment by a recorded vote of 74 yeas and 21 nays,
(Record Vote No. 291).
S. 754 was received in the House on October 28, 2015, and
held at the Desk.
------
PLUM ISLAND ANIMAL DISEASE CENTER
H.R. 1887
To amend certain appropriation Acts to repeal the requirement
directing the Administrator of General Services to sell Federal
property and assets that support the operations of the Plum
Island Animal Disease Center in Plum Island, New York, and for
other purposes.
[To authorize the Comptroller General of the United States to
assess a study on the alternatives for the disposition of Plum
Island Animal Disease Center, and for other purposes.]
Summary
In 2005, the Department of Homeland Security announced that
the Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) in New York,
managed by the Science and Technology Directorate, would be
moved to a new Federal facility in Kansas. PIADC has served as
a form of defense against accidental or intentional
introduction of transboundary animal diseases since 1954. The
traditional interagency consultation process regarding the
disposal of Federal property was bypassed, putting the
potential sale of this island on the fast track without
consulting the local community or other Federal agencies.
Locally, the Town of Southold, New York passed ordinances
preventing any private development of Plum Island.
This legislation requires the Government Accountability
Office (GAO) to assess the study by the Department to address
options for the disposition of Plum Island. The legislation
requires GAO to assess the methodologies used by the Department
in the study, to determine whether these methodologies
adequately support the study's findings. Additionally, the
legislation suspends the requirement to sell Plum Island until
a further review of the analysis of alternatives is conducted
by the Department and the GAO.
Legislative History
113th Congress
In the 113th Congress, H.R. 2691 was introduced in the
House by Mr. Bishop of New York, Mr. Courtney, and Mr. Grimm,
and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
114th Congress
H.R. 1887 was introduced in the House on April 16, 2015, by
Mr. Zeldin and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 1887 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and
Security Technologies.
The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies was discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 1887 on April 28, 2016. The Full
Committee considered H.R. 1887 on April 28, 2016, and ordered
the measure to be reported to the House with a favorable
recommendation, as amended, by unanimous consent.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter on May 12, 2016, to the Chair of
the Committee on Homeland Security agreeing that, in order
expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would not seek a sequential
referral of H.R. 1887. The letter further requested support for
the appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate Conference
be called. The Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security
responded on May 16, 2016, agreeing to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure waiving its right to seek a
sequential referral of H.R. 1887.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 1887 to
the House on May 16, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-568.
The House considered H.R. 1887 under Suspension of the
Rules on May 16, 2016, and passed the measure, as amended, by
voice vote. During consideration the title of the bill was
amended so as to read ``To authorize the Comptroller General of
the United States to assess a study on the alternatives for the
disposition of Plum Island Animal Disease Center, and for other
purposes.''
H.R. 1887 was received in the Senate on May 26, 2016, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
SECURING EXPEDITED SCREENING ACT
H.R. 2127
To direct the Administrator of the Transportation Security
Administration to limit access to expedited airport security
screening at an airport security checkpoint to participants of
the PreCheck program and other known low-risk passengers, and
for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 2127 directs the Transportation Security
Administration to suspend the use of alternate methods for
granting passengers access to PreCheck expedited screening,
unless the agency can prove the security effectiveness of such
methods. Specifically, this bill requires that expedited
screening be limited to passengers who have successfully
enrolled in the PreCheck program or who are eligible for
PreCheck by being part of an already identified low-risk
population. This bill helps ensure that expedited screening is
both deliberate and secure, and that the population of known
travelers is expanded so that resources can be directed towards
unknown travelers.
Legislative History
H.R. 2127 was introduced in the House on April 30, 2015, by
Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Katko, and Miss Rice of New
York, and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 2127 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
On June 25, 2015, the Chair discharged the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security from further consideration of H.R.
2127.
The Committee considered H.R. 2127 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 2127 to
the House on July 22, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-220.
The House considered H.R. 2127 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 27, 2015, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 2127 was received in the Senate on July 28, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
------
CBRN INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION SHARING ACT OF 2015
H.R. 2200
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish
chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear intelligence
and information sharing functions of the Office of Intelligence
and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security and to
require dissemination of information analyzed by the Department
to entities with responsibilities relating to homeland
security, and for other purposes.
Summary
Terrorist groups have long strived to employ chemical,
biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) materials in their
attacks. Furthermore, events such as the Boston Marathon
bombing in 2013 illustrate the need for better information
sharing between Federal and local officials. This legislation
requires that the Office of Intelligence and Analysis within
the Department of Homeland Security enhance intelligence
analysis and information sharing on CBRN threats and work to
ensure that State and local officials get the actionable
intelligence information necessary to stop an attack.
Legislative History
H.R. 2200 was introduced in the House on May 1, 2015, by
Ms. McSally, Mr. McCaul, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Meehan, Mr.
Thompson of Mississippi, and Mr. Payne and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 2200
was referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and
Intelligence and the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness,
Response, and Communications.
The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications considered H.R. 2200 on May 14, 2015, and
forwarded the measure to the Full Committee for consideration,
as amended, by voice vote.
The Chair discharged the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism
and Intelligence from further consideration of H.R. 2200 on May
20, 2015.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 2200 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 2200 to the House on June 17,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-164.
The House considered H.R. 2200 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the measure, on June 25,
2015, amended, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 420 yeas and 2 nays,
(Roll No. 389).
H.R. 2200 was received in the Senate on July 7, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
STATE WIDE INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS ENHANCEMENT ACT
H.R. 2206
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require
recipients of State Homeland Security Grant Program funding to
preserve and strengthen interoperable emergency communications
capabilities, and for other purposes.
Summary
Despite an investment of more than $5 billion in grant
funding to enhance communications capabilities over the past 10
years, interoperability remains a challenge, particularly
during disaster scenarios. H.R. 2206 recognizes the important
role played by Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (SWICs),
be it through the development of Statewide Communications
Interoperability Plans, coordinating interoperable
communications projects and grant requests, or engaging with
the First Responder Network Authority as it works to design and
build the Nation-wide public safety broadband network. The bill
requires a governor to certify, as part of the application for
State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) funds, that the
State has designated a SWIC, or, if a SWIC has not been
designated, that the State is performing in another manner the
functions of a SWIC.
Legislative History
H.R. 2206 was introduced in the House on May 1, 2015, by
Mr. Payne, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. McCaul, and Ms.
McSally, and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 2206 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications.
The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications considered H.R. 2206 on May 14, 2015, and
forwarded the measure to the Full Committee for consideration,
without amendment, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 2206 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 2206 to the House on June 17,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-165.
The House considered H.R. 2206 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 27, 2015, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 2206 was received in the Senate on July 28, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
PREVENT TRAFFICKING IN CULTURAL PROPERTY ACT
H.R. 2285
To improve enforcement against trafficking in cultural property
and prevent stolen or illicit cultural property from financing
terrorist and criminal networks, and for other purposes.
Summary
Terrorists and terrorist organizations have used proceeds
from the smuggling of antiquity and cultural property to fund
their activities and bolster their financial networks.
H.R. 2285 strengthened the enforcement efforts of U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE) to interdict, detain, seize, and
investigate cultural property illegally imported into the
United States. Additionally, it required CBP and ICE to disrupt
and dismantle smuggling and trafficking networks engaged in the
illegal trade of cultural property.
Legislative History
H.R. 2285 was introduced in the House on May 13, 2015, by
Mr. Keating, Mr. McCaul, and Mr. Engel, and referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means and in addition to the Committee on
Homeland Security and the Committee on the Judiciary. Within
the Committee, H.R. 2285 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Border and Maritime Security.
On November 4, 2015, the Subcommittee on Border and
Maritime Security was discharged from further consideration of
H.R. 2285.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 2285 on November 4,
2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, as
amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 2285 to
the House on December 15, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-380, Pt. I.
The Committee on Ways and Means reported H.R. 2285 to the
House on September 19, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-380, Pt. II.
Subsequently, the Committee on the Judiciary was discharged
from further consideration of H.R. 2285.
The House considered H.R. 2285 under Suspension of the
Rules and passed the measure on September 22, 2016, by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 415 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No. 547).
H.R. 2285 was received in the Senate on September 26, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
------
HOMELAND SECURITY UNIVERSITY-BASED CENTERS REVIEW ACT
H.R. 2390
To require a review of university-based centers for homeland
security, and for other purposes.
Summary
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Centers of
Excellence (COE) are charged with performing basic and applied
research in areas of emerging threats. These research projects
are typically long-term, support a technology development
program some years later, and are typically tasked with
addressing the `over the horizon' threats.
This legislation requires the Government Accountability
Office (GAO) to initiate a study assessing the university-based
centers for homeland security program and provide
recommendations to Congress for appropriate improvements. This
study includes a review of the Department of Homeland
Security's efforts to identify areas of study needed to support
its missions, along with a review of selection criteria for
designating university-based centers, an examination of best
practices to organize and use university-based research, a
review of criteria and metrics DHS uses to measure progress of
university based centers, an examination of the means by which
other academic institutions can contribute to the research
mission of the Science and Technology Directorate, an
assessment of the interrelationship between the different COEs,
and a review of any other essential elements of the programs.
The Committee believes key areas of needed study to support
the homeland security missions will be identified by this
review, and the review will also provide insight into the
method by which university based centers, which are federally
funded research and develop centers, receive tasking from the
Department.
Legislative History
H.R. 2390 was introduced in the House on May 18, 2015, by
Mr. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and Mr. Richmond and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Within the
Committee, H.R. 2390 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies.
The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies was discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 2390 on May 20, 2015.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 2390 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, without amendment, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security on June 17, 2015, agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee would
forego further consideration of H.R. 2390. On that same date,
the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security responded
acknowledging the agreement to forego further consideration and
supporting the request for Conferees should a House-Senate
Conference be called.
Committee on Homeland Security reported to the House on
June 18, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-168, Pt. I. Subsequently, the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology was discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 2390.
The House considered H.R. 2390 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the measure, amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 2390 was received in the Senate on June 24, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
IMPROVED SECURITY VETTING FOR AVIATION WORKERS ACT OF 2015
H.R. 2750
To reform programs of the Transportation Security
Administration, streamline transportation security regulations,
and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation addresses findings outlined by the
Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General
(DHS-OIG) report TSA Can Improve Aviation Worker Vetting [OIG-
15-98] highlighting the Transportation Security Administration
(TSA) and airport's inability to properly vet aviation workers
who have access to sensitive areas of the Nation's airports.
H.R. 2750 would ensure that the TSA coordinates with
interagency watch-listing partners to determine needed
Terrorist Identity Datamart Environment (TIDE) category codes
to properly vet aviation workers and requires TSA issue new
guidance for its Inspectors to annually conduct a comprehensive
review of airport badging office procedures. Also, the bill
would ensure that TSA works with the Federal Bureau of
Investigation to determine feasibility of implementing the Rap-
Back system for recurrent criminal vetting and requires TSA
issue new guidance mandating expiration dates on airport
credentials of workers with temporary U.S. work authorizations.
Finally, it requires TSA to review, identify, and address
airports that have systematic issues in determining an
applicant's lawful work status and ensures TSA brief Congress
on the status of the change, once completed.
Legislative History
H.R. 2750 was introduced in the House on June 12, 2015, by
Mr. Katko, Mr. McCaul, Miss Rice of New York, and Mr. Payne,
and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the
Committee, H.R. 2750 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security.
The Subcommittee on Transportation Security considered H.R.
2750 on June 16, 2015, and reported the measure to the Full
Committee with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Committee considered H.R. 2750 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 2750 to the House on July 27,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-227.
The House considered H.R. 2750 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 27, 2015, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 2750 was received in the Senate on July 28, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
------
KEEPING OUR TRAVELERS SAFE AND SECURE ACT
H.R. 2770
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require certain
maintenance of security-related technology at airports, and for
other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 2770 requires the Administrator of the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) to develop and implement a
preventive maintenance validation process for security-related
technology deployed to airports. The process must include
specific maintenance schedules, guidance for TSA personnel and
contractors on how to conduct and document maintenance actions,
mechanisms to ensure compliance, and penalties for
noncompliance.
Legislative History
H.R. 2770 was introduced in the House on June 15, 2015, by
Miss Rice of New York, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Katko,
and Mr. Payne and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 2770 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
The Subcommittee on Transportation Security considered H.R.
2770 on June 16, 2015, and reported the measure to the Full
Committee with a favorable recommendation, without amendment,
by voice vote.
The Committee considered H.R. 2770 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committed on Homeland Security reported H.R. 2770 to
the House on July 22, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-218.
The House considered H.R. 2770 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 27, 2015, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 380 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No. 469).
H.R. 2770 was received in the Senate on July 28, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
------
CROSS-BORDER RAIL SECURITY ACT OF 2015
H.R. 2786
To require the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border
Protection to submit a report on cross-border rail security,
and for other purposes.
Summary
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of
Field Operations is principally responsible for facilitating
trade and travel entering the United States and ensuring
adequate security measures. CBP attempts to prevent terrorist
and terrorist instruments from entering the United States and
works to enforce trade, agriculture, and immigration
regulations across all transportation domains. This bill
fulfills the recommendations from a DHS Office of Inspector
General report U.S. Customs and Border Protection Did Not
Effectively Target and Examine Rail Shipments From Canada and
Mexico [OIG-15-39] which detailed how high-risk rail shipments
arriving into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico were not being
properly targeted and screened.
This bill would require the Commissioner of CBP to submit a
report on cross-border rail security to the House and Senate
Homeland Security Committees. The report would include: The
number of shipments entering the U.S. annually that are
determined to be high-risk; details on the status of radiation
detection units on the northern and southern land borders; and
whether additional radiation detection equipment is needed. The
report must also include a plan for ensuring all CBP personnel
receive proper training and guidance on the use of CBP's
Automated Targeting System.
H.R. 2786 also requires the Government Accountability
Office to periodically audit CBP operations at rail crossings
on the northern and southern international borders.
Legislative History
H.R. 2786 was introduced in the House on June 15, 2015, by
Mr. Vela and Mrs. Miller of Michigan and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 2786
was referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and
the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
On June 25, 2015, the Chair discharged the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security and the Subcommittee on Border and
Maritime Security from further consideration of H.R. 2786.
The Committee considered H.R. 2786 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, without amendment, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 2786 to the House on July 28,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-233.
The House considered H.R. 278 under Suspension of the Rules
on September 28, 2015, and passed the measure, with an
amendment by a recorded vote of 412 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No.
520).
H.R. 2786 was received in the Senate on September 29, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
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FIRST RESPONDER IDENTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY NEEDS IN DISASTER
SITUATIONS
H.R. 2795
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a study
on the circumstances which may impact the effectiveness and
availability of first responders before, during, or after a
terrorist threat or event.
Summary
H.R. 2795 was introduced as the Nation neared the tenth
anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Catastrophic emergencies like
Hurricane Katrina and the 2014 Ebola scare in Texas impact
entire communities that State and local first responders are
responsible for protecting. These first responders are also
responsible for protecting their own families impacted by
emergencies. This bill analyzes how much is being done to
support the needs of first responders--particularly with
respect to concerns about their families--so that they can
continue to do their job successfully. This measure provides
Congress with relevant information about policies and programs
at both the State and local levels that support the protection
and preparedness of first responders and their families during
emergencies.
Legislative History
H.R. 2795 was introduced in the House on June 16, 2015, by
Ms. Jackson Lee and 14 original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 2795
was referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness,
Response, and Communications.
On November 4, 2015, the Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response and Communications was discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 2795.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 2795 on November 4,
2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, as
amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 2795 to the House on December
7, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-370.
The House considered H.R. 2795 under Suspension of the
Rules on December 10, 2015, and passed the bill, as amended, by
a \2/3\ recorded vote of 396 yeas and 12 nays, (Roll No. 689).
H.R. 2795 was received in the Senate on December 14, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
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TSA PRECHECK EXPANSION ACT
H.R. 2843
To require certain improvements in the Transportation Security
Administration's PreCheck expedited screening program, and for
other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 2843 requires the Administrator of the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) to publish PreCheck application
enrollment standards to allow private-sector entities to
provide services to support increased enrollment in the
program. The standards must allow for the use of secure
technologies including: Online enrollment; kiosks; tablets; or
staffed laptop stations at which people can apply for entry
into the program. The bill requires the Administrator to
coordinate with interested parties to deploy TSA-approved,
ready-to-market private sector technology that meets new
enrollment standards. The bill also requires the Administrator
to develop and implement a process for approving private-sector
marketing of the PreCheck program and a strategy for partnering
with the private sector to encourage program enrollment. The
bill further requires the Administrator to leverage Department
of Homeland Security data and technology to verify the
citizenship of individuals enrolling in the program and assess
security vulnerabilities in the application vetting process
that includes an evaluation of whether subjecting program
participants to recurring fingerprint-based criminal history
record checks and checks against terrorist watchlists could
strengthen program security in a cost-effective manner.
Legislative History
H.R. 2843 was introduced in the House on June 15, 2015, by
Mr. Katko, Mr. McCaul and Mr. Rogers of Alabama and referred to
the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R.
2843 was referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security.
On June 25, 2015, the Chair discharged the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security from further consideration of H.R.
2843.
The Committee considered H.R. 2843 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 2843 to
the House on July 22, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-221.
The House considered H.R. 2843 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 27, 2015, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 2843 was received in the Senate on July 28, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation considered H.R. 2843 on December 9, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the Senate with an
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute, favorably.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation reported to the Senate on March 7, 2016, as S.
Rpt. 114-223.
Provisions of H.R. 2843 were included in the Title II
Subtitle A of H.R. 636. (See also action on H.R. 636 listed
above.)
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COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM ACT OF 2015
H.R. 2899 (S. 2976)
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the
Office for Countering Violent Extremism.
Summary
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-296) to fight the spread of violent extremist
propaganda online and via social media by authorizing an Office
for Countering Violent Extremism (OCVE) within the Department
of Homeland Security. The legislation authorizes an Assistant
Secretary to run the OCVE and requires the Department to
establish a program to counter the narrative of extremist
groups which are working to recruit and radicalize people
within the United States.
Legislative History
H.R. 2899
H.R. 2899 was introduced in the House on June 25, 2015, by
Mr. McCaul and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
The Committee considered H.R. 2899 on July 15, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House of
Representatives with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by
voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 2899 to the House on November
19, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-344.
Section 2 of H.R. 5611, as introduced, contains provisions
relating to H.R. 2899. (See also action on H.R. 5611 listed
below.)
S. 2976
S. 2976 was introduced in the Senate on February 9, 2016,
by Mr. Carper and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs Considered S. 2976 on February 11, 2016, and ordered
the measure to be reported with an amendment, favorably
Provisions of S. 2976 were included in Sec. 1906 and 1090
of the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943, the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. (See action
taken on S. 2943, listed above).
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HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION FUNDING ACT OF 2015, PART II
H.R. 3038
To provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety,
motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of
the Highway Trust Fund, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 3038 extends the programmatic and expenditure
authority of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) through December 18,
2015. The bill also authorizes appropriations for Federal-aid
highway, highway safety, and public transportation programs.
The bill subjects funding for these programs generally to the
same manner of distribution, administration, limitation, and
availability for obligation, but at a specified pro rata of the
total amount as funds authorized for appropriation out of the
HTF for such programs and activities for the current fiscal
year. The bill also transfers approximately $6.1 billion from
Treasury's General Fund to the HTF's Highway Account and $2
billion to its Mass Transit Account. Included within this
measure were increase in fees fro Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025
for the Aviation Security Capital Fund.
Legislative History
H.R. 3038 was introduced in the House on July 13, 2015, by
Mr. Ryan of Wisconsin and Mr. Shuster, and referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and in addition
to the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on Natural
Resources, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Homeland
Security, and the Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Within the Committee, H.R. 3038 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
The Committee on Rules met on July 14, 2015, and granted a
Rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 3038, the Rule was
filed in the House as H.Res. 362 (H. Rpt. 114-204). The House
agreed to the Rule on July 15, 2015, by a recorded vote of 245
yeas and 183 nays, (Roll No. 439).
The House considered H.R. 3038 on July 15, 2015, under the
provisions of H.Res. 362, and passed the measure by a recorded
vote of 312 yeas and 119 nays, (Roll No. 441).
H.R. 3038 was received in the Senate on July 16, 2015, and
read a first time. The measure was read a second time on July
21, 2015, and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar.
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AIRPORT ACCESS CONTROL SECURITY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2015
H.R. 3102
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to reform programs
of the Transportation Security Administration, streamline
transportation security regulations, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-296) by requiring the Administrator of the
Transportation Security Administration to establish a risk-
based screening model for employees at airports to ensure: That
only individuals authorized to have access to secure areas of
airports are granted such access; that individuals are denied
access to secure areas of airports if such authorization has
been withdrawn; and a means of restricting access among
employees to particular portions of secure areas.
Legislative History
H.R. 3102 was introduced in the House on July 16, 2015, by
Mr. Katko and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 3102 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
On July 23, 2015, the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security considered H.R. 3102 and reported the measure to the
Full Committee for consideration with a favorable
recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3102 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 3012 to the House on October 6,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-283.
The House considered H.R. 3102 under Suspension of the
Rules on October 6, 2015, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 3102 was received in the Senate on October 7, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
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PARTNERS FOR AVIATION SECURITY ACT
H.R. 3144
To require consultation with the Aviation Security Advisory
Committee regarding modifications to the prohibited item list,
require a report on the Transportation Security Oversight
Board, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 3144 requires that the Administrator of the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) consult with the
Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) regarding
modifications to the prohibited items list, prior to making a
final determination. Additionally, the bill requires TSA to
submit a report to Congress providing general information
concerning the activities and composition of the Transportation
Security Oversight Board. Finally, the bill makes a technical
correction to existing statute establishing the ASAC, to
authorize members of the Advisory Committee to remain in their
position after their term has expired, until either a successor
begins serving or they are reappointed.
Legislative History
H.R. 3144 was introduced in the House on July 21, 2015, by
Mr. Payne and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 3144 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
On July 23, 2015, the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security considered a H.R. 3144, and reported the measure to
the Full Committee for consideration with a favorable
recommendation, without amendment, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3144 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 3144 to the House on November
2, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-320.
The House considered H.R. 3144 under Suspension of the
Rules on November 16, 2015, and passed the measure, as amended,
by voice vote.
H.R. 3144 was received in the Senate on November 17, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
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KNOW THE CBRN TERRORISM THREATS TO TRANSPORTATION ACT
H.R. 3350
To require a terrorism threat assessment regarding the
transportation of chemical, biological, nuclear, and
radiological materials through United States land borders and
within the United States, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation requires the Department of Homeland
Security to conduct a terrorism threat assessment on the
transportation of chemical, biological, nuclear, and
radiological materials through United States land borders and
within the United States. The bill requires the Office of
Intelligence and Analysis within the Department to conduct the
assessment and directs that the results of the assessment be
shared with relevant Federal, State and local agencies,
including the Department of Energy.
Legislative History
H.R. 3350 was introduced in the House on July 29, 2015, by
Mr. Higgins, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, and Mr. King of New
York and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. Within
the Committee, H.R. 3350 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
The Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence
considered H.R. 3350 on September 17, 2015, and reported the
measure to the Full Committee with a favorable recommendation,
without amendment, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3350 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, without amendment,
by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 3350 to the House on October
20, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-296.
The House considered H.R. 3350 under Suspension of the
Rules on October 20, 2015, and passed the measure, without
amendment, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 416 yeas and 0 nays,
(Roll No. 551).
H.R. 3350 was received in the Senate on October 21, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY INSIDER THREAT AND MITIGATION ACT OF
2015
H.R. 3361
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the
Insider Threat Program, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-296) to establish an Insider Threat program within
the Department of Homeland Security. The bill mandates employee
education and training programs, and establishes an internal
steering committee to manage and coordinate insider threat
activities across the Department.
Legislative History
H.R. 3361 was introduced in the House on July 29, 2015, by
Mr. King of New York, Mr. Higgins, Mr. Barletta, Mr. Katko, and
Mr. Donovan and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 3361 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
The Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence
considered H.R. 3361 on September 17, 2015, and reported the
measure to the Full Committee with a favorable recommendation,
as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3361 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 3361 to
the House on November 2, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-321.
The House considered H.R. 3361 on November 2, 2015, under
Suspension of the Rules and passed the measure, amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 3361 was received in the Senate on November 3, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered H.R. 3361 on February 10, 2016, and ordered
the measure to be reported to the Senate, with an Amendment in
the Nature of a Substitute, favorably.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported H.R. 3361 to the Senate on July 12, 2016, as
S. Rpt. 114-297.
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STRENGTHENING STATE AND LOCAL CYBER CRIME FIGHTING ACT
H.R. 3490
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the
National Computer Forensics Institute, and for other purposes.
Summary
It is imperative that the Nation provide tools and training
to address challenges by cyber criminals to law enforcement to
protect against being exploited through computers, mobile
devices and the internet. Since 2008, the United States Secret
Service (USSS) has operated the National Computer Forensics
Institute (NCFI), which has garnered a reputation as the
premier cybercrime training center in the Nation providing
support to State and local law enforcement investigators,
prosecutors, and judicial officials. Since its existence, it
has not yet been authorized. This legislation amends the
Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-296) to codify the
NCFI and facilitate the expansion of the USSS network of
Electronic Crimes Task Forces throughout the Nation.
Legislative History
H.R. 3490 was introduced in the House on September 11,
2015, by Mr. Ratcliffe, Mr. McCaul, and Mr. Palmer and referred
to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 3490
was referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity,
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies.
The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies considered H.R. 3490 on
September 17, 2015, and reported the measure to the Full
Committee with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Committee on the Judiciary considered H.R. 3490 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House, amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3490 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Committee on the Judiciary reported H.R. 3490 to the
House on November 19, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-345, Pt. I.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 3490 to
the House on November 30, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-345, Pt. II.
The House considered H.R. 3490 under Suspension of the
Rules on November 30, 2015, and passed the measure, as amended,
by voice vote.
H.R. 3490 was received in the Senate on December 1, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on the
Judiciary.
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SECURING THE CITIES ACT OF 2015
H.R. 3493
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the
Securing the Cities program to enhance the ability of the
United States to detect and prevent terrorist attacks and other
high consequence events utilizing nuclear or other radiological
materials that pose a high risk to homeland security in high-
risk urban areas, and for other purposes.
Summary
With terrorists and rogue nation states continuing to show
interest in developing `crude' nuclear weapons, it is
imperative that the U.S. remain vigilant in preventing and
deterring nuclear smuggling and terrorism. This legislation
amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-296) to
establish the Securing the Cities Program within the Domestic
Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO). It would require the Director
of DNDO to assist state and local governments by designing,
implementing, and enhancing capabilities for coordinating
detection and interdiction of nuclear or other radiological
materials. The legislation would provide resources to enhance
detection, analysis, communication and coordination and
increased oversight and accountability by requiring the
Government Accountability Office to conduct a review on the
effectiveness of the program.
Legislative History
H.R. 3493 was introduced in the House on September 11,
2015, by Mr. Donovan, Mr. King of New York, and Mr. McCaul and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the
Committee, H.R. 3493 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies.
The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies considered H.R. 3493 on
September 17, 2015, and reported the measure to the Full
Committee with a favorable recommendation, without amendment,
by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3490 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 3493 to the House on October
20, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-295.
The House considered H.R. 3493 under Suspension of the
Rules on October 20, 2015, and passed the measure, amended, by
a \2/3\ recorded vote of 411 yeas and 4 nays, (Roll No. 550).
H.R. 3493 was received in the Senate on October 21, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SUPPORT TO FUSION CENTERS ACT OF 2015
H.R. 3503
To require an assessment of fusion center personnel needs, and
for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Summary
This legislation requires an assessment of Department of
Homeland Security support to fusion centers, including
Departmental personnel assigned to fusion centers and whether
such assignments are sufficient. Additionally, the bill
supports ongoing efforts by the Office of Intelligence and
Analysis to sponsor Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented
Information (TS/SCI) clearances for appropriate State and local
analysts at fusion centers and report on whether a higher
clearance level improves threat awareness and information
sharing.
Legislative History
H.R. 3503 was introduced in the House on September 11,
2015, by Ms. McSally, Mr. McCaul, Mr. King of New York, Mr.
Loudermilk, and Mr. Barletta and referred to the Committee on
Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 3503 was referred
to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
The Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence
considered H.R. 3503 on September 17, 2015, and reported the
measure to the Full Committee with a favorable recommendation,
without amendment, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3503 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
On October 28, 2015, the Chair of the House Permanent
Select Committee on Intelligence sent a letter to the Chair of
the Committee on Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration of H.R. 3503, the Committee on
Intelligence would not seek a sequential referral of H.R. 3503.
The letter further requested the support for Conferees should a
House-Senate Conference be called. On the following day, the
Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security responded,
acknowledging the jurisdictional interest of the Committee on
Intelligence and the support for the request to appoint
Conferees.
The Committee reported H.R. 3503 to the House on November
2, 2014 as H. Rpt. 114-322.
The House considered H.R. 3503 under Suspension of the
Rules on November 2, 2015, and passed the measure, as amended,
by voice vote.
H.R. 3503 was received in the Senate on November 3, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs.
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY CLEARANCE MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
ACT
H.R. 3505
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to improve the
management and administration of the security clearance
processes throughout the Department of Homeland Security, and
for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-296) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security
to conduct a review of the sensitivity level designations of
national security positions within the Department to ensure
employees with security clearances continue to need access to
such sensitive information. The bill requires the Department
conduct an accounting of workforce needs to better manage the
costs of unnecessary background investigations and limit the
number of positions that may be vulnerable to insider threats
and targeting by foreign intelligence services.
Legislative History
H.R. 3505 was introduced in the House on September 15,
2015, by Mr. Thompson of Mississippi and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 3505
was referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and
Intelligence.
The Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence
considered H.R. 3505 on September 17, 2015, and reported the
measure to the Full Committee with a favorable recommendation,
without amendment, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3505 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, without amendment,
by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 3503 to
the House on November 2, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-323.
The House considered H.R. 3503 on November 2, 2015, under
Suspension of the Rules and passed the measure, amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 3505 was received in the Senate on November 3, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs.
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY CYBERSECURITY STRATEGY
ACT OF 2015
H.R. 3510
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the
Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a cybersecurity
strategy for the Department of Homeland Security, and for other
purposes.
Summary
Increasingly, sophisticated cyber threats have underscored
the need to manage and strengthen the cybersecurity of the
Nation's critical infrastructure. In a report entitled
Cybersecurity: A Better Defined and Implemented National
Strategy is Needed to Address Persistent Challenges [GAO-13-
462T], the Government Accountability Office recommended that an
overarching Federal cybersecurity strategy be implemented and
that such strategy should define key elements of a national
strategy including roles and responsibilities.
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-296) to instruct the Secretary of Homeland
Security to develop such a Departmental cybersecurity strategy
and implementation plan. The legislation further prohibits the
Department from reorganizing or realigning offices within the
National Protection and Programs Directorate without
Congressional approval.
Legislative History
H.R. 3510 was introduced in the House on September 15,
2015, by Mr. Richmond and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 3510 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and
Security Technologies.
The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies considered H.R. 3510 on
September 17, 2015, and reported the measure to the Full
Committee with a favorable recommendation, without amendment,
by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3510 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 3510 to the House on October 6,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-284.
The House considered H.R. 3510 on October 6, 2015, under
Suspension of the Rules and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 3510 was received in the Senate on October 7, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
Provisions of H.R. 3510 were included in Section 1912 of
the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943, the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. (See action
taken on S. 2943, listed above).
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DHS HEADQUARTERS REFORM AND IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2015
H.R. 3572
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to reform,
streamline, and make improvements to the Department of Homeland
Security and support the Department's efforts to implement
better policy, planning, management, and performance, and for
other purposes.
Summary
This legislation streamlines the Department of Homeland
Security Office of Policy by: Consolidating the offices of
State and Local Law Enforcement, Private Sector, and
Intergovernmental Affairs into an office of Partnership and
Engagement; eliminating five Assistant Secretary positions
within the Office of Policy; authorizing key management
functions within headquarters; and strengthening the
Department's role in effectively overseeing its major
acquisition programs. Specifically, this bill consolidates the
functions of the Office of State and Local Law Enforcement, the
Private Sector Office, and Intergovernmental affairs under the
Office of Policy's Partnership and Engagement Office, and
eliminates authorization for those offices to be led by an
Assistant Secretary. Further, the bill authorizes the Office of
Policy's Office of International Affairs and Office of Strategy
and Planning to be led by Directors rather than Assistant
Secretaries. Additionally, this bill provides guidance to
ensure that the structure and focus of the Department are
directly linked to securing the homeland.
Legislative History
H.R. 3572 was introduced in the House on September 18,
2015, by Mr. McCaul and Mr. Thompson of Mississippi and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3572 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 5372 to the House on October
20, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-297.
The House considered H.R. 3572 under Suspension of the
Rules on October 20, 2015, and passed the measure, amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 3572 was received in the Senate on October 21, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security on October 22, 2015, agreeing that, in order
to expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would not seek a sequential
referral of H.R. 3572. The letter further requested support for
the appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate Conference
be called. On that same date, the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security responded acknowledging the agreement to not
seek a sequential referral and the support for Conferees.
Provisions of Sec. 111 of H.R. 3572 as passed by the House
were included in Section 1902-4 of the Conference Report to
accompany S. 2943, the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2017. (See action taken on S. 2943, listed above).
------
DHS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REFORM AND IMPROVEMENTS
ACT OF 2015
H.R. 3578
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to strengthen and
make improvements to the Directorate of Science and Technology
of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-296) to strengthen and make improvements to the
Direc*torate of Science and Technology within the Department of
Home*land Security. The legislation would improve the Science
and Tech*nology Directorate's ability to carry out its
responsibility to conduct re*search and development by, among
other things, modifying the criteria for the designation of
colleges or universities centers for homeland security to
require expertise in nuclear explosives countermeasures or
detection.
Legislative History
Prior to introduction, the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity,
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies considered
a Committee Print entitled ``DHS Science and Technology Reform
and Improvements Act of 2015'' on September 17, 2015, and
reported the measure to the Full Committee with a favorable
recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 3578 was introduced in the House on September 18,
2015, by Mr. Ratcliffe and Mr. Richmond and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3578 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security on October 22, 2015, agreeing that, in order
to expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would not seek a sequential
referral of H.R. 3578. The letter further requested the
appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be
called. On that same day, the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure acknowledging the
agreement to not seek a sequential referral of H.R. 3578 and
the agreement to support the request for Conferees should a
House-Senate Conference be called.
The Committee reported H.R. 3578 to the House on December
8, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-372.
The House considered H.R. 3578 under Suspension of the
Rules on December 10, 2015, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 416 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No. 687).
H.R. 3578 was received in the Senate on December 14, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
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PROMOTING RESILIENCE AND EFFICIENCY IN PREPARING FOR ATTACKS AND
RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES ACT
H.R. 3583 (S. 1915)
To reform and improve the Federal Emergency Management Agency,
the Office of Emergency Communications, and the Office of
Health Affairs of the Department of Homeland Security, and for
other purposes.
Summary
The Promoting Resilience and Efficiency in Preparing for
Attacks and Responding to Emergencies (PREPARE) Act seeks to
enhance accountability at the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Office of Emergency Communications, and Office of
Health Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security. As a
part of the Committee's authorization process, the PREPARE Act
builds efficiencies and increases coordination for preparedness
improvements, while providing greater accountability for
taxpayers.
Legislative History
H.R. 3583
The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications considered a Committee Print entitled
``Promoting Resilience and Efficiency in Preparing for Attacks
and Responding to Emergencies Act'' on September 10, 2015, and
reported the measure to the Full Committee for consideration,
with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 3583 was introduced in the House on September 22,
2015, by Ms. McSally, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Donovan, and Mr. Payne
and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3583 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
On March 9, 2016, the Chair of the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure sent a letter to the Chair of
the Committee on Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would waive further
consideration of H.R. 3583. The letter further requested
support for the appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate
Conference be called. On March 10, the Chair of the Committee
on Homeland Security responded acknowledging the jurisdictional
interests of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, and the agreement to not waive further
consideration.
On March 11, 2016, the Chair of the Committee on Energy and
Commerce sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to expedite
consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on Energy and
Commerce would waive further consideration of H.R. 3583. The
letter further requested support for the appointment of
Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be called. On that
same date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security
responded acknowledging the jurisdictional interests of the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the agreement to not
waive further consideration.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 3583 to
the House on March 16, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-455, Pt. I.
Subsequently, the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce were
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3583.
On March 22, 2016, the Chair of the Committee on Financial
Services sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to expedite
consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on Financial
Services would not seek a sequential referral of H.R. 3583. The
letter further requested support for the appointment of
Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be called. The Chair
of the Committee on Homeland Security responded on April 6,
2016, acknowledging the jurisdictional letter of the Committee
on Financial Services, and the agreement to not seek a
sequential referral.
The House agreed to Suspend the Rules on April 26, 2016,
and passed the measure, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 3583 was received in the Senate on April 27, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
S. 1915
S. 1915, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in
the Senate on August 3, 2015, by Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Booker, and
Mr. Coons and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered S. 1915 on May 9, 2016, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate, with an Amendment in the
Nature of a Substitute.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported S. 1915 to the Senate on May 9, 2016, as S.
Rpt. 114-251.
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TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION REFORM AND IMPROVEMENT ACT OF
2015
H.R. 3584
To reform programs of the Transportation Security
Administration, streamline transportation security regulations,
and for other purposes.
Summary
This bill provides for streamlining and reforming certain
programs within the Transportation Security Administration
(TSA). This measure provides for an authorization of TSA's
PreCheck program, and for the TSA to implement a pilot project
to establish a secure, automated, biometric-based system at
airports to verify the identity of individuals enrolled in
PreCheck. Additionally, TSA is required to develop and
implement technology solutions to verify travel and identity
documents for standard screening lane passengers at large hub
airports. Both of these initiatives are focused on reducing the
number of TSA screening personnel needed to perform these
duties, reduce wait times, reduce operating expenses, and
integrate with watchlist matching programs and other checkpoint
technologies.
Legislative History
On July 23, 2015, the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security considered a Committee Print entitled the
``Transportation Security Administration Reform and Improvement
Act of 2015'' and reported the measure to the Full Committee
for consideration with a favorable recommendation, as amended,
by voice vote.
H.R. 3584 was introduced in the House on September 22,
2015, by Mr. Katko and Mr. McCaul and referred to the Committee
on Homeland Security.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3584 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 3584 to the House on January
12, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-396.
The House considered H.R. 3584 under Suspension of the
Rules on February 23, 2016, and passed the measure by voice
vote.
H.R. 3584 was received in the Senate on February 24, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
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BORDER AND MARITIME COORDINATION IMPROVEMENT ACT
H.R. 3586
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to improve border
and maritime security coordination in the Department of
Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
Summary
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) within the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is tasked with securing
America's borders and promoting legitimate trade and travel.
More than 12 years after the Department of Homeland Security,
stovepipes remain among the 22 different component agencies,
especially with respect to border and maritime security
efforts.
H.R. 3586 seeks to provide DHS with the necessary tools and
authorities to better streamline operations amongst relevant
components while enhancing security. The Department has already
established three Joint Task Forces (JTF), including JTF-East,
JTF-West, and JTF-Investigations. In addition, the Office of
Biometric Identity Management currently exists and is
collecting biometric information on most foreign travelers,
refugees, and visa holders, which are screened against
criminal, defense, and immigration databases.
Greater efficiency in CBP and U.S. Coast Guard efforts
would be beneficial to maritime security, and improvements to
the Transportation Worker Identification Credential and Custom-
Trade Partnership Against Terrorism programs are essential.
Moreover, key programs like the Air Cargo Advance Screening
pilot program and the Immigration Advisory Program help ``push
the borders out'' and prevent dangerous people from entering
the United States in the first place.
H.R. 3586 identified and implemented efficiencies within
the border and maritime security components of the Department.
Specifically, this bill improved CBP coordination by:
Establishing an immigration cooperation program with foreign
governments to better identify individuals who pose a security
risk and may be inadmissible to the United States; directing
the CBP Commissioner to establish a program to collect
electronic information for the advance screening of air cargo;
requiring CBP Air and Marine Operations to deploy assets with a
risk-based assessment that considers mission needs; and
establishing integrated border enforcement teams with Canada to
strengthen security of ports of entry and the northern border.
Additionally, H.R. 3586 required the Commissioner of CBP to
establish a three-year strategic plan for the deployment of CBP
personnel to locations outside the United States; improved the
Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism; required a
strategic plan every three years to enhance the security of
international supply chains; and directed the Secretary to
strengthen the security of Transportation Worker Identification
Credentials.
Legislative History
H.R. 3586 was introduced in the House on September 22,
2015, by Mrs. Miller of Michigan, and Mr. McCaul, and referred
to the Committee on Homeland Security and in addition to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3586 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means sent a letter
to the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security agreeing
that, in order to expedite consideration on the House Floor,
the Committee on Ways and Means would not seek a sequential
referral of H.R. 3586. The letter further requested support for
the appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate Conference
be called. The Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security
responded on October 5, 2015, acknowledging the agreement to
not seek a sequential referral of H.R. 3586.
On February 25, 2016, the Chair of the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure sent a letter to the Chair of
the Committee on Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would waive further
consideration of H.R. 3586. The letter further requested
support for the appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate
Conference be called. On that same date, the Chair of the
Committee on Homeland Security responded acknowledging the
jurisdictional interests of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, and the agreement to not waive further
consideration.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 3586 to
the House on April 12, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-488, Pt. I.
The House considered H.R. 3586 on April 13, 2016, under
Suspension of the Rules and passed the measure, as amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 3586 was received in the Senate on April 14, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
The text of section 4 of H.R. 3586 were included in S. 461.
(See action taken on S. 461, listed above).
Provisions of H.R. 3586 were included in Section 1901 of
the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943, the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. (See action
taken on S. 2943, listed above).
------
FUSION CENTER ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2015
H.R. 3598
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance the
partnership between the Department of Homeland Security and the
National Network of Fusion Centers, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation updates the existing language in Section
210A of the Homeland Security Act (Pub. L. 107-296) to enhance
State and local partners access to homeland security
information and coordination with the Department of Homeland
Security's Components. The bill reflects the evolution of the
National Network of Fusion Centers, as well as the Office of
Intelligence and Analysis relationship with fusion centers in
the Network. The bill adds several new responsibilities for the
Under Secretary of Intelligence and Analysis to reflect the
current role of fusion centers in detecting and preventing a
terrorist attack or other emergency. Additionally, this
legislation requires the Under Secretary to submit a report on
the efforts of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis and
departmental components to support the National Network of
Fusion Centers.
Legislative History
Prior to introduction, the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism
and Intelligence considered a Committee Print entitled the
``Fusion Center Enhancement Act of 2015'' on September 17,
2015, and reported the measure to the Full Committee with a
favorable recommendation, without amendment, by voice vote.
H.R. 3598 was introduced in the House on September 24,
2015, by Mr. Barletta, and Mr. King of New York and referred to
the Committee on Homeland Security.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3598 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House, as amended, by voice vote.
On October 28, 2015, the Chair of the House Permanent
Select Committee on Intelligence sent a letter to the Chair of
the Committee on Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration of H.R. 3598, the Committee on
Intelligence would not seek a sequential referral of H.R. 3598.
The letter further requested the support for Conferees should a
House-Senate Conference be called. On the following day, the
Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security responded,
acknowledging the jurisdictional interest of the Committee on
Intelligence and the support for the request to appoint
Conferees.
The Committee reported H.R. 3598 to the House on November
2, 2014 as H. Rpt. 114-324.
On November 2, 2015, the Chair of the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure sent a letter to the Chair of
the Committee on Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would not seek a sequential
referral of H.R. 3598. The letter further requested the support
for Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be called. The
Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security responded on
November 2, 2015, acknowledging the jurisdictional interest of
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the
support for the request to appoint Conferees.
The House considered H.R. 3598 under Suspension of the
Rules on November 2, 2015, and passed the measure, as amended,
by voice vote.
H.R. 3598 was received in the Senate on November 3, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs.
------
HSA TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS ACT
H.R. 3859
To make technical corrections to the Homeland Security Act of
2002.
Summary
The purpose of H.R. 3859 is to make technical corrections
to the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-296) by
updating obsolete language and eliminating outdated offices and
reporting requirements.
Legislative History
H.R. 3859 was introduced in the House on October 29, 2015,
by Mr. Perry and Mr. McCaul and referred to the Committee on
Homeland Security.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 3859 on November 4,
2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House,
without amendment, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 3859 to the House on November
16, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-333.
The House considered H.R. 3859 under Suspension of the
Rules on December 8, 2015, and passed the measure, as amended,
by voice vote.
H.R. 3859 was received in the Senate on December 9, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
STATE AND LOCAL CYBER PROTECTION ACT OF 2015
H.R. 3869 (S. 2665)
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to assist State and
local coordination on cybersecurity with the national
cybersecurity and communications integration center, and for
other purposes.
Summary
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-296) to codify ongoing efforts to coordinate State
and local cybersecurity efforts with the Department of Homeland
Security's (DHS) National Cybersecurity and Communications
Integration Center (NCCIC). The NCCIC would, to the extent
practicable, provide assistance to State and local governments
in securing their information systems upon request.
Legislative History
H.R. 3869
H.R. 3869 was introduced in the House on November 2, 2015,
by Mr. Hurd of Texas and Mr. Ratcliffe and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 3869 on November 4,
2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House,
without amendment, by voice vote.
The reported H.R. 3869 to the House on December 3, 2015, as
H. Rpt. 114-363.
The House considered H.R. 3869 under Suspension of the
Rules on December 10, 2015, and passed the measure, as amended,
by voice vote. During consideration, the title was amended so
as to read ``To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
assist State and local coordination on cybersecurity with the
national cybersecurity and communications integration center,
and for other purposes.''
H.R. 3869 was received in the Senate on December 14, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
S. 2665
S. 2665, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in
the Senate on March 10, 2016, by Mr. Peters and Mr. Perdue and
referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY CBRNE DEFENSE ACT OF 2015
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.
Summary
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, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
responsibilities in the chemical, biological, radiological,
nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) 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.
To address this disparate effort, this legislation
authorizes a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and
Explosives Office within the Department of Homeland Security,
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.
Legislative History
H.R. 3875 was introduced in the House on November 2, 2015,
by Mr. McCaul, Ms. McSally, Mr. Ratcliffe, and Ms. Jackson Lee
and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 3875 on November 4,
2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House
favorable, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 3875 to the House on November
16, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-334.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security on December 8, 2015, agreeing that, in order
to expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would not seek a sequential
referral of H.R. 3875. The letter further requested the
appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be
called. On that same date, the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security responded acknowledging the cooperation of
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with respect
to the consideration of H.R. 3875.
The House considered H.R. 3875 under Suspension of the
Rules on December 10, 2015, and passed the measure, as amended,
by voice vote.
H.R. 3785 was received in the Senate on December 14, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
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STRENGTHENING CYBERSECURITY INFORMATION SHARING AND COORDINATION IN OUR
PORTS ACT OF 2015
H.R. 3878
To enhance cybersecurity information sharing and coordination
at ports in the United States, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation dispels the ambiguity surrounding the U.S.
Coast Guard's responsibility for cybersecurity at ports by
requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and
implement a model for maritime risk assessment with a focus on
cybersecurity vulnerabilities at the Nation's ports.
Additionally, in the process of analyzing the cybersecurity
risks the legislation requires the Secretary to seek the
participation of information sharing and analysis organizations
along with the National and Area Maritime Security Advisory
Committees.
Legislative History
H.R. 3878 was introduced in the House on November 2, 2015,
by Mrs. Torres and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 3787 on November 4,
2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, as
amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 3878 to the House on December
15, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-379, Pt. I.
The House considered H.R. 3878 under Suspension of the
Rules on December 16, 2015, and passed the measure by voice
vote.
H.R. 3878 was received in the Senate on December 17, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
------
COUNTERTERRORISM SCREENING AND ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2016
H.R. 4314
To require a plan to combat international travel by terrorists
and foreign fighters, accelerate the transfer of certain border
security systems to foreign partner governments, establish
minimum international border security standards, authorize the
suspension of foreign assistance to countries not making
significant efforts to comply with such minimum standards, and
for other purposes.
Summary
Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, the U.S. has spent
billions of dollars to help our allies close security gaps that
may allow terrorists and foreign fighters to travel
internationally and avoid detection. However, the lack of a
risk-based approach has increased the chances that gaps may
still exist. Improving foreign-partner engagement to combat
travel by terrorists and foreign fighters would help improve
security beyond national borders to mitigate threats before
they reach the U.S. and reduce overlap, waste and unnecessary
duplication.
H.R. 4314 requires the President to submit a plan to
Congress to coordinate with foreign partners, catalogue
existing border security capacity, and identify areas for
improvement. The bill accelerated the transfer of certain
nonlethal equipment and two border security systems--U.S.
Customs and Border Protection's Automated Targeting System-
Global and the Department of State's Personal Identification
Secure Comparison and Evaluation System--to foreign partner
governments. Finally, the bill established minimum
international border security standards, and authorized the
suspension of non-humanitarian and nontrade-related foreign aid
to countries which do not make significant efforts to comply
with the minimum standards.
Legislative History
H.R. 4314 was introduced in the House on January 5, 2016,
by Mr. Zeldin, Mr. Katko, Ms. McSally, Mr. Loudermilk, Mr. Hurd
of Texas, and Mr. Ratcliffe, and referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee Homeland
Security and the Committee on the Judiciary. Within the
Committee, H.R. 4314 was referred to the Subcommittee on Border
and Maritime Security.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs considered H.R. 4314 on
January 7, 2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the
House, amended, by unanimous consent.
The House agreed to Suspend the Rules on March 21, 2016,
and passed H.R. 4314 as amended, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of
371 yeas and 2 nays, (Roll No. 130).
H.R. 4314 was received in the Senate on April 4, 2016, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations.
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DHS HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION ACT OF 2016
H.R. 4383
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to enhance
Department of Homeland Security coordination on how to identify
and record information regarding individuals suspected or
convicted of human trafficking, and for other purposes.
Summary
On January 4, 2016 the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) Office of the Inspector General released a report titled
ICE and USCIS Could Improve Data Quality and Exchange to Help
Identify Potential Human Trafficking Cases [OIG-16-17]. The
report found that known human traffickers utilized work and
fiance visas to bring victims into the United States legally,
and discovered that data quality and exchange issues hindered
efforts to combat human trafficking.
Specifically, the OIG matched the Immigration and Custom
Enforcement (ICE) database of information on known human
traffickers against all available data on visa petitions
submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
While cooperation exists between USCIS and ICE in some human
trafficking cases, more consistent data sharing and
coordination could improve their ability to identify instances
of human trafficking. Without concerted DHS efforts to collect
and share information, substantial risk exists that human
traffickers can continue to abuse other individuals.
This legislation implements recommendations by the
Inspector General for DHS components to establish procedures
for identifying and recording information on individuals
suspected or convicted of human trafficking, and procedures to
routinely share such information on suspected or convicted of
human trafficking with other components within the Department
of Homeland Security.
Legislative History
H.R. 4383 was introduced in the House on January 13, 2016,
by Ms. Loretta Sanchez of California and Ms. McSally, and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and in addition
to the Committee on the Judiciary. Within the Committee, H.R.
4383 was referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime
Security.
On February 2, 2016, the Subcommittee on Border and
Maritime was discharged from further consideration of H.R.
4383.
The Committee considered H.R. 4383 on February 2, 2016, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 4383 to the House on December
8, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-855, Pt. I. Subsequently, the Committee
on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of
H.R. 4383.
------
DHS ACQUISITION DOCUMENTATION INTEGRITY ACT OF 2016
H.R. 4398
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide for
requirements relating to documentation for major acquisition
programs, and for other purposes.
Summary
The purpose of H.R. 4398, the DHS Acquisition Documentation
Integrity Act of 2016, requires the Secretary, acting through
the Under Secretary for Management, to require relevant
components to maintain specific types of acquisition
documentation. This bill codifies a narrow set of authorities
for the Secretary to waive those requirements in limited
circumstances, which is a similar approach that exists in the
Department of Defense.
Legislative History
H.R. 4398 was introduced in the House on February 1, 2016,
by Ms. Watson Coleman, and referred to the Committee on
Homeland Security.
The Committee considered H.R. 4398 on February 3, 2016, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, without amendment, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 4398 to the House on February
23, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-425.
The House considered H.R. 4398 under Suspension of the
Rules on February 23, 2016, and passed the measure by voice
vote.
H.R. 4398 was received in the Senate on February 24, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
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AMPLIFYING LOCAL EFFORTS TO ROOT OUT TERROR ACT OF 2016
H.R. 4401
To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide
countering violent extremism training to Department of Homeland
Security representatives at State and local fusion centers, and
for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation authorizes the Secretary of Homeland
Security to provide representatives at State and local fusion
centers with training on countering violent extremism in an
effort to raise community awareness to stop individuals from
being recruited to join overseas terrorist groups.
Legislative History
H.R. 4401 was introduced in the House on February 1, 2016,
by Mr. Loudermilk and 10 original cosponsors, and referred to
the Committee on Homeland Security.
The Committee considered H.R. 4401 on February 2, 2016, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, without amendment, by voice vote.
The House considered H.R. 4401 under Suspension of the
Rules on February 29, 2016, and passed the measure, as amended,
by voice vote.
H.R. 4401 was received in the Senate on March 1, 2016, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
The text of H.R. 4401, as passed by the House was included
in Title I of H.R. 5471, as introduced. See also action taken
on H.R. 5471 listed below).
------
FOREIGN FIGHTER REVIEW ACT OF 2016
H.R. 4402
To require a review of information regarding persons who have
traveled or attempted to travel from the United States to
support terrorist organizations in Syria and Iraq, and for
other purposes.
Summary
This legislation requires a review of information by
individuals who have either traveled or attempted to travel to
the support terrorist organizations in Syria or Iraq, with the
goal of preventing further travel of U.S. persons to terror
safe havens. This legislation further requires the President,
through the Secretary of Homeland Security and other
appropriate Federal Agencies, to review vulnerabilities in the
system that have previously allowed for inspiring jihadist
travel.
Legislative History
H.R. 4402 was introduced in the House on February 1, 2016,
by Mr. Hurd of Texas and eight original cosponsors, and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
The Committee considered H.R. 4402 on February 2, 2016, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 4402 to the House on February
23, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-423.
The House considered H.R. 4402 under Suspension of the
Rules on February 23, 2016, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 397 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No. 84).
H.R. 4402 was received in the Senate on February 24, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
Provisions of H.R. 4402, were included in Section 1907 of
the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943, the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. (See action
taken on S. 2943, listed above).
------
ENHANCING OVERSEAS TRAVELER VETTING ACT
H.R. 4403
To authorize the development of open-source software based on
certain systems of the Department of Homeland Security and the
Department of State to facilitate the vetting of travelers
against terrorist watchlists and law enforcement databases,
enhance border management, and improve targeting and analysis,
and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation authorizes the development of open-source
software based on certain systems of the Department of Homeland
Security and the Department of State to facilitate the vetting
of travelers against Federal law enforcement databases and
terrorist watchlists, as well as enhancing border management
targeting and analysis.
Legislative History
H.R. 4403 was introduced in the House on February 1, 2016,
by Mr. Hurd of Texas and eight original cosponsors, and
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition
to the Committee on Homeland Security.
The Committee considered H.R. 4403 on February 2, 2016, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs considered H.R. 4403 on
February 24, and ordered the measure to be reported to the
House with a favorable recommendation, without amendment.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 4403 to
the House on April 11, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-480, Pt. I.
The House considered H.R. 4403 on April 13, 2016, under
Suspension of the Rules and passed the measure, as amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 4403 was received in the Senate on April 14, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations.
------
TERRORIST AND FOREIGN FIGHTER TRAVEL EXERCISE ACT OF 2016
H.R. 4404
To require an exercise related to terrorist and foreign fighter
travel, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland
Security to coordinate an exercise designed around the foreign
fighter threat by testing all phases of extremist planning and
travel with the purpose of determining how government partners
and partners abroad respond to scenarios surrounding threat of
the foreign fighter. The Secretary is to coordinate this
exercise with the appropriate Federal Agencies to identify
weaknesses at home and broad which may be exploited by foreign
fighters and terrorists.
Legislative History
H.R. 4404 was introduced in the House on February 1, 2016,
by Ms. McSally and eight original cosponsors, and referred to
the Committee on Homeland Security.
The Committee considered H.R. 4404 on February 2, 2016, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security on March 9, 2016, agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would not seek a sequential
referral of H.R. 4404. The letter further requested the
appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be
called. The Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security
responded on March 11, 2016, acknowledging the cooperation of
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with respect
to the consideration of H.R. 4404.
The Committee reported H.R. 4404 to the House on March 16,
2016, as H. Rpt. 114-456.
The House considered H.R. 4404 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 11, 2016, and passed the measure by voice vote.
(See also action taken on H.R. 5611, listed below).
------
COUNTERTERRORISM ADVISORY BOARD ACT OF 2016
H.R. 4407
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in the
Department of Homeland Security a board to coordinate and
integrate departmental intelligence, activities, and policy
related to counterterrorism, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-296) to establish a Counterterrorism Advisory
Board (CTAB) within the Department of Homeland Security to both
coordinate and integrate Departmental intelligence, activities,
and policies related to counterterrorism within the Department.
Upon completion of the final report of the Committee on
Homeland Security's Task Force on Combating Terrorist and
Foreign Fighter Travel in September 2015, the task force found
that Congress should authorize the CTAB and ensure it is
aligned with the current threat environment related to
counterterrorism issues.
Legislative History
H.R. 4407 was introduced in the House on February 1, 2016,
by Mr. Loudermilk and 10 original cosponsors, and referred to
the Committee on Homeland Security.
The Committee considered H.R. 4407 on February 2, 2016, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, without amendment, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 4407 to
the House on April 11, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-481.
The House considered H.R. 4407 under Suspension of the
Rules on May 16, 2016, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 389 yeas and 5 nays, (Roll No. 195).
H.R. 4407 was received in the Senate on May 17, 2016, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
The text of H.R. 4407, as passed by the House, was included
in Title III of H.R. 5471, as introduced. For further action,
see H.R. 5471.
------
NATIONAL STRATEGY TO COMBAT TERRORIST TRAVEL ACT OF 2016
H.R. 4408
To require the development of a national strategy to combat
terrorist travel, and for other purposes.
Summary
The final report of the Committee on Homeland Security's
Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel,
published in September 2015, concluded that the United States
Government lacks a comprehensive strategy for combating
terrorist and foreign fighter travel. This legislation requires
the President to submit a strategy to Congress that is focused
on intercepting terrorists and foreign fighters in an effort to
make their travel more difficult. The strategy is required to
be reassessed in the first year of each Presidential term.
Legislative History
H.R. 4408 was introduced in the House on February 1, 2016,
by Mr. Katko and nine original cosponsors, and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 4408 on February 2,
2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
a favorable recommendation, without amendment, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 4408 to the House on February
23, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-424.
The House considered H.R. 4408 under Suspension of the
Rules on February 23, 2016, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 392 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No. 83).
H.R. 4408 was received in the Senate on February 24, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
Provisions of H.R. 4408 were included in Sec. 1908 of the
Conference Report to accompany S. 2943, the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. (See action taken on S.
2943, listed above).
------
SOUTHWEST BORDER SECURITY THREAT ASSESSMENT ACT OF 2016
H.R. 4482
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to prepare a
southwest border threat analysis, and for other purposes.
Summary
In May 2012, the U.S. Border Patrol released an updated
five-year strategic plan, marking the first time the strategy
had been updated since 2004 2014-2016 Border Patrol Strategic
Plan The Mission: Protect America. According to the Border
Patrol leadership, the updated Plan marked a shift in focus
from being ``resource-based'' to ``risk-based.'' However,
because of the evolving challenges and threats from drug
cartels, large populations of migrants and child migrants
looking to cross the border, and international terrorist
organizations taking advantage of border security
vulnerabilities, the Committee felt the updated strategy lacked
critical elements for the Border Patrol to gauge its successes.
H.R. 4482 directed the Secretary of the Department of
Homeland Security to submit a threat analysis of the southwest
border to Congress 180 days after enactment. The analysis shall
include: An assessment of current and potential terrorism and
criminal threats posed by individuals and organizations seeking
to exploit border security vulnerabilities; an assessment of
improvements needed between ports of entry to prevent
terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the United
States; an assessment of gaps in law, policy, and cooperation
between State, local, or Tribal law enforcement, international
agreements, or tribal agreements that hinder effective and
efficient border security; an assessment of the current
percentage of situational awareness achieved by the Department
of Homeland Security of the international land and maritime
borders of the United States; and an assessment of the current
percentage of operational control achieved by the Department.
In addition, H.R. 4482 directed the Chief of the Border
Patrol to issue a Border Patrol Strategic Plan, updated every
five years. The plan must include a threat assessment of the
southwest border, efforts to increase situational awareness,
and efforts to detect, prevent, and interdict terrorists,
aliens, and illicit drugs.
Legislative History
H.R. 4482 was introduced in the House on February 4, 2016,
by Ms. McSally and 10 original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 4482
was referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime
Security.
The Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security was
discharged from further consideration on March 23, 2016. The
Full Committee considered H.R. 4482 on March 23, 2016, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 4482 to
the House on April 13, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-492.
The House considered H.R. 4482 on April 13, 2016, under
Suspension of the Rules and passed the measure, as amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 4482 was received in the Senate on April 14, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
STATE AND HIGH-RISK URBAN AREA WORKING GROUP ACT
H.R. 4509
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to clarify
membership of State planning committees or urban area working
groups for the Homeland Security Grant Program, and for other
purposes.
Summary
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-296)
requires States and urban areas that receive State Homeland
Security Grant Program and Urban Areas Security Initiative
funds to have planning committees to determine how to
efficiently and effectively expend these funds. H.R. 4509
expands the stakeholders required to be involved in these
committees to include representatives from public health,
educational institutions, fusion centers, and interoperability
coordinators, where appropriate.
Legislative History
H.R. 4509 was introduced in the House on February 9, 2016,
by Mr. Payne and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 4509 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications.
The Subcommittee on Emergency Response and Communications
was discharged from further consideration on March 23, 2016.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 4509 on March 23, 2016, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, without amendment, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 4509 to
the House on April 13, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-491.
The House considered H.R. 4509 on April 13, 2016, under
Suspension of the Rules and passed the measure, as amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 4509 was received in the Senate on April 14, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
Provisions of H.R. 4509 were included in Section 1911 of
the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943, the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. (See action
taken on S. 2943, listed above).
------
TREATING SMALL AIRPORTS WITH FAIRNESS ACT OF 2016
H.R. 4549 (S. 2549)
To require the Transportation Security Administration to
conduct security screening at certain airports, and for other
purposes.
Summary
This bill returns security screening and personnel to
airports that have had been denied by the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) after temporary gaps in
commercial air service. The TSA has stated they have no
requirement under law to return this needed service, and
instead has directed the airports to allow passengers to fly
unscreened to their next destination, and undergo reverse
security screening there. This poses serious security issues,
and would increase travel time and costs for passengers.
According to local officials and the commercial airlines hoping
to return service to these small airports, this is not a
feasible option due to the security concerns of 30 passengers
flying unscreened to a major metropolitan area, the added
travel time caused by using a shuttle bus to reach the front of
the airport for screening, and other logistical challenges.
H.R. 4549 requires the TSA to provide the necessary staff
and screening equipment to any airport that lost commercial air
service on or after January 1, 2013, if the operator submits a
request for security screening to the Administrator and a
written confirmation of a commitment from a commercial air
carrier that such carrier intends to resume commercial air
service at such airport not later than one year after the date
that the operator submitted a request for security screening to
the Administrator. This bill also requires the Administrator to
ensure that security screening is implemented by the TSA at an
airport not later than the later of 90 days after the airport
operator submits a request for such screening or the date which
the commercial air carrier that is the subject of such request
intends to resume commercial air service at such airport.
Legislative History
H.R. 4549
H.R. 4549 was introduced in the House on February 11, 2016,
by Mr. Walden, Mr. Hurd of Texas, Mrs. Lummis, Mr. DeFazio, and
Mr. Kilmer and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 4549 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
The Subcommittee on Transportation Security was discharged
from further consideration on March 23, 2016. The Full
Committee considered H.R. 4549 on March 23, 2016, and ordered
the measure to be reported to the House with a favorable
recommendation, as amended, by unanimous consent.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 4549 to
the House on April 13, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-493.
The House considered H.R. 4549 on April 13, 2016, under
Suspension of the Rules and passed the measure, as amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 4549 was received in the Senate on April 14, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
S. 2549
S. 2549, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in
the Senate on February 11, 2016, by Mr. Merkley, Mr. Barrasso,
Mr. Enzi, Mr. Wyden, and Mr. Hatch and referred to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
------
SECURING AVIATION FROM FOREIGN ENTRY POINTS AND GUARDING AIRPORTS
THROUGH ENHANCED SECURITY ACT OF 2016
H.R. 4698
To enhance aviation by requiring airport security assessments
and a security coordination enhancement plan, and for other
purposes.
Summary
This bill directs the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security to
conduct a comprehensive security risk assessment of all last
point of departure airports with nonstop flights to the United
States. This legislation also allows TSA to donate security
screening equipment to a foreign last point of departure
airport operator and will require TSA submit to the Government
Accountability Office and Congress a plan that assesses TSA's
ability to work with foreign government entities to allow TSA
representatives conduct inspections of foreign airports without
advance notice; and enhances collaboration and information-
sharing about international inbound-aviation between the U.S.
and foreign and domestic partners to enhance security
capabilities at foreign airports.
Legislative History
H.R. 4698 was introduced in the House on March 3, 2016, by
Mr. Katko, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Keating, Mr. Donovan, and Mr. King
of New York and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 4698 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
The Chair discharged the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security from further consideration of H.R. 4698 on March 23,
2016.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 4698 on March 23, 2016,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by unanimous consent.
The Committee reported H.R. 4698 to the House on April 21,
2016, as H. Rpt. 114-513.
The House considered H.R. 4698 under Suspension of the
Rules on April 26, 2016, and passed the measure, as amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 4698 was received in the Senate on April 27, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
Provisions of H.R. 4698 were included in the Title II,
Subtitle B of H.R. 636. (See also, action on H.R. 636, listed
above.)
------
NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY PREPAREDNESS CONSORTIUM ACT OF 2016
H.R. 4743
To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to work with
cybersecurity consortia for training, and for other purposes.
[To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a
National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium, and for other
purposes.]
Summary
To support efforts to address cybersecurity risks and
incidents, this legislation authorizes the Department of
Homeland Security to work with consortia including the National
Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium (NCPC or the Consortium),
which currently provides State and local communities with tools
to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber attacks
as they would any other disaster or emergency situation. The
Consortium also evaluates communities' cybersecurity posture
and provides them with a roadmap to correct deficiencies in the
security of their information systems. Based out of the
University of Texas San Antonio's Center for Infrastructure
Assurance and Security, the NCPC has members located throughout
the Nation, including: The Criminal Justice Institute at the
University of Arkansas; the University of Memphis Center for
Information Assurance; the Norwich University Applied Research
Institutes; and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.
The Department may also engage consortia to assist the
National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center
(NCCIC) in providing training to State and local first
responders in preparing for and responding to cybersecurity
risks and incidents. The NCCIC is the central location within
the Department where cyber operations are conducted.
Legislative History
H.R. 4743 was introduced in the House on March 15, 2016, by
Mr. Castro of Texas, Mr. Richmond, Mr. Hurd of Texas, Mr.
Doggett, Mr. Cuellar, Mr. Smith of Texas, and Mr. Welch and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the
Committee, H.R. 4743 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies.
The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies was discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 4743 on April 28, 2016. Full
Committee considered H.R. 4743 on April 28, 2016, and ordered
the measure to be reported to the House with a favorable
recommendation, as amended, by unanimous consent.
The Committee reported H.R. 4743 to the House on May 13,
2016, as H. Rpt. 114-565.
The House considered H.R. 4743 under Suspension of the
Rules on May 16, 2016, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 394 yeas and 3 nays, (Roll No. 194).
H.R. 4743 was received in the Senate on May 17, 2016, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY STRATEGY FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS ACT
H.R. 4780
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a
comprehensive strategy for Department of Homeland Security
operations abroad, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland
Security to create a comprehensive three-year strategy for
international programs related to vetting and screening persons
seeking to enter the United States. The strategy is required to
include: specific Departmental risk-based goals for
international programs; a risk-based method for determining
whether to establish new international programs in new
locations; and an alignment with the highest DHS-wide and
government-wide strategic priorities of resource allocations.
When considering the strategy, the Secretary must consider
information on existing Departmental operations and an analysis
of the impact of each such international program on domestic
activities.
Legislative History
H.R. 4780 was introduced in the House on March 17, 2016, by
Mr. Thompson of Mississippi and referred to the Committee on
Homeland Security.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 4780 on March 23, 2016,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by unanimous consent.
The Committee reported H.R. 4780 to the House on May 13,
2016, as H. Rpt. 114-566.
The House considered H.R. 4780 under Suspension of the
Rules on May 16, 2016, and passed the measure, as amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 4780 was received in the Senate on May 17, 2016, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
Provisions of H.R. 4780 were included in Sec. 1910 of the
Conference Report to accompany S. 2943. (See action taken on S.
2943, listed above).
------
DHS STOP ASSET AND VEHICLE EXCESS ACT
H.R. 4785
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Under
Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security
to make certain improvements in managing the Department's
vehicle fleet, and for other purposes.
Summary
The purpose of H.R. 4785 is to improve the management of
the Department of Homeland Security's vehicle fleet. H.R. 4785
contains four specific elements that address significant
challenges the Department faces with managing the second
largest civilian vehicle fleet in the Federal Government.
Specifically, this bill establishes: Authority at the
headquarters level over component vehicle fleets; requirements
for components to more rigorously evaluate their fleets on an
ongoing basis; penalties if components do not spend taxpayer
dollars prudently; and a requirement for the Department to
identify alternative methods for managing component vehicle
fleets.
Legislative History
H.R. 4785 was introduced in the House on March 17, 2016, by
Mr. Perry, Mr. McCaul, and Mrs. Watson Coleman and referred to
the Committee on Homeland Security.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 4785 on March 23, 2016,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by unanimous consent.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 4785 to
the House on April 14, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-494.
The House considered H.R. 4785 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 11, 2016, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 4785 was received in the Senate, read twice, and
referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
------
COMBATING TERRORIST RECRUITMENT ACT OF 2016
H.R. 4820
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to use the
testimonials of former or estranged violent extremists or their
associates in order to counter terrorist recruitment, and for
other purposes.
[To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide
countering violent extremism training to Department of Homeland
Security representatives at State and local fusion centers, and
for other purposes.]
Summary
In an effort to create a comprehensive response to the
propaganda of terrorist organizations, H.R.4820 attempts to
counter terrorist recruitment and dissuade citizens from
joining extremist groups. This legislation requires the
Secretary of Homeland Security to utilize the testimonials of
former and estranged violent extremists or their associates to
counter the statements made by terrorists. The legislation
provides the Secretary of Homeland Security with flexibility to
combat that varying terrorist groups threatening the United
States both in America and abroad.
Legislative History
H.R. 4280 was introduced in the House on March 21, 2016, by
Mr. Fleischmann and seven original cosponsors and referred to
the Committee on Homeland Security.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 4820 on March 23, 2016,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 4820 to the House, as amended,
on April 26, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-525.
The House considered H.R. 4820 under Suspension of the
Rules on April 26, 2016, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 322 yeas and 79 nays, (Roll No. 164). The
title of the measure was amended so as to read ``To authorize
the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide countering
violent extremism training to Department of Homeland Security
representatives at State and local fusion centers, and for
other purposes.''
H.R. 4820 was received in the Senate on April 27, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
The text of H.R. 4820, as passed by the House was included
in Title II of H.R. 5471, as introduced. (See action taken on
H.R. 5471, listed below).
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AIRPORT PERIMETER AND ACCESS CONTROL SECURITY ACT OF 2016
H.R. 5056
To modernize and enhance airport perimeter and access control
security by requiring updated risk assessments and the
development of security strategies, and for other purposes.
Summary
This measure requires the Administrator of the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to update both the
Transportation Sector Security Risk Assessment (TSSRA) and the
Comprehensive Risk Assessment of Perimeter and Access Control
Security. The bill directs the Administrator to develop
timeframes for additional updates and complete a sector-wide
assessment of airport access controls and perimeter security.
This assessment is required to incorporate the updates to the
TSSRA, as well as findings from the Joint Vulnerability
Assessment. Additionally, the Administrator is required to
include consideration of the overall airport risk environment,
specific security even data, trend analysis, and existing best
practices utilized by airports to mitigate security risks.
In addition to the comprehensive assessment and report
updates, the legislation requires the Administrator to update
the National Strategy for Airport Perimeter and Access Control
Security to include the results of the comprehensive risk
assessments, as well as information on airport security
activities, the status of TSA's own security initiatives,
stakeholder input, and outcome-based performance goals and
objectives.
Legislative History
H.R. 5056 was introduced in the House on April 26, 2015, by
Mr. Keating and six original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5056 on April 28, 2016,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, without amendment, by unanimous
consent.
The Committee reported H.R. 5056 to the House on July 1,
2016, as H. Rpt. 114-653.
The House considered H.R. 5056 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 11, 2016, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 5056 was received in the Senate on July 12, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
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IMPROVING SMALL BUSINESS CYBER SECURITY ACT OF 2016
H.R. 5064 (S. 3024)
To amend the Small Business Act to allow small business
development centers to assist and advise small business
concerns on relevant cyber security matters, and for other
purposes.
Summary
This legislation amends the Small Business Act and provides
Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) with tools,
resources, and expert guidance to enable these SBDCs to utilize
and leverage existing Federal cyber resources in order to more
effectively meet the information security needs of small
businesses and the National and economic security needs of the
United States.
The legislation improves small business cybersecurity by
leveraging existing Federal programs, as well as the expertise
of nearly 1,000 SBDCs around the country to streamline cyber
support for small businesses. It specifically amends the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.; 72 Stat. 384 et seq.) and
the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-296) to allow
the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and any other
Federal Department or agency coordinating with DHS, to provide
information on cybersecurity risks and other cyber-related
assistance to SBDCs as they help small businesses develop or
enhance cybersecurity infrastructure, threat awareness, and
training programs. Further, the Small Business Administration
(SBA) and the Department are required to jointly develop a
strategy to provide guidance to SBDCs on how they can leverage
existing Federal resources to provide better access to much-
needed cyber support services. To the extent practicable, SBDCs
must offer cybersecurity specialists to counsel, assist, and
inform small business clients, and the SBA Administrator is
authorized to award SBDC grants in furtherance of the cyber
strategy.
Further, the legislation requires the Government
Accountability Office to review current cybersecurity programs
at the Federal level aimed at providing assistance to small
businesses. The review will include an assessment of the wide
utilization of existing resources by small businesses, whether
they are duplicative of other resources, and whether they could
be better structured to improve accessibility and
effectiveness.
Legislative History
H.R. 5064
H.R. 5064 was introduced in the House on April 26, 2016, by
Mr. Hanna and 12 original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Small Business and in addition to the Committee on
Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 5064 was referred
to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5064 on June 8, 2016,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 5064 to the House on July 1,
2016, as H. Rpt. 114-654, Pt. I.
Provisions of H.R. 5064, were included in Secs. 1841 and
1843 of the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943, the
National Defense Authorization Act of 2017. (See also action on
S. 2943 listed above).
S. 3024
S. 3024, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in
the Senate on June 6, 2016, by Mr. Vitter and Mr. Peters and
referred to the Senate Committee on Small Business and
Entrepreneurship.
The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
considered S. 2034 on June 9, 2016, and ordered the measure to
be reported to the Senate without amendment.
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STRONG VISA INTEGRITY SECURES AMERICA ACT
H.R. 5253
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and the Immigration
and Nationality Act to improve visa security, visa applicant
vetting, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 5253 takes the necessary steps to address potential
security gaps to strengthen counterterror vetting and screening
of individuals applying for entry into the United States. This
bill increases the number of Immigration and Custom Enforcement
(ICE) Visa Security Units (VSU) from 26 to no fewer than 50.
This allows specially trained investigators to conduct in-depth
reviews of high-risk visa applicants.
While there are more than 220 visa issuing posts around the
world, each VSU costs an estimated $2.7 million, making it
nearly impossible to place one at each consular post.
Therefore, the bill also expanded the Pre-Adjudicated Threat
Recognition Intelligence Operations Team (PATRIOT) program,
which conducts security checks remotely, to an additional 50
locations. This allowed visa issuing posts with limited space
or insufficient workload the benefits of certain visa security
vetting activities in the absence of a VSU.
Legislative History
H.R. 5253 was introduced in the House on May 16, 2016, by
Mr. Hurd of Texas, Mr. McCaul, Mrs. Miller of Michigan, Mr.
King of New York, Mr. Katko, and Ms. McSally and referred to
the Committee on the Judiciary and in addition to the Committee
on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 5253 was
referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
The Chair discharged the Subcommittee on Border and
Maritime Security from further consideration of H.R. 5253 on
June 8, 2016.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5253 on June 8, 2016,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 5253 to the House on December
8, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-851.
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CHECKPOINT OPTIMIZATION AND EFFICIENCY ACT OF 2016
H.R. 5338
To reduce passenger wait times at airports, and for other
purposes.
Summary
This bill allows for the assessment of staffing model of
the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to determine
whether those staffing positions that are necessary, including
canine explosives detection technology and teams, for all
airports in the U.S. where TSA controls passenger checkpoints.
In addition, this legislation requires: TSA Behavior Detection
Officers be present at baggage and passenger screening areas,
including PreCheck lanes; increases efforts to ensure the
public understands the TSA PreCheck program; and requests the
Aviation Security Advisory Committee submit recommendations on
best practices for checkpoint operations optimization.
Legislative History
H.R. 5338 was introduced in the House on May 26, 2016, by
Mr. Katko and nine original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 5338
was referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
The House agreed to Suspend the Rules on June 7, 2016, and
passed H.R. 5338, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5338 was received in the Senate on June 8, 2016, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
Provisions of H.R. 5338 were included in Subtitle A of
Title II of H.R. 636 as passed by the House amendment to the
Senate amendment to H.R. 636. (See action taken on H.R. 636,
listed above).
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SECURING OUR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD ACT
H.R. 5346
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make the
Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Health Affairs
responsible for coordinating the efforts of the Department of
Homeland Security related to food, agriculture, and veterinary
defense against terrorism, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 5346 amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
authorize a program to coordinate the Department of Homeland
Security's efforts related to food, agriculture, and veterinary
defense from acts of terrorism and other high-consequence
events that pose a high risk to homeland security.
Legislative History
H.R. 5346 was introduced in the House on May 26, 2016, by
Mr, Young of Iowa and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce and the Committee on Agriculture. Within the
Committee, H.R. 5346 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications.
On June 16, 2016, the Subcommittee on Emergency
Communications, Preparedness, and Response considered H.R. 5346
and reported the measure to the Full Committee, as amended, by
voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Agriculture sent a letter to
the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security on September 6,
2016, agreeing that, in order to expedite consideration on the
House Floor, the Committee on Agriculture would waive its right
to consider H.R. 5346.
The Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce sent a
letter to the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security on
September 14, 2016, agreeing that, in order to expedite
consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on Energy and
Commerce would waive its right to consider H.R. 5346. On that
same date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security
responded acknowledging the agreement by the Committee on
Energy and Commerce to forgo consideration of H.R. 5346, and
the agreement to support the appointment of Conferees should a
House-Senate Conference be called.
The Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security responded
to the Chair of the Committee on Agriculture on September 14,
2016, acknowledging an agreement by the Committee on
Agriculture to forgo consideration of H.R. 5346, and the
agreement to support the appointment of Conferees should a
House-Senate Conference be called.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5346 on September 15,
2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 5346 to
the House on September 19, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-755, Pt. I.
Subsequently, the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the
Committee on Agriculture were discharged from further
consideration of H.R. 5346.
The House considered H.R. 5346 under Suspension of the
Rules on September 26, 2016, and passed the measure by voice
vote.
H.R. 5346 was received in the Senate on September 27, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
QUADRENNIAL HOMELAND SECURITY REVIEW TECHNICAL CORRECTION ACT OF 2016
H.R. 5385
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make technical
corrections to the requirement that the Secretary of Homeland
Security submit quadrennial homeland security reviews, and for
other purposes.
Summary
The purpose of H.R. 5385 is to make changes to the
requirements outlined in the production of the Quadrennial
Homeland Security Review (QHSR). Namely, this bill requires the
Department of Homeland Security to conduct a risk assessment to
inform the QHSR, and to maintain all documentation regarding
the QHSR, including, but not limited to: All written
communications sent out by the Secretary and feedback submitted
to the Secretary; information on how feedback received by the
Secretary informed the QHSR; and information regarding the risk
assessment. The elements in this bill will better allow
Congress to conduct oversight over the Department.
Legislative History
H.R. 5385 was introduced in the House on June 7, 2016, by
Mrs. Watson Coleman and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5385 on June 8, 2016,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 5385 to the House on July 5,
2016, as H. Rpt. 114-662.
The House considered H.R. 4785 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 11, 2016, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 4785 was received in the Senate on July 12, 2016, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
SUPPORT FOR RAPID INNOVATION ACT OF 2016
H.R. 5388
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide for
innovative research and development, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-296) to provide for innovative research and
development by requiring the Under Secretary for Science and
Technology (S&T) to support cybersecurity research,
development, testing, evaluation and transition and to
coordinate those activities with other Federal agencies,
industry, and academia. In service to the components of the
Department of Homeland Security, the Under Secretary is
required to: advance the development and deployment of secure
information systems; improve and create technologies to detect
attacks or intrusions; improve and create mitigation and
recovery methodologies; support the review of source code that
underpins critical infrastructure information systems in
coordination with the private sector; develop and support tools
to support cybersecurity research and development efforts;
assist the development of technologies to reduce
vulnerabilities in industrial control systems; and develop and
support forensics and attack attribution capabilities.
The legislation also requires the Under Secretary to
support the full life cycle of cyber research and development
projects, identify mature technologies that address existing or
imminent cybersecurity gaps, and introduce new cybersecurity
technologies throughout the homeland security enterprise
through partnerships and commercialization. The Under Secretary
is directed to target Federally funded cybersecurity research
that demonstrates a high probability of successful transition
to the commercial market within two years.
This bill also extends the timeframe for the Secretary to
exercise Other Transaction Authority (OTA) until 2020. If the
head of a component seeks to have funds expended under OTA, the
Secretary must provide prior approval after evaluating the
component's proposal which must include the rationale, funds to
be spent, and expected outcomes of the project. The Secretary
is required to submit an annual report to Congress detailing
those projects for which OTA was authorized.
Ensuring there are mechanisms in place like S&T's
cybersecurity research and development programs and OTA to
support the dynamic nature of cybersecurity research and
development is essential for addressing homeland security
capability gaps.
Legislative History
H.R. 5388 was introduced in the House on June 7, 2016, by
Mr. Ratcliffe and Mr. McCaul, and referred to the Committee on
Homeland Security.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5388 on June 8, 2016,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, without amendment, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security on June 20, 2016, agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology would not seek a sequential
referral of H.R. 5388. The letter further requested the support
for Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be called. On
that same date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security
responded, concurring in the agreement to not seek a sequential
referral and the request for the appointment of Conferees
should a House-Senate Conference be called.
The Committee reported H.R. 5388 to the House on June 21,
2016, as H. Rpt. 114-629.
The House considered H.R. 5388 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 21, 2016, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 351 yeas and 4 nays, (Roll No. 335).
Provisions of H.R. 5388 were included in the Title II
Subtitle C of H.R. 636. (See action taken on H.R. 636, listed
above.)
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LEVERAGING EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES ACT OF 2016
H.R. 5389
To encourage engagement between the Department of Homeland
Security and technology innovators, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation encourages engagement between the
Department of Homeland Security and technology innovators. The
bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to engage with
innovative and emerging technology developers and firms,
including technology-based small businesses and startup
ventures, to address homeland security needs. The Secretary may
also identify geographic areas in the United States where high
concentrations of innovative and emerging technology developers
and firms exist. H.R. 5389 allows the Secretary to establish
personnel and office space in these areas, as appropriate.
Finally, the bill requires the Secretary to develop, implement,
and submit a strategy to proactively engage innovative and
emerging technology developers and firms with guidance on
building and sustaining relationships with such innovator.
The Department's ability to engage regional and national
thought leaders across the country and establish a presence in
a similar manner that has been done via its establishment of an
office in Silicon Valley will help it target investments and
promote proven technologies that address homeland security
needs. Requiring the Department to strategically consider how
to engage these technology developers across the country will
strengthen the Department's ability to access innovative and
emerging technologies in order to combat evolving threats. This
legislation is intended to ensure that DHS fosters sustainable
systems, policies and procedures to maintain strong engagement
with innovative and emerging technology developers and firms
that continue over time
Legislative History
H.R. 5389 was introduced in the House on June 7, 2016, by
Mr. Ratcliffe, Mr. McCaul, and Mr. Thompson of Mississippi and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5389 on June 8, 2016,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, without amendment, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to expedite
consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology would not seek a sequential referral of
H.R. 5389. The letter further requested the support for
Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be called. On that
same date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security
responded, concurring in the agreement to not seek a sequential
referral and the request for the appointment of Conferees
should a House-Senate Conference be called.
The Committee reported H.R. 5389 to the House on June 21,
2016, as H. Rpt. 114-630.
The House considered H.R. 5389 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 21, 2016, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 347 yeas and 8 nays, (Roll No. 336).
H.R. 5389 was received in the Senate on June 22, 2016, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION AGENCY
ACT OF 2016
H.R. 5390
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Agency of the
Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-295) to redesignate the Department of Homeland
Security's (DHS's) National Protection and Programs Directorate
as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Agency
(CIPA) to be headed by a Director of National Cybersecurity,
which will be appointed by the President with the Senate's
consent. The Director of National Cybersecurity will lead
National efforts to protect and enhance the security and
resilience of U.S. cyber and critical infrastructure.
H.R. 5390 reorganizes DHS components and subcomponents into
the following divisions: The Cybersecurity Division; the
Infrastructure Protection Division; the Emergency
Communications Division; and the Federal Protective Service.
The Agency would carry out DHS' responsibility to secure high
risk chemical facilities against the threat of terrorism under
6 U.S.C 621, title XXI of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and
regulate the sale and transfer of ammonium nitrate, pursuant to
6 U.S.C. 488, title J of title VIII of the Homeland Security
Act of 2002. This legislation also establishes an Office of
Biometric Identity Managementis within the Department.
Legislative History
H.R. 5390 was introduced in the House on June 7, 2016, by
Mr. McCaul, Mr. Ratcliffe, and Ms. Jackson Lee and referred to
the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform, and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5390 on June 8, 2016,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
------
GAINS IN GLOBAL NUCLEAR DETECTION ARCHITECTURE ACT
H.R. 5391
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance certain
duties of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, and for other
purposes.
Summary
Preventing terrorists from smuggling nuclear or
radiological material to carry out an attack in the United
States is a top national priority. The Department of Homeland
Security's Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) mission is
to improve capabilities to deter, detect, respond to, and
attribute responsibility for nuclear terrorist attacks, in
coordination with domestic and international partners. As part
of this mission, DNDO conducts research and development on
radiation and nuclear detection devices.
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-295), to direct the DNDO to develop and maintain
documentation that provides information on how the Office's
research investments align with gaps in the Global Nuclear
Detection Architecture (GNDA) and the research challenges
identified by the DNDO Director. It further directs DNDO to
document the rationale for selecting research topics and to
develop a systematic approach for evaluating how the outcomes
of the Office's individual research projects collectively
contribute to addressing the research challenges.
Legislative History
H.R. 5391 was introduced in the House on June 8, 2016, by
Mr. Richmond and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5391 on June 8, 2016,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, without amendment, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 5391 to the House on July 1,
2016, as H. Rpt. 114-652.
The Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security sent a
letter to the Speaker of the House on September 8, 2016,
expressing disagreement to a jurisdictional claim by the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology over H.R. 5391.
The House considered H.R. 5391 under Suspension of the
Rules on September 27, 2016, and passed the measure, as
amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5391 was received in the Senate on September 28, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
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CYBER PREPAREDNESS ACT OF 2016
H.R. 5459
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance
preparedness and response capabilities for cyber attacks,
bolster the dissemination of homeland security information
related to cyber threats, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 5459 seeks to enhance preparedness and response
capabilities for cyber attacks and bolster the sharing of
information related to cyber threats. The bill includes, as a
function of the National Cybersecurity and Communications
Integration Center (NCCIC), sharing information about cyber
best practices, in addition to the sharing of cyber threat
indicators and defensive measures currently required by law.
The bill also authorizes representatives from State and major
urban area fusion centers, as defined in the bill, to be
assigned to the NCCIC, similar to the assignment of
representatives from information sharing and analysis centers
(ISACs) permitted under current law.
H.R. 5459 authorizes the use of State Homeland Security
Grant Program and Urban Area Security Initiative funds for
cybersecurity enhancements. Cyber expenditures are currently
allowable under yearly grant guidance for these programs and
this section will codify the authorization to highlight the
importance of these expenditures and ensure they continue to be
allowable.
Finally, H.R. 5459 expresses the sense of Congress that the
Department of Homeland Security should work to lessen the
classification level or provide information in an unclassified
form, as practicable, to enable greater sharing of actionable
intelligence related to cyber threats.
Legislative History
H.R. 5459 was introduced in the House on June 13, 2016, by
Mr. Donovan, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Ratcliffe, and Mr. Payne, and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the
Committee, H.R. 5459 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies and the Subcommittee on Emergency Preapredness,
Response, and Communications.
The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications considered H.R. 5459 on June 14, 2016, and
passed the measure, as amended, by voice vote.
The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies was discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 5459 on September 14, 2016.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5459 on September 14,
2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 5459 to the House on September
19, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-756.
The House considered H.R. 5459 under Suspension of the
Rules on September 26, 2016, and passed the measure by voice
vote.
H.R. 5459 was received in the Senate on September 27, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
FIRST RESPONDER ACCESS TO INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES ACT
H.R. 5460
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish a
review process to review applications for certain grants to
purchase equipment or systems that do not meet or exceed any
applicable national voluntary consensus standards, and for
other purposes.
Summary
This measure amends Subsection (f) of section 2008 of the
Home*land Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 609) by adding at the
end a re*view process for applications seeking to purchase
equipment or sys*tems that do not meet or exceed applicable
national voluntary con*sensus standards using funds from the
Urban Area Security Initia*tive or the State Homeland Security
Grant Program. This bill addresses complaints raised by
stakeholder groups that Federal Emergency Management Agency
lacks a uniform, predictable, and transparent process to review
grantee requests to use grant funding to purchase equipment
that does not meet or exceed voluntary consensus standards or
for which no voluntary consensus standard exists.
Legislative History
H.R. 5460 was introduced in the House on June 13, 2016, by
Mr. Payne and Mr. Donovan, and referred to the Committee on
Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 5460 was referred
to the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications.
On June 16, 2016, the Subcommittee on Emergency
Communications, Preparedness, and Response considered H.R. 5460
and reported the measure to the Full Committee, without
amendment, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5460 on September 16,
2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 5460 to the House on September
26, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-788.
The House considered H.R. 5460 under Suspension of the
Rules on September 26, 2016, and passed the measure by voice
vote.
H.R. 5460 was received in the Senate on September 27, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
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COUNTERING TERRORIST RADICALIZATION ACT
H.R. 5471 (H.R. 4401, H.R. 4407, and H.R. 4820)
To combat terrorist recruitment in the United States, and for
other purposes.
Summary
This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) to provide training at State and major urban area fusion
centers to increase awareness of and more quickly identify
terrorism threats--including the travel or attempted travel of
individuals from the United States to support a foreign
terrorist organization abroad--and counter violent extremism.
It also authorizes DHS incorporate the public testimonials of
former extremists into its efforts to combat terrorist
recruitment, and authorizes the Department's Counterterrorism
Advisory Board.
Legislative History
H.R. 5471 was introduced in the House on June 14, 2016, by
Mr. McCaul, Mr. Loudermilk, Mr. Fleischmann, and Mr. Katko and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
As introduced, H.R. 5471 contains provisions of the
following measures as passed by the House: H.R. 4001, H.R.
4407, and H.R. 4820. For prior action see the action on those
measures, listed above
The House considered H.R. 5471 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 16, 2016, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 402 yeas and 15 nays, (Roll No. 333).
H.R. 5471 was received in the Senate on June 20, 2016, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
HOMELAND SAFETY AND SECURITY ACT
H.R. 5611
To prevent terrorists from launching attacks and obtaining
passports, and for other purposes.
Summary
This bill authorizes and Office for Partnerships to Prevent
Terrorism within the Department of Homeland Security to counter
radical Islamist terrorism and recruitment, and outlines the
responsibilities of that office, to include the creation of a
Department-wide strategy. This bill also amends the federal
criminal code to authorize the Department of Justice to notify
and authorize law enforcement agencies or intelligence services
to delay for up to three business days the transfer of a
firearm or explosive to a person being investigated, or who
during the past five years has been investigated, as a known or
suspected terrorist.
This bill also refines the national exercise program
outlined in the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of
2006 (Title VI of Pub. L. 109-295, the Department of Homeland
Security Appropriations Act, 2007).
Legislative History
H.R. 5611 was introduced in the House on July 1, 2016, by
Mr. McCarthy and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary and
the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
As introduced, Section 2 of H.R. 5611 contains provisions
related to H.R. 2899; Sec. 3 and 4 contains the text of H.R.
4404. (See also action on H.R. 2899 and H.R. 4404, listed
above).
------
CUBAN AIRPORT SECURITY ACT OF 2016
H.R. 5728
To prohibit scheduled passenger air transportation between the
United States and Cuba until a study has been completed
regarding security measures and equipment at Cuba's airports,
to amend title 49, United States Code, to clarify the role of
the Secretary of Homeland Security regarding security standards
at foreign airports, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation requires the Administrator of the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to submit to the
relevant Congressional committees a report detailing the
following security measures at each of Cuba's ten international
airports: Information about the type of equipment used at
screening checkpoints and an analysis of such equipment's
capability and weaknesses; information about each airport's
canine program; the frequency of training for screening and
security personnel; access controls in place to ensure only
credentialed personnel have access to the secure and sterile
areas of such airports; an assessment of the ability of known
or suspected terrorists to use Cuba as a gateway to enter the
United States; airport perimeter security; a mitigation
assessment regarding Man Portable Air Defense Systems; the
vetting practices and procedures for airport employees; and any
other information determined relevant to the security
practices, procedures and equipment in place at such airports.
Legislative History
H.R. 5728 was introduced in the House on July 14, 2016, by
Mr. Katko, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Hudson, and Mr. Cuellar and referred
to the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on
Foreign Affairs. Within the Committee, H.R. 5728 was referred
to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
The Subcommittee on Transportation Security was discharged
from further consideration of H.R. 5728 on September 14, 2016.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5728 on September 14,
2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
------
UNITED STATES-ISRAEL CYBERSECURITY COOPERATION ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2016
H.R. 5843
To establish a grant program at the Department of Homeland
Security to promote cooperative research and development
between the United States and Israel on cybersecurity.
Summary
In accordance with the Agreement between the Government of
the United States of America and the Government of the State of
Israel on Cooperation in Science and Technology for Homeland
Security Matters signed on May 29, 2008, this legislation
requires the Department of Homeland Security to establish a
grant program to support cybersecurity research, development,
demonstration, and commercializion of cybersecurity technology.
Legislative History
H.R. 5843 was introduced in the House on July 14, 2016, by
Mr. Langevin and Mr. Ratcliffe and referred to the Committee on
Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 5843 was referred
to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies.
The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies was discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 5843 on September 14, 2016.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5843 on September 14,
2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 5843 to
the House on November 15, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-826.
The House considered H.R. 5843 on November 29, 2016, under
Suspension of the Rules and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 5843 was received in the Senate on November 30, 2016.
------
COMMUNITY COUNTERTERRORISM PREPAREDNESS ACT
H.R. 5859
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the
major metropolitan area counterterrorism training and exercise
grant program, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 5859 authorizes $39 million for emergency response
providers in major metropolitan areas to conduct training and
exercises to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the most
likely terrorist attack scenarios, including active shooters.
Legislative History
H.R. 5859 was introduced in the House on July 14, 2016, by
Mr. McCaul and 25 original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 5859
was referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness,
Response, and Communications.
The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications was discharged from further consideration of
H.R. 5859 on September 14, 2016.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5859 on September 14,
2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committed reported H.R. 5859 to the House on September
19, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-754.
The House considered H.R. 5859 under Suspension of the
Rules on September 21, 2016, and passed the measure, as
amended, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 395 yeas and 30 nays,
(Roll No. 537).
H.R. 5859 was received in the Senate on September 22, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
TRANSIT SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM FLEXIBILITY ACT
H.R. 5943
To amend the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11
Commission Act of 2007 to clarify certain allowable uses of
funds for public transportation security assistance grants and
establish periods of performance for such grants, and for other
purposes.
Summary
This measure amends the Implementing Recommendation of the
9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-53) to permit
transportation security grants to be used for security training
and improvements to stations and infrastructure.
Legislative History
H.R. 5943 was introduced in the House on September 7, 2016,
by Mr. Donovan, Mr. Katko, Mr. king of New York, Miss Rice of
New York, Mr. Payne, and Mr. McCaul and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5943 on September 14,
2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 5943 to the House, on September
20, 2016, with an amendment, as H. Rpt. 114-776.
The House considered H.R. 5943 under Suspension of the
Rules on September 26, 2016, and passed the measure by voice
vote.
H.R. 5943 was received in the Senate on September 27, 2016.
------
RESOLUTION CONDEMNING TERRORIST ATTACK ON THE
PULSE ORLANDO NIGHTCLUB
H.Res. 827
Condemning the terrorist attack on the Pulse Orlando nightclub,
honoring the memory of the victims of the attack, offering
condolences to and expressing support for their families and
friends and all those affected, and applauding the dedication
and bravery of law enforcement, emergency response, and
counterterrorism officials in responding to the attack.
Summary
On June 12, 2016, the deadliest mass terrorist attack in
the United States occurred at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando,
Florida. In the incident 49 people were killed and 53 injured.
The attacker, Omar Mateen, self identified and pledged
allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
This resolution honors the memory of the victims of this
attack and commemorates the heroism of law enforcement, first
responders, and counterterrorism officials.
Legislative History
H.Res. 827 was introduced in the House on July 13, 2016, by
Ms. Ros-Lehtinen and 33 original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition
to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on
Homeland Security.
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Homeland
Security were discharged from further consideration on July 13,
2016, the House proceeded to the consideration of H.Res. 827
under Suspension of the Rules and agreed to the Resolution, by
voice vote.
SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 TERRORIST ATTACKS
H.Res. 842
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding
the terrorist attacks launched against the United States on
September 11, 2001, on the 15th anniversary of that date.
Summary
This resolution commemorated the memory of victims of the
September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. The
terrorist attacks, consisting of four incidents in New York
City, New York, Arlington, Virginia, and Shanksville,
Pennsylvania resulted in the deaths of 2,996 people and over
6,000 injured.
Legislative History
H.Res. 842 was introduced in the House on September 6,
2016, by Mr. McCarthy and referred to Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the
Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure, the Committee on the Judiciary, the
Committee on Homeland Security, and the House Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence.
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Armed Services,
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the
Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Homeland Security,
and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence were
discharged from further consideration of H.Res. 842 on
September 9, 2016. The House proceeded to the consideration of
H.Res. 842 under Suspension of the Rules and agreed to the
Resolution, by voice vote.
------
CROSS-BORDER TRADE ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2015
S. 461 (H.R. 875)
To provide for alternative financing arrangements for the
provision of certain services and the construction and
maintenance of infrastructure at land border ports of entry,
and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation reauthorizes and expands the pilot
programs that permit United States Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) to enter into agreements with private or State
or local government entities for reimbursable services or
property donations at CBP ports of entry. The authorization of
public-private partnerships under this bill will allow private
sector and State and local government entities to fund
improvements at CBP ports of entry that will increase trade and
travel efficiencies at no cost to the taxpayer.
Legislative History
S. 461
S. 461 was introduced in the Senate on February 11, 2015,
by Mr. Cornyn and Ms. Klobuchar) and referred to the Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered S. 461 on May 25, 2016, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate with an Amendment in the
Nature of a Substitute, favorably.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported S. 461 to the Senate on July 12, 2016 with no
written report. The Senate Committee on Homeland Security
report filed in the Senate on August 30, 2016, as S. Rpt. 114-
303.
The Senate considered S. 461 on November 29, 2016, and
withdrew the Committee Substitute by unanimous consent and
subsequently passed the measure.
S. 461 was received in the House on November 30, 2016, and
held at the Desk.
H.R. 875
H.R. 875, the House companion measure, was introduced in
the House on February 11, 2015, by Mr. Cuellar and referred to
the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Committee
on the Judiciary, the Committee on Homeland Security, and the
Committee on Agriculture. Within the Committee, H.R. 875 was
referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
The House considered H.R. 875 on December 6, 2016, and
agreed to Suspend the Rules and passed the measure, as amended,
by voice vote.
The Senate considered H.R. 875 on December 9, 2016, and
passed the measure without amendment. Clearing the measure for
the President.
----------
Oversight Activities of the Committee
SOUTHWEST BORDER SITE VISITS
From January 22 though 26, 2015, Members of the Committee
conducted a site visit along the Southwest border of the United
States. Members examined: The evolving national security
threats to the Homeland; security at our southwest border; best
practices to secure land and sea borders; technology currently
deployed at the border; and analyze and assess inter-
governmental integration and cooperation to secure the Nation's
border with critical components including the Department of
Homeland Security and the Department of Defense. Members
traveled to San Diego, California; Tucson and Sierra Vista,
Arizona; and McAllen, Texas.
From October 23 through 25, 2016, the Chair of the
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security and Majority staff
of the Committee participated in a series of classified and
unclassified briefings in Tucson, Arizona regarding border-
related issues and local counterterrorism efforts with the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP).
WORLD-WIDE THREATS TO THE HOMELAND
On February 4, 2015, the Members of the Committee received
a classified briefing on current world-wide threats to the
Homeland and U.S. interests. Representatives from the
Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, and the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC)
were present to respond to Member questions.
The Chair of the Full Committee and Majority staff of the
Committee visited the NCTC an April 19, 2016, and met with
Federal employees conducting critical analytical and targeting
duties in defense of the United States.
FOREIGN FIGHTERS
On February 11, 2015, the Full Committee held a hearing
entitled ``Countering Violent Islamist Extremism: The Urgent
Threat of Foreign Fighters and Homegrown Terror.'' The
Committee received testimony from Hon. Francis X. Taylor, Under
Secretary, Intelligence and Analysis, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security; Hon. Nicholas J. Rasmussen, Director,
National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of
National Intelligence; and Mr. Michael B. Steinbach, Assistant
Director, Counterterrorism Division, Federal Bureau of
Investigation, U.S. Department of Justice.
This hearing focused on the nature of the threat and how
our approach to the War against homegrown Islamist Terror must
evolve to rise to the challenge of this generational and global
struggle.
CYBERSECURITY
On February 25, 2015, the Members of the Committee received
a briefing from the Special Assistant to the President and
Cybersecurity Coordinator to explain the Administration's
legislative proposal on cybersecurity.
Additionally, the Committee held a hearing on February 25,
2015, entitled ``Examining the President's Cybersecurity
Information Sharing Proposal.'' The Committee received
testimony from Hon. Suzanne Spaulding, Under Secretary,
National Protection and Programs Directorate, U.S. Department
of Homeland Security; Dr. Phyllis Schneck, Deputy Under
Secretary, Cybersecurity and Communications, National
Protection and Programs Directorate, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security; and Dr. Eric Fischer, Senior Specialist,
Science and Technology, Congressional Research Service, Library
of Congress.
The Members of the Committee conducted a site visit on
March 4, 2015, to the National Cybersecurity Counterterrorism
and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) in Arlington,
Virginia.
BOSTON MARATHON BOMBING FOLLOW UP
Continuing oversight into the Committee's review of the
Federal, State and local information sharing relationships
leading up to the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing, Committee staff
held multiple meetings with Federal, State and local agencies,
as well as other stakeholders.
On March 17, 2015, Committee staff met with representatives
from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding the
status of information sharing agreements between the Joint
Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) and local law enforcement
agencies.
The Chair of the Committee released a report entitled
Preventing Another Boston Marathon Bombing: Reviewing the
Lessons Learned from the 2013 Terror Attack on April 14, 2015.
The report reviewed the implementation of the recommendations
by the Committee from its 2014 Boston Marathon Bombings
investigative report.
FOREIGN FIGHTERS
On March 18, 2015, the Members of the Committee received a
classified briefing on the threat posed by foreign fighters
joining the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and related
issues. Members were briefed by representatives from the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security and the National
Counterterrorism Center.
On March 24, 2015, the Full Committee held a hearing
entitled ``A Global Battleground: The Fight Against Islamist
Extremism at Home and Abroad.'' The Committee received
testimony from Hon. Newt Gingrich, Former Speaker of the U.S.
House of Representatives; General Michael Hayden (USAF-Ret.),
Former Director, Central Intelligence Agency and Former
Director, National Security Agency; Mr. Philip Mudd, Senior
Fellow, New America Foundation; and Mr. Brian Michael Jenkins,
Senior Adviser to the RAND President, The RAND Corporation.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY LEADERSHIP
On March 26, 2015, the Full Committee held a hearing
entitled ``Leadership Challenges at the Department of Homeland
Security.'' The Committee received testimony from Hon. John
Roth, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
and Ms. Maria M. Odom, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services Ombudsman, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The Committee continued its oversight into improper
activities within the Department with a hearing on April 30,
2015, entitled ``Allegations of Special Access and Political
Influence at the Department of Homeland Security.'' The
Committee received testimony from Hon. Alejandro Mayorkas,
Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SECURITY
On April 16, 2015, the Members of the Committee received a
briefing by representatives from the National Counterterrorism
Center, and the Department of Homeland Security's Office of
Intelligence and Analysis, and the Office of Health Affairs on
the threat from chemical and biological attacks.
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATIONS
CODEL McCAUL
From May 1 through 11, 2015, Chairman McCaul led a
Congressional Delegation to the State of Israel, the Republic
of Turkey, the Republic of Iraq, the Federal Republic of
Germany, the Kingdom of Belgium, and the French Republic. The
Members of the Committee conducted the CODEL to assess evolving
security threats to the homeland and our allies, including the
flow of foreign fighters to and from the West and the Syrian
Arab Republic and the Republic of Iraq. The critical focus was
the U.S. Government's efforts, working with our allies, to
identify and obstruct the travel of individuals who pose a
threat to the homeland. Additionally, the Delegation examined
border security and threats in the Middle East;
counterterrorism programs including programs to counter violent
extremism; and the U.S./Coalition strategy to counter the
threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Iraq.
CODEL McCAUL
From June 24 through 27, 2015, Chairman McCaul led a
Congressional Delegation to the Detention Center at the U.S.
Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The Delegation examined the
Secretary of Homeland Security's role as a member of the
President's Guantanamo Detention Task Force, as outlined in
Executive Order 13492, and reviewed the potential risk of
holding high-value detainees.
CODEL RATCLIFFE
From May 1 through May 6, 2016, Subcommittee Chairman
Ratcliffe and Committee Member Langevin conducted a
Congressional Delegation to the State of Israel to examine
emerging cyber threats and threats to critical infrastructure.
The delegation discussed efforts to increase cybersecurity
capabilities, protect critical infrastructure and find areas
where the U.S. and Israel can increase collaboration.
Additionally, consequences from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of
Action (JCPOA) and increasing cybersecurity and kinetic threats
from Iran were discussed. The delegation also met with Prime
Minister Netanyahu to discuss key national security issues,
cybersecurity and United States-Israel collaboration.
CODEL McCAUL
From May 1 through 9, 2016, Chairman McCaul conducted a
Congressional Delegation to the Arab Republic of Egypt, the
Kingdom of Bahrain, the Republic of Tunisia, and the United
Kingdom. This delegation examined the spread of Islamist terror
and threats to the United States and its allies; and the threat
from foreign fighters, returnees, and homegrown radicals.
VIRAL TERRORISM
On June 3, 2015, the Full Committee held a hearing entitled
``Terrorism Gone Viral: The Attack in Garland, Texas and
Beyond.'' The Committee received testimony from Mr. John J.
Mulligan, Deputy Director, National Counterterrorism Center;
Hon. Francis X. Taylor, Under Secretary, Intelligence and
Analysis, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and Mr. Michael
B. Steinbach, Assistant Director, Counterterrorism Division,
Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Justice.
The Members of the Committee continued their inquiry into
terrorist use of social media with a classified briefing by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Counterterrorism Internet
Operations Section on June 11, 2015,. The Members discussed the
FBI's abilities to manage and target counterterrorism
investigations online, including tracking terrorists' social
media use for investigative purposes.
Members further examined this issue with a classified
briefing on June 17, 2015, receiving an update on the technical
and policy challenges associated with tracking extremists who
``go dark'' on social media to recruit, radicalize, and plot
attacks. The Members were briefed by representatives from the
Federal Bureau of Investigation Operational Technology
Division.
TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
On June 11, 2015, the Members of the Committee received a
classified briefing from officials from the Department of
Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General and the
Transportation Security Administration on recent airport
screening checkpoint test results, as well as related actions
directed by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
On July 29, 2015, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``Aviation Security Challenges: Is TSA ready for the threats of
today?'' The Committee received testimony from Hon. Peter V.
Neffenger, Administrator, Transportation Security
Administration, U.S. Department Homeland Security.
May 25, 2016, the Committee held a hearing entitled ``Long
Lines, Short Patience: The TSA Airport Screening Experience.''
The Committee recieved testimony from Hon. Peter V. Neffenger,
Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security.
COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM
On July 9, 2015, the Members of the Committee received a
briefing from officials from the Department of Homeland
Security on the Department's programs and efforts to counter
violent extremism. As a follow up to this meeting, on July 10,
2015, the Chair of the Committee sent a letter to the Secretary
of Homeland Security requesting information on the Department's
countering violent extremism ``CVE'' programs and policies.
The Committee held a hearing on July 15, 2015, entitled
``The Rise of Radicalization: Is the U.S. Government Failing to
Counter International and Domestic Terrorism?'' The Committee
received testimony from Ms. Farah Pandith, Adjunct Senior
Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations; Mr. Seamus Hughes, Deputy
Director, Program on Extremism, Center for Cyber and Homeland
Security, George Washington University; and Mr. J. Richard
Cohen, President and CEO, Southern Poverty Law Center.
On April 5, 2016, the Chair of the Committee sent a letter
to the Secretary of Homeland Security outlining the Committee's
support for efforts to counter the propaganda, radicalization
and recruitment of violent Islamist extremist networks such as
al Qaeda and ISIS, and requesting detailed information on the
Department's plans to provide a counter message to this
ideology.
The Chair of the Committee sent a letter to the Secretary
of Homeland Security on July 7, 2016, expressing concerns over
the Department's failure to clearly prioritize countering
violent Islamist extremist propaganda, radicalization and
recruitment in the guidance issued for the CVE grants
appropriated in Pub. L. 114-113.
On August 29, 2016, the Chair of the Committee sent a
letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security expressing concern
over weaknesses in the Departments plans to vet CVE grant
applicants.
On September 8, 2016, the Chair of the Committee sent a
letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security thanking him for
the Department's responsiveness to questions around the vetting
of CVE grant applicants, but noted that the Committee remains
extremely concerned that the Department's vetting plans are
insufficient.
On September 28, 2016, The Chair of the Full Committee sent
a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security on September 28,
2016, regarding the Department's understanding of the status of
foreign counter radicalization programs. Information was
requested regarding related efforts of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the French Republic, the
Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Republic of
Indonesia, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic
of Pakistan, the Tunisian Republic, and other countries with
successful counter radicalization programs as identified by the
Department. Written responses to listed questions were
requested by October 14, 2016. To date, no response has been
received by the Committee. On November 3, 2016, the Director of
the Office for Community Partnerships at the Department of
Homeland Security responded, noting the determination that
parts of the inquiry fall outside of the Department's
jurisdiction, while contributing answers regarding benefits to
domestic efforts that aim to prevent violent extremism as well
as lessons learned from international programs.
CHALLENGES IN A POST-9/11 WORLD
On September 8, 2015, the Committee held a field hearing in
New York City, New York entitled ``Beyond Bin Laden's Caves and
Couriers to A New Generation of Terrorists: Confronting the
Challenges in a Post 9/11 World.'' The Committee received
testimony from Hon. Rudolph ``Rudy'' W. Giuliani, Former Mayor,
City of New York, New York; Mr. William J. Bratton,
Commissioner, Police Department, City of New York, New York;
Mr. Daniel A. Nigro, Commissioner, Fire Department, City of New
York, New York; Mr. Lee A. Ielpi, President, September 11th
Families Association; and Mr. Gregory A. Thomas, National
President, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement
Executives.
On October 21, 2015, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``Worldwide Threats and Homeland Security Challenges.'' The
Committee received testimony from Hon. Jeh C. Johnson,
Secretary, Department of Homeland Security; Hon. Nicholas J.
Rasmussen, Director, The National Counterterrorism Center,
Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and Hon. James
B. Comey, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S.
Department of Justice.
On July 14, 2016, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``Worldwide Threats to the Homeland: ISIS and the New Wave of
Terror.'' The Committee received testimony from Hon. Jeh C.
Johnson, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security; Hon.
Nicholas J. Rasmussen, Director, The National Counterterrorism
Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and
Hon. James B. Comey, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation,
U.S. Department of Justice.
BIOTERRORISM
On November 3, 2015, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``Defending Against Bioterrorism: How Vulnerable is America?''
The Committee received testimony from Hon. Thomas J. Ridge, Co-
Chair, Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense; Hon. Joseph I.
Lieberman, Co-Chair, Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense; and
Leonard A. Cole, PhD, Director, Terror Medicine and Security
Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey
Medical School.
TERRORIST SANCTUARIES
On November 18, 2015, the Committee on Homeland Security
and the Committee on Foreign Affairs held a joint hearing
entitled ``The Rise of Radicalism: Growing Terrorist
Sanctuaries and the Threat to the U.S. Homeland.'' The
Committees received testimony from Hon. Matthew G. Olsen, Co-
Founder and President, Business Development and Strategy,
IronNet Cybersecurity; Gen. John M. Keane (Ret. U.S. Army),
Chairman of the Board, Institute for the Study of War; and Mr.
Peter Bergen, Vice President, Director International Security
and Fellows Programs, New America.
VISA SECURITY
On December 17, 2015, the Members of the Committee on
Homeland Security received a classified Member-only briefing on
visa security. Representatives from the Department of Homeland
Security respond to Member questions.
The Members of the Committee received a classified briefing
on February 2, 2016, by representatives from the Department of
Homeland Security's, Office of Intelligence and Analysis, the
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on the Department of
Homeland Security's use of social media to vet Visa applicants.
On December 11, 2015, the Chair of the Full Committee sent
a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security requesting
additional information the refugee program and visa security
screening. Committee staff were briefed on this issue on
December 17, 2015, by representatives from the Departments of
Homeland Security and State.
The Committee held a hearing on February 3, 2016, entitled
``Crisis of Confidence: Preventing Terrorist Infiltration
through U.S. Refugee and Visa Programs''. Testimony was
received from Hon. Francis X. Taylor, Under Secretary for
Intelligence and Analysis, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security; Hon. Leon Rodriguez, Director, U.S. Citizenship and
Immigrations Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
and Mr. Lev J. Kubiak, Assistant Director, U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and
Hon. Michele Thoren Bond, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of
Consular Affairs, Department of State.
The Secretary of Homeland Security responded to the initial
letter on April 26, 2016, following up on questions which were
not addressed during the previous briefing or the February 2016
hearing.
On February 10, 2016, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``National Security and Law Enforcement: Breaking the New Visa
Waiver Law to Appease Iran.'' The Committee received testimony
from Hon. R. Gil Kerlikowske, Commissioner, U.S. Customs and
Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and
Ms. Hillary Batjer Johnson, Deputy Coordinator, Homeland
Security, Screening, and Designations, Bureau of
Counterterrorism, U.S. Department of State.
The Chair of the Committee sent a letter to the President
of the United States on April 11, 2016, amidst concerns of the
lack of real-time screening of individuals by foreign
governments against International Criminal Police Organization
(INTERPOL) databases, specifically at borders, airports or
during traffic stops. This letter followed up on concerns
discussed at the February 10th hearing. The letter further
urged the Administration to ensure that countries involved in
the Visa Waiver Program are aware of the obligation of the
mandate instituted by the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and
Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 in which they are to
certify to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security
that each individual entering or departing that country that is
not a citizen or national is screened using relevant databases
and notices maintained by Interpol.
HOMELAND SECURITY FY2017 BUDGET REQUEST
On March 16, 2016, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``DHS in Today's Dangerous World: Examining the Department's
Budget and Readiness to Counter Homeland Threats.'' The
Committee received testimony from Hon. Jeh C. Johnson,
Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
PREVENTING ONLINE RADICATIONLIZATION
Members of the Committee received a Member-only briefing on
April 13, 2016, on efforts by technology companies to develop
programs and initiatives to prevent online radicalization. The
Members met with technology companies including Facebook,
Google, and Twitter.
TERRORIST PATHWAYS TO AMERICA
On September 14, 2016, the Committee held a hearing
entitled ``Shutting Down Terrorist Pathways into America.'' The
Committee received testimony from Hon. Francis X. Taylor, Under
Secretary, Office of Intelligence and Analysis, U.S. Department
of Homeland Security; Hon. Leon Rodriguez, Director, U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security; Dr. Huban Gowadia, Deputy Director,
Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security; Mr. Kevin McAleenan, Deputy Commissioner,
U.S. Customs and Border Protection , U.S. Department of
Homeland Security; and Mr. Daniel D. Ragsdale, Deputy Director,
U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security.
STOPPING THE NEXT ATTACK
The Committee held a hearing on September 14, 2016,
entitled ``Stopping the Next Attack: How to Keep Our City
Streets from Becoming the Battleground.'' The Committee
received testimony from Mr. John Miller, Deputy Commissioner,
Intelligence and Counterterrorism, New York City Police
Department, New York City, New York; Chief Art Acevedo, Chief
of Police, Austin, Texas, testifying on behalf of the Major
Cities Chiefs Association; Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard, Oakland
County Sheriff's Office, Oakland County, Michigan, testifying
on behalf of the Major County Sheriffs Association; and Sheriff
Jerry L. Demings, Orange County Sheriff's Office, Orange
County, Florida.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY INTELLIGENCE ENTERPRISE
On December 8, 2015, the Chairs of the Full Committee and
the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence sent a
letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security requesting
cooperation from the Department in a review of the Department's
Intelligence Enterprise (IE) and to request cooperation from
the Department throughout the review. The Secretary of the
Department of Homeland Security sent separate, but identical
responses, on January 21, 2016, and ensured the Department's
support of the review of its Intelligence Enterprise.
On December 11, 2015, the Chair of the Full Committee sent
a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security to request
details on issues of refugee and visa security screening. On
April 25, 2016, the Secretary sent a response to the questions
that were not covered during a previous briefing by the
Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State
regarding the visa and refugee security screening process on
December 17, 2015, and a hearing on February 3, 2016 at which
senior Department officials testified.
Committee staff met with the Department of Homeland
Security's Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis on
December 14, 2015, to initiate the conversation regarding the
Committee's review of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Intelligence Enterprise (IE).
On April 11, 2016, the Chair of the Full Committee sent a
letter to the President of the United States amidst concerns of
the lack of real-time screening of individuals by foreign
governments against International Criminal Police Organization
(INTERPOL) databases, specifically at borders, airports or
during traffic stops. The letter urged the Administration to
ensure that countries involved in the Visa Waiver Program are
aware of the obligation of the mandate instituted by H.R. 158
in which they are to certify to the Secretary of the Department
of Homeland Security that each individual entering or departing
that country that is not a citizen or national is screened
using relevant databases and notices maintained by Interpol.
The Chair of the Full Committee sent a letter to the
Secretary of State on April 11, 2016, requesting that the
Committee staff be provided access to the available information
regarding an interview with consular officers of Tashfeen
Malik, one of the perpetrators of the December 2, 2015
terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California.
On June 1, 2016, the Chair of the Full Committee along with
Mr. Katko, sent a letter to the Department's Under Secretary
for Intelligence and Analysis pertaining to unanswered
questions previously sent to the Transportation Security
Administration which would support the review of the
Department's Intelligence Enterprise. The letter requested the
Under Secretary's assistance in obtaining a response from the
Transportation Security Administration to these questions.
The Chair of the Full Committee and the Chairman of the
Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence sent a letter
to the Secretary of Homeland Security on September 14, 2016,
providing a draft copy of the report resulting from the
Committee's review of the Department of Homeland Security with
a request, if chosen, for comments to be considered in the
final report.
SYRIAN REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES
On January 28, 2015, the Chair of the Full Committee, the
Chair of the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence,
and the Chair of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime
Security sent a letter to the Assistant to the President for
National Security Affairs regarding the planned efforts of the
State Department to accelerate efforts to admit Syrian refugees
into the United States based on concern that groups such as the
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) may be able to exploit
the refugee resettlement process in the United States. The
letter asked that the Committee be provided with information
regarding the Syrian refugee resettlement process, including
the number of Syrian refugees the United States expects to
resettle, a two-year timeline for resettlement, and an overview
of the ways in which the interagency will enhance the security
measures used in the process of vetting Syrian refugees. To
date, no response has been received by the Committee.
The Chair of the Full Committee sent a letter to the
Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on February 19,
2015,requesting both classified and unclassified responses to
concerns regarding previous and current security gaps in the
United States' refugee resettlement programs. To date, no
response has been received by the Committee.
On February 19, 2015, the Chair of the Full Committee sent
a letter to the Director of National Intelligence requesting
further classified and unclassified information on the vetting
of refugees from Iraq and Syria. To date, no response has been
received by the Committee.
On that same date, the Chair of the Full Committee sent a
letter to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security
requesting both classified and unclassified responses to
concerns regarding previous and current security gaps in the
United States' refugee resettlement programs and details
regarding the vetting of refugees from Iraq and Syria. To date,
no response has been received by the Committee.
The Chair of the Full Committee sent a letter to the
Secretary of State on February 19, 2015, requesting both
classified and unclassified responses to concerns regarding
previous and current security gaps in the United States'
refugee resettlement programs and details regarding the vetting
of refugees from Iraq and Syria as well as details regarding
the vetting of refugees from these countries. To date, no
response has been received by the Committee.
On June 11, 2015, the Chair of the Full Committee sent a
letter to the President of the United States regarding an
outstanding request for information on the country's refugee
screening process of refugees from Iraq and Syria. The letter
requested the Administration provide Members on the Committee
with a classified interagency briefing on the issues of
terrorists abilities to exploit the United States' refugee
resettlement program by July 7, 2015. To date, no response has
been received by the Committee.
U.S. COAST GUARD
From April 6 through 9, 2015, Majority staff of the
Committee visited Miami and Key West, Florida to examine U.S.
Coast Guard (USCG) and U.S. Navy (USN) efforts to counter
various homeland security threats in southern Florida and the
Caribbean region.
On June 13, 2016, Majority staff of the Committee visited
the USGC headquarters in order to examine its Insider Threat
program. The unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information
could adversely affect the security of USCG's information
systems, assets, resources, employees, and the general public.
As a result, the USCG must be constantly aware of adversaries,
especially those with the expertise and means to create
opportunities for insider attacks.
SAN BERNARDINO ATTACK
On December 2, 2015, Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife
Tashfeen Malik carried out a terrorist attack killing 14 people
in San Bernardino, California. Following the attack, the
Committee was given access to Tashfeen Malik's immigration file
with the exception of Malik's interview with consular officers,
which was part of her visa application. On April 11, 2016, the
Chair of the Full Committee sent a letter to the Secretary of
State requesting that the Committee staff be provided access to
the available information regarding this interview.
On April 11, 2016, the Chair of Committee sent a letter to
the Secretary of State requesting that Committee staff be
provided access to the available information regarding an
interview with consular officers of Tashfeen Malik, one of the
perpetrators of the December 2, 2015 terrorist attack in San
Bernardino, California.
NATIONAL DOMESTIC COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANCE CENTER
On December 10, 2015, Majority staff of the Committee
visited the National Domestic Communications Assistance Center
in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The National Domestic
Communications Assistance Center (NDCAC) is a National center,
organized under the Department of Justice, designed as a hub
for technical knowledge management that will facilitate the
sharing of solutions and know-how among law enforcement
agencies, and strengthen law enforcement's relationships with
the communications industry. Members of the Committee's
Majority staff visited the NDCAC to examine how it was coping
with the ``going dark'' phenomenon, in part a result of
increasingly ubiquitous encryption technologies.
THREATS TO NEW YORK CITY
On October 27, 2016 Majority staff of the Committee
traveled to New York City, New York and met with
representatives from New York City Police Department (NYPD),
New York County District Attorney's Office (DANY), and
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland
Security Investigations (HSI) to examine Local, State, and
Federal Government efforts to counter security threats either
in or with a nexus to New York City.
WASHINGTON REGIONAL THREAT ASSESSMENT CENTER
Majority staff of the Committee visited the Washington
Regional Threat Analysis Center (WRTAC), Washington, D.C. on
May 31, 2016, to better understand how the WRTAC helps to
integrate Federal, State, and local homeland security efforts.
The WRTAC is an ``all-threats, all hazards'' fusion center
serving the District and the National Capital Region (NCR). The
WRTAC helps to protect District residents by facilitating
information integration between dozens of federal and local
partners throughout the NCR and the United States to detect,
prevent, and respond to terrorist and other criminal activity,
as well as any catastrophic event.
CHAIRMAN AND MAJORITY STAFF REPORTS
The Chair of the Committee directed staff to investigate
and report on numerous National security related aspects. As a
result, the Chair released the following reports:
On November 18, 2015, the Majority staff of the House
Committee on Homeland Security released a report entitled
Syrian Refugee Flows: Security Risks and Counterterrorism
Challenges. The report investigated the counterterrorism
challenges associated with Syrian refugee flows into the United
States and Europe and presents recommendations for enhancing
U.S. and international security.
The Chair released the report on March 3, 2016, entitled
#Terror Gone Viral: Overview of the 75 ISIS-Linked Plots
against the West. The report examined the terror plots linked
to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) up to March 3,
2016.
On June 29, 2016, the Majority staff of the House Homeland
Security Committee released a report entitled Going Dark Going
Forward: A Primer on the Encryption Debate. The report is an
analysis based on more than 100 meetings and briefings with key
stakeholders and provides insight into arguments on all sides
of the encryption debate. The report also laid the groundwork
for legislation to establish a National Commission on Security
and Technology Challenges proposed by Mr. McCaul and Senator
Warner.
The Committee released a report on September 14, 2016,
entitled Misconduct at TSA Threatens the Security of the Flying
Public regarding a six-month joint investigation conducted by
the Chairs of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Management
Efficiency and the Chair of the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security regarding misconduct within the Transportation
Security Administration.
On July 20, 2016, the Chair of the Committee released the
report entitled Terror Gone Viral: Overview of the 100+ ISIS-
Linked Plots against the West. The report made key findings
based on trends in the terror plotting of the Islamic State of
Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The Majority staff of the Committee released a report on
August 2, 2016, entitled Streamlining the Department of
Homeland Security's Overhead Will Make the Homeland Safer. The
report detailed an investigation into the field efficiencies
and real property portfolio of the Department of Homeland
Security. As part of the investigation, Committee staff
reviewed relevant DHS testimony and real property data,
examined more than twenty reports from the Government
Accountability Office (GAO) and Office of the Inspector General
(OIG), and met with former government officials, industry
executives, and various other stakeholder groups. The Committee
received regular briefings from the Department and met with
other Federal stakeholders, including the General Services
Administration (GSA), GAO and the OIG. As part of the
investigation, in December of 2014, Committee staff conducted
site visits to both Philadelphia and New York City to view the
Department's estate holdings in these cities. Field
efficiencies examinations were also incorporated into its other
visits to the Department's components in the field.
The Chair of the Committee released a report on September
20, 2016, A National Strategy to Win the War Against Islamist
Terror, a non-partisan counterterrorism strategy with policy
ideas, recommendations, and principles for the fight against
terrorism.
On September 27, 2016, the Chair of the Committee released
Version 2.0: Going Dark, Going Forward: A Primer on the
Encryption Debate
, which was an update to the original report entitled Going
Dark Going Forward: A Primer on the Encryption Debate produced
by the Majority staff in June 2016.
On October 6, 2016, the Chair of the Committee released a
report entitled Cash to Chaos: Dismantling ISIS' Financial
Infrastructure. The report displayed the growth of the Islamic
State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), its ability to control
territory and generate revenue flows stemming from diverse
sources.
Throughout the 114th Congress, the Chair of the Committee
released a Monthly Terror Threat Snapshot prepared by the
Committee staff on the growing threat the United States, the
West, and the world face from the Islamic State of Iraq and
Syria and other Islamist terrorists. Additionally, on April 12,
2016, the Chair released an European Terror Threat Snapshot
(international) providing an assessment by the Committee of the
Islamist terror threat environment across Europe. It acts as a
supplement to the Committee's monthly Terror Threat Snapshot,
examining the broader terror threat the United States, the
West, and the world face from Islamist extremists.
----------
Committee Hearings Held
``Countering Violent Islamist Extremism: The Urgent Threat of
Foreign Fighters and Homegrown Terror.'' February 11,
2015. (Serial No. 114-2)
``Examining the President's Cybersecurity Information Sharing
Proposal.'' February 25, 2015. (Serial No. 114-4)
``A Global Battle Ground: The Fight Against Islamist Extremism
at Home and Abroad.'' March 24, 2015. (Serial No. 114-
11)
``Leadership Challenges at the Department of Homeland
Security.'' March 26, 2015. (Serial No. 114-13)
``Allegations of Special Access and Political influence at the
Department of Homeland Security.'' April 30, 2015.
(Serial No. 114-13)
``Terrorism Gone Viral: The Attack in Garland, Texas and
Beyond.'' June 3, 2015. (Serial No. 114-19)
``The Rise of Radicalization: Is the U.S. Government Failing to
Counter International and Domestic Terrorism?'' July
15, 2015. (Serial No. 114-27)
``Aviation Security Challenges: Is TSA ready for the threats of
today?'' July 29, 2015. (Serial No. 114-30)
Field hearing in New York City, New York. ``Beyond Bin Laden's
Caves and Couriers to a New Generation of Terrorists:
Confronting the Challenges in a post 9/11 World.''
September 8, 2015. (Serial No. 114-31)
``Worldwide Threats and Homeland Security Challenges'' October
21, 2015. (Serial No. 114-37)
``Defending Against Bioterrorism: How Vulnerable is America?''
November 3, 2015. (Serial No. 114-41)
Joint hearing with the Committee on Foreign Affairs. ``The Rise
of Radicalism: Growing Terrorist Sanctuaries and the
Threat to the U.S. Homeland.'' November 18, 2015.
(Serial No. 114-45)
``Crisis of Confidence: Preventing Terrorist Infiltration
through U.S. Refugee and Visa Programs.'' February 3,
2016. (Serial No. 114-50)
``National Security and Law Enforcement: Breaking the New Visa
Waiver Law to Appease Iran.'' February 10, 2016.
(Serial No. 114-51)
``DHS in Today's Dangerous World: Examining the Department's
Budget and Readiness to Counter Homeland Threats.''
March 16, 2016. (Serial No. 114-60)
``Long Lines, Short Patience: The TSA Airport Screening
Experience.'' May 25, 2016. (Serial No. 114-73)
``Worldwide Threats to the Homeland: ISIS and the New Wave of
Terror.'' July 14, 2016. (Serial No. 114-83)
Task Force on Combating Terrorist
and Foreign Fighter Travel
During the 114th Congress, the Committee established a Task
Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel. The
Chair and Ranking Member announced the members of the Task
Force on February 23, 2015. The Task Force existed from March 2
through September 2, 2015, Membership of the Task Force was as
follows:
John Katko, New York,
Republican Lead
Will Hurd, Texas
Barry Loudermilk, Georgia
Martha McSally, Arizona
John Ratcliffe, Texas Loretta Sanchez, California,
Democratic Lead
Donald M. Payne, Jr, New Jersey
Filemon Vela, Texas
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
The Task Force met on March 17, 2015, to organize and set
priorities for the task force.
TERRORIST WATCHLISTING
On March 26, 2015, the Members of the Task Force received a
classified briefing by representatives from the National
Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) on terrorist watchlisting and
foreign fighters.
Members of the Task Force received as classified briefing
on April 14, 2015, by representatives from the Federal Bureau
of Investigation Terrorist Screening Center on terrorist
watchlisting, watchlist enhancements, and information sharing
with foreign partners on terrorists and foreign fighters.
NATIONAL COUNTERTERRORISM CENTER
On April 15, 2015, the Members of the Task Force conducted
a site visit to the National Counterterrorism Center in
Virginia to receive a classified threat briefing, discuss
NCTC's operations, and tour the facility.
DOMESTIC RADICALIZATION
Members of the Task Force on Combating Terrorist and
Foreign Fighter Travel received a classified briefing on the
Department of Homeland Security's programs to counter domestic
radicalization on April 22, 2015.
WASHINGTON REGIONAL THREAT ASSESSMENT CENTER
On April 23, 2015, the Members of Task Force conducted a
site visit to the Washington Regional Threat Assessment Center
(WRTAC). The Members examined the D.C. ``fusion center'' where
the Federal Government shares and coordinates terrorism
information with State and local partners.
INTERAGENCY PROGRAMS
On April 29, 2015,the Members of the Task Force received a
briefing on interagency programs to counter domestic
radicalization. Representatives from the Department of Homeland
Security, the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, and the National Counterterrorism Center
discussed broader Countering Violent Extremism efforts,
including counter-radicalization program; the Administration's
programs; and cooperative efforts with State and local partners
to prevent more Americans from radicalizing or being recruited
by overseas terrorist groups.
JOINT TERRORISM TASK FORCE
On May 20, 2015, the Members of Task Force conducted a site
visit to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Joint Terrorism
Task Force (JTTF) in Washington, DC. The Members received a
classified briefing on JTTF operations; its role in deterring,
detecting, and disrupting terrorist and foreign fighter travel;
and related counterterrorism issues in light of the heightened
terrorist threat to the U.S. Homeland.
INTERPOL EFFORTS
Members of the Task Force received a classified briefing on
June 3, 2015, on efforts by the International Criminal Police
Organization (INTERPOL) to counter terrorist and foreign
fighter travel within the United States and abroad.
HOMELAND SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL
On July 8, 2015, the Members of the Task Force received a
classified briefing from the Homeland Security Advisory Council
(HSAC) on recommendations for strengthening the Department of
Homeland Security approach to obstructing terrorist travel. The
briefing provided Members an opportunity to have open
discussions on the report released by the HSAC in Spring 2015,
``Foreign Fighter Task Force-Interim Report'' on how the
Department can improve efforts to combat the foreign fighter
threat.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE EFFORTS
On July 22, 2015, the Members of the Task Force received a
classified briefing from Department of State on efforts to
obstruct foreign fighter travel from the Syrian Arab Republic
and the Republic of Iraq.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE EFFORTS
On July 28, 2015, the Members of the Task Force received a
classified briefing from Department of Justice on efforts to
prosecute individuals who have traveled to the Syrian Arab
Republic to fight with terrorist organizations.
REPORT OF THE TASK FORCE
On July 29, 2015, the Members of the Task Force met to
conclude the Task Force and work to finalize a report on their
findings. The Task Force completed its report and provided it
to the Members as Committee Print 114-B.
Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence
Peter T. King, New York, Chairman
Candice S. Miller, Michigan
Lou Barletta, Pennsylvania
John Katko, New York
Will Hurd, Texas
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Brian Higgins, New York
William R. Keating, Massachusetts
Filemon Vela, Texas
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
----------
During the 114th Congress, the Subcommittee on
Counterterrorism and Intelligence held 10 hearings, receiving
testimony from 29 witnesses; and considered 5 measures.
----------
Legislative Activities of the Subcommittee
HOMELAND SECURITY DRONE ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS ACT
H.R. 1646
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to research how
certain commercially available small and medium sized unmanned
aircraft systems could be used in an attack, how to prevent or
mitigate the risk of such an attack, and for other purposes.
[To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to research how
small and medium sized unmanned aerial systems could be used in
an attack, how to prevent or mitigate the effects of such an
attack, and for other purposes.]
Summary
This legislation requires the Department of Homeland
Security, in coordination with the Departments of Defense,
Transportation, and Energy, and the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission to research how commercially available small and
medium sized drones could be used to perpetuate an attack,
conduct a risk assessment of small or medium-sized unmanned
aircraft systems (UAS) attacks, develop policies regarding the
mitigation of risk of small or medium sized UAS attacks, and
disseminate information to law enforcement regarding how to
respond to potential UAS threats.
Legislative History
H.R. 1646 was introduced in the House on March 26, 2015, by
Mrs. Watson Coleman and Mr. Thompson and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Within the
Committee, H.R. 1646 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Management Efficiency and the Subcommittee on
Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
The Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency
considered H.R. 1646 on May 13, 2015, and ordered the measure
reported to the Full Committee for consideration, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence was
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1646 on May 20,
2015.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 1646 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security on June 9, 2015, agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration of H.R. 1646 on the House Floor, the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure would waive
further consideration of H.R. 1646. The letter further
requested the appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate
Conference be called. The Chair of the Committee on Homeland
Security responded on June 10, 2015, acknowledging the
agreement of Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to
waive further consideration of H.R. 1646.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported to the House on
June 18, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-169, Pt. I. Subsequently, the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure was discharged
from further consideration of H.R. 1646.
The House considered H.R. 1646 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the measure, as amended, by
voice vote. During consideration, the title was amended so as
to read ``To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to
research how certain commercially available small and medium
sized unmanned aircraft systems could be used in an attack, how
to prevent or mitigate the risk of such an attack, and for
other purposes.''
H.R. 1646 was received in the Senate on June 24, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
CBRN INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION SHARING ACT OF 2015
H.R. 2200
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish
chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear intelligence
and information sharing functions of the Office of Intelligence
and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security and to
require dissemination of information analyzed by the Department
to entities with responsibilities relating to homeland
security, and for other purposes.
Summary
Terrorist groups have long strived to employ chemical,
biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) materials in their
attacks. Furthermore, events such as the Boston Marathon
bombing in 2013 illustrate the need for better information
sharing between Federal and local officials. This legislation
requires that the Office of Intelligence and Analysis within
the Department of Homeland Security enhance intelligence
analysis and information sharing on CBRN threats and work to
ensure that State and local officials get the actionable
intelligence information necessary to stop an attack.
Legislative History
H.R. 2200 was introduced in the House on May 1, 2015, by
Ms. McSally, Mr. McCaul, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Meehan, Mr.
Thompson of Mississippi, and Mr. Payne and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 2200
was referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and
Intelligence and the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness,
Response, and Communications.
The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications considered H.R. 2200 on May 14, 2015, and
forwarded the measure to the Full Committee for consideration,
as amended, by voice vote.
The Chair discharged the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism
and Intelligence from further consideration of H.R. 2200 on May
20, 2015.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 2200 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 2200 to the House on June 17,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-164.
The House considered H.R. 2200 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the measure, on June 25,
2015, amended, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 420 yeas and 2 nays,
(Roll No. 389).
H.R. 2200 was received in the Senate on July 7, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
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KNOW THE CBRN TERRORISM THREATS TO TRANSPORTATION ACT
H.R. 3350
To require a terrorism threat assessment regarding the
transportation of chemical, biological, nuclear, and
radiological materials through United States land borders and
within the United States, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation requires the Department of Homeland
Security to conduct a terrorism threat assessment on the
transportation of chemical, biological, nuclear, and
radiological materials through United States land borders and
within the United States. The bill requires the Office of
Intelligence and Analysis within the Department to conduct the
assessment and directs that the results of the assessment be
shared with relevant Federal, State and local agencies,
including the Department of Energy.
Legislative History
H.R. 3350 was introduced in the House on July 29, 2015, by
Mr. Higgins, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, and Mr. King of New
York and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. Within
the Committee, H.R. 3350 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
The Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence
considered H.R. 3350 on September 17, 2015, and reported the
measure to the Full Committee with a favorable recommendation,
without amendment, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3350 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, without amendment,
by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 3350 to the House on October
20, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-296.
The House considered H.R. 3350 under Suspension of the
Rules on October 20, 2015, and passed the measure, without
amendment, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 416 yeas and 0 nays,
(Roll No. 551).
H.R. 3350 was received in the Senate on October 21, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY INSIDER THREAT AND MITIGATION ACT OF
2015
H.R. 3361
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the
Insider Threat Program, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-296) to establish an Insider Threat program within
the Department of Homeland Security. The bill mandates employee
education and training programs, and establishes an internal
steering committee to manage and coordinate insider threat
activities across the Department.
Legislative History
H.R. 3361 was introduced in the House on July 29, 2015, by
Mr. King of New York, Mr. Higgins, Mr. Barletta, Mr. Katko, and
Mr. Donovan and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 3361 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
The Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence
considered H.R. 3361 on September 17, 2015, and reported the
measure to the Full Committee with a favorable recommendation,
as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3361 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 3361 to
the House on November 2, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-321.
The House considered H.R. 3361 on November 2, 2015, under
Suspension of the Rules and passed the measure, amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 3361 was received in the Senate on November 3, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered H.R. 3361 on February 10, 2016, and ordered
the measure to be reported to the Senate, with an Amendment in
the Nature of a Substitute, favorably.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported H.R. 3361 to the Senate on July 12, 2016, as
S. Rpt. 114-297.
------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SUPPORT TO FUSION CENTERS ACT OF 2015
H.R. 3503
To require an assessment of fusion center personnel needs, and
for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Summary
This legislation requires an assessment of Department of
Homeland Security support to fusion centers, including
Departmental personnel assigned to fusion centers and whether
such assignments are sufficient. Additionally, the bill
supports ongoing efforts by the Office of Intelligence and
Analysis to sponsor Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented
Information (TS/SCI) clearances for appropriate State and local
analysts at fusion centers and report on whether a higher
clearance level improves threat awareness and information
sharing.
Legislative History
H.R. 3503 was introduced in the House on September 11,
2015, by Ms. McSally, Mr. McCaul, Mr. King of New York, Mr.
Loudermilk, and Mr. Barletta and referred to the Committee on
Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 3503 was referred
to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
The Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence
considered H.R. 3503 on September 17, 2015, and reported the
measure to the Full Committee with a favorable recommendation,
without amendment, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3503 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
On October 28, 2015, the Chair of the House Permanent
Select Committee on Intelligence sent a letter to the Chair of
the Committee on Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration of H.R. 3503, the Committee on
Intelligence would not seek a sequential referral of H.R. 3503.
The letter further requested the support for Conferees should a
House-Senate Conference be called. On the following day, the
Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security responded,
acknowledging the jurisdictional interest of the Committee on
Intelligence and the support for the request to appoint
Conferees.
The Committee reported H.R. 3503 to the House on November
2, 2014 as H. Rpt. 114-322.
The House considered H.R. 3503 under Suspension of the
Rules on November 2, 2015, and passed the measure, as amended,
by voice vote.
H.R. 3503 was received in the Senate on November 3, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs.
------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY CLEARANCE MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
ACT
H.R. 3505
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to improve the
management and administration of the security clearance
processes throughout the Department of Homeland Security, and
for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-296) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security
to conduct a review of the sensitivity level designations of
national security positions within the Department to ensure
employees with security clearances continue to need access to
such sensitive information. The bill requires the Department
conduct an accounting of workforce needs to better manage the
costs of unnecessary background investigations and limit the
number of positions that may be vulnerable to insider threats
and targeting by foreign intelligence services.
Legislative History
H.R. 3505 was introduced in the House on September 15,
2015, by Mr. Thompson of Mississippi and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 3505
was referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and
Intelligence.
The Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence
considered H.R. 3505 on September 17, 2015, and reported the
measure to the Full Committee with a favorable recommendation,
without amendment, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3505 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, without amendment,
by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 3503 to
the House on November 2, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-323.
The House considered H.R. 3503 on November 2, 2015, under
Suspension of the Rules and passed the measure, amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 3505 was received in the Senate on November 3, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs.
------
FUSION CENTER ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2015
H.R. 3598
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance the
partnership between the Department of Homeland Security and the
National Network of Fusion Centers, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation updates the existing language in Section
210A of the Homeland Security Act (Pub. L. 107-296) to enhance
State and local partners access to homeland security
information and coordination with the Department of Homeland
Security's Components. The bill reflects the evolution of the
National Network of Fusion Centers, as well as the Office of
Intelligence and Analysis relationship with fusion centers in
the Network. The bill adds several new responsibilities for the
Under Secretary of Intelligence and Analysis to reflect the
current role of fusion centers in detecting and preventing a
terrorist attack or other emergency. Additionally, this
legislation requires the Under Secretary to submit a report on
the efforts of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis and
departmental components to support the National Network of
Fusion Centers.
Legislative History
Prior to introduction, the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism
and Intelligence considered a Committee Print entitled the
``Fusion Center Enhancement Act of 2015'' on September 17,
2015, and reported the measure to the Full Committee with a
favorable recommendation, without amendment, by voice vote.
H.R. 3598 was introduced in the House on September 24,
2015, by Mr. Barletta, and Mr. King of New York and referred to
the Committee on Homeland Security.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3598 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House, as amended, by voice vote.
On October 28, 2015, the Chair of the House Permanent
Select Committee on Intelligence sent a letter to the Chair of
the Committee on Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration of H.R. 3598, the Committee on
Intelligence would not seek a sequential referral of H.R. 3598.
The letter further requested the support for Conferees should a
House-Senate Conference be called. On the following day, the
Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security responded,
acknowledging the jurisdictional interest of the Committee on
Intelligence and the support for the request to appoint
Conferees.
The Committee reported H.R. 3598 to the House on November
2, 2014 as H. Rpt. 114-324.
On November 2, 2015, the Chair of the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure sent a letter to the Chair of
the Committee on Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would not seek a sequential
referral of H.R. 3598. The letter further requested the support
for Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be called. The
Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security responded on
November 2, 2015, acknowledging the jurisdictional interest of
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the
support for the request to appoint Conferees.
The House considered H.R. 3598 under Suspension of the
Rules on November 2, 2015, and passed the measure, as amended,
by voice vote.
H.R. 3598 was received in the Senate on November 3, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs.
----------
Oversight Activities of the Subcommittee
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY INTELLIGENCE ENTERPRISE
On January 28, 2015, the Chairman of the Full Committee,
the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and
Intelligence, and the Chairman of the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security sent a letter to the Secretary of
Homeland Security requesting an explanation for modifications
made by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to
existing security mandates at certain foreign airports. The
letter requested an explanation for the modifications and the
intelligence assessments used to justify the change.
Committee staff met with numerous outside experts and think
tank representatives on the Department's intelligence
enterprise (DHS IE), Federal information sharing, and
coordination with State and local law enforcement. These
meetings included Business Executives for National Security
(BENS), the Intelligence National Security Alliance (INSA), the
American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and former Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) officials.
On October 29, 2015, Committee staff met with officials
from the TSA on the agency's legislative authority to designate
information Sensitive Security Information and how that program
is managed and audited.
The Chairman of the Full Committee and the Chairman of the
Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence sent a letter
to Secretary of Homeland Security on December 8, 2015,
notifying the Department that the Committee was beginning an
investigation of the Department's Intelligence Enterprise.
On January 12, 2016, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the
Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence and the Chair
and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response, and Communications sent a letter to
Secretary of Homeland Security regarding the Department's
participation in Capstone 16, the national exercise program.
On January 19, 2016, Committee staff met with officials
representing the Chief Intelligence Officer (CINT) of the
Department regarding an ongoing Committee review of the DHS IE.
On January 29, 2016, Committee staff received a briefing
from TSA Office of Intelligence personnel regarding the
structure and capability of the office.
On March 1, 2016, the Chair of the Full Committee and the
Chair of the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence
sent a letter to the DHS Chief Intelligence Officer encouraging
the Department to more fully utilize the information technology
system known as CAPNET, and requesting data from the Department
on the system's use by DHS components.
On June 15, 2016, Committee staff met with the Department
of Homeland Security Chief Procurement Officer, which included
a discussion on how national security procurement concerns are
addressed throughout the contracting process.
On June 17, 2016, Committee staff met with officials from
the Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), the DHS Office
of Policy, TSA, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on the Social
Media Task Force and the development of Department-wide
policies regarding the use of social media in intelligence
products and security vetting.
During the August 2016, Committee staff received briefings
from the TSA Office of Intelligence; the CBP Office of
Intelligence; Office within the National Protection and
Programs Directorate (NPPD) with intelligence functions; and
the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security
Investigations (HSI) Office of Intelligence. Additionally,
Committee staff received briefings from the CINT and the Office
of Operations Coordination (OPS) on their roles in the DHS IE.
On October 6, 2016, Committee staff held a roundtable with
think tank and law enforcement associations regarding
recommendations for improvements to the DHS IE.
OFFICE OF INTELLIGENCE AND ANALYSIS
On January 22, 2015, Majority staff of the Committee met
with officials from the Department of Homeland Security Office
of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) regarding their assessment
of U.S. persons who had traveled to Syria to join jihadist
groups.
On February 10, 2015, Committee staff received a classified
briefing on the Fiscal Year 2016 budget request for the Office
of Intelligence and Analysis.
On February 13, 2015, Committee staff received a classified
briefing from I&A Under Secretary on efforts to restructure I&A
analytical focus areas and realign its workforce, as well as an
assessment of threats to the homeland.
On February 20, 2015, Committee staff conducted a site
visit at the Office of Intelligence and Analysis to conduct
meetings with analysts focused on identifying travel patterns
of U.S. persons attempting to travel to join the Islamic State
of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and other terror organizations.
On May 19, 2015, Committee staff conducted a conference
call with I&A representatives on the use of social media in
their analytic product and vetting protocols.
On June 11, 2015, Committee staff met with I&A
representatives to receive an update on the agency's workforce
realignment efforts.
On June 18, 2015, Committee staff met with officials at I&A
to receive an update on I&A initiatives and programs.
On September 3, 2015, Committee staff held a conference
call with I&A officials regarding I&A procedures for
determining what information is subject to disclosure under the
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
On December 14, 2015, Committee staff conducted a series of
briefings at I&A related to analytic products, organizational
restructure, and threats to the homeland.
On March 1, 2016, Committee staff received a briefing on
the I&A fiscal year 2017 budget request.
On June 3, 2016, Committee staff received a briefing from
I&A on initiatives and programs.
STATE AND LOCAL INFORMATION SHARING
Committee Members and staff conducted numerous briefings
and site visits with associations representing various State
and local law enforcement and first responders, including the
International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National
Fusion Center Association (NCFA), the National Governors'
Association (NGA), International Association of Chiefs of
Police (IACP), and the Major City Chiefs Association (MCCA),
among others.
On February 26, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``Addressing Remaining Gaps in Federal, State, and
Local Information Sharing.'' The Subcommittee received
testimony from Mr. Mike Sena, President, National Fusion Center
Association; Chief Richard Beary, President, International
Association of Chiefs of Police; and Dr. Cedric Alexander,
National President, National Organization of Black Law
Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).
On June 25, 2015, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on
Counterterrorism and Intelligence and the Chairwoman of the
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and
Communication sent a letter to the Director of National
Intelligence to express appreciation for the National
Counterterrorism Center's (NCTC) work on the Joint
Counterterrorism Assessment Team (JCAT) and requesting
information on the program.
On February 19, 2016, Committee staff participated in a
briefing with personnel from the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) regarding the Capstone 2016 National Exercise
Program to review information sharing aspects of the exercise.
On March 7, 2016, Committee staff met with officials at the
Virginia Fusion Center in Richmond, Virginia.
On April 4, 2016, Committee staff received at briefing from
the Federal Bureau of Investigation at the National Gang
Intelligence Center (NGIC) on increased gang activity in
certain U.S. communities and how information is shared and
coordinated with local law enforcement.
On April 5, 2016, Committee staff met with officials at the
Pennsylvania Criminal Intelligence Center in Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania.
On April 6, 2016, Committee staff met with officials at the
Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center in Woodlawn,
Maryland.
On April 27, 2016, Committee staff received a briefing from
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other
Federal agencies regarding the Joint Counterterrorism Awareness
Workshop Series, which included a discussion on how information
sharing and suspicious activity reports will be included in
future exercises.
On May 31, 2016, Committee staff met with officials at the
Washington Regional Threat Assessment Center in Washington D.C.
On June 28, 2016, Committee staff received a classified
briefing from Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A)
regarding their efforts to detail analysts and share
information with the National Network of Fusion Centers.
On July 14, 2016, the Chairman of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to the Director of the FBI to encourage the s efforts to
increase the sharing of Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) case
information JTTF with State and local law enforcement.
On August 5, 2016, Committee staff received a briefing and
demo from DHS officials on the Homeland Security Information
Network (HSIN), which is a platform to share unclassified
information with Federal, State, local and private sector
partners.
On September 8, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``State and Local Perspectives on Federal Information
Sharing.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from Chief
Richard Beary, Immediate Past President, International
Association of Chiefs of Police; Mr. Mike Sena, President,
National Fusion Center Association; and Dr. Cedric Alexander,
National President, National Organization of Black Law
Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).
On September 8 and September 29, 2016, Committee staff met
with representatives from the National Fusion Center
Association regarding issues raised in the hearing, including
security clearances for fusion center analysts and access to
the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
On September 20, 2016, Committee staff conducted a
conference call with I&A regarding Departmental capability to
sponsor Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/
SCI) clearances for appropriate State and local analysts at
fusion centers.
On September 28, 2016, Committee staff conducted a
conference call with representatives from the FBI Criminal
Justice Information Services (CJIS) regarding fusion center
access to NCIC.
From October 25-27, 2016, Committee staff attended the
annual conference for the National Fusion Center Association in
Alexandria, Virginia.
PRIVATE SECTOR INFORMATION SHARING
On December 2, 2015, the Members of the Subcommittee on
Counterterrorism and Intelligence and the Subcommittee on
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications received a
briefing on security efforts and information sharing with the
private sector.
On June 29, 2016, Committee staff received a classified
briefing from the Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A)
regarding ongoing initiatives to improve coordination and
information sharing with the private sector.
On June 29, 2016, Committee staff received a classified
briefing from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
regarding the agency's ability to warn individuals and the
private sector of terror threats.
EXPANSION OF TERROR GROUPS IN AFRICA
On April 30, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Terrorism in Africa: The Imminent Threat to the United
States.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from Dr. J. Peter
Pham, Director, Africa Center, Atlantic Council; Mr. Thomas
Joscelyn, Senior Fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democracies;
and Dr. Daniel Byman, Research Director, Center for Middle East
Policy, Center for Security Studies, The Brookings Institution.
On May 17, 2016, the Members of the Subcommittee received a
classified briefing on terror threats in sub-Saharan Africa.
Representatives from the National Counterterrorism Center, the
State Department's Bureau for Counterterrorism, the State
Department's Bureau for African Affairs and the Defense
Intelligence Agency were present.
On June 28, 2016, Committee staff received a classified
briefing from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
regarding the agency's coordination with the Department of
State (DOS) on threats to commercial aviation in North and West
Africa.
VETTING SYRIAN REFUGEES
On January 28, 2015, the Chairman of the Full Committee,
the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and
Intelligence, and the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Border
and Maritime Security sent a letter to Ambassador Rice,
Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
regarding security concerns related to the large number of
Syrian refugees expected to be admitted to the United States
during the next two years. The Members requested a detailed
description of the number of Syrian refugees the United States
expects to resettle, the timeline for resettlement over the
next two years, and an overview of how the interagency will
enhance security measures within the vetting process.
Additionally, the letter requested a Member briefing from DHS,
the Department of State, the Department of Justice, the Federal
Bureau of Investigations, the National Counterterrorism Center,
and the White House Advisor for Homeland Security and
Counterterrorism. Majority Members of the Subcommittee received
a classified briefing on these issues on October 1, 2015.
On March 20, 2015, Committee staff met with employees from
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and their
union representatives to discuss concerns about vetting of
Syrian refugees.
On March 24, 2015, Committee staff conducted a conference
call with a former USCIS employee regarding their experience
vetting refugee applicants and concerns with thoroughly vetting
Syrian refugees for national security concerns.
On June 24, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Admitting Syrian Refugees: The Intelligence Void and the
Emerging Homeland Security Threat.'' The Subcommittee received
testimony from Dr. Seth Jones, Director, International Security
and Defense Policy Center, RAND Corporation; Mr. Thomas
Fuentes, FBI Assistant Director (Retired); and Dr. Daveed
Gartenstein-Ross, Senior Fellow, Foundation for Defense of
Democracies.
TRANSPORTATION SECURITY
On September 17, 2015, the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security and the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and
Intelligence held a joint hearing entitled ``Safeguarding our
Nation's Surface Transportation Systems Against Evolving
Terrorist Threats.'' The Subcommittees received testimony from
Mr. Eddie Mayenschein, Assistant Administrator, Office of
Security Policy and Industry Engagement, Transportation
Security Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
Ms. Jennifer Grover, Director, Transportation Security and
Coast Guard Issues, Homeland Security and Justice Team, U.S.
Government Accountability Office; Mr. Raymond Diaz, Director of
Security, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York); and
Ms. Polly Hanson, Chief of Police, National Railroad Passenger
Corporation (Amtrak).
On February 1, 2016, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on
Counterterrorism and Intelligence, the Chairman of the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security, and the Chairman of
the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security sent a letter
to Secretary Johnson to express concern over reports that
passengers on an international flight from Mexico landing at
John F. Kennedy International Airport were allowed to leave the
airport without going through U.S. Customs and Border
Protection screening.
INTERNATIONAL COUNTERTERRORISM COORDINATION
On January 9, 2015, Majority staff met with former
Department of Homeland Security officials regarding
recommendations to improve U.S. government efforts to develop
countering violent extremism (CVE) programs.
On February 6, 2015, Committee staff met with
representatives from the Australian Embassy to discuss
counterterrorism cooperation between the U.S. and Australia and
homeland threats within Australia.
On March 3, 2015, Committee staff met with representatives
from the United-Kingdom-based Henry Jackson Society regarding
U.K. challenges and recommendations for addressing the growing
threat of homegrown radicalization.
On March 12, 2015, Committee staff conducted a conference
call with State Department personnel at the U.S. Embassy in
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia regarding U.S. initiatives to improve
counterterrorism cooperation with Malaysia and ongoing
legislative action within the Malaysian Parliament focused on
homegrown radicalization.
On March 20, 2015, Committee staff received a classified
briefing from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the
results of their review into the Department of State
Counterterrorism Bureau.
On March 27, 2015, Committee staff received a classified
briefing from the Department of State Bureau of Consular
Affairs and the Counterterrorism Bureau regarding security
issues and other issues of interest to the United States
related to Malaysia and Australia, as well as the larger
region.
From April 3 through 12, 2015, Committee staff conducted a
staff delegation visit to Turkey, Malaysia, and Australia
focused on foreign fighters, counterterrorism information
sharing, legal tools for prosecuting terrorists, and countering
extremism.
On May 7, 2015, Committee staff held a follow up meeting
with officials from the Australian Embassy to review issues
discussed during the staff delegation visit.
On May 21, 2015, Committee staff met with the officials
from the Canadian Embassy to discuss their domestic
counterterrorism concerns and programs to counter violent
extremism.
On Friday, October 9, 2015, the Members of the Subcommittee
received a briefing which examined what the United States can
learn from the history of Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) in
the United Kingdom. Representatives from United Kingdom-based
Henry Jackson Society's Centre for the Response to
Radicalisation and Terrorism (CRT) were present to provide a
background and respond to Member questions.
COUNTERING VIOLENT ISLAMIST TERRORISM
Throughout the Congress, Committee Members and staff met
with numerous practitioners and stakeholders related to
homegrown extremism and Islamist radicalization.
On March 26, 2015, Committee staff held a roundtable with
representatives from the Department of Homeland Security,
Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Department of Justice
regarding the Three-City Pilot for countering violent
extremism.
On April 14, 2015, Committee staff received a briefing from
the Department of Justice's National Justice Institute
regarding program evaluations for countering violent extremism
programs.
On May 27, 2015, Committee staff received a briefing from
the NCTC regarding efforts to identify and counter Islamist
extremism on various social media programs.
On June 4 and July 22, 2015, Committee staff met with a
senior law enforcement official from a jurisdiction
participating in the Three-City Pilot to discuss ongoing
challenges.
On June 5, 2015, Committee staff met with representatives
from the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology
Directorate regarding their efforts to identify indicators and
countermeasures for radicalization.
On February 12, 2016, Committee staff met with Federal
agencies participating in an interagency task force focused on
countering violent extremism.
On March 29, 2016, Committee staff received a briefing from
Department of Homeland Security personnel on plans for
releasing countering violent extremism grant funding.
On May 24, 2016, the Members of the Subcommittee on
Counterterrorism and Intelligence received a classified
briefing from the NCTC on terrorist use of encrypted
technologies and the impact on law enforcement to identify and
investigate potential homegrown threats.
On June 5, 2016, Committee staff received a briefing from
the Office of Community Partnerships (OCP) and the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on the Notice of Funding
announcement for the countering violent extremism grant
program.
On September 1, 2016, Committee staff received a classified
briefing from OCP and the Office of Intelligence and Analysis
(I&A) regarding security vetting of grant applicants
participating in the countering violent extremism grant
program.
On September 20, 2016, Committee staff conducted a
conference call with staff from the I&A and OCP regarding
security vetting of grant applicants.
RADICALIZATION WITHIN U.S. PRISONS
On February 27, 2015, the Chairman of the Subcommittee sent
a letter to Assistant to the President for Homeland Security
and Counterterrorism, requesting information on the state of
counter-radicalization efforts in US prisons and requesting
data on the number of those currently held on terror charges.
On September 10, 2015, Committee staff met with officials
from the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) regarding identifying and
preventing radicalization in prisons. Committee staff held a
follow up meeting with the BOP Religious Services Unit on
October 5, 2015, on how employees and volunteers providing
religious counseling to inmates are vetted. In preparation for
the hearing, Committee staff also met with numerous other
entities, including the Congressional Research Service,
academics, and think tanks.
On October 28, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``Terror Inmates: Countering Violent Extremism in
Prison and Beyond.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from
Mr. Jerome P. Bjelopera, Specialist in Organized Crime and
Terrorism, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress;
Mr. Tony C. Parker, Assistant Commissioner, Department of
Correction, State of Tennessee; and Mr. Brian Levin, Professor,
Department of Criminal Justice, Director, Center for Study of
Hate and Extremism, California State University, San
Bernardino.
On December 1, 2015, the Chairman of the Subcommittee sent
a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security requesting an
update on the Department's efforts to counter radicalization in
U.S. prisons, which had been previously outlined in the
Administration's 2011 CVE strategy.
On January 12, 2016, the Chairman of the Subcommittee sent
a letter to Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to
urge BOP to share pre-release information related to terrorist
cases with state and local authorities, and to request
information on the Bureau's policies ``regarding allowing
academic researchers access to BOP facilities and terror
inmates.''
THREATS FROM IRAN AND HEZBOLLAH
On October 22, 2015 and January 8, 2016, Committee staff
met with experts from Washington D.C.-based think tanks
regarding Iran's violations of Joint Comprehensive Plan of
Action and the potential impact to homeland security.
On February 11, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``The Future of Iranian Terror and Its Threat to the
US Homeland.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from Mr.
Tzvi Kahn, Senior Policy Analyst, Foreign Policy Initiative;
Mr. Ilan Berman, Vice President, American Foreign Policy
Council; and Mr. Bilal Y. Saab, Senior Fellow for Middle East
Security, Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security,
Atlantic Council.
On March 8, 2016, Committee staff received a briefing from
the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) on DEA and European partner
agency efforts to disrupt Hezbollah drug trafficking and money
laundering activities.
EXPANSION OF TERRORISM IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Throughout the months of March and April 2016, Committee
staff met with numerous outside experts on Southeast Asia and
extremism.
On April 27, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``ISIS in the Pacific: Assessing Terrorism in Southeast Asia
and the Threat to the Homeland.'' The Subcommittee received
testimony from Mr. John Watts, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brent
Scowcroft Center on International Security, Atlantic Council;
Mr. Patrick Skinner, Director of Special Projects, The Soufan
Group; Ms. Supna Zaidi Peery, Research Analyst, Counter
Extremism Project; and Dr. Joseph C. Liow, Senior Fellow,
Foreign Policy, Center for East Asia Policy Studies, The
Brookings Institution.
TERRORIST FINANCING
On March 17, 2015, Committee staff conducted a conference
call with a West Coast police department regarding their
concerns about terror finance connections and benefit fraud.
On April 26, 2016, Committee staff met with academics from
George Mason University regarding developing trends in terror
finance.
On March 29, 2016, Committee staff met with private
industry regarding concerns that illegal and counterfeit
products may be used to finance terror activities.
On May 12, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Following the Money: Examining Current Terrorist Financing
Trends and the Threat to the Homeland.'' The Subcommittee
received testimony from Dr. Louise Shelley, Director,
Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center, George
Mason University; Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, Vice President for
Research, Foundation for the Defense of Democracies; and Ms.
Deborah Lehr, Chairman and Founder, The Antiquities Coalition.
On June 9 and 14, 2016, Committee staff conducted follow up
meetings with representatives from the experts on antiquity
smuggling and terror finance.
On June 22, 2016, Committee staff received a briefing from
the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Cultural
Properties Program on their efforts to identify the illicit
trade of antiquities and the link to terror finance.
On July 7, 2016, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on
Counterterrorism and Intelligence and the Chairman of the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security sent a letter to the
Attorney General requesting information on antiquities
smuggling as a means to finance of terrorist networks.
On July 11, 2016, Committee staff received a briefing from
Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Asset Identification and
Removal Group regarding the identification of illicit cargo and
potential links to terror finance.
On July 12, 2016, Committee staff received a briefing from
the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding past and ongoing
investigations linked to antiquities smuggling and terror
finance.
On July 19, 2016, Committee staff received a briefing from
representatives from the Smithsonian Institute regarding
antiquities smuggling.
On July 20, 2016, Committee staff received a briefing from
CBP's Office of Trade and the National Targeting Center (NTC)
on the agency's ability to identify illicit antiquities.
COUNTERINTELLIGENCE AND INSIDER THREATS
Throughout the 114th Congress, Committee staff conducted a
number of meetings with Federal and private sector entities
regarding insider threat programs.
On April 7, 2015, Committee staff received a classified
briefing from the Office of the Chief Security Officer (OCSO)
at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding programs
to identify insider threats at DHS and the Fiscal Year 2016
budget request for the office.
On February 4, 2016, Committee staff received a briefing
from the Federal Protective Service (FPS) and the General
Services Administration regarding security measures for
Department of Homeland Security components utilizing office
space in 1 World Trade Center in New York City, New York.
On March 24, 2016, Committee staff received a classified
briefing from the Defense Security Service (DSS) regarding
counterintelligence threats to the defense industrial base.
On May 5, 2016, Committee staff received a classified
briefing from OSCSO and the Office of Intelligence and Analysis
(I&A) on the Department's counterintelligence and insider
threat programs.
On June 13, 2016, Committee staff received a classified
briefing from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) on their
counterintelligence and insider threat programs.
On June 14, 2016, the Members of the Subcommittee received
a classified threat briefing from the Defense Security Service
(DSS) on counterintelligence threats.
On June 27, 2016, Committee staff received a briefing from
I&A and the Office of the Chief Security Officer (OCSO) related
to an incident involving a potential insider threat and
concerns related to workplace violence.
On July 13, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Counterintelligence and Insider Threats: How Prepared is the
Department of Homeland Security?'' The Subcommittee received
testimony from Hon. Francis X. Taylor, Under Secretary, Office
of Intelligence and Analysis, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security; Col. Richard D. McComb, Chief Security Officer, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security; and Rdml. Robert Hayes,
Assistant Commandant for Intelligence, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security.
On August 11, 2016, Committee staff received a briefing and
tour at the DHS Headquarters by the OCSO to review insider
threat programs and workplace violence prevention measures.
On September 14, 2016, Committee staff received a
classified briefing from the DHS Science and Technology
Directorate and I&A regarding counterintelligence threats.
On September 28, 2016, the Chairman of the Subcommittee
sent a letter to the Chairman of the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) regarding the importance of the Number
Portability Administration Center (NPAC) and expressing concern
over vulnerabilities and possible foreign security violations.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF OPERATIONS COORDINATION
On February 2, 2015, Committee staff received a briefing
from representatives of the Office of Operations Coordination
(OPS) on their planned reorganization.
On February 20, 2015, Committee staff received a briefing
and tour of the National Operations Center (NOC).
On November 10, 2015, Committee staff conducted a
conference call with NOC personnel regarding legislative
options to update the NOC authorization in the Homeland
Security Act.
On March 1, 2016, Committee staff received a briefing on
the OPS fiscal year 2017 budget request.
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES
On January 7, 2015, Majority staff met outside experts on
the threat posed by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to mass
gathering events within the Homeland.
On February 9, 2015, Committee staff received a classified
briefing from the Office of Intelligence and Analysis on
threats posed by unmanned aerial vehicles within the Homeland.
TERROR WATCHLIST
On March 31, 2015, Committee staff received a classified
briefing from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on revisions the
government will soon announce to the redress procedures for
certain claims involving denials of boarding on commercial
aircraft.
FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS
On December 14, 2015, the Chairman of the Subcommittee sent
a letter to Assistant to the President for Homeland Security
and Counterterrorism, regarding the results of a Government
Accountability Office (GAO) review of the Foreign Terrorist
Organization designation process and asking for information on
how the process can be improved, and more effectively
incorporate the Department of Homeland Security.
On February 20, 2016, Committee staff spoke with officials
from the White House National Security Council regarding the
Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation process.
On May 2, 2016, Committee staff received a classified
briefing from Department of State officials regarding the FTO
designation process and designations under consideration.
----------
Subcommittee Hearings Held
``Addressing Remaining Gaps in Federal, State, and Local
Information Sharing'' February 26, 2015. (Serial No.
114-6)
``Terrorism in Africa: The Imminent Threat to the United
States.'' April 29, 2015. (Serial No. 114-16)
``Admitting Syrian Refugees: The Intelligence Void and the
Emerging Homeland Security Threat.'' June 24, 2015.
(Serial No. 114-22)
Joint hearing with the Subcommittee on Transportation Security
``Safeguarding our Nation's Surface Transportation
Systems Against Evolving Terrorist Threats.'' September
17, 2015. (Serial No. 114-32)
``Terror Inmates: Countering Violent Extremism in Prison and
Beyond.'' October 28, 2015. (Serial No. 114-40)
``The Future of Iranian Terror and Its Threat to the US
Homeland. February 11, 2016. (Serial No. 114-53)
``ISIS in the Pacific: Assessing Terrorism in Southeast Asia
and the Threat to the Homeland. April 27, 2016. (Serial
No. 114-65)
``Following the Money: Examining Current Terrorist Financing
Trends and the Threat to the Homeland.'' May 12, 2016.
(Serial No. 114-68)
``Counterintelligence and Insider Threats: How Prepared is the
Department of Homeland Security?'' July 13, 2016.
(Serial No. 114-82)
``State and Local Perspectives on Federal Information
Sharing.''September 6, 2016. (Serial No. 114-84)
Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency
Scott Perry, Pennsylvania, Chairman
Jeff Duncan, South Carolina
Curt Clawson, Florida
Earl L. ``Buddy'' Carter, Georgia
Barry Loudermilk, Georgia
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey
Cedric L. Richmond, Louisiana
Norma J. Torres, California
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
----------
During the 114th Congress, the Subcommittee on Oversight
and Management Efficiency held 12 hearings, receiving testimony
from 41 witnesses, and considered 5 measures, resulting in 5
Public Laws.
----------
Legislative Activities of the Subcommittee
DHS IT DUPLICATION REDUCTION ACT OF 2015
Public Law 114-43 H.R. 1626
To reduce duplication of information technology at the
Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
Summary
This law requires the Chief Information Officer of the
Department of Homeland Security to identify duplicative
information technology systems within the Department and
develop a strategy to reduce such duplications.
Legislative History
H.R. 1626 was introduced in the House on March 25, 2015, by
Mr. Hurd of Texas and seven original cosponsors and referred to
the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R.
1626 was referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Management Efficiency.
The Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency
considered H.R. 1626 on May 13, 2015, and ordered the measure
reported to the Full Committee for consideration, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 1626 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 1626 to the House on June 17,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-162.
The House considered H.R. 1626 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the measure, amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 1626 was received in the Senate on June 24, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1626
on July 23, 2015, and the measure was passed, without
amendment, by unanimous consent. Clearing the measure for the
President.
H.R. 1626 was presented to the President on July 27, 2015.
The President signed H.R. 1626 into law on August 6, 2015, as
Public Law 114-43.
------
BORDER JOBS FOR VETERANS ACT OF 2015
Public Law 114-68 H.R. 2835 (S. 1603)
To actively recruit members of the Armed Forces who are
separating from military service to serve as Customs and Border
Protection Officers.
Summary
The purpose of this law is to connect veterans of the Armed
Forces in need of employment with U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP), a component in need of qualified applicants
to fill vacancies at understaffed U.S. ports of entry. The
legislation requires the Department of Defense (DoD) and the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to cooperate on efforts
to recruit and expedite the hiring of outgoing U.S. military
service members and report back to Congress on the progress
made.
Legislative History
H.R. 2835
H.R. 2835 was introduced in the House on June 18, 2015, by
Ms. McSally and nine original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, and the Committee on Armed
Services. Within the Committee, H.R. 2835 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security and the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency.
The Chair of the Committee on Armed Services sent a letter
to the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security on September
25, 2015, agreeing that, in order to expedite consideration on
the House Floor, the Committee on Armed Services would not seek
a sequential referral of H.R. 2835. On that same date, the
Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security responded, agreeing
to the jurisdictional interests of the Committee on Armed
Services, and support for the appointment of Conferees, should
a House-Senate Conference be called.
The House agreed to Suspend the Rules and passed H.R. 2835
on September 28, 2015, as amended, by a \2/3\ record vote of
410 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No. 519).
H.R. 2835 was received in the Senate and read twice on
September 29, 2015.
The Senate passed H.R. 2835, without amendment, by
unanimous consent on October 1, 2015. Clearing the measure for
the President.
H.R. 2835 was presented to the President on October 7,
2015. The President signed H.R. 2835 into law on October 16,
2015, as Public Law 114-68.
S. 1603
S. 1603, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in
the Senate on June 17, 2015, by Mr. Flake, Mr. Johnson, Mr.
McCain, and Mr. Schumer, and referred to the Senate Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered S. 1603 on June 24, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported with an Amendment in the Nature of a
Substitute, favorably.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs filed a report on August 5, 2015, as (S. Rpt. 114-116).
The Senate passed S. 1603 on September 9, 2015, as amended,
by unanimous consent.
S. 1603 was received in the House on September 10, 2015,
and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and the
Committee on Armed Services. Within the Committee, S. 1603 was
referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
The Committee on Rules met on September 16, 2015, and filed
a Rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 3134 and H.R.
3504. Rule filed in the House as H.Res. 421 (H. Rpt. 114-262).
Section 4 of H.Res. 421 provided that upon passage of H.R. 3504
the House shall be considered to have: (1) stricken all after
the enacting clause of S. 1603 and inserted in lieu thereof the
provisions of H.R. 3504, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors
Protection Act, as passed by the House; and (2) passed the
Senate bill as so amended.
The House considered H.Res. 421 as a privileged matter on
September 17, 2015, and agreed to the Rule by a recorded vote
of 246 yeas and 179 nays, (Roll No. 503). Pursuant to the
provisions of H.Res. 421, S. 1603, as amended with the text of
H.R. 3504, as adopted by the House, was passed by the House.
The legislative text within the jurisdiction of the Committee
on Homeland Security was thereby removed.
On September 21, 2015, the message on the House action was
received in Senate and at held at the desk.
------
EDWARD `TED' KAUFMAN AND MICHAEL LEAVITT PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITIONS
IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2015
Public Law 114-136 S. 1172
To improve the process of presidential transition.
Summary
S. 1172 amends the Presidential Transition Act of 1963
(Pub. L. 88-277) to provided for enhanced coordination in the
transfer of power for the 2016 Presidential Election.
Section 6 of this law directs the Department of Homeland
Security to report to Congressional committees, not later than
February 15, 2016, on threats and vulnerabilities during
Presidential transitions. The report shall identify and discuss
vulnerabilities related to border security and threats related
to terrorism, including from weapons of mass destruction; shall
identify steps being taken to address the threats and
vulnerabilities during a presidential transition; and may
include recommendations for actions by components and agencies
within the Department of Homeland Security.
Legislative History
S. 1172 was introduced in the Senate by Mr. Carper and Mr.
Johnson on April 30, 2015, and referred to the Senate Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered S. 1172 on May 6, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported with amendments favorably.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported S. 1172 to the Senate on July 27, 2015, as S.
Rpt. 114-94.
The Senate considered S. 1172 on July 30, 2015, and passed
the measure, amended, by unanimous consent.
S. 1172 was received in the House on July 31, 2016, and
referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,
and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security. Within
the Committee, S. 1172 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Management Efficiency.
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform considered
S. 1172 on October 9, 2015, and ordered the measure to be
reported to the House with an Amendment in the Nature of a
Substitute, by unanimous consent.
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform reported
S. 1172 to the House on December 18, 2015 as H. Rpt. 114-384,
Part I. Subsequently, the Committee on Homeland Security was
discharged from further consideration.
The House agreed to Suspend the Rules and passed S. 1172 on
February 29, 2016, as amended, by voice vote.
On March 8, 2016, the Senate concurred in the House
amendment to S. 1172 by unanimous consent, clearing the measure
for the President.
S. 1172 was presented to the President on March 15, 2016.
The President signed S. 1172 into law on March 18, 2016, as
Public Law 114-136.
------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY HEADQUARTERS CONSOLIDATION
ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2015
Public Law 114-150 S. 1638 (H.R. 1640)
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit to
Congress a report on the Department of Homeland Security
headquarters consolidation project in the National Capital
Region, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland
Security to submit to Congress a report on the Department of
Homeland Security's headquarters consolidation project in the
National Capital Region.
Legislative History
H.R. 1640
H.R. 1640 was introduced in the House on March 25, 2015, by
Mr. Walker and seven original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 1640
was referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Management
Efficiency.
The Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency
considered H.R. 1640 on May 13, 2015, and ordered the measure
reported to the Full Committee for consideration, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 1640 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter on June 15, 2015, agreeing to
forgo further consideration of H.R. 1640. The letter further
requested the appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate
Conference be called. The Chair of the Committee on Homeland
Security sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure on June 17, 2015,
acknowledging the jurisdictional interests of the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure and the agreement to not seek
a sequential referral of H.R. 1640, and supporting the request
for Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be called.
The Committee reported H.R. 1640 to the House on June 17,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-166.
The House considered H.R. 1640 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the measure, amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 1640 was received in the Senate on June 24, 205, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
S. 1638
S. 1638, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in
the Senate on June 18, 2015, by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Carper, and
referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered S. 1638 on June 24, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate, without amendment,
favorably.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
reported S. 1638 to the Senate on March 14, 2016, as S. Rpt.
114-227.
The Senate considered S. 1638 on April 6, 2016, and passed
the measure by unanimous consent.
S. 1638 was received in the House on April 11, 2016, and
held at the Desk.
The House considered S. 1638 on April 18, 2016, under
Suspension of the Rules and passed the measure by voice vote.
S. 1638 was presented to the President on April 20, 2016.
The President signed S. 1638 into law on April 29, 2016, as
Public Law 114-150.
------
DHS FOIA EFFICIENCY ACT OF 2015
H.R. 1615
To direct the Chief FOIA Officer of the Department of Homeland
Security to make certain improvements in the implementation of
section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as
the Freedom of Information Act), and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation directs the Chief Freedom of Information
Act Officer of the Department of Homeland Security to make
certain improvements in the implementation of section 552 of
title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Freedom of
Information Act).
Legislative History
H.R. 1615 was introduced in the House on March 25, 2015, by
Mr. Carter of Georgia and seven original cosponsors and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the
Committee, H.R. 1615 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Management Efficiency.
The Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency
considered H.R. 1615 on May 13, 2015, reported the measure to
the Full Committee for consideration, with a favorable
recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 1615 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 1615 to the House on June 11,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-148.
The House considered H.R. 1615 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the measure on June 25,
2015, amended, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 423 yeas and 0 nays,
(Roll No. 387).
H.R. 1615 was received in the Senate on July 7, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
------
DHS PAID ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2015
H.R. 1633
To provide for certain improvements relating to the tracking
and reporting of employees of the Department of Homeland
Security placed on administrative leave, or any other type of
paid non-duty status without charge to leave, for personnel
matters, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation requires the Department of Homeland
Security to track and report on employees placed on
administrative leave for personnel matters. The head of each
component within the Department is directed to report to Chief
Human Capital Office on a quarterly basis on staff who are
placed on administrative leave.
Legislative History
H.R. 1633 was introduced in the House on March 25, 2015, by
Mr. Loudermilk and seven original cosponsors and referred to
the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R.
1633 was referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Management Efficiency.
The Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency
considered H.R. 1633 on May 13, 2015, and ordered the measure
reported to the Full Committee for consideration, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 1633 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 1633 to the House on June 17,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-163.
The House considered H.R. 1633 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the measure, as amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 1633 was received in the Senate on June 24, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUNSHINE
ACT OF 2015
H.R. 1637
To require annual reports on the activities and accomplishments
of federally funded research and development centers within the
Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland
Security to annually submit to Congress a list of the ongoing
and completed projects that Federally Funded Research and
Development Centers within the Department have been tasked.
Legislative History
H.R. 1637 was introduced in the House on March 25, 2015, by
Mr. Ratcliffe and seven original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 1637
was referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity,
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies and the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency.
On May 20, 2015, the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity,
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies and the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency were
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1637.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 1637 on
May 20, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to the
House, with a favorable recommendation, without amendment, by
voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 1637 to the House on June 11,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-149.
The Chair of the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security on June 23, 2015, agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee would
not seek a sequential referral of H.R. 1637. The letter further
requested support for the appointment of Conferees should a
House-Senate Conference be called. On that same date, the Chair
of the Committee on Homeland Security sent a letter to the
Chair of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
acknowledging the jurisdictional interests of the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology and the agreement to not seek a
sequential referral of H.R. 1637.
The House considered H.R. 1637 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the measure, amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 1637 was received in the Senate on June 24, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
Provisions relating to H.R. 1637 were included in Sec. 1906
of the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943.
(See also action on S. 2943 under Full Committee
legislative activities).
------
HOMELAND SECURITY DRONE ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS ACT
H.R. 1646
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to research how
certain commercially available small and medium sized unmanned
aircraft systems could be used in an attack, how to prevent or
mitigate the risk of such an attack, and for other purposes.
[To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to research how
small and medium sized unmanned aerial systems could be used in
an attack, how to prevent or mitigate the effects of such an
attack, and for other purposes.]
Summary
This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland
Security to research how certain commercially available small
and medium sized unmanned aircraft systems could be used in an
attack, how to prevent or mitigate the risk of such an attack,
and for other purposes.
Legislative History
H.R. 1646 was introduced in the House on March 26, 2015, by
Mrs. Watson Coleman and Mr. Thompson and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Within the
Committee, H.R. 1646 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Management Efficiency and the Subcommittee on
Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
The Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency
considered H.R. 1646 on May 13, 2015, and ordered the measure
reported to the Full Committee for consideration, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence was
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1646 on May 20,
2015.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 1646 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security on June 9, 2015, agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration of H.R. 1646 on the House Floor, the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure would waive
further consideration of H.R. 1646. The letter further
requested the appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate
Conference be called. The Chair of the Committee on Homeland
Security responded on June 10, 2015, acknowledging the
agreement of Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to
waive further consideration of H.R. 1646.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported to the House on
June 18, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-169, Pt. I. Subsequently, the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure was discharged
from further consideration of H.R. 1646.
The House considered H.R. 1646 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the measure, as amended, by
voice vote. During consideration, the title was amended so as
to read ``To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to
research how certain commercially available small and medium
sized unmanned aircraft systems could be used in an attack, how
to prevent or mitigate the risk of such an attack, and for
other purposes.''
H.R. 1646 was received in the Senate on June 24, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
----------
Oversight Activities of the Subcommittee
DEPARTMENTAL EFFICIENCY AND WASTE, FRAUD ABUSE, AND DUPLICATION
The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 forced the
United States to fundamentally rethink the threats it faces and
its approach to defending the Nation. Given the current
financial climate and importance of the mission, it is
imperative the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) be a good
steward of taxpayer dollars and operate in an effective and
efficient manner. As such, the Subcommittee conducted rigorous
oversight to identify and remedy waste, fraud, abuse, and
duplicative programs at DHS.
On January 26, 2015, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to GAO's Comptroller General requesting to sign on to
ongoing work on DHS's fee-based programs, the 2014 DHS
Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, and DHS's tactical
communications, among other topics. The Ranking Member sent a
letter on March 2, 2015, requesting to sign on this work.
Subcommittee staff received an update briefings from GAO on its
work related to DHS fee funded programs on May 29, 2015.
On February 26, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``Assessing DHS's Performance: Watchdog
Recommendations to Improve Homeland Security.'' The
Subcommittee received testimony from Hon. John Roth, Inspector
General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Ms. Rebecca
Gambler, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, U.S.
Government Accountability Office; and Dr. Daniel M. Gerstein,
Senior Policy Researcher, The RAND Corporation. The purpose of
the hearing was to determine what demonstrable progress DHS has
made in implementing recommendations by the GAO and the OIG to
end duplication, minimize inefficiency, root out wasteful
spending, and identify further issue areas which may require
Subcommittee oversight.
On March 27, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives from the Government Accountability Office to
discuss GAO's perspective on DHS's QHSR efforts to date and
potential areas that could be addressed with new
reauthorization legislation. As a follow up, Subcommittee staff
received an update from GAO on its work related to the 2014
Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR) on June 5, 2015.
On July 8, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Examining DHS's Misplaced Focus on Climate Change.'' The
Subcommittee received testimony from Mr. Thomas P. Smith,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Strategy, Planning, Analysis, and
Risk, Office of Policy, U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
Mr. Roy Wright, Deputy Associate Administrator, Federal
Insurance and Mitigation Administration, Federal Emergency
Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Mr.
Robert Kolasky, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Infrastructure
Protection, National Protection and Programs Directorate, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security; and Mr. Marc A. Levy, Deputy
Director, Center for International Earth, Science Information
Network, Columbia University.
The 2014 QHSR states ``Natural disasters, pandemics, and
the trends associated with climate change continue to present a
major area of homeland security risk.'' The purpose of this
hearing was to examine DHS's focus, role, and budget regarding
climate change.
On June 17, 2015, the Chair of the Subcommittee met with
the Under Secretary for Management at DHS to discuss the Under
Secretary's priorities and vision for the Department. This
meeting was followed by additional briefings on June 19, and
October 30, 2015, to discuss the USM's progress on his
management priorities.
On July 16, 2015, the Chair of the Subcommittee met with
the Deputy Under Secretary for the National Protection and
Programs Directorate to discuss the proposed reorganization of
NPPD. As a follow up to this briefing, on September 15, 2015,
the Chair of the Subcommittee, along with all the other Chair
and Ranking Members on the Committee and its Subcommittees sent
a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security regarding the
proposed reorganization of the National Protection and Programs
Directorate. The letter requested the Secretary's
recommendation for the organization of NPPD in order to help
the Committee with drafting legislation that would assist the
Department with the reorganization. The Secretary responded on
October 6, 2015.
On July 17, 2015, Subcommittee majoirty staff received a
briefing from the DHS Office of the Chief Readiness Support
Officer on pilot programs conducted in Seattle and Boston
designed to identify field efficiencies and other opportunities
for cost savings within the Department's real property
holdings. As part of ongoing oversight of this issue, on
October 21, 2015, the Chair of the Subcommittee, along with the
Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, sent a letter to the DHS
Under Secretary for Management regarding the Department's real
property holdings. The letter urged the Under Secretary to
conduct an analysis of DHS's real property holdings in order to
find possible efficiencies, such as co-locating offices, in
order to achieve cost savings. The Under Secretary responded on
November 18, 2015.
On August 20, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a briefing
from TSA on plans to relocate the agency's headquarters.
Furthermore, on November 16, 2015, GAO issued its report
Screening Partnership Program: TSA Can Benefit from Improved
Cost Estimates [GAO-16-19]. The report contained three
recommendations for executive action.
On March 9, 2016, Subcommittee staff was briefed by DHS
officials on recently conducted field efficiency studies.
On June 21, 2016, the Chair and Ranking Member of the
Subcommittee sent a letter to the GAO Comptroller General
requesting the GAO conduct a review of DHS's international
affairs enterprise management. The Chair and Ranking Member
requested that the report focus on defining the roles,
responsibilities, and authorities of each of DHS's various
international affairs offices, and determine the operation
costs associated within the offices. On June 30, 2016, the GAO
Comptroller General sent a letter to the Chair and Ranking
Member of the Subcommittee accepting the request.
On June 21, 2016, the Chair and Ranking Member of the
Subcommittee sent a letter to the GAO Comptroller General
requesting that GAO conduct a review of DHS's international
affairs enterprise management. The Chair and Ranking Member
requested that the report focus on defining the roles,
responsibilities, and authorities of each of DHS's various
international affairs offices, and determine the operation
costs associated within the offices. On June 30, 2016, the GAO
Comptroller General sent a letter to the Chair and Ranking
Member of the Subcommittee accepting the request.
ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT
The Department of Homeland Security invests extensively in
major acquisition programs to develop new systems that help the
Department execute its many critical missions. These programs
have major implications for the American taxpayer, costing
hundreds of billions of dollars in costs over the life of a
program. Given the current budget climate, the Subcommittee
conducted oversight on the Department's management of its
acquisition programs to ensure taxpayer dollars were not
wasted.
On January 15, 2015, Subcommittee staff held a meeting with
the Transportation Security Administrator to discuss a new
procurement strategy for airports that are a part of the
Screening Partnership Program.
On April 8, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a briefing
from DHS's Program Accountability and Risk Management (PARM)
Office. The briefing covered PARM's ongoing work related to
overseeing major DHS acquisitions. On March 12, 2015 GAO issued
its report Homeland Security Acquisitions: DHS Should Better
Define Oversight Roles and Improve Program Reporting to
Congress [GAO-15-292]. The report contained five
recommendations for executive action.
On April 22, 2015, GAO released its report Homeland
Security Acquisitions: Major Program Assessments Reveal Actions
Needed to Improve Accountability [GAO 15-171SP]. The report
contained three recommendations for executive action. In order
to examine the findings and recommendations from the GAO
report, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled ``Acquisition
Oversight: How Effectively Is DHS Safeguarding Taxpayer
Dollars?'' The Subcommittee received testimony from Ms. Michele
Mackin, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, U.S.
Government Accountability Office; Hon. Chip Fulghum, Chief
Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and
Dr. Cedric Sims, Partner, Evermay Consulting Group.
On July 10, 2015, Subcommittee staff received an update
from the DHS Chief Procurement Officer. The update focused on
the office's performance in fiscal year 2015 and initiatives
and strategies to better engage industry. An additional update
was provided to the Subcommittee on December 17, 2015.
On July 23, 2015 the Chair and Ranking Member of the
Subcommittee sent a letter to the GAO Comptroller General
requesting GAO review the organization and activities of the
DHS Joint Requirements Council. The Chair and Ranking Member
requested the review focus on how the JRC is positioned to
increase Department-wide efficiencies and to identify and
eliminate redundancies across acquisition programs. On August
6, 2015, GAO sent a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of
the Subcommittee accepting the request. On August 7, 2015,
Subcommittee staff also received a briefing from the Chair of
the Joint Requirements Council on its structure, priorities and
ongoing work.
On September 18, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``Making DHS More Efficient: Industry Recommendations
to Improve Homeland Security.'' The Subcommittee received
testimony from Mr. Marc A. Pearl, President and Chief Executive
Officer, Homeland Security and Defense Business Council; Mr.
Harry Totonis, Board Director, Business Executives for National
Security; and Hon. Elaine Duke, Principal, Elaine Duke &
Associates, LLC.
As an organization with an extremely diverse set of
missions, comprised of components with a variety of
capabilities and functions, DHS is similar to large private-
sector commercial conglomerates. This hearing examined how DHS
can adopt best practices from the private sector to improve its
operations and execute its mission effectively and efficiently.
On October 26, 2015, the Chair of the Subcommittee, along
with the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, sent a letter to
the GAO Comptroller General requesting that GAO conduct an
audit of a specific category of acquisition programs at DHS.
The audit would specifically focus on the total value,
component tracking and reporting of data related to these
programs, and the extent to which DHS headquarters oversight
entities are involved in this category of acquisition program.
On November 9, 2015, GAO sent a letter to the Chair and Ranking
Member accepting the request.
On April 14, 2016, the Chair and Ranking Member of the
Subcommittee sent a letter to the DHS Under Secretary for
Management to request information regarding the recommendations
presented by a GAO report released on March 31, 2016, which
reviewed the Department's major acquisition management
practices. On April 29, 2016, the Chair and Ranking Member of
the Subcommittee received a response from the DHS Under
Secretary of Management that outlined the implementation
efforts put forth by DHS on each individual recommendation made
by the March 31, 2016, GAO report.
On June 15, 2016, Subcommittee staff held a meeting with
the DHS Chief Procurement Officer who provided a quarterly
update on acquisition management within the Department.
On June 15, 2016, the Chair and Ranking Member of the
Subcommittee, sent a letter to the GAO Comptroller General
requesting GAO review the operations and maintenance of the
Department's major acquisitions programs. The Chair and Ranking
Member requested that the report focus on the extent which DHS
has incorporated accurate costs into program estimates, the
change of cost estimates over the lifecycle on major programs,
and what challenges the Department faces when determining these
estimated costs. On June 30, 2016, the GAO Comptroller General
sent a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the
Subcommittee accepting the request.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
DHS is currently in the process of modernizing its
financial systems Department-wide. Many of the components and
agencies within DHS use different systems and oftentimes, the
data in these different systems are not compatible, making it
nearly impossible for senior officials at headquarters to get
an enterprise-wide view of its lines of business. Without
knowing where and what the Department is spending its money on,
it is impossible for DHS to operate as efficiently as possible.
On April 7, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a briefing
from the DHS Office of the Chief Financial Officer on DHS's
efforts to modernize its financial systems. A follow up
briefing was provided to Subcommittee staff on April 23, 2015.
Subcommittee staff received an additional briefing, on June 9,
2015, that provided a general update on financial system
modernization efforts and reported on the migration of the
financial system of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office to a
shared service provider.
On July 23, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a briefing
from the Department of the Interior's Interior Business Center
(IBC) on DHS plans to migrate some DHS financial systems to the
IBC, a Federal shared services provider. The IBC answered staff
questions on the security of the IBC networks and systems as
well.
On February 16, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to the Department of Homeland Security Chief Financial
Officer to request information regarding the recommendations
presented to the Department by an independent audit on Fiscal
Year 2015. At the conclusion of the audit, 45 recommendations
were presented to address seven significant internal control
deficiencies. On March 16, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee
received a response from the DHS CFO that outlined the FY2015
financial report highlights and the progress and efforts the
Department is making to improving internal controls. On June 9,
2016, Subcommittee staff met with the DHS Chief Financial
Officer to discuss efforts to modernize financial systems and
improve internal controls.
Throughout February 2016, Subcommittee staff was briefed by
many of the components within DHS on Fiscal Year 2017 budget
views and estimates.
On March 1, 2016, Subcommittee staff held a meeting with
DHS financial management shared services.
On March 8, 2016, Subcommittee staff were briefed by the
DHS Inspector General on a report released by OIG regarding DHS
reimbursable work agreements.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT
Given the rapidly changing nature of the threats facing the
Homeland, it is imperative that DHS has the technology systems
it needs in order to combat these threats. Procuring these
systems, however, are significant investments; if they are not
maintained properly, these systems can quickly become outdated
or obsolete. The Subcommittee's oversight efforts on this topic
focused on ensuring DHS had the systems needed, verifying that
the systems functioned effectively, and confirming that the
systems were being procured and updated in an efficient and
cost effective manner.
On February 27, 2015 Subcommittee staff received a briefing
from the Office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO)
regarding the Department's oversight of IT programs and its
planned implementation of the Federal Information Technology
Reform Act (FITARA). Subcommittee staff also received a follow
up briefing on December 16, 2015.
On March 3, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a briefing
from the DHS Geospatial Management Office, within the Office of
the Chief Information Officer. The briefing provided an
overview the Geospatial Management Office and its roles and
responsibilities.
On March 23, 2015, GAO released its report Border Security:
Additional Efforts Needed to Address Persistent Challenges in
Achieving Radio Interoperability [GAO-15-201]. The report
contained six recommendations for executive action.
On July 9, 2015, Subcommittee staff received an additional
briefing from the DHS Chief Information Officer on a recent
reorganization that occurred within the CIO's office.
On July 22, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a briefing
from GAO on its ongoing work related to examining DHS efforts
to consolidate its human resources information technology
systems. On October 28, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a
follow up briefing from GAO, which also provided an update on
additional GAO work related to the USCIS transformation
project. The USCIS transformation project consists of USCIS'
efforts to move the application for and adjudication of
immigration benefits to an electronic system in place of a
paper-based system. On May 18, 2015, GAO released its report
Immigration Benefits System: Better Informed Decision Making
Needed on Transformation Program [GAO-15-415]. The report
contained five recommendations for executive actions.
On July 29, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a briefing
from Immigration and Customs Enforcement on its efforts to
modernization the TECS system. On August 3, 2015, Subcommittee
staff received an additional briefing from Customs and Border
Protection on its efforts to modernize TECS. These meetings
served as a follow up to a Subcommittee hearing held in the
113th Congress titled ``Examining Challenges and Wasted
Taxpayer Dollars in Modernizing Border Security IT Systems.''
On October 29, 2015, Subcommittee majority staff received a
classified briefing from the Federal Emergency Management
Agency on information technology resiliency.
On January 4, 2016, the Chair of the Full Committee wrote
the Secretary requesting that DHS provide the Committee with
the report mandated by the DHS IT Duplication Reduction Act of
2015 (Pub. L. 114-43). Later that day, DHS provided the report,
which outlined a strategy to reduce IT system duplication, to
the Committee.
In response to the information provided in the report, the
Subcommittee held a hearing on February 25, 2016, entitled
``Probing DHS's Botched Management of the Human Resources
Information Technology Program.'' The Subcommittee received
testimony from Ms. Carol R. Cha, Director, Information
Technology Acquisition Management Issues, U.S. Government
Accountability Office; Hon. Chip Fulghum, Deputy Under
Secretary for Management, U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
and Ms. Angela Bailey, Chief Human Capital Officer, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security.
On May 23, 2016, Subcommittee staff received an update
briefing by the Department on Human Resources Information
Technology.
On June 23, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland
Security, requesting a copy of the record of investigation
related to this case. On June 28, 2016, the Chair of the
Subcommittee received a response from the Inspector General.
On June 1, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with the DHS Chief
Information Officer (CIO) for a quarterly update to discuss the
challenges facing the information technology (IT) systems and
human capital management. On June 24, 2016, the Chair of the
Subcommittee sent a letter to the DHS CIO, requesting
information regarding IT management within the Department, and
additional challenges that are to be expected. The Chair of the
Subcommittee received an initial reply from the CIO on July 1,
2016. An additional response that contained the entirety of the
requested documentation was received on September 19, 2016.
On July 8, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight
and Management Efficiency, and the Chair of the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security sent a letter to the GAO Comptroller
General requesting that GAO conduct a review of the
Transportation Security Administration's Technology Information
Modernization program, which is intended to create a
centralized information technology (IT) system to manage
credential applications and the associated review process. The
Chairs requested that the report focus on the technical
challenges that the program faces, and to what extent of
oversight is being performed by the TSA to ensure that previous
problems are not repeated.
DEPARTMENTAL WORKFORCE
DHS is the third largest agency in the Federal Government,
with hundreds of thousands of full time employees. Despite the
importance of the mission, DHS continually ranks towards the
bottom in both employee engagement and global satisfaction in
the annual Federal Viewpoints Survey. In fact, in 2015, the
Department's scores in these categories fell, resulting in a
last place ranking among large agencies. This is especially
troubling given the numerous initiatives DHS launched to
improve employee morale over the past few years.
On January 8, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a briefing
from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on how the
President's Executive Order on immigration will affect the
organization's operations. A new service center acquisition and
staffing increases were among the topics discussed.
On April 7, 2015, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security regarding the
possible use of private email accounts to conduct official
business. The letter expressed concerns that any individual who
may be using a private account may be in violation of DHS
policy and Federal law, and requested information on whether or
not any senior officials were using private email accounts to
conduct official business. The Acting Deputy Under Secretary
for Management responded, on behalf of the Secretary, on April
30, 2015. After being made aware that some DHS officials had
received an exemption to DHS policy, thereby allowing them to
access private email accounts via DHS-owned equipment, the
Chair of the Subcommittee sent another letter to the Secretary
of Homeland Security on July 27, 2015. This letter requested
additional information on the exemptions, including the names
and positions of those officials who were granted an exemption.
The Under Secretary for Management responded, on behalf of the
Secretary, on August 21, 2015.
On April 13, 2015, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security expressing concern
that the individual serving as the head of the Office of Policy
may be doing so in violation of the Federal Vacancy Reform Act.
The letter requested information on the justification for
placing this individual in this position along with the
Administration's plan to fill the position with a Senate
confirmed, Presidential appointee, as required by law. The
Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs responded on April
27, 2015.
On June 2, 2015, the Chair of the Subcommittee, along with
the Chair of the Full Committee and the Chair of the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security, sent a letter to the
Secretary of Homeland Security regarding covert testing results
of airport checkpoints. The letter requested information on
what steps the Department has taken to eliminate the
vulnerabilities exposed through the covert testing. The
Secretary responded on June 12, 2015. On June 3, 2015,
Subcommittee staff received a classified briefing on the topic
from TSA.
On June 8, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a briefing
from the Department on the role veterans play at DHS and
efforts to recruit and retain veterans within the Department.
On June 9, 2015, the Chair of the Subcommittee, along with
the Chair of the Full Committee and the Chair of the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security, sent a letter to the
Secretary of Homeland Security regarding an Office of the
Inspector General Report that found some aviation workers with
access to secure areas of airports had ties to terrorism. The
letter requested additional information on TSA's vetting
process and what additional steps are being taken in wake of
the OIG report findings. The Secretary responded on July, 10,
2015.
On December 16, 2015, Subcommittee staff received an update
from the DHS Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer
regarding the Department's cyber workforce initiatives and
hiring process improvements.
Over the span of January and February of 2016, Subcommittee
staff received multiple briefings from the NPPD Under Secretary
and staff to review reorganization proposals.
In response to a DHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG)
report entitled, TSA's Human Capital Services Contract Terms
and Oversight Need Strengthening [OIG-16-32], the Chair of the
Subcommittee sent a letter on February 12, 2016, requesting
that the appropriate Transportation Security Administration
officials brief the Subcommittee staff on actions taken to
address the concerns laid out in the report. On March 16, 2016,
the Subcommittee received a response from the Administrator of
the TSA. Following the response, Subcommittee staff were
briefed by TSA officials on HR Access.
On March 10, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to the Department of Homeland Security Under Secretary
of Management regarding the continued lack of adequate
oversight on DHS workforce training centers. The letter
referenced a January 2016, OIG report entitled DHS' Oversight
of Its Workforce Training Needs Improvement [OIG-16-19], which
outlined many alarming shortfalls in DHS training methods. On
April 4, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee received a
response to his letter.
On March 16, 2016, Subcommittee staff were briefed by ICE
officials on human capital issues.
On April 13, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to the Under Secretary for Management at DHS requesting
information on employees within the Department who have
transitioned from a non-career position to a career or non-
political excepted service position within DHS. On June 13,
2016, the Chair received a response from the Under Secretary
for Management at DHS.
On June 24, 2016, Subcommittee staff were briefed by DHS
Office of Policy on various issues.
In response to the findings of an OIG report entitled CBP
Needs better Data to Justify Its Criminal Investigator Staffing
[OIG-16-75], the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a letter which
outlined his concerns to the DHS Chief Human Capital Officer,
on June 3, 2016. The Chair of the Subcommittee received a
response to his letter on July 27, 2016.
On June 2, 2016, Subcommittee staff received a quarterly
update from the DHS Chief Human Capital Officer.
On June 17, 2016, Subcommittee staff received a classified
briefing on social media vetting programs. DHS officials were
present to provide information and answer any questions from
staff.
EMPLOYEE INTEGRITY
Given the seriousness of its mission, it is imperative that
employees of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conduct
themselves with the utmost integrity. Although the vast
majority of employees conduct themselves appropriately, even
one corrupt employee represents a management challenge.
Unfortunately, recent years have seen DHS employees, including
some senior officials, embroiled in several high profile
scandals.
On January 22, 2015, Subcommittee staff held a meeting with
the DHS Chief Human Capital Officer. The subject of the meeting
was the Department's policy on and use of paid administrative
leave.
On March 24, 2015, the DHS Office of the Inspector General
(OIG) released a management alert, ``IG Investigation of
employee complaints regarding management of USCIS' EB-5
program.'' After the alert was released, Subcommittee staff
received a briefing on the management alert from the Office of
the Inspector General. Subcommittee staff also held a
conference call with the Ombudsman of the United States
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to discuss the
findings in the management alert. The Subcommittee staff had a
follow up briefing with the DHS Office of the Inspector General
on April 6, 2015. As part of ongoing oversight of this issue,
Subcommittee staff had a conference call with representatives
from the Office of Government Ethics to discuss potential
ethics violations outlined in the OIG report.
As a follow up to two Full Committee hearings on March 26,
2015 and April 30, 2015, the Chair of the Subcommittee, along
with the Chair of the Full Committee, sent a letter to the
Secretary of Homeland Security on May 20, 2015, regarding
allegations of special access related to the EB-5 program.
Specifically, the letter requested that DHS hand over documents
related to any national security concerns that arose due to the
mismanagement of the EB-5 program.
On March 10, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a briefing
from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on recent
misconduct within the Federal Air Marshall Service. On
September 17, 2015, the Chair of the Subcommittee, along with
the Chair of the Full Committee and the Chair of the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security, sent a letter to the
Administrator of TSA regarding issues with the Federal Air
Marshal Service that were brought to the Committee's attention.
The letter requested information on a recent sexual misconduct
scandal, firearms malfunctions, and what TSA is doing in
response to both situations. The Administrator responded on
October 20, 2015 and the Subcommittee received a follow up
update on October 29, 2015. The Chair of the Subcommittee,
along with the Chair of the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security, on December 15, 2015, sent a letter to Secretary of
Homeland Security announcing the initiation of an investigation
into TSA employee misconduct. The investigation will examine
the extent to which TSA has implemented GAO's prior
recommendations [GAO-13-624] and addressed employee misconduct.
In November 2015, the Homeland Security Advisory Council
(HSAC) established a Countering Violent Extremism (CVE)
Subcommittee, which was tasked with developing finding and
recommendations related to CVE. On June 20, 2016, the Chair of
the Subcommittee sent a letter to the Secretary of the
Department of Homeland Security, expressing his grave concern
regarding the conduct of a member of the CVE Subcommittee.
Further, the letter requested a review of the status and
qualifications of this individual. The Chair of received a
response to his letter from the Executive Director of the
Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) on July 13, 2016.
On July 8, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security regarding the
events that transpired at a United States Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS) building in the aftermath of the
San Bernardino, California shootings. Specifically, the Chair
requested information related to reports of a USCIS employee
interfering with an OIG investigation into the shootings. The
letter expressed deep concerns that the USCIS employee
unlawfully acted to thwart the OIG investigation and that under
different circumstances could have had disastrous consequences.
On April 27, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to the Comptroller General of the United States
requesting that his name be added as a co-requester of a report
that GAO is preparing on misconduct at the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA). On May 18, 2016, the GAO Controller
General sent a letter to the Chair of the Subcommittee
accepting his request.
On May 11, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to the GAO Comptroller General requesting GAO review the
internal affairs offices for Customs and Border Protection
(CBP), the TSA, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Chair requested that the report focus on: Data of employee
misconduct investigations; a review of the investigative
practices; what disciplinary actions were taken; and what
performance and internal control standards are in place within
these components. On June 30, 2016, the GAO Comptroller General
sent a letter to the Chair of the Subcommittee accepting the
request.
On July 8, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security regarding the
events that transpired at a USCIS building in the aftermath of
the San Bernardino shootings. Specifically, the Chair requested
information related to reports of a USCIS employee interfering
with an OIG investigation into the shootings. The letter
expressed deep concerns that the USCIS employee unlawfully
acted to thwart the OIG investigation and that under different
circumstances could have had disastrous consequences.
UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE
The Subcommittee examined the homeland security operations
of the United States Secret Service (USSS), including its
critical roles of protecting the President of the United States
and the integrity the U.S. financial system. USSS is currently
in the process of enhancing its training regimen and
modernizing the way it does business, both of which are topics
the Subcommittee examined in depth. Finally, the Subcommittee
conducted rigorous oversight of the Secret Service's recent
challenges related to employee integrity and morale.
On March 17, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a briefing
from the DHS Office of the Inspector General on their ongoing
work related to the Secret Service.
On March 30, 2015, Subcommittee staff visited United States
Secret Service headquarters and met with the Service's Chief
Financial Officer. Staff received a briefing on USSS financial
modernization efforts and viewed a demo of the Secret Service's
financial management software.
On April 7, 2015, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to the Director of the Secret Service regarding the
Papal visit in September 2015. The letter requested an update
on the Secret Service's preparations for the protective mission
related to the Pope's visit. The Director responded on April
13, 2015. As a follow up to the letter, Subcommittee staff
received a classified briefing from the Secret Service on April
17, 2015. On September 21, 2015, Subcommittee staff attended a
Secret Service led Staff Delegation related to the Papal visit.
Staff observed the sites the Pope would be visiting and USSS
preparations to secure the sites.
On June 11, 2015, the Members of the Subcommittee conducted
a site visit to the U.S. Secret Service training center in
Beltsville, Maryland. Members toured the facility and were
briefed by representatives from the Secret Service on training
and facility programs.
On July 9, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a briefing
from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) providing an
update on their examination of the United States Secret Service
(USSS) domestic field structure.
On January 29, 2016, Subcommittee staff were briefed by the
USSS Chief Operating Officer on domestic field office structure
and management priorities for 2016.
On July 23, 2015, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to the Director of the USSS outlining the Subcommittee's
oversight priorities related to the Secret Service. These
priorities included restoring the integrity of the Secret
Service, enhancing the protective mission, and modernizing the
way the Secret Service conducts business. The Director
responded on September 1, 2015.
The DHS Office of the Inspector General released a
management alert on September 25, 2015 titled, ``Investigation
into the Improper Access and Distribution of Information
Contained Within a Secret Service Data System.'' On October 19,
2015, Subcommittee staff received a briefing from the Secret
Service on the investigation detailed in the management alert
as well as an update on USSS progress to implement the
recommendations made in the 2014 Protective Mission Panel
report.
On November 17, 2015, the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Management Efficiency and the Subcommittee on Regulatory
Affairs and Federal Management of the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate held a joint
hearing entitled ``Examining Ongoing Challenges at the U.S.
Secret Service and their Government-wide Implications.'' The
Subcommittees received testimony from Mr. Joseph P. Clancy,
Director, United States Secret Service, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security; Hon. John Roth, Inspector General, Office of
the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
and Mr. Joel C. Willemssen, Managing Director, Information
Technology Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office. Over
the past few years, the Secret Service has been plagued by a
variety of scandals that appear to be symptoms of larger
management issues within the Secret Service that must be
resolved. The purpose of this hearing was to examine the
progress the Secret Service has made in implementing the
recommendations of the Protective Mission Panel; how the
Service has been combating the cultural issues that have helped
produce many of the recent scandals; identify any additional
actions senior USSS leadership must take in order to restore
the Secret Service's elite reputation; and discuss how other
government agencies can learn from the challenges currently
facing the Secret Service.
As a follow up to the November 17, 2015 hearing, the Chair
of the Subcommittee sent a letter to the Director of the United
States Secret Service requesting information regarding specific
administrative actions taken against those employees who
accessed sensitive personally identifiable information (PII)
without the necessary clearance. Additionally, Subcommittee
staff met with DHS and USSS officials to discuss disciplinary
actions in regard to the PII data leak on June 17, 2016. The
Director responded on June 14, 2016.
On November 23, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a
briefing from representatives of the United States Secret
Service's National Threat Assessment Center on its upcoming
report entitled, Attacks on Federal Government 2001-2013:
Threat Assessment Considerations. The report was subsequently
released in December 2015.
On December 17, 2015, the DHS OIG issued its report
entitlled The Secret Service Did Not Identify Best Practices
and Lessons Learned from the 2011 White House Shooting Incident
[OIG-16-16]. The report did not contain any recommendations for
executive action.
On February 10, 2016, GAO issued its report U.S. Secret
Service: Data Analyses Could Better Inform the Domestic Field
Office Structure [GAO-16-21]. The report contained three
recommendations for executive action.
PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES
The protection of the privacy of American citizens is
critically important, especially when implementing programs and
policies to secure the Nation. It is the responsibility of the
Chief Privacy Officer to establish privacy standards that all
DHS programs must follow. This Congress, the Subcommittee
conducted extensive oversight to ensure DHS programs that
collect and analyze personal identifiable information or other
sensitive information are constitutional and adhere to the
standards established by the Chief Privacy Officer.
On April 16, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives from the DHS Office of Privacy and Immigration
and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations on
ICE's solicitation for a commercial service provider for
license plate reader.
On March 19, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a briefing
from the DHS Private Sector Office. The briefing covered the
office's structure, roles and responsibilities, and outreach
efforts.
On April 29, 2016, Subcommittee staff were presented with a
quarterly brief by the Department Office of Privacy.
On April 29, 2016, Subcommittee staff were presented with a
quarterly brief by the Department Office of Civil Rights and
Civil Liberties.
On May 12, 2016, Subcommittee staff were briefed by the
newly created DHS Office of Community Partnerships on their
mission and goals.
UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS
Unmanned aerial systems, colloquially know as drones, is
one of today's fastest emerging technologies. While UASs have
the potential to save lives and revolutionize industry,
nefarious actors can also utilize them to cause harm and
violate American citizen's right to privacy. Given its mission,
DHS will play an important role in countering any threat posed
by this new technology.
On February 9, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a
classified briefing from the DHS Office of Intelligence and
Analysis on the threat posed by unmanned aerial vehicles. On
March 9, 2015, Subcommittee staff received an additional
classified briefing from DHS Office of Policy, DHS Science and
Technology Directorate, the United States Secret Service, and
the Federal Protective Service on UAS threats and mitigation
technologies.
On March 18, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Unmanned Aerial System Threats: Exploring Security
Implications and Mitigation Technologies.'' The Subcommittee
received testimony from Dr. Todd E. Humphreys, Assistant
Professor, Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of
Texas at Austin; Major General Frederick Roggero, (USAF-Ret.),
President and Chief Executive Officer, Resilient Solutions,
Ltd.; Chief Richard Beary, President, International Association
of Chiefs of Police; and Gregory S. McNeal, JD/PhD, Associate
Professor, School of Law, Pepperdine University. Given the
projected growth of the domestic use of unmanned aerial systems
(UAS), a variety of security and privacy challenges have
rapidly emerged. The purpose of this hearing was to better
understand security threats posed by UASs, technological
mitigations to combat those threats, DHS' role in overseeing
the use of UASs within the homeland, and challenges posed by
the civilian use of UASs to Federal, State, and local law
enforcement. As a result of this hearing, on April 7, 2015, the
Chair of the Subcommittee sent a letter to the Secretary of
Homeland Security regarding the threat potential of small and
medium sized UASs. The letter requested that DHS provide the
Subcommittee with information on DHS's strategy to counter the
emerging threat. The Under Secretary for Science and Technology
responded, on behalf of the Secretary on May 11, 2015.
On November 30, 2015, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to the GAO Comptroller General requesting to be added as
a co-requester to ongoing work related to the use of unmanned
aerial systems for border security. GAO responded on December
14, 2015, acknowledging and accepting the Chair of the
Subcommittee's request.
On June 22, 2016, Members of the Subcommittee on Oversight
and Management Efficiency received a classified briefing on
risks associated with non-traditional aviation technology, such
as small unmanned aerial systems, and mitigation efforts.
Representatives from the Department of Homeland Security's
Science and Technology Directorate and National Protection and
Programs Directorate were present to provide the briefing and
answer Member questions.
FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE
In today's heightened threat environment, every Federal
building is a potential target for terrorists. The Federal
Protective Service (FPS) is responsible for protecting these
buildings and the individuals within them. FPS has also been
plagued by several recent management challenges, and as a
result, millions of taxpayer dollars have been wasted. The
Subcommittee focused its oversight on ensuring FPS is operating
as efficiently and effectively as possible.
On April 27, 2015, GAO released its report Facility
Security: Federal Protective Service's and Selected Federal
Tenants' Sharing of and Response to Incident Information [GAO-
15-406R]. On December 16, 2015, GAO issued an additional report
Homeland Security: FPS and GSA Should Strengthen Collaboration
to Enhance Facility Security [GAO-16-135]. The report contained
four recommendations for executive actions.
On September 10, 2015, Subcommittee staff visited FPS
headquarters and received a briefing on its Activity Based Cost
modeling method.
On September 16, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a
briefing from FPS on their MIST/ISC validation, which was
prompted by a letter FPS received from the Interagency Security
Committee (ISC) that stated MIST was not up to ISC standards.
On October 16, 2015, Subcommittee staff visited an FPS-
secured building and received a briefing/demonstration of
typical facility security assessment conducted by FPS
personnel.
The DHS Office of the Inspector General issued a report
titled The FPS Vehicle Fleet is Not Managed Effectively on
October 21, 2015. As part of the oversight into this issue,
Subcommittee staff had a meeting with FPS on November 10, 2015
to discuss the report's findings.
On October 21, 2015, the DHS OIG released its report The
FPS Vehicle Fleet is Not Managed Effectively [OIG 16-02]. The
report contained five recommendations for executive action. In
order to examine the findings and recommendations outlined in
the report, on December 3, 2015, the Subcommittee held a
hearing entitled ``Driving Away with Taxpayer Dollars: DHS's
Failure to Effectively Manage the FPS Vehicle Fleet.'' The
Subcommittee received testimony from Hon. John Roth, Inspector
General, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security; Mr. L. Eric Patterson, Director, Federal
Protective Service, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and
Mr. Thomas Chaleki, Deputy Chief Readiness Support Officer,
Management Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
On January 7, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to the Department of Homeland Security Under Secretary
for Management requesting information regarding the FPS Vehicle
Fleet, including information that was failed to be made
available during the previously held hearing. The letter
requested that FPS provide the fleet program manual, along with
fleet data information from fiscal years 2014 and 2015, and
explanations of standard operational management of the FPS
vehicle fleet. Subcommittee staff held a meeting with the FPS
Director to follow up on the December 3, 2015, hearing on
vehicle fleet management. The Under Secretary of Management
provided a response to the January 7, 2016, letter on March 4,
2016.
DHS HEADQUARTERS CONSOLIDATION PROJECT AT ST. ELIZABETHS
DHS is the third largest department in the Federal
Government but unlike other large departments does not have all
its components and agencies located in one central area. For
example, DHS components and offices are located in 50 different
locations throughout the National Capital Region. In an effort
to consolidate locations and increase a unified organization,
construction is currently underway for a new headquarters
facility. The construction of the Department's Headquarters at
the St. Elizabeths campus, in Washington, D.C. is the largest
Federal construction project to occur in the National Capital
Region since the construction of The Pentagon.
On February 10, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a
briefing from DHS and the General Services Administration on
the enhanced construction plan for the St. Elizabeths. As a
follow up, on April 28, 2015, the Members of the Subcommittee
conducted a site visit to the Department of Homeland Security
Consolidated Headquarters at St. Elizabeths in Washington, DC.
Members toured the facility and were briefed by the Department
on construction progress and the status of the consolidation
efforts. Subcommittee staff received an additional update from
DHS on St. Elizabeths on October 15, 2015.
Ongoing efforts to conduct oversight of the Department of
Homeland Security Headquarters Consolidation Project at St.
Elizabeths in Washington, D.C. led Committee staff to meet with
various stakeholders and DHS officials to discuss the status of
the project. On July 28, 2016, Committee Staff conducted a site
visit to the Department of Homeland Security Headquarters
Consolidation Project at St. Elizabeths, site visit to the St.
Elizabeths campus; Subcommittee staff toured the facilities and
was briefed by the Department on the status of the project.
ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE EVENTS
Electromagnetic pulses, or EMPs, can cause wide ranging and
damaging effects to our electrical grid and communication
infrastructure. An EMP can be generated by nuclear weapons,
from naturally-occurring sources such as solar storms, or
specialized non-nuclear EMP weapons. A successful EMP attack
has a high likelihood of the Nation's electric grid and the
effects of an attack could also cascade into other critical
infrastructures.
On November 5, 2015, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to the Government Accountability Comptroller General
requesting to be added as a co-requester to ongoing work
related to efforts by the electric industry to prepare for and
mitigate against electromagnetic threats. GAO acknowledged
receipt of the letter and added the Chair of the Subcommittee
to the request on November 20, 2015.
On May 17, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Oversight of Federal Efforts to Address Electromagnetic
Risks.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from Mr. Chris P.
Currie, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, U.S.
Government Accountability Office; Mr. Brandon Wales, Director,
Office of Cyber and Infrastructure Analysis, National
Protection and Programs Directorate, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security; Mr. Joseph McClelland, Director, Office of
Energy Infrastructure Security, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, U.S. Department of Energy; and Mr. Judson Freed,
Director, Emergency Management & Homeland Security, Ramsey
County, Minnesota, testifying on behalf of the National
Association of Counties.
CUBA
In 2014, President Obama announced a dramatic shift in U.S.
policy towards the Republic of Cuba. This new policy moved to
normalize relations, eased embargo restrictions, removed Cuba
from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, and increased
cooperation and information sharing on topics such as migration
and anti-drug efforts. Despite the normalization of relations,
Cuba still presents a threat to our national security and the
Subcommittee conducted robust oversight to ensure the security
of the Homeland is not jeopardized by efforts to normalize
relations.
On November 18, 2015, Subcommittee staff, along with staff
from the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere of the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, received a briefing from
representatives at DHS and the State Department on the DHS
Deputy Secretary's recent trip to Cuba.
On February 22, 2016, Subcommittee staff were briefed by
the United States Coast Guard on Cuban migration issues.
On April 12, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Management Efficiency, the Chair of the Full
Committee, and the Chair of the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security, sent a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security
to express concerns about the Administration's plan to begin
regularly scheduled commercial air service between the United
States and Cuba. In the letter, the Chair outlined that the
rapid speed at which preparations for regular commercial
flights between the U.S. and Cuba will come at the cost of
failing that adequate safety and security protocols are in
place. A continued effort to move forward with this plan would
be jeopardizing the safety of U.S. travelers and our homeland
and national security. On May 13, 2016, the Committee received
a response from the Secretary of Homeland Security.
GUANTANAMO BAY DETAINEES
On April 28, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Transferring Guantanamo Bay Detainees to the Homeland:
Implications for States and Local Communities.'' The
Subcommittee received testimony from Hon. Nikki R. Haley,
Governor, State of South Carolina; Mr. Michael Bouchard,
Sheriff of Oakland County, Michigan, Oakland County Sheriff's
Office, testifying on behalf of the Major County Sheriff's
Association; Mr. Todd Thompson, County Attorney, Leavenworth
County Attorney's Office, Leavenworth County, Kansas; and Mr.
Ken Gude, Senior Fellow, National Security, Center for American
Progress.
Throughout the month of March 2016, Subcommittee staff held
meetings with stakeholders to gather state and local
perspectives on the transfer of detainees to the Homeland.
MISCONDUCT AT THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
On July 7, 2016, the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Management Efficiency and the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security held a joint hearing entitled ``How Pervasive is
Misconduct at TSA: Examining Findings from a Joint Subcommittee
Investigation.'' The Subcommittees received testimony from Dr.
Huban Gowadia, Deputy Administrator, Transportation Security
Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and Mr.
Andrew Oosterbaan, Assistant Inspector General for
Investigations, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security.
In December 2015, the Subcommittee began an investigation
into employee misconduct at the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA). This was a result of numerous
whistleblowers contacting the Committee alleging serious
misconduct committed by senior TSA officials--ranging from
egregious bonuses for senior officials to mandated employee
transfers around the country in retaliation for, in some cases,
employees elevating security concerns.
From February of 2016, to June of 2016, the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Management Efficiency obtained various documents
and testimony that outlined TSA policies related to employee
misconduct and directed reassignments, and analyzed misconduct
allegation data for fiscal years 2013 to 2015 from TSA, the
Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector
General, and the Office of Special Counsel. The Subcommittee
conducted interviews with relevant officials from four TSA
airports, TSA's Offices of Inspection, Professional
Responsibility, and Human Capital; DHS's OIG; and the U.S.
Office of Special Counsel, among others. Additionally,
Subcommittee staff interviewed numerous TSA employees who came
forward to the Committee with allegations of senior level
misconduct and retaliation. Further, Subcommittee staff
assessed TSA's efforts to address misconduct against a GAO
report released on September 10, 2014, entitled Standards for
Internal Control in the Federal Government [GAO-14-704G].
On May 31, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight
and Management Efficiency, along with the Chair of the Full
Committee and the Chair of the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security, sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security
Inspector General requesting serious consideration by the OIG
to launch an investigation into the review process as it
applies to the designation of ``Security Sensitive
Information'' (SSI) by the Transportation Security
Administration. The Committee received a response from the
Inspector General on June 9, 2016.
On June 9, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight
and Management Efficiency, along with the Chair of the Full
Committee and the Chair of the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security, sent a letter to the Administrator of the
Transportation Security Administration regarding the employment
status of a TSA official. The Assistant Administrator for
Legislative Affairs responded to the letter on July 5, 2016.
On September 28, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Management Efficiency, and the Chair of the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security, sent a letter to the
Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration to
request information containing the steps being taken to address
employee misconduct within the TSA.
IDENTIFYING TERROR
On September 22, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``Identifying the Enemy: Radical Islamist Terror.''
The Subcommittee received testimony from Mr. George Selim,
Director, Office of Community Partnerships, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security; Hon. Peter Hoekstra, Shillman Senior Fellow,
Investigative Project on Terrorism; Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser,
President, American Islamic Forum for Democracy; Ms. Sahar F.
Aziz, Professor of Law, Texas A&M University School of Law; and
Ms. Shireen Qudosi, Senior Contributor, CounterJihad.com.
UNACCOUNTED PROPERTY
Within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)--from
October 2012 through April 2015--over 360 pieces of body armor
and around 150 firearms were unaccounted for. Although a
majority of DHS components reported lost or stolen property,
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) had over twice as many
items reported as lost or stolen compared to other components.
Between 2012 and 2015, CBP reported 61 firearms stolen compared
to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (17 stolen firearms) and
the Transportation Security Administration (17 stolen
firearms). Additionally, among the data provided, CBP was
responsible for over half of the body armor, badges, and
credentials that were lost or stolen across DHS.
On April 20, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Management Efficiency sent a letter to the
Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which
stressed his concerns over the disturbing amount of lost or
stolen property in recent years. Throughout the months of April
and May, 2016, Subcommittee staff held various meetings with
stakeholders and DHS representatives to discuss departmental
record keeping, as well as procurement and acquisition
reorganization efforts. On June 22, 2016, the Chair of the
Subcommittee received a response to his letter.
PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION
On August 10, 2016, Subcommittee staff were briefed by DHS
officials regarding preparations being made for the
Presidential transition process.
----------
Subcommittee Hearings Held
``Assessing DHS's Performance: Watchdog Recommendations to
Improve Homeland Security.'' February 26, 2015. (Serial
No. 114-5)
``Unmanned Aerial System Threats: Exploring Security
Implications and Mitigation Technologies.'' March 18,
2015. (Serial No. 114-9)
``Acquisition Oversight: How Effectively Is DHS Safeguarding
Taxpayer Dollars?'' April 22, 2015. (Serial No. 114-15)
``Examining DHS' Misplaced Focus on Climate Change.'' July 8,
2015. (Serial No. 114-24)
``Making DHS More Efficient: Industry Recommendations to
Improve Homeland Security.'' September 18, 2015.
(Serial No. 114-33)
Joint hearing with the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and
Federal Management of the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate.
``Examining Ongoing Challenges at the U.S. Secret
Service and their Government-wide
Implications.''November 17, 2015. (Serial No. 114-43)
``Driving Away with Taxpayer Dollars: DHS's Failure to
Effectively Manage the FPS Vehicle Fleet.'' December 3,
2015. (Serial No. 114-46)
``Probing DHS's Botched Management of the Human Resources
Information Technology Program.'' February 25, 2016.
(Serial No. 114-54)
``Transferring Guantanamo Bay Detainees to the Homeland:
Implications for States and Local Communities.'' April
28, 2016. (Serial No. 114-66)
``Oversight of Federal Efforts to Address Electromagnetic
Risks.'' May 17, 2016. (Serial No. 114-69)
Joint with the Subcommittee on Transportation Security. ``How
Pervasive is Misconduct at TSA: Examining Findings from
a Joint Subcommittee Investigation.''July 7, 2016.
(Serial No. 114-78)
``Identifying the Enemy: Radical Islamist Terror.'' September
22, 2016. (Serial No. 114-88)
Subcommittee on Transportation Security
John Katko, New York, Chairman
Mike Rogers, Alabama
Earl L. ``Buddy'' Carter, Georgia
Mark Walker, North Carolina
John Ratcliffe, Texas
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Kathleen M. Rice, New York
William R. Keating, Massachusetts
Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
----------
During the 114th Congress, the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security held 16 hearings, receiving testimony
from 58 witnesses, and considered 5 measures, resulting in 7
Public Laws.
----------
Legislative Activities of the Subcommittee
HUMAN TRAFFICKING DETECTION ACT OF 2015
Public Law 114-22 H.R. 460 (S. 178 / S. 623)
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to train
Department of Homeland Security personnel how to effectively
deter, detect, disrupt, and prevent human trafficking during
the course of their primary roles and responsibilities, and for
other purposes.
Summary
An estimated 17,500 individuals are trafficked into the
United States each year. Victims include both U.S. citizens and
noncitizens and trafficking occurs in every State in the
Nation. H.R. 460 requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to
implement a human trafficking awareness program to train, and
periodically retrain, relevant Departmental personnel. The
training must be given to personnel within the Transportation
Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection,
and other Departmental offices. Additionally, the legislation
requires the Secretary to annually reassess the training
program to ensure it is consistent with current techniques,
patterns, and trends associated with human trafficking and
authorizes the Secretary to provide training curricula to any
State, local, or Tribal Government or private organization
seeking to establish a human trafficking awareness training
program.
Legislative History
H.R. 460 was introduced in the House on January 21, 2015,
by Mr. Walker and nine original cosponsors, and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the
Committee on the Judiciary. Within the Committee, H.R. 460 was
referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
On January 22, 2015, the Chair of the Committee on the
Judiciary sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to expedite
consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on the
Judiciary would waive further consideration of H.R. 460; on
that same date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security
responded acknowledging the jurisdictional interests of the
Committee on the Judiciary, and the agreement to not waive
further consideration.
The House considered H.R. 460 under Suspension the Rules on
January 27, 2015, and passed H.R. 460 by voice vote.
H.R. 460 was received in the Senate, read twice, and
referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered H.R. 460 on March 4, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate favorably.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs report filed in the Senate on May 14, 2015, as S. Rpt.
114-46.
The text of H.R. 460, as passed by the House was added to
Title IX of S. 178, as passed by the Senate.
S. 178
S. 178, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015,
was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2015, by Mr. Cornyn
and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
The Senate Committee on the Judiciary considered S. 178 on
February 26, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the Senate, favorably, with an Amendment in the Nature of a
Substitute.
On March 2, 2015, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary
reported S. 178 to the Senate with no written report.
The Senate considered S. 178 on March 10, 11, 12, 16, 17,
18, 19; April 14, 16, 16, 20, 21, and 22, 2015. On April 22,
2015, the Senate passed S. 178 by a recorded vote of 99 yeas
and 0 nays, (Roll No. 163).
S. 178 was received in the House on April 23, 2015, and
held at the Desk.
The House considered S. 178 under Suspension of the Rules
on May 18, 2015, and on May 19, 2015, passed the measure, by a
\2/3\ recorded vote of 420 yeas and 3 nays, (Roll No. 244).
Subsequently, pursuant to H. Con. Res. 47, the enrollment
of S. 178 was corrected.
S. 178 was presented to the President on May 21, 2015. The
President signed S. 178 into law on May 29, 2015, as Public Law
114-22.
S. 623
S. 623, the Senate companion measure to H.R. 460 was
introduced in the Senate on March 3, 2016, by Mr. Johnson and
referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
------
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION AND VETERANS HEALTH CARE CHOICE IMPROVEMENT ACT
OF 2015
Public Law 114-41 H.R. 3236
To provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety,
motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of
the Highway Trust Fund, to provide resource flexibility to the
Department of Veterans Affairs for health care services, and
for other purposes.
Summary
Public Law 114-41 authorizes appropriations for various
surface transportation programs, including revisions to the
aviation security service passenger fee requirements, among
other things. Aviation security services are authorized for
Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025.
Legislative History
H.R. 3236 was introduced in the House on July 28, 2015, by
Mr. Shuster, Mr. Miller of Florida, and Mr. Ryan of Wisconsin,
and referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and
Means, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on
Science, Space and Technology, the Committee on Natural
Resources, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the Committee on
Education and the Workforce, the Committee on the Budget, and
the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R.
3236 was referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security.
The Committee on Rules met on July 28, 2015, and granted a
Rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 3236, the Rule was
filed in the House as H.Res. 388 (H. Rpt. 114-234). The House
agreed to the Rule on July 29, 2015, by a recorded vote of 243
yeas and 183 nays, (Roll No. 484).
The House considered H.R. 3236 on July 29, 2015, under the
provisions of H.Res. 388, and passed the measure by a recorded
vote of 385 yeas, 34 nays, and 1 voting present, (Roll No.
486).
H.R. 3236 was received in the Senate on July 30, 2015, read
twice, considered, read the third time, and passed under the
order of July 29, 2015, without amendment, by a recorded vote
of 91 yeas and 4 nays, (Record Vote No. 261).
H.R. 3236 was presented to the President on July 31, 2015.
The President signed H.R. 3236 into law on July 31, 2015, as
Public Law 114-41.
------
GERARDO HERNANDEZ AIRPORT SECURITY ACT OF 2015
Public Law 114-50 H.R. 720
To improve intergovernmental planning for and communication
during security incidents at domestic airports, and for other
purposes.
Summary
Public Law 114-50 improves security incident preparedness
by directing the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
to verify that airports across the United States have
incorporated procedures for responding to active shooters
targeting security checkpoints into existing incident plans.
Additionally, the Administrator of TSA is directed to report to
the appropriate Congressional committees on the
Administration's findings regarding the levels of preparedness
at airports. Further, the law mandates that TSA establish a
mechanism by which best practices in security incident
mitigation can be shared with airports across the country and
requires that the agency certify to the appropriate
Congressional committees that all screening personnel have
participated in training for active shooter scenarios.
Additionally, TSA is required to provide an analysis to the
appropriate Congressional committees on how cost savings can be
used to increase funding for reimbursable agreements for
airport law enforcement over the next five years. Finally, the
legislation requires TSA to conduct a review of the
interoperable communications capabilities of the law
enforcement, fire, and medical personnel responsible for
responding to a security incident at airports in the United
States.
Legislative History
113th Congress
In the 113th Congress, H.R. 4802 was introduced in the
House on June 5, 2014, by Mr. Hudson and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 4802
was referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
The Chair discharged the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security from further consideration of H.R. 4802 on June 11,
2014. The Full Committee considered H.R. 4802 on June 11, 2014,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 4802 to
the House on July 3, 2014, as H. Rpt. 113-512.
The House considered H.R. 4802 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 22, 2014, and passed the measure, as amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 4802 was received in the Senate on July 23, 2014, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
114th Congress
H.R. 720 was introduced in the House on February 4, 2015,
by Mr. Katko and seven original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 720
was referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
The House considered H.R. 720 under Suspension of the Rules
on February 10, 2015, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 411 yeas and 1 nay, (Roll No. 70).
H.R. 720 was received in the Senate on February 11, 2015,
and on February 12, 2015, was referred to the Senate Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation considered H.R. 720 on February 26, 2015, and
reported the measure to the Senate, favorably, as amended.
Senate Committee report filed on July 23, 2015, as S. Rpt. 114-
92.
The Senate considered H.R. 720 on August 5, 2015, and
passed the measure, amended, by unanimous consent.
The House agreed on September 16, 2015, to Suspend the
Rules and concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 720, by voice
vote.
Presented to the President on September 17, 2015. The
President signed H.R. 720 into law on September 24, 2015, as
Public Law 114-50.
------
ESSENTIAL TRANSPORTATION WORKER IDENTIFICATION CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT
ACT
Public Law 114-278 H.R. 710
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to prepare a
comprehensive security assessment of the transportation
security card program, and for other purposes.
Summary
This measure responds to a key recommendation made by the
Government Accountability Office (GAO), to conduct a security
assessment of the effectiveness of the Transportation Worker
Identification Credential (TWIC).
The TWIC program is run jointly within the Department of
Homeland Security by the U.S. Coast Guard and the
Transportation Security Administration. The program uses
biometric credentials to limit access to secure areas of
maritime facilities and vessels to only those vetted
individuals who have a legitimate need access the ports or
vessels.
The TWIC program remains incomplete, as biometric readers
have not yet been fully deployed, as a result there remains
uncertainty for our Nation's transportation and maritime
industry. While regulations were in place beginning in 2007 for
maritime workers to purchase the biometric credentials,
regulations requiring the issuance of card readers remained
incomplete.
A scathing report by the Government Accountability Office
Transportation Worker Identification Credential:Card Reader
Pilot Results Are Unreliable; Security Benefits Need to Be
Reassessed [GAO-13-198] called into question the underlying
security value of the TWIC program and raised very serious
questions about the future of this program. This legislation
was responsive to the GAO's most recent recommendation on the
program--conducting an independent security assessment of the
TWIC program.
Legislative History
113th Congress
In the 113th Congress, H.R. 3202 was introduced in the
House on September 27, 2013, by Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Thompson
of Mississippi, and Mrs. Miller of Michigan, and referred to
the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R.
3202 was referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime
Security, and the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
On May 20, 2014, the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime
Security considered H.R. 3202 and forwarded the measure to the
Full Committee for consideration, as amended, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 3202 on June 11, 2014,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, as
amended, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter on July 8, 2014, to the Chair of
the Committee on Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would not seek a sequential
referral of H.R. 3202. The letter further requested the
appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be
called. On that same date, the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security responded, agreeing to the jurisdictional
interests of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
and the agreement to not seek a sequential referral of H.R.
3202.
The Committee reported H.R. 3202 to the House on July 18,
2014, as H. Rpt. 113-528.
The House considered H.R. 3202 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 28, 2014, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 400 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No. 456).
H.R. 3202 was received in the Senate on July 29, 2014, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation considered H.R. 3202 on May 20, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the Senate with an
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute, favorably.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation reported H.R. 3202 to the Senate on April 25,
2016 as S. Rpt. 114-244.
114th Congress
H.R. 710 was introduced in the House on February 4, 2015,
by Ms. Jackson Lee, Mrs. Miller of Michigan, and Mr. Thompson
of Mississippi, and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 710 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security and the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security on February 5, 2015, agreeing that, in order
to expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would forego action on H.R.
710. The letter further requested support for the appointment
of Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be called. On
that same date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security
responded acknowledging the jurisdictional concerns of the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the
agreement to forgo consideration.
The House considered H.R. 710 under Suspension of the Rules
on February 10, 2015, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 710 was received in the Senate on February 11, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs. On April 22, 2015, a
unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that H.R. 710
be discharged from the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs and be referred to the Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science and Transportation.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation considered H.R. 710 on May 20, 2015, and
reported the measure to the Senate, with an amendment.
The Senate considered H.R. 710 on December 9, 2016, and
passed the measure, amended.
The House concured in the Senate amendments to H.R. 710 on
December 14, 2016. Clearing the measure for the President.
H.R. 710 was presented to the President on December 15,
2016. The President signed H.R. 710 into law on December 16,
2016, as Public Law 114-278.
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BOTTLES AND BREASTFEEDING EQUIPMENT SCREENING ACT
Public Law 114-293 H.R. 5065 (S. 3299)
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to notify air
carriers and security screening personnel of the Transportation
Security Administration of such Administration's guidelines
regarding permitting baby formula, breast milk, and juice on
airplanes, and for other purposes.
Summary
Although travelers are explicitly permitted by the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to bring formula
and breast milk that exceed the 3-1-1 Liquids Rule for carry-on
baggage, there have been reports of passengers experiencing
inconsistent implementation of these procedures during airport
security screening. As a result some travelers were forced to
dump expressed breast milk; leave behind ice packs or coolers
needed for proper milk storage; or miss their flights. This
measure requires the TSA to provide ongoing training to ensure
its officers consistently enforce TSA Special Procedures
related to breast milk, formula, and infant feeding equipment
across all airport security checkpoints.
Legislative History
H.R. 5065
H.R. 5065 was introduced in the House on April 26, 2016, by
Ms. Herrera Beutler, Mr. Katko, and Miss Rice of New York; and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the
Committee, H.R. 5065 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security.
The Subcommittee on Transportation Security was discharged
from further consideration of H.R. 5065 on September 14, 2016.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5065 on September 14,
2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committed reported H.R. 5065 to the House on September
20, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-775.
The House considered H.R. 5065 under Suspension of the
Rules on September 27, 2016, and passed the measure by voice
vote. During consideration, the title was amended so as to read
``To direct the Administrator of the Transportation Security
Administration to notify air carriers and security screening
personnel of the Transportation Security Administration of such
Administration's guidelines regarding permitting baby formula,
breast milk, purified deionized water, and juice on airplanes,
and for other purposes.''
The Senate considered H.R. 5065 on December 9 and 10, 2016,
and passed the measure on legislative day of December 9, 2016.
Clearing the measure for the President.
H.R. 5065 was presented to the President on December 14,
2016. The President signed H.R. 5065 into law on December 16,
2016, as Public Law 114-301.
S. 3299
S. 3299, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in
the Senate on September 9, 2016, by Ms. Ayotte and referred to
the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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PRECLEARANCE AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2015
H.R. 998
To establish the conditions under which the Secretary of
Homeland Security may establish preclearance facilities,
conduct preclearance operations, and provide customs services
outside the United States, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation authorized the operation and expansion of
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance
operations abroad. Preclearance operations, a program under
which passengers and their luggage undergo screening by CBP
officers prior to boarding a U.S.-bound flight, have been in
place in some foreign airports for years and DHS sought to
expand the program. This act established certain guidelines for
the program to help capture the benefits of the program without
jeopardizing security or negatively impacting screening at U.S.
ports of entry and provide for enhanced congressional
oversight.
H.R. 998 creates conditions for the Secretary of Homeland
Security to establish preclearance facilities, conduct
preclearance operations, and provide customs services outside
the United States. Specifically the bill authorizes DHS to
establish preclearance operations in a foreign country. It
further requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to notify
Congress 180 days before entering into an agreement with a
foreign government to establish a preclearance operation and
provide Congress with a copy of the proposed agreement, any
proposed terms and conditions for CBP officers operating at the
location, an impact assessment on trade and travel, a threat
assessment of the proposed location, an impact assessment for
CBP staffing at domestic ports of entry, potential economic and
competitive impacts on U.S. air carriers, any anticipated
homeland security details, security vulnerabilities, and
mitigation plans. The bill also requires the Secretary report
to Congress 90 days before entering into an agreement and
provide Congress with a remediation plan to reduce customs
processing times at the 25 domestic airports with the highest
volume of international travel. In addition, aviation security
screening standards at a preclearance location must be
comparable to those required by TSA and if they are not,
rescreening can occur when the passenger or goods are in the
United States. Finally, the bill mandates that a foreign
country with a preclearance facility routinely submit
information concerning stolen and lost travel documents to
INTERPOL and the U.S. Government.
Legislative History
H.R. 998 was introduced in the House on February 13, 2015,
by Mr. Meehan and five original cosponsors, and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the
Committee on Ways and Means. Within the Committee, H.R. 998 was
referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security
and the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
On June 25, 2015, the Chair discharged the Subcommittee on
Border and Maritime Security and the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security from further consideration of H.R. 998.
The Committee considered H.R. 998 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means sent a letter
to the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security on July 16,
2015, agreeing that, in order to expedite consideration on the
House Floor, the Committee on Ways and Means would forgo
further consideration of H.R. 998.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 998 to the
House on July 22, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-219, Pt. I.
Subsequently, the Committee on Ways and Means was discharged
from further consideration of H.R. 998.
The House considered H.R. 998 under Suspension of the Rules
on July 27, 2015, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 998 was received in the Senate on July 28, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
considered H.R. 998 on October 7, 2015, and ordered the measure
to be reported to the Senate, with an Amendment in the Nature
of a Substitute.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported H.R. 998 to the Senate on December 15, 2015,
as S. Rpt. 114-180.
H.R. 988 was included in Section 811 of H.R. 644, as
reported by the Committee of Conference. (See also action on
H.R.644 listed above).
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SECURING EXPEDITED SCREENING ACT
H.R. 2127
To direct the Administrator of the Transportation Security
Administration to limit access to expedited airport security
screening at an airport security checkpoint to participants of
the PreCheck program and other known low-risk passengers, and
for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 2127 directs the Transportation Security
Administration to suspend the use of alternate methods for
granting passengers access to PreCheck expedited screening,
unless the agency can prove the security effectiveness of such
methods. Specifically, this bill requires that expedited
screening be limited to passengers who have successfully
enrolled in the PreCheck program or who are eligible for
PreCheck by being part of an already identified low-risk
population. This bill helps ensure that expedited screening is
both deliberate and secure, and that the population of known
travelers is expanded so that resources can be directed towards
unknown travelers.
Legislative History
H.R. 2127 was introduced in the House on April 30, 2015, by
Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Katko, and Miss Rice of New
York, and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 2127 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
On June 25, 2015, the Chair discharged the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security from further consideration of H.R.
2127.
The Committee considered H.R. 2127 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 2127 to
the House on July 22, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-220.
The House considered H.R. 2127 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 27, 2015, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 2127 was received in the Senate on July 28, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
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IMPROVED SECURITY VETTING FOR AVIATION WORKERS ACT OF 2015
H.R. 2750
To reform programs of the Transportation Security
Administration, streamline transportation security regulations,
and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation addresses recent findings outlined by the
DHS-OIG highlighting TSA and airport's inability to properly
vet aviation workers who have access to sensitive areas of the
nation's airports. H.R. 2750 ensures that the TSA coordinates
with interagency watch-listing partners to determine needed
Terrorist Identity Datamart Environment (TIDE) category codes
to properly vet aviation workers and requires TSA issue new
guidance for its Inspectors to annually conduct a comprehensive
review of airport badging office procedures. Also, the bill
ensures TSA works with the Federal B to determine feasibility
of implementing the Rap-Back system for recurrent criminal
vetting and requires TSA issue new guidance mandating
expiration dates on airport credentials of workers with
temporary U.S. work authorizations. Finally, it requires TSA to
review, identify, and address airports that have systematic
issues in determining an applicant's lawful work status and
ensures TSA brief Congress on the status of the change, once
completed.
Legislative History
H.R. 2750 was introduced in the House on June 12, 2015, by
Mr. Katko, Mr. McCaul, Miss Rice of New York, and Mr. Payne,
and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the
Committee, H.R. 2750 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security.
The Subcommittee on Transportation Security considered H.R.
2750 on June 16, 2015, and reported the measure to the Full
Committee with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Committee considered H.R. 2750 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 2750 to the House on July 27,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-227.
The House considered H.R. 2750 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 27, 2015, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 2750 was received in the Senate on July 28, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
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KEEPING OUR TRAVELERS SAFE AND SECURE ACT
H.R. 2770
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require certain
maintenance of security-related technology at airports, and for
other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 2770 requires the Administrator of the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) to develop and implement a
preventive maintenance validation process for security-related
technology deployed to airports. The process must include
specific maintenance schedules, guidance for TSA personnel and
contractors on how to conduct and document maintenance actions,
mechanisms to ensure compliance, and penalties for
noncompliance.
Legislative History
H.R. 2770 was introduced in the House on June 15, 2015, by
Miss Rice of New York, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Katko,
and Mr. Payne and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 2770 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
The Subcommittee on Transportation Security considered H.R.
2770 on June 16, 2015, and reported the measure to the Full
Committee with a favorable recommendation, without amendment,
by voice vote.
The Committee considered H.R. 2770 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committed on Homeland Security reported H.R. 2770 to
the House on July 22, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-218.
The House considered H.R. 2770 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 27, 2015, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 380 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No. 469).
H.R. 2770 was received in the Senate on July 28, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
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CROSS-BORDER RAIL SECURITY ACT OF 2015
H.R. 2786
To require the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border
Protection to submit a report on cross-border rail security,
and for other purposes.
Summary
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of
Field Operations is principally responsible for facilitating
trade and travel entering the United States and ensuring
adequate security measures. CBP attempts to prevent terrorist
and terrorist instruments from entering the United States and
works to enforce trade, agriculture, and immigration
regulations across all transportation domains. This bill
fulfills the recommendations from a DHS Office of Inspector
General report U.S. Customs and Border Protection Did Not
Effectively Target and Examine Rail Shipments From Canada and
Mexico [OIG-15-39] which detailed how high-risk rail shipments
arriving into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico were not being
properly targeted and screened.
This bill requires the Commissioner of CBP to submit a
report on cross-border rail security to the House and Senate
Homeland Security Committees. The report would include: The
number of shipments entering the U.S. annually that are
determined to be high-risk; details on the status of radiation
detection units on the northern and southern land borders; and
whether additional radiation detection equipment is needed. The
report must also include a plan for ensuring all CBP personnel
receive proper training and guidance on the use of CBP's
Automated Targeting System.
H.R. 2786 also requires the Government Accountability
Office to periodically audit CBP operations at rail crossings
on the northern and southern international borders.
Legislative History
H.R. 2786 was introduced in the House on June 15, 2015, by
Mr. Vela and Mrs. Miller of Michigan and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 2786
was referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and
the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
On June 25, 2015, the Chair discharged the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security and the Subcommittee on Border and
Maritime Security from further consideration of H.R. 2786.
The Committee considered H.R. 2786 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, without amendment, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 2786 to the House on July 28,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-233.
The House considered H.R. 278 under Suspension of the Rules
on September 28, 2015, and passed the measure, with an
amendment by a recorded vote of 412 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No.
520).
H.R. 2786 was received in the Senate on September 29, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
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TSA PRECHECK EXPANSION ACT
H.R. 2843
To require certain improvements in the Transportation Security
Administration's PreCheck expedited screening program, and for
other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 2843 requires the Administrator of the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) to publish PreCheck application
enrollment standards to allow private-sector entities to
provide services to support increased enrollment in the
program. The standards must allow for the use of secure
technologies including: Online enrollment; kiosks; tablets; or
staffed laptop stations at which people can apply for entry
into the program. The bill requires the Administrator to
coordinate with interested parties to deploy TSA-approved,
ready-to-market private sector technology that meets new
enrollment standards. The bill also requires the Administrator
to develop and implement a process for approving private-sector
marketing of the PreCheck program and a strategy for partnering
with the private sector to encourage program enrollment. The
bill further requires the Administrator to leverage Department
of Homeland Security data and technology to verify the
citizenship of individuals enrolling in the program and assess
security vulnerabilities in the application vetting process
that includes an evaluation of whether subjecting program
participants to recurring fingerprint-based criminal history
record checks and checks against terrorist watchlists could
strengthen program security in a cost-effective manner.
Legislative History
H.R. 2843 was introduced in the House on June 15, 2015, by
Mr. Katko, Mr. McCaul and Mr. Rogers of Alabama and referred to
the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R.
2843 was referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security.
On June 25, 2015, the Chair discharged the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security from further consideration of H.R.
2843.
The Committee considered H.R. 2843 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 2843 to
the House on July 22, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-221.
The House considered H.R. 2843 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 27, 2015, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 2843 was received in the Senate on July 28, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation considered H.R. 2843 on December 9, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the Senate with an
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute, favorably.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation reported to the Senate on March 7, 2016, as S.
Rpt. 114-223.
Provisions of H.R. 2843 were included in the Title II
Subtitle A of H.R. 636. (See also action on H.R. 636 listed
above.)
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HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION FUNDING ACT OF 2015, PART II
H.R. 3038
To provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety,
motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of
the Highway Trust Fund, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 3038 extends the programmatic and expenditure
authority of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) through December 18,
2015. The bill also authorizes appropriations for Federal-aid
highway, highway safety, and public transportation programs.
The bill subjects funding for these programs generally to the
same manner of distribution, administration, limitation, and
availability for obligation, but at a specified pro rata of the
total amount as funds authorized for appropriation out of the
HTF for such programs and activities for the current fiscal
year. The bill also transfers approximately $6.1 billion from
Treasury's General Fund to the HTF's Highway Account and $2
billion to its Mass Transit Account. Included within this
measure were increase in fees fro Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025
for the Aviation Security Capital Fund.
Legislative History
H.R. 3038 was introduced in the House on July 13, 2015, by
Mr. Ryan of Wisconsin and Mr. Shuster, and referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and in addition
to the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on Natural
Resources, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Homeland
Security, and the Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Within the Committee, H.R. 3038 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
The Committee on Rules met on July 14, 2015, and granted a
Rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 3038, the Rule was
filed in the House as H.Res. 362 (H. Rpt. 114-204). The House
agreed to the Rule on July 15, 2015, by a recorded vote of 245
yeas and 183 nays, (Roll No. 439).
The House considered H.R. 3038 on July 15, 2015, under the
provisions of H.Res. 362, and passed the measure by a recorded
vote of 312 yeas and 119 nays, (Roll No. 441).
H.R. 3038 was received in the Senate on July 16, 2015, and
read a first time. The measure was read a second time on July
21, 2015, and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar.
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AIRPORT ACCESS CONTROL SECURITY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2015
H.R. 3102
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to reform programs
of the Transportation Security Administration, streamline
transportation security regulations, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-296) by requiring the Administrator of the
Transportation Security Administration to establish a risk-
based screening model for employees at airports to ensure: That
only individuals authorized to have access to secure areas of
airports are granted such access; that individuals are denied
access to secure areas of airports if such authorization has
been withdrawn; and a means of restricting access among
employees to particular portions of secure areas.
Legislative History
H.R. 3102 was introduced in the House on July 16, 2015, by
Mr. Katko and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 3102 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
On July 23, 2015, the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security considered H.R. 3102 and reported the measure to the
Full Committee for consideration with a favorable
recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3102 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 3012 to the House on October 6,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-283.
The House considered H.R. 3102 under Suspension of the
Rules on October 6, 2015, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 3102 was received in the Senate on October 7, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
------
PARTNERS FOR AVIATION SECURITY ACT
H.R. 3144
To require consultation with the Aviation Security Advisory
Committee regarding modifications to the prohibited item list,
require a report on the Transportation Security Oversight
Board, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 3144 requires that the Administrator of the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) consult with the
Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) regarding
modifications to the prohibited items list, prior to making a
final determination. Additionally, the bill requires TSA to
submit a report to Congress providing general information
concerning the activities and composition of the Transportation
Security Oversight Board. Finally, the bill makes a technical
correction to existing statute establishing the ASAC, to
authorize members of the Advisory Committee to remain in their
position after their term has expired, until either a successor
begins serving or they are reappointed.
Legislative History
H.R. 3144 was introduced in the House on July 21, 2015, by
Mr. Payne and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 3144 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
On July 23, 2015, the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security considered a H.R. 3144, and reported the measure to
the Full Committee for consideration with a favorable
recommendation, without amendment, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3144 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 3144 to the House on November
2, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-320.
The House considered H.R. 3144 under Suspension of the
Rules on November 16, 2015, and passed the measure, as amended,
by voice vote.
H.R. 3144 was received in the Senate on November 17, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
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TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION REFORM AND IMPROVEMENT ACT OF
2015
H.R. 3584
To reform programs of the Transportation Security
Administration, streamline transportation security regulations,
and for other purposes.
Summary
This bill provides for streamlining and reforming certain
programs within the Transportation Security Administration
(TSA). This measure provides for an authorization of TSA's
PreCheck program, and for the TSA to implement a pilot project
to establish a secure, automated, biometric-based system at
airports to verify the identity of individuals enrolled in
PreCheck. Additionally, TSA is required to develop and
implement technology solutions to verify travel and identity
documents for standard screening lane passengers at large hub
airports. Both of these initiatives are focused on reducing the
number of TSA screening personnel needed to perform these
duties, reduce wait times, reduce operating expenses, and
integrate with watchlist matching programs and other checkpoint
technologies.
Legislative History
On July 23, 2015, the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security considered a Committee Print entitled the
``Transportation Security Administration Reform and Improvement
Act of 2015'' and reported the measure to the Full Committee
for consideration with a favorable recommendation, as amended,
by voice vote.
H.R. 3584 was introduced in the House on September 22,
2015, by Mr. Katko and Mr. McCaul and referred to the Committee
on Homeland Security.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3584 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 3584 to the House on January
12, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-396.
The House considered H.R. 3584 under Suspension of the
Rules on February 23, 2016, and passed the measure by voice
vote.
H.R. 3584 was received in the Senate on February 24, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
------
TREATING SMALL AIRPORTS WITH FAIRNESS ACT OF 2016
H.R. 4549 (S. 2549)
To require the Transportation Security Administration to
conduct security screening at certain airports, and for other
purposes.
Summary
This bill returns security screening and personnel to
airports that have had been denied by the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) after temporary gaps in
commercial air service. The TSA has stated they have no
requirement under law to return this needed service, and
instead has directed the airports to allow passengers to fly
unscreened to their next destination, and undergo reverse
security screening there. This poses serious security issues,
and would increase travel time and costs for passengers.
According to local officials and the commercial airlines hoping
to return service to these small airports, this is not a
feasible option due to the security concerns of 30 passengers
flying unscreened to a major metropolitan area, the added
travel time caused by using a shuttle bus to reach the front of
the airport for screening, and other logistical challenges.
H.R. 4549 requires the TSA to provide the necessary staff
and screening equipment to any airport that lost commercial air
service on or after January 1, 2013, if the operator submits a
request for security screening to the Administrator and a
written confirmation of a commitment from a commercial air
carrier that such carrier intends to resume commercial air
service at such airport not later than one year after the date
that the operator submitted a request for security screening to
the Administrator. This bill also requires the Administrator to
ensure that security screening is implemented by the TSA at an
airport not later than the later of 90 days after the airport
operator submits a request for such screening or the date which
the commercial air carrier that is the subject of such request
intends to resume commercial air service at such airport.
Legislative History
H.R. 4549
H.R. 4549 was introduced in the House on February 11, 2016,
by Mr. Walden, Mr. Hurd of Texas, Mrs. Lummis, Mr. DeFazio, and
Mr. Kilmer and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 4549 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
The Subcommittee on Transportation Security was discharged
from further consideration on March 23, 2016. The Full
Committee considered H.R. 4549 on March 23, 2016, and ordered
the measure to be reported to the House with a favorable
recommendation, as amended, by unanimous consent.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 4549 to
the House on April 13, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-493.
The House considered H.R. 4549 on April 13, 2016, under
Suspension of the Rules and passed the measure, as amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 4549 was received in the Senate on April 14, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
S. 2549
S. 2549, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in
the Senate on February 11, 2016, by Mr. Merkley, Mr. Barrasso,
Mr. Enzi, Mr. Wyden, and Mr. Hatch and referred to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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SECURING AVIATION FROM FOREIGN ENTRY POINTS AND GUARDING AIRPORTS
THROUGH ENHANCED SECURITY ACT OF 2016
H.R. 4698
To enhance aviation by requiring airport security assessments
and a security coordination enhancement plan, and for other
purposes.
Summary
This bill directs the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security to
conduct a comprehensive security risk assessment of all last
point of departure airports with nonstop flights to the United
States. This legislation also allows TSA to donate security
screening equipment to a foreign last point of departure
airport operator and will require TSA submit to the Government
Accountability Office and Congress a plan that assesses TSA's
ability to work with foreign government entities to allow TSA
representatives conduct inspections of foreign airports without
advance notice; and enhances collaboration and information-
sharing about international inbound-aviation between the U.S.
and foreign and domestic partners to enhance security
capabilities at foreign airports.
Legislative History
H.R. 4689 was introduced in the House on March 3, 2016, by
Mr. Katko, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Keating, Mr. Donovan, and Mr. King
of New York and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 4689 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
The Chair discharged the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security from further consideration of H.R. 4689 on March 23,
2016.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 4689 on March 23, 2016,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by unanimous consent.
The Committee reported H.R. 4689 to the House on April 21,
2016, as H. Rpt. 114-513.
The House considered H.R. 4689 under Suspension of the
Rules on April 26, 2016, and passed the measure, as amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 4689 was received in the Senate on April 27, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
Provisions of H.R. 4698 were included in the Title II,
Subtitle B of H.R. 636. (See also, action on H.R. 636, listed
above.)
------
CHECKPOINT OPTIMIZATION AND EFFICIENCY ACT OF 2016
H.R. 5338
To reduce passenger wait times at airports, and for other
purposes.
Summary
This bill allows for the assessment of staffing model of
the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to determine
whether those staffing positions that are necessary, including
canine explosives detection technology and teams, for all
airports in the U.S. where TSA controls passenger checkpoints.
In addition, this legislation requires: TSA Behavior Detection
Officers be present at baggage and passenger screening areas,
including PreCheck lanes; increases efforts to ensure the
public understands the TSA PreCheck program; and requests the
Aviation Security Advisory Committee submit recommendations on
best practices for checkpoint operations optimization.
Legislative History
H.R. 5338 was introduced in the House on May 26, 2016, by
Mr. Katko and nine original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 5338
was referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
The House agreed to Suspend the Rules on June 7, 2016, and
passed H.R. 5338, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 5338 was received in the Senate on June 8, 2016, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
------
CUBAN AIRPORT SECURITY ACT OF 2016
H.R. 5728
To prohibit scheduled passenger air transportation between the
United States and Cuba until a study has been completed
regarding security measures and equipment at Cuba's airports,
to amend title 49, United States Code, to clarify the role of
the Secretary of Homeland Security regarding security standards
at foreign airports, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation requires the Administrator of the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to submit to the
relevant Congressional committees a report detailing the
following security measures at each of Cuba's ten international
airports: Information about the type of equipment used at
screening checkpoints and an analysis of such equipment's
capability and weaknesses; information about each airport's
canine program; the frequency of training for screening and
security personnel; access controls in place to ensure only
credentialed personnel have access to the secure and sterile
areas of such airports; an assessment of the ability of known
or suspected terrorists to use Cuba as a gateway to enter the
United States; airport perimeter security; a mitigation
assessment regarding Man Portable Air Defense Systems; the
vetting practices and procedures for airport employees; and any
other information determined relevant to the security
practices, procedures and equipment in place at such airports.
Legislative History
H.R. 5728 was introduced in the House on July 14, 2016, by
Mr. Katko, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Hudson, and Mr. Cuellar and referred
to the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on
Foreign Affairs. Within the Committee, H.R. 5728 was referred
to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
The Subcommittee on Transportation Security was discharged
from further consideration of H.R. 5728 on September 14, 2016.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5728 on September 14,
2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
----------
Oversight Activities of the Subcommittee
ACCESS CONTROL MEASURES AT OUR NATION'S AIRPORTS
On February 3, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``A Review of Access Control Measures at Our Nation's
Airports.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from Mr. Mark
Hatfield, Acting Deputy Administrator, Transportation Security
Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Mr. Doug
Perdue, Deputy Assistant Director, Counterterrorism Division,
Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Justice;
Ms. Sharon L. Pinkerton, Senior Vice President, Legislative and
Regulatory Policy, Airlines for America; and Mr. Miguel
Southwell, General Manager, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta
International Airport.
On March 3, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives from the TSA regarding processing delays in the
Transportation Worker Identification Credential program.
On March 16, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with the American
Association of Airport Executives to discuss airport access
controls.
The Subcommittee continued its hearing on April 30, 2015,
with a hearing entitled ``A Review of Access Control Measures
at Our Nation's Airports, Part II.'' The Subcommittee received
testimony from Mr. Melvin J. Carraway, Acting Administrator,
Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security; Jeanne M. Olivier, A.A.E., Assistant
Director, Aviation Security and Technology, Security Operations
and Programs Department, The Port Authority of New York & New
Jersey, testifying on behalf of The American Association of
Airport Executives; and Mr. Steven Grossman, Chief Executive
Officer/Executive Director, Jacksonville International Airport,
Jacksonville Aviation Authority, testifying on behalf of The
Airports Council International, North America.
On June 9, 2015, the Chairs of the Full Committee, the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security, and the Subcommittee
on Oversight and Management Efficiency, sent a letter to the
Secretary of Homeland Security regarding the Inspector
General's report TSA Can Improve Aviation Worker Vetting (OIG-
15-98) which found that 73 aviation workers with access to
secure areas of airports across the United States were found to
have ties to terrorism.
On June 10, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with the DHS
Office of the Inspector General to discuss aviation worker
vetting procedures.
On June 16, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``How TSA Can Improve Aviation Worker Vetting.'' The
Subcommittee received testimony from Hon. John Roth, Inspector
General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Ms. Stacey
Fitzmaurice, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of
Intelligence and Analysis, Transportation Security
Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and Ms.
Jennifer Grover, Director, Transportation Security and Coast
Guard Issues, Homeland Security and Justice Team, U.S.
Government Accountability Office.
On December 16, 2015, Chair of the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security sent a letter to the Administrator,
Transportation Security Administration, regarding the state of
airport access controls across the United States.
From October 2015 to May 2016, Subcommittee staff conducted
site visits to multiple airports in various regions in the
United States to investigate employee access controls and
insider threat prevention and mitigation efforts.
On June 6, 2016, the Chair of the Committee sent a letter
to the Secretary of Homeland Security, regarding recent news
reports that a Somali man accused of war crimes, was working as
a security guard at Dulles International Airport.
PASSENGER AND BAGGAGE SCREENING
On March 4, 2015, the Members of the Subcommittee received
a classified briefing from representatives from the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and
the Government Accountability Office on air passenger and
baggage screening capabilities.
TSA PRECHECK
On January 15, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with TSA's
Office of Acquisitions to discuss a new procurement process for
the Screening Partnership Program.
On February 11, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with GAO to
discuss ongoing work regarding the TSA Screening Partnership
Program.
On March 4, 2015, the Subcommittee held a classified Member
briefing on air passenger and baggage screening capabilities.
Representatives from the DHS-IG and the GAO were available to
provide an overview of capabilities and testing efforts and to
respond to Member questions.
On March 25, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Risk-Based Security: Assessing the Path Forward for TSA
PreTM.'' The Subcommittee received testimony
from Hon. John Roth, Inspector General, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security; Mr. Kenneth Fletcher, Chief Risk Officer,
Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security; and Ms. Jennifer Grover, Director, Homeland
Security and Justice, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
On March 31, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives from the Department of Justice and the
Department of Homeland Security to discuss revisions to the
traveler redress process.
On April 10, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives from GAO to discuss watchlisting policies and
information sharing within TSA and DHS.
On April 17, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives from GAO to discuss work regarding terrorist
prevention efforts at TSA.
On June 2, 2015, the Chairs of the Full Committee, the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security, and the Subcommittee
on Oversight and Management Efficiency sent a letter to the
Secretary of Homeland Security regarding the leaked testing
results from DHS Inspector General's ongoing covert testing of
airport checkpoint security.
On June 11, 2015, the Full Committee held a classified
Member briefing on covert screening checkpoint test results
conducted by the DHS-IG. Representatives from the Department of
Homeland Security, TSA, and the DHS-IG were available to
respond to Member questions.
On September 9, 2015, the Subcommittee held a classified
Member briefing on recent airport screening checkpoint test
results, as well as related actions directed by Secretary of
Homeland Security. This briefing provided Members with an
opportunity to have an open discussion with members of the
Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration.
On October 6, 2015, Subcommittee staff conducted a site
visit to the Transportation Security Administration System
Integration Facility (TSIF) located at Reagan National Airport
(DCA) in Arlington, Virginia, to review enhanced screening
measures and the technology used at security checkpoints.
On October 7, 2015, the Subcommittee held a classified
Member briefing on a recent DHS Inspector General report
concerning covert airport screening checkpoint test results.
This meeting provided Members with an opportunity to have a
discussion with the Inspector General on the report, who was
also available to answer Member questions.
On November 30, 2015, the Chairs of the Full Committee, the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security sent a letter to
Comptroller General of the United States regarding the
effectiveness of the AIT-ATR systems.
On February 2, 2016, the Subcommittee held a Member
briefing on the process for placing individuals on the no-fly
list and other terrorist watchlisting practices. This meeting
provided Members with an opportunity to have discussion with
representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) and the National
Counterterrorism Center (NCTC).
On March 23, 2016, the Subcommittee staff were briefed by
TSA in regard to an anticipated increase in checkpoint wait
times over the summer
On May 18, 2016, the Subcommittee held a Member briefing on
screening wait times at airports across the United States. This
meeting provided Members and Subcommittee staff the opportunity
to discuss the topic with representatives from various airlines
and airports across the U.S.
On May 26, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Long Lines, Short Patience: Local Perspectives.'' The
Subcommittee received testimony from Ms. Christina R. Callahan,
Executive Director, Syracuse Hancock International Airport,
Syracuse, New York; Ms. Bonnie A. Allin, President and CEO,
Tucson Airport Authority, Tucson, Arizona; Ms. Lydia Beairsto,
Managing Deputy Commissioner for Security, Department of
Aviation, City of Chicago, Illinois; Ms. Kerry Philipovitch,
Senior Vice President, Customer Experience, American Airlines;
and Mr. J. David Cox, Sr., National President, American
Federation of Government Employees.
On June 3, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a classified
briefing from DHS regarding recent changes made to airport
security screening and training.
On June 10, 2016, the Chairman of the Subcommittee, along
with Members of the Subcommittee conducted a site visit to the
Transportation Security Administration System Integration
Facility (TSIF) located at Reagan National Airport (DCA) in
Arlington, Virginia, to review enhanced screening measures and
the technology used at security checkpoints.
On November 17, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``Assessing TSA's Management and Implementation of the
Screening Partnership Program.'' The Subcommittee received
testimony from Ms. Jennifer Grover, Director, Homeland Security
and Justice, U.S. Government Accountability Office; and Ms.
Carolyn Dorgham, Director, Screening Partnership Program,
Office of Security Operations, Transportation Security
Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
On December 10, 2015, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center
(NCTC) and the Director of the Terrorist Screening Center
regarding concerns over the terrorist watchlisting process.
On December 14, 2015, the Chairs of the Full Committee, the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security, and the Subcommittee
on Oversight and Management Efficiency sent a letter to the
Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), regarding how DHS and the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) coordinate with
foreign partners, evaluate and implement security screening
operations, and share intelligence information.
On February 1, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security, regarding
passengers on an international flight from Mexico allowed to
leave John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport without going
through screening by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
On July 7, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with TSA for an
update on TSA's Screening Partnership Program (SPP) Cost
Estimates.
TSA PRECHECK
On March 19, 2015, the Subcommittee sent a letter to the
Secretary of Homeland Security regarding the Request for
Proposal (RFP) for the TSA's Precheck Application Expansion
Solicitation HSTS02-15-OIA037, issued on December 22, 2014.
On May 20, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives from TSA regarding the agency's PreCheck
program. On June 17, 2016, multiple Subcommittee's staff were
briefed by TSA on cybersecurity issues relating to the PreCheck
program.
CARGO SECURITY
On March 18, 2016, the Chairs of the Full Committee, the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security sent a letter to the
Comptroller General of the United States regarding the risk
posed by the roughly 10 billion pounds of cargo transported on
both all-cargo and passenger inbound flights to the United
States annually.
On April 27, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to the Administrator of the Transportation Security
Administration, regarding malfunctioning AT X-Ray machines
utilized by TSA to screen baggage throughout airports in the
United States.
On June 15, 2016, Subcommittee staff received a brief from
TSA regarding current policies and procedures pertaining to
cargo transportation.
On July 7, 2016, the Members of the Subcommittee received a
briefing on the challenges to cargo security as well as to gain
industry perspectives on TSA's role in the cargo environment.
AVIATION AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY
On January 28, 2015, the Chairs of the Full Committee, the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security, and the Subcommittee
on Counterterrorism and Intelligence sent a letter to the
Secretary of Homeland Security expressing concern for
modifications that were being made to existing security
mandates at certain foreign airports.
On February 4, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with TSA's
Office of Global Strategies and Office of Security Policy and
Industry Engagement to discuss existing security directives and
emergency amendments implemented by TSA.
On June 2, 2015, the Members of the Subcommittee received a
classified briefing from representatives from the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security
Administration on aviation and surface transportation security.
On July 28, 2015, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security, along with Members of the Subcommittee
conducted a visit to the Transportation Security Administration
Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, to participate in the
Administrator's Daily Intelligence Brief (ADIB).
On September 17, 2015, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to TSA Administrator regarding the efforts and
capabilities employed by the TSA to secure the surface
transportation sector in the United States.
On November 10, 2015, Subcommittee staff conducted a site
visit to the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) Training
Headquarters in Atlantic City, New Jersey, to review training
programs and facilities.
On November 30, 2015, the Chairs of the Full Committee and
the Subcommittee sent a letter to the Comptroller General of
the United States regarding the security of the U.S. freight
rail system.
On December 8, 2015, the Chair and Ranking Member of the
Subcommittee sent a letter to the Chair and Ranking Members of
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure regarding
the statuary ban on general aviation aircraft flying over large
stadiums.
On December 15, 2015, the Chairs of the Full and
Subcommittee sent a letter to the Comptroller General of the
United States regarding TSA's Surface Transportation Security
Inspectors.
On January 4, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with Anne Marie
Pellerin, Principal at Pellerin & Associates and former TSA
Attach at the U.S. Embassy in Paris, on EU Aviation Security
Regulatory Organizations.
On January 28 and 29, 2016, Subcommittee staff went to TSA
and received briefings from every component within the agency
on their duties and responsibilities.
On May 11, 2016, the Subcommittee met with the American
Trucking Association to discuss their legislative priorities.
On July, 15, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with TSA
regarding policies for Law Enforcement Officers flying armed.
On July 19, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with Homeland
Security Investigations (HSI) representatives for a brief on
operational aviation related task forces.
On September 9, 2016, Subcommittee staff were briefed by
TSA/FAMS on the FAMS staffing allocation model.
On September 27, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with the
Airline Pilots Association regarding the current status of the
Federal Flight Deck Officer Program (FFDO) and potential
expansion.
On October 27, 2016, Subcommittee staff conducted a site
visit to the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) Training
Headquarters in Atlantic City, New Jersey, to review training
programs and facilities.
LAST POINT OF DEPARTURE AIRPORTS
On December 1, 2015, the Members of the Subcommittee
received a briefing on Last Point of Departure Airports and
Securing international aviation.
On December 8, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``Examining TSA's Global Efforts to Protect the
Homeland from Aviation Threats and Enhance Security at Last
Point of Departure Airports.'' The Subcommittee received
testimony from Mr. Joseph P. Terrell, Deputy Assistant
Administrator, Office of Global Strategies, Transportation
Security Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
On March 18, 2016, the Chair of the Full and Subcommittee
sent a letter to the Comptroller General of the United States
regarding the request for an updated review of TSA's foreign
airport assessment and air carrier inspection programs to
determine what progress has been made to work with industry
partners to address vulnerabilities and ensure the security of
last point of departure flights to the U.S.
On June 6, 2016, the Chair of the Full Committee sent a
letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security, regarding concern
over security vulnerabilities associated with Last Points of
Departure airports to the United States.
On June 23, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives from TSA, State Department, Department of
Transportation, and Department of Homeland Security to discuss
the process by which foreign airports are certified as last
points of departure to the U.S.
FY 2017 TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION BUDGET REQUEST
On February 12, 2016, Subcommittee staff were briefed by
TSA on their FY 2017 budget request.
On February 25, 2016, the Subcommittee held a Member
briefing on the Fiscal Year 207 Budget request by the
Transportation Security Administration. This meeting provided
both Members and Subcommittee staff an opportunity to have
discussion from stakeholders.
On March 2, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``The Transportation Security Administration's FY2017 Budget
Request.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from Hon. Peter
V. Neffenger, Administrator, Transportation Security
Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
PIPELINE SECURITY
On November 30, 2015, the Chair of the Full and
Subcommittee sent a letter to the Comptroller General of the
United States regarding the vulnerability of the US' network of
energy pipelines to terrorists and vandals.
On April 13, 2016, the Members of the Subcommittee received
a briefing from industry stakeholders on pipeline security.
On April 19, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Pipelines: Securing the Veins of the American Economy.'' The
Subcommittee received testimony from Ms. Sonya Proctor, Surface
Division Director, Office of Security Policy and Industry
Engagement, Transportation Security Administration, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security; Mr. Andrew Black, President
and CEO, Association of Oil Pipe Lines, testifying on behalf of
the American Petroleum Institute; Ms. Kathleen S. Judge,
Director of Risk and Compliance for Global Security, National
Grid, testifying on behalf of the American Gas Association; and
Dr. Paul W. Parfomak, Specialist in Energy and Infrastructure
Policy, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
AIR SERVICE TO CUBA
On April 12, 2016, the Chairs of the Full Committee and the
Subcommittees on Transportation Security and Oversight and
Management Efficiency sent a letter to the Secretary of
Homeland Security, regarding the Administration's plan to begin
regularly scheduled commercial air service between the United
States and Cuba.
On May 4, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a letter
to the Administrator of the Transportation Security
Administration, regarding proposed witnesses for a subcommittee
hearing on the security of airports in Cuba.
On May 6, 2016, the Chair of the Full Committee sent a
letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security, regarding DHS'
proposed witness for the subcommittee hearing on the security
of airports in Cuba.
On May 18, 2016, the Chairs of the Full Committee and
Subcommittee sent a letter to the Secretary of Homeland
Security, regarding the request for further information from
the Cuba hearing witnesses, who testified on May 17, 2016.
On March 7, 2016, Subcommittee staff were briefed by TSA on
their operations in Cuba.
On May 17, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Flying Blind: What are the security risks of resuming U.S.
Commercial Air Service to Cuba?'' The Subcommittee received
testimony from Mr. Larry Mizell, TSA Representative,
Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security; Mr. Paul Fujimura, Assistant Administrator,
Office of Global Strategies, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security; Mr. John Wagner, Deputy Executive Assistant
Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security; Mr. Seth Stodder, Assistant Secretary of
Homeland Security, Border, Immigration and Trade Policy, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security; and Mr. Kurt Tong, Principal
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Economic and Business
Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
MISCONDUCT AT THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
On September 14, 2015, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to Administrator of the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) regarding misconduct by three Federal Air
Marshals in Chicago, IL as well as eight Sig Sauer P229
firearms that experienced failure-to-fire malfunctions while on
the firing range.
On March 10, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives from the TSA Office of Law Enforcement/Federal
Air Marshal Service to discuss misconduct issues within the
Federal Air Marshal Service.
On June 30, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with TSA's Office
of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service to discuss
ongoing misconduct investigations and mission challenges within
the Federal Air Marshal Service.
On July 9, 2015, the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a
letter to TSA Administrator regarding allegations that the TSA
paid passengers $3 million during the past five years due to
claims that TSA screeners stole, lost, or damaged their luggage
or personal property.
On July 7, 2016, the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Management Efficiency and the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security held a joint hearing entitled ``How Pervasive is
Misconduct at TSA: Examining Findings from a Joint Subcommittee
Investigation.'' The Subcommittees received testimony from Dr.
Huban Gowadia, Deputy Administrator, Transportation Security
Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and Mr.
Andrew Oosterbaan, Assistant Inspector General for
Investigations, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security.
TSA CHECKPOINTS
On September 9, 2015, the Members of the Subcommittee
received a classified briefing from the Administrator of the
Transportation Security Administration on recent airport
screening checkpoint test results, as well as related actions
directed by the Secretary of Homeland Security. The
Subcommittee continued their investigation with a second
classified Member briefing on October 7, 2015.
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY
On September 17, 2015, the Subcommittee on Transportation
Security and the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and
Intelligence held a joint hearing entitled ``Safeguarding our
Nation's Surface Transportation Systems Against Evolving
Terrorist Threats.'' The Subcommittees received testimony from
Mr. Eddie Mayenschein, Assistant Administrator, Office of
Security Policy and Industry Engagement, Transportation
Security Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
Ms. Jennifer Grover, Director, Transportation Security and
Coast Guard Issues, Homeland Security and Justice Team, U.S.
Government Accountability Office; Mr. Raymond Diaz, Director of
Security, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York); and
Ms. Polly Hanson, Chief of Police, National Railroad Passenger
Corporation (Amtrak).
REFORM AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE TSA
On October 8, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``Reform and Improvement: Assessing the Path Forward
for the Transportation Security Administration.'' The
Subcommittee received testimony from The Honorable John Roth,
Inspector General, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department
of Homeland Security; and The Honorable Peter Neffenger,
Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security.
SECURITY MEASURES AT THE NATION'S AIRPORTS
On October 26, 2015, the Subcommittee held a field hearing
in Syracuse, New York, entitled ``Examining Critical Security
Measures, Communications, and Response at our Nation's
Airports.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from Mr. Jeremy
Martelle, President, New York Aviation Management Association;
and Ms. Marisa Maola, Regional Director, Region One,
Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security.
SCREENING PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
On December 2, 2015, the Members of the Subcommittee
received a briefing on TSA's technology acquisition and
technology vision.
ACQUISITION REFORM
On January 7, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``Transportation Security Acquisition Reform Act:
Examining Remaining Challenges.'' The Subcommittee received
testimony from Mr. Steven Wallen, Director, Explosives
Division, Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency,
Science and Technology Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security; Ms. Jill Vaughan, Assistant Administrator, Office of
Security Technologies, Transportation Security Administration,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Ms. Michele Mackin,
Director, Office Acquisition and Sourcing Management, U.S.
Government Accountability Office; and Mr. TJ Schulz, Executive
Director, Security Manufacturers Coalition.
NO FLY LISTS AND THE TERRORIST SCREENING CENTER
On February 2, 2016, the Subcommittee Members received a
classified briefing from the FBI's Terrorist Screening Center
(TSC) and the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) on the
process for placing individuals on the no-fly list and other
terrorist watchlisting practices.
CARGO SECURITY
On July 7, 2016, the Members of the Subcommittee received a
briefing from industry stakeholders on challenges to cargo
security and gain perspectives on TSA's role in the cargo
environment.
WORLDWIDE THREATS
On September 14, 2016, the Members of the Subcommittee
received a briefing from the Transportation Security
Administration, Office of Intelligence and Analysis on on
worldwide threats to aviation security.
The Members of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security
and the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security received a
classified briefing on efforts to mitigate threats to the
aviation system on September 21, 2016. Representatives from the
Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) team were
present to provide Members a background on their efforts at the
Newark International Airport.
INSIDER THREATS AT U.S. AIRPORTS
On November 18, 2016, the Members of the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security and the Subcommittee on Border and
Maritime Security received a briefing the efforts by the U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security
Investigations (HSI) to mitigate insider threats at major U.S.
airports. Members were briefed by a representative from the HSI
Newark, New Jersey, Office of Special Agent-in-Charge on
current investigations and operations focusing on the criminal
activity of employees with access to Federal Inspection Site
areas throughout the Newark Liberty International Airport.
----------
Subcommittee Hearings Held
``A Review of Access Control Measures at Our Nation's
Airports.'' February 3, 2015. (Serial No. 114-1)
``Risk-Based Security: Assessing the Path Forward for TSA
PreTM'' March 25, 2015. (Serial No.
114-12)
``A Review of Access Control Measures at Our Nation's Airports:
Part II.'' April 30, 2015. (Serial No. 114-1)
``How TSA Can Improve Aviation Worker Vetting.'' June 16, 2015.
(Serial No. 114-21)
``Examining the Federal Air Marshal Service and Its Readiness
to Meet the Evolving Threat.'' July 16, 2015. (Serial
No. 114-28)
Joint hearing with the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and
Intelligence. ``Safeguarding our Nation's Surface
Transportation Systems Against Evolving Terrorist
Threats.'' September 17, 2015. (Serial No. 114-32)
``Reform and Improvement: Assessing the Path Forward for the
Transportation Security Administration.'' October 8,
2015. (Serial No. 114-36)
Field hearing in Syracuse, New York, ``Examining Critical
Security Measures, Communications, and Response at Our
Nation's Airports. October 6, 2015. (Serial No. 114-39)
``Assessing TSA's Management and Implementation of the
Screening Partnership Program.'' November 17, 2015.
(Serial No. 114-44)
``Examining TSA's Global Efforts to Protect the Homeland from
Aviation Threats and Enhance Security at Last Point of
Departure Airports.'' December 8, 2015. (Serial No.
114-47)
``Transportation Security Acquisition Reform Act: Examining
Remaining Challenges.'' January 7, 2015. (Serial No.
114-48)
``The Transportation Security Administration's FY2017 Budget
Request.'' March 2, 2016. (Serial No. 114-58)
``Pipelines: Securing the Veins of the American Economy.''
April 19, 2016. (Serial No. 114-64)
``Flying Blind: What are the security risks of resuming U.S.
Commercial Air Service to Cuba?'' May 17, 2016. (Serial
No. 114-70)
``Long Lines, Short Patience: Local Perspectives.'' May 26,
2016. (Serial No. 114-74)
Joint with the Subcommittee on Oversight and Management
Efficiency. ``How Pervasive is Misconduct at TSA:
Examining Findings from a Joint Subcommittee
Investigation.'' July 7, 2016. (Serial No. 114-78)
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security
Martha McSally, Arizona, Chairman
Lamar Smith, Texas
Mike Rogers, Alabama
Candice S. Miller, Michigan
Jeff Duncan, South Carolina
Lou Barletta, Pennsylvania
Will Hurd, Texas
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Filemon Vela, Texas
Loretta Sanchez, California
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas
Brian Higgins, New York
Norma J. Torres, California
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
----------
During the 114th Congress, the Subcommittee on Border and
Maritime Security held 12 hearings, receiving testimony from 54
witnesses, resulting in 7 Public Laws.
----------
Legislative Activities of the Subcommittee
HUMAN TRAFFICKING DETECTION ACT OF 2015
Public Law 114-22 H.R. 460 (S. 178 / S. 623)
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to train
Department of Homeland Security personnel how to effectively
deter, detect, disrupt, and prevent human trafficking during
the course of their primary roles and responsibilities, and for
other purposes.
Summary
An estimated 17,500 individuals are trafficked into the
United States each year. Victims include both U.S. citizens and
noncitizens and trafficking occurs in every State in the
nation. H.R. 460 requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to
implement a human trafficking awareness program to train and
periodically retrain relevant Departmental personnel. The
training must be given to personnel within the Transportation
Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection,
and other Departmental offices. Additionally, the legislation
requires the Secretary to annually reassess the training
program to ensure it is consistent with current techniques,
patterns, and trends associated with human trafficking and
authorizes the Secretary to provide training curricula to any
State, local, or Tribal Government or private organization
seeking to establish a human trafficking awareness training
program.
Legislative History
H.R. 460
H.R. 460 was introduced in the House on January 21, 2015,
by Mr. Walker and nine original cosponsors, and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the
Committee on the Judiciary. Within the Committee, H.R. 460 was
referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security,
and the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
On January 22, 2015, the Chair of the Committee on the
Judiciary sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to expedite
consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on the
Judiciary would waive further consideration of H.R. 406; on
that same date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security
responded acknowledging the jurisdictional interests of the
Committee on the Judiciary, and the agreement to not waive
further consideration.
The House considered H.R. 460 under Suspension the Rules on
January 27, 2015, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 460 was received in the Senate on January 28, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered H.R. 460 on March 4, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate, favorably. The Senate
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
reported H.R.460 to the Senate on May 15, 2015, as S. Rpt. 114-
46.
The text of H.R. 460, as passed by the House was added to
Title IX of S. 178, as passed by the Senate.
S. 178
S. 178, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015,
was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2015, by Mr. Cornyn
and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
The Senate Committee on the Judiciary considered S. 178 on
February 26, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the Senate, favorably, with an Amendment in the Nature of a
Substitute.
On March 2, 2015, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary
reported S. 178 to the Senate with no written report.
The Senate considered S. 178 on March 10, 11, 12, 16, 17,
18, 19; April 14, 16, 20, 21, and 22, 2015. On April 22, 2015,
the Senate passed S. 178 by a recorded vote of 99 yeas and 0
nays, (Roll No. 163).
S. 178 was received in the House on April 23, 2015, and
held at the Desk.
The House considered S. 178 under Suspension of the Rules
on May 18, 2015, and on May 19, 2015, passed the measure, by a
\2/3\ recorded vote of 420 yeas and 3 nays, (Roll No. 244).
Subsequently, pursuant to H. Con. Res. 47, the enrollment
of S. 178 was corrected.
S. 178 was presented to the President on May 21, 2015. The
President signed S. 178 into law on May 29, 2015, as Public Law
114-22.
S. 623
S. 623, the Human Trafficking Detection Act of 2015, the
Senate companion measure of H.R. 460, was introduced in the
Senate on March 3, 2015, by Mr. Johnson, and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
NORTHERN BORDER SECURITY REVIEW ACT
Public Law 114-267 S. 1808 (H.R. 455)
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a
northern border threat analysis, and for other purposes.
Summary
The Department of Homeland Security had never conducted a
threat analysis for the Northern border. Such an analysis would
help inform future homeland security resourcing needs. Due to
the vast expanse along the 4,000 miles of the Northern border,
it would be cost prohibitive to allocate enforcement resources
using a brute force model of additional agents, technology, and
infrastructure in an ad hoc fashion. A more cost-effective
approach to resource allocation on the Northern border would be
to first analyze the security gaps and most pressing needs to
inform the location and type of solutions required to secure
the Northern border.
H.R. 455 would require the Secretary of Homeland Security
to submit to the appropriate Congressional committees, within
six months from the date of enactment, a northern border threat
analysis. The threat analysis must include an analysis of
current and potential terrorist threats posed by individuals
seeking to enter the United States through the northern border;
an analysis of improvements needed at ports of entry along the
northern border to prevent terrorists and instruments of terror
from crossing the border; an analysis of gaps in law, policy,
international agreements, or tribal agreements that hinder
border security efforts along the northern border; an analysis
of unlawful cross border activity between ports of entry,
including the maritime border of the Great Lakes; an analysis
of the terrain, population density, and climate; and an
analysis of adding new preclearance and pre-inspection
locations.
Legislative History
H.R. 455
H.R. 455 was introduced in the House on January 21, 2015,
by Mr. Katko, Mr. King of New York, Mrs. Miller of Michigan and
Mr. Higgins, and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 455 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
On June 25, 2015, the Chair discharged the Subcommittee on
Border and Maritime Security from further consideration of H.R.
455.
The Committee considered H.R. 455 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 455 to the
House on July 28, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-232. Placed on the Union
Calendar, Calendar No. 175.
On October 28, 2015, the House agreed to Suspend the Rules
and passed H.R. 455, amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 455 was received in the Senate on October 29, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
S. 1808
S. 1808, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in
the Senate on July 21, 2015, by Ms. Heitkamp, Ms. Ayotte, Mr.
Peters, and Mr. Johnson and referred to the Senate Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered S. 1808 on July 29, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate, with an Amendment in the
Nature of a Substitute, favorably.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported S. 1808 to the Senate on October 19, 2015, as
S. Rpt. 114-155. S. 1808 was placed on the Senate Legislative
Calendar, Calendar No. 269.
The Senate passed S. 1808 on November 16, 2016, by
unanimous consent.
S. 1808 was received in the House on November 17, 2016, and
held at the Desk.
The House agreed to take from the Speakers table and passed
S. 1808 on November 29, 2016, clearing the measure for the
President.
S. 1808 was presented to the President on December 2, 2016.
The President signed S. 1808 into Law on December 14, 2016, as
Pub. L. 114-267.
------
ESSENTIAL TRANSPORTATION WORKER IDENTIFICATION CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT
ACT
Public Law 114-278 H.R. 710
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to prepare a
comprehensive security assessment of the transportation
security card program, and for other purposes.
Summary
This measure responds to a key recommendation made by the
Government Accountability Office (GAO), to conduct a security
assessment of the effectiveness of the Transportation Worker
Identification Credential (TWIC).
The TWIC program is run jointly within the Department of
Homeland Security by the U.S. Coast Guard and the
Transportation Security Administration. The program uses
biometric credentials to limit access to secure areas of
maritime facilities and vessels to only those vetted
individuals who have a legitimate need access the ports or
vessels.
The TWIC program remains incomplete, as biometric readers
have not yet been fully deployed, as a result there remains
uncertainty for our Nation's transportation and maritime
industry. While regulations were in place beginning in 2007 for
maritime workers to purchase the biometric credentials,
regulations requiring the issuance of card readers remained
incomplete.
A scathing report by the Government Accountability Office
Transportation Worker Identification Credential:Card Reader
Pilot Results Are Unreliable; Security Benefits Need to Be
Reassessed [GAO-13-198] called into question the underlying
security value of the TWIC program and raised very serious
questions about the future of this program. This legislation
was responsive to the GAO's most recent recommendation on the
program--conducting an independent security assessment of the
TWIC program.
Legislative History
113th Congress
In the 113th Congress, H.R. 3202 was introduced in the
House on September 27, 2013, by Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Thompson
of Mississippi, and Mrs. Miller of Michigan, and referred to
the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R.
3202 was referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime
Security, and the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
On May 20, 2014, the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime
Security considered H.R. 3202 and forwarded the measure to the
Full Committee for consideration, as amended, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 3202 on June 11, 2014,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, as
amended, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter on July 8, 2014, to the Chair of
the Committee on Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would not seek a sequential
referral of H.R. 3202. The letter further requested the
appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be
called. On that same date, the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security responded, agreeing to the jurisdictional
interests of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
and the agreement to not seek a sequential referral of H.R.
3202.
The Committee reported H.R. 3202 to the House on July 18,
2014, as H. Rpt. 113-528.
The House considered H.R. 3202 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 28, 2014, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 400 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No. 456).
H.R. 3202 was received in the Senate on July 29, 2014, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation considered H.R. 3202 on May 20, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the Senate with an
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute, favorably.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation reported H.R. 3202 to the Senate on April 25,
2016 as S. Rpt. 114-244.
114th Congress
H.R. 710 was introduced in the House on February 4, 2015,
by Ms. Jackson Lee, Mrs. Miller of Michigan, and Mr. Thompson
of Mississippi, and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 710 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security and the
Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security on February 5, 2015, agreeing that, in order
to expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would forego action on H.R.
710. The letter further requested support for the appointment
of Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be called. On
that same date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security
responded acknowledging the jurisdictional concerns of the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the
agreement to forgo consideration.
The House considered H.R. 710 under Suspension of the Rules
on February 10, 2015, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 710 was received in the Senate on February 11, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs. On April 22, 2015, a
unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that H.R. 710
be discharged from the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs and be referred to the Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science and Transportation.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation considered H.R. 710 on May 20, 2015, and
reported the measure to the Senate, with an amendment.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation reported H.R. 710 to the Senate on April 25,
2016, as S. Rpt. 114-244.
The Senate considered considered H.R. 710 on December 9,
2016, and passed the measure, amended.
The House concured in the Senate amendments to H.R. 710 on
December 14, 2016. Clearing the measure for the President.
------
CROSS-BORDER TRADE ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2015
Public Law 114-279 H.R. 875 (S. 461)
To provide for alternative financing arrangements for the
provision of certain services and the construction and
maintenance of infrastructure at land border ports of entry,
and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation reauthorizes and expands the pilot
programs that permit United States Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) to enter into agreements with private or State
or local government entities for reimbursable services or
property donations at CBP ports of entry. The authorization of
public-private partnerships under this bill will allow private
sector and State and local government entities to fund
improvements at CBP ports of entry that will increase trade and
travel efficiencies at no cost to the taxpayer.
Legislative History
H.R. 875
H.R. 875 was introduced in the House on February 11, 2015,
by Mr. Cuellar and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means,
and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee
on Homeland Security, and the Committee on Agriculture. Within
the Committee, H.R. 875 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Border and Maritime Security.
The House considered H.R. 875 on December 6, 2016, and
agreed to Suspend the Rules and passed the measure, as amended,
by voice vote.
The Senate considered H.R. 875 on December 9, 2016, and
passed the measure without amendment. Clearing the measure for
the President.
H.R. 875 was presented to the President on December 15,
2016. The President signed H.R. 875 into law on December 16,
2016, as Public Law 114-279.
S. 461
S. 461, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in the
Senate on February 11, 2015, by Mr. Cornyn and Ms. Klobuchar)
and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered S. 461 on May 25, 2016, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate with an Amendment in the
Nature of a Substitute, favorably.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported S. 461 to the Senate on July 12, 2016 with no
written report. The Senate Committee on Homeland Security
report filed in the Senate on August 30, 2016, as S. Rpt. 114-
303.
The Senate considered S. 461 on November 29, 2016, and
withdrew the Committee Substitute by unanimous consent and
subsequently passed the measure.
------
VISA WAIVER PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2015
H.R. 158
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide
enhanced security measures for the visa waiver program, and for
other purposes.
[To clarify the grounds for ineligibility for travel to the
United States regarding terrorism risk, to expand the criteria
by which a country may be removed from the Visa Waiver Program,
to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a
report on strengthening the Electronic System for Travel
Authorization to better secure the international borders of the
United States and prevent terrorists and instruments of
terrorism from entering the United States, and for other
purposes.]
Summary
H.R. 158 sought to strengthen the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
and deny individuals who have connections to terrorist hotspots
entry into the United States. VWP country citizens with ties to
high-risk countries such as Iraq and Syria may pose an
increased security risk if allowed to enter the United States.
H.R. 158 denies VWP travel to travelers who are dual nationals
of--or have visited during the past five years--Iraq, Syria,
and other countries with significant terrorist activity.
Instead, these travelers are required to seek a visa for entry
into the United States.
The measure also demanded strong intelligence and law
enforcement information sharing from our VWP partners. When VWP
countries fail to share counterterrorism information with the
United States, it puts our security at risk. H.R. 158
authorized the Secretary of Homeland Security to terminate a
country from the program if the country does not share such
data-and doesn't allow the country back into the VWP until it
complies with the program requirements. Such authority improved
information sharing and help the U.S. better identify potential
terrorists and foreign fighters.
H.R. 158 requires all VWP countries to check travelers
against INTERPOL databases, in order to determine whether the
traveler is wanted by law enforcement agencies based on ties to
terrorism or criminal activity. Better screening against
INTERPOL databases closes a glaring gap in the global travel
system.
The bill was aimed at preventing extremists from using
fraudulent documents to evade detection Secure documents make
it harder for extremists to falsify their identities. H.R. 158
required all VWP countries to issue to their citizens fraud-
resistant ``e-passports,'' containing biometric information and
requires countries to be able to confirm that such documents
are legitimate when they are scanned.
The threat environment can change quickly, which is why
regular reviews of security in VWP countries must be conducted.
H.R. 158 required top U.S. security agencies to conduct more
frequent intelligence and threat assessments of VWP countries
to determine whether they pose a high risk to the national
security of United States. If a VWP country is designated as
``high risk,'' they can be suspended from the program.
Additionally, background checks on VWP travelers are
important, which is the bill ensured that the information they
provide is accurate. H.R. 158 requires the Department of
Homeland Security to take steps to better detect false
information, improve the validation of data supplied by
travelers, and add new data fields to enhance checks on each
traveler.
Legislative History
H.R. 158 was introduced in the House on January 6, 2015, by
Mrs. Miller of Michigan and Mr. McCaul, and referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary and in addition to the Committee on
Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 158 was referred
to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
On June 25, 2015, the Chair discharged the Subcommittee on
Border and Maritime Security from further consideration of H.R.
158.
The Committee considered H.R. 158 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 158 to the House on December 7,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-369, Pt. I.
The House considered H.R. 158 under Suspension of the Rules
on December 8, 2015, and passed the measure, as amended, by a
\2/3\ recorded vote of 407 yeas and 19 nays, (Roll No. 679).
The title of the measure was amended so as to read: ``A bill to
amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide enhanced
security measures for the visa waiver program, and for other
purposes''.
Provisions of H.R. 158 were included in H.R. 2029, Public
Law 114-113. (For further action see H.R. 2029, listed above.)
------
SECURE OUR BORDERS FIRST ACT OF 2015
H.R. 399 (H.R. 229 / S. 208)
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to gain and
maintain operational control of the international borders of
the United States, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 399 is the result of many hearings, meetings and
discussions with border security stakeholders and is based on
the Chair of the Full Committee border security blueprint
released in October 2014.
The bill included a capability deployment through a sector-
by-sector analysis of threats and needs and attaches to that
the resources necessary to gain operational control. The bill
requires fencing where fencing is needed and technology where
technology is needed to provide for a smart, safe, and cost
effective border security policy. This bill also required the
Department to conduct a similar analysis of the threats and
needs associated with the northern border.
The Secure our Borders First Act also established an
independent commission to verify that the border is secure.
Members of the commission are to be border security experts--
people who know the border best.
Legislative History
H.R. 399
H.R. 399 was introduced in the House on January 16, 2015,
by Mr. McCaul and 13 original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, and addition to the Committee
on Armed Services, the Committee on Natural Resources, and the
Committee on Agriculture.
On January 21, 2015, the Committee met and ordered H.R. 399
to be reported to the House with a favorable recommendation,
amended, by a recorded vote of 18 yeas and 12 nays, (Roll Call
Vote No. 11).
On January 22, 2015, the Chair of the Committee on the
Judiciary sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to expedite
consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on the
Judiciary would not request a sequential referral of H.R. 399;
on that same date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland
Security responded acknowledging the jurisdictional interests
of the Committee on the Judiciary, and the agreement to not
seek a sequential referral. On January 22, 2015, the Chair of
the Committee on Natural Resources sent a letter to the Chair
of the Committee on Homeland Security agreeing that, in order
to expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Natural Resources would waive further consideration of H.R.
399; on that same date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland
Security responded acknowledging the jurisdictional interests
of the Committee on Natural Resources and the agreement to
waive further consideration of H.R. 399.
On January 22, 2015, the Chair of the Committee on
Agriculture sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to expedite
consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on Agriculture
would waive further consideration of H.R. 399; on that same
date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security responded
acknowledging the jurisdictional interests of the Committee on
Agriculture and the agreement to waive further consideration of
H.R. 399. On January 23, 2015, the Chair of the Committee on
Armed Services sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to expedite
consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on Armed
Services would waive further consideration of H.R. 399; on that
same date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security
responded acknowledging the jurisdictional interests of the
Committee on Armed Services and the agreement to waive further
consideration of H.R. 399.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 399 to the
House on January 27, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-10, Pt. I.
Subsequently, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on
Natural Resources, and the Committee on Agriculture were
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 399.
H.R. 229
H.R. 229, the Biometric Exit Improvement Act of 2015, was
introduced in the House on January 8, 2015, by Mrs. Miller of
Michigan and Mr. McCaul and referred to the Committee on
Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 229 was referred
to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
The text of H.R. 229 was included in section 14 of H.R.
399, as reported by the Committee.
S. 208
S. 208, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in the
Senate on January 21, 2015, by Mr. Johnson, Mr. Cornyn, Mr.
Flake, and Mr. Cain, and referred to the Senate Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
PRECLEARANCE AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2015
H.R. 998
To establish the conditions under which the Secretary of
Homeland Security may establish preclearance facilities,
conduct preclearance operations, and provide customs services
outside the United States, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation authorized the operation and expansion of
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance
operations abroad. Preclearance operations, a program under
which passengers and their luggage undergo screening by CBP
officers prior to boarding a U.S.-bound flight, have been in
place in some foreign airports for years and the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) sought to expand the program. This act
established certain guidelines for the program to help capture
the benefits of the program without jeopardizing security or
negatively impacting screening at U.S. ports of entry and
provide for enhanced congressional oversight.
H.R. 998 creates conditions for the Secretary of Homeland
Security to establish preclearance facilities, conduct
preclearance operations, and provide customs services outside
the United States. Specifically the bill authorizes DHS to
establish preclearance operations in a foreign country. It
further requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to notify
Congress 180 days before entering into an agreement with a
foreign government to establish a preclearance operation and
provide Congress with a copy of the proposed agreement, any
proposed terms and conditions for CBP officers operating at the
location, an impact assessment on trade and travel, a threat
assessment of the proposed location, an impact assessment for
CBP staffing at domestic ports of entry, potential economic and
competitive impacts on U.S. air carriers, any anticipated
homeland security details, security vulnerabilities, and
mitigation plans. The bill also requires the Secretary report
to Congress 90 days before entering into an agreement and
provide Congress with a remediation plan to reduce customs
processing times at the 25 domestic airports with the highest
volume of international travel. In addition, aviation security
screening standards at a preclearance location must be
comparable to those required by the Transportation Security
Administration and if they are not, rescreening can occur when
the passenger or goods are in the United States. Finally, the
bill mandates that a foreign country with a preclearance
facility routinely submit information concerning stolen and
lost travel documents to INTERPOL and the U.S. Government.
Legislative History
H.R. 998 was introduced in the House on February 13, 2015,
by Mr. Meehan and five original cosponsors, and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the
Committee on Ways and Means. Within the Committee, H.R. 998 was
referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security
and the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
On June 25, 2015, the Chair discharged the Subcommittee on
Border and Maritime Security and the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security from further consideration of H.R. 998.
The Committee considered H.R. 998 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means sent a letter
to the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security on July 16,
2015, agreeing that, in order to expedite consideration on the
House Floor, the Committee on Ways and Means would forgo
further consideration of H.R. 998.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 998 to the
House on July 22, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-219, Pt. I.
Subsequently, the Committee on Ways and Means was discharged
from further consideration of H.R. 998.
The House considered H.R. 998 under Suspension of the Rules
on July 27, 2015, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 998 was received in the Senate on July 28, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
considered H.R. 998 on October 7, 2015, and ordered the measure
to be reported to the Senate, with an Amendment in the Nature
of a Substitute.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported H.R. 998 to the Senate on December 15, 2015,
as S. Rpt. 114-180.
H.R. 988 was included in Section 811 of H.R. 644, as
reported by the Committee of Conference. (See also action on
H.R.644 listed above).
------
BORDER SECURITY TECHNOLOGY ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2015
H.R. 1634 (S. 1873)
To strengthen accountability for deployment of border security
technology at the Department of Homeland Security, and for
other purposes.
Summary
Since 2005, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Acquisition Management Activities have been on the Government
Accountability Office (GAO) ``High-Risk List'' because of their
high susceptibility to waste and mismanagement. In 2012, GAO
found that less than one-third of major DHS acquisition
programs have Acquisition Program Baselines in place, important
measurements for performance and cost-control.
H.R. 1634 required the Secretary of Homeland Security to
ensure that each border security technology acquisition program
with an expected lifecycle cost of at least $300 million have
an acquisition program baseline approved by the relevant
acquisition decision authority. The Secretary is required to
document that each such program is meeting cost, schedule, and
performance thresholds as specified in its baseline and
complies with departmental acquisition policies and the Federal
Acquisition Regulation, and have a plan for meeting program
implementation objectives by managing contractor performance.
H.R. 1634 further required the DHS Under Secretary for
Management should to work with the Commissioner of the U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to implement internal
control standards and best practices for such programs as
identified by the Comptroller General. The DHS Under Secretary
for Management and the Commissioner of the CBP are required to
develop and submit to Congress a plan for the testing and
evaluation of border security technologies, as well as for the
use of independent verification and validation resources.
Legislative History
H.R. 1634
H.R. 1634 was introduced in the House on March 25, 2015, by
Ms. McSally and six original cosponsors, and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 1634
was referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime
Security.
On June 25, 2015, the Chair discharged the Subcommittee on
Border and Maritime Security from further consideration of H.R.
1634.
The Committee considered H.R. 1634 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 1634 to
the House on July 27, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-226.
The House considered H.R. 1634 on July 27, 2015, under
Suspension of the Rules, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 1634 was received in the Senate on July 28, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
S. 1873
S. 1873, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in
the Senate on July 28, 2015, by Mr. McCain and referred to the
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered S. 1873 on October 7, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate with an Amendment in the
Nature of a Substitute.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported S. 1873 to the Senate on April 4, 2016, as S.
Rpt. 114-234.
------
PREVENT TRAFFICKING IN CULTURAL PROPERTY ACT
H.R. 2285
To improve enforcement against trafficking in cultural property
and prevent stolen or illicit cultural property from financing
terrorist and criminal networks, and for other purposes.
Summary
Terrorists and terrorist organizations have used proceeds
from the smuggling of antiquities and cultural property to fund
their activities and bolster their financial networks.
H.R. 2285 strengthened the enforcement efforts of U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE) to interdict, detain, seize, and
investigate cultural property illegally imported into the
United States. Additionally, it required CBP and ICE to disrupt
and dismantle smuggling and trafficking networks engaged in the
illegal trade of cultural property.
Legislative History
H.R. 2285 was introduced in the House on May 13, 2015, by
Mr. Keating, Mr. McCaul, and Mr. Engel, and referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means and in addition to the Committee on
Homeland Security and the Committee on the Judiciary. Within
the Committee, H.R. 2285 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Border and Maritime Security.
On November 4, 2015, the Subcommittee on Border and
Maritime Security was discharged from further consideration of
H.R. 2285.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 2285 on November 4,
2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, as
amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 2285 to
the House on December 15, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-380, Pt. I.
The Committee on Ways and Means reported H.R. 2285 to the
House on September 19, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-380, Pt. II.
Subsequently, the Committee on the Judiciary was discharged
from further consideration of H.R. 2285.
The House considered H.R. 2285 under Suspension of the
Rules and passed the measure on September 22, 2016, by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 415 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No. 547).
H.R. 2285 was received in the Senate on September 26, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
------
CROSS-BORDER RAIL SECURITY ACT OF 2015
H.R. 2786
To require the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border
Protection to submit a report on cross-border rail security,
and for other purposes.
Summary
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of
Field Operations is principally responsible for facilitating
trade and travel entering the United States and ensuring
adequate security measures. CBP attempts to prevent terrorist
and terrorist instruments from entering the United States and
works to enforce trade, agriculture, and immigration
regulations across all transportation domains. This bill
fulfills the recommendations from a DHS Office of Inspector
General report detailing how high-risk rail shipments arriving
into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico were not being properly
targeted and screened U.S. Customs and Border Protection Did
Not Effectively Target and Examine Rail Shipments From Canada
and Mexico [OIG-15-39].
This bill requires the Commissioner of CBP to submit a
report on cross-border rail security to the House and Senate
Homeland Security Committees. The report would include: The
number of shipments entering the U.S. annually that are
determined to be high-risk; details on the status of radiation
detection units on the northern and southern land borders; and
whether additional radiation detection equipment is needed. The
report must also include a plan for ensuring all CBP personnel
receive proper training and guidance on the use of CBP's
Automated Targeting System.
H.R. 2786 also requires the Government Accountability
Office to periodically audit CBP operations at rail crossings
on the northern and southern international borders.
Legislative History
H.R. 2786 was introduced in the House on June 15, 2015, by
Mr. Vela and Mrs. Miller of Michigan and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 2786
was referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and
the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
On June 25, 2015, the Chair discharged the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security and the Subcommittee on Border and
Maritime Security from further consideration of H.R. 2786.
The Committee considered H.R. 2786 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, without amendment, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 2786 to the House on July 28,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-233.
The House considered H.R. 278 under Suspension of the Rules
on September 28, 2015, and passed the measure, with an
amendment by a recorded vote of 412 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No.
520).
H.R. 2786 was received in the Senate on September 29, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
COUNTERTERRORISM SCREENING AND ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2016
H.R. 4314
To require a plan to combat international travel by terrorists
and foreign fighters, accelerate the transfer of certain border
security systems to foreign partner governments, establish
minimum international border security standards, authorize the
suspension of foreign assistance to countries not making
significant efforts to comply with such minimum standards, and
for other purposes.
Summary
Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, the U.S. has spent
billions of dollars to help our allies close security gaps that
may allow terrorists and foreign fighters to travel
internationally and avoid detection. However, the lack of a
risk-based approach has increased the chances that gaps may
still exist. Improving foreign-partner engagement to combat
travel by terrorists and foreign fighters would help improve
security beyond national borders to mitigate threats before
they reach the U.S. and reduce overlap, waste and unnecessary
duplication.
H.R. 4314 requires the President to submit a plan to
Congress to coordinate with foreign partners, catalogue
existing border security capacity, and identify areas for
improvement. The bill accelerated the transfer of certain
nonlethal equipment and two border security systems--U.S.
Customs and Border Protection's Automated Targeting System-
Global and the Department of State's Personal Identification
Secure Comparison and Evaluation System--to foreign partner
governments. Finally, the bill established minimum
international border security standards, and authorized the
suspension of non-humanitarian and nontrade-related foreign aid
to countries which do not make significant efforts to comply
with the minimum standards.
Legislative History
H.R. 4314 was introduced in the House on January 5, 2016,
by Mr. Zeldin, Mr. Katko, Ms. McSally, Mr. Loudermilk, Mr. Hurd
of Texas, and Mr. Ratcliffe, and referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee Homeland
Security and the Committee on the Judiciary. Within the
Committee, H.R. 4314 was referred to the Subcommittee on Border
and Maritime Security.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs considered H.R. 4314 on
January 7, 2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the
House, amended, by unanimous consent.
The House agreed to Suspend the Rules on March 21, 2016,
and passed H.R. 4314 as amended, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of
371 yeas and 2 nays, (Roll No. 130).
H.R. 4314 was received in the Senate on April 4, 2016, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations.
------
DHS HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION ACT OF 2016
H.R. 4383
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to enhance
Department of Homeland Security coordination on how to identify
and record information regarding individuals suspected or
convicted of human trafficking, and for other purposes.
Summary
On January 4, 2016 the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) Office of the Inspector General released a report titled
ICE and USCIS Could Improve Data Quality and Exchange to Help
Identify Potential Human Trafficking Cases [OIG-16-17]. The
report found that known human traffickers utilized work and
fiance visas to bring victims into the United States legally,
and discovered that data quality and exchange issues hindered
efforts to combat human trafficking.
Specifically, the OIG matched the Immigration and Custom
Enforcement (ICE) database of information on known human
traffickers against all available data on visa petitions
submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
While cooperation exists between USCIS and ICE in some human
trafficking cases, more consistent data sharing and
coordination could improve their ability to identify instances
of human trafficking. Without concerted DHS efforts to collect
and share information, substantial risk exists that human
traffickers can continue to abuse other individuals.
This legislation implements recommendations by the
Inspector General for DHS components to establish procedures
for identifying and recording information on individuals
suspected or convicted of human trafficking, and procedures to
routinely share such information on suspected or convicted of
human trafficking with other components within the Department
of Homeland Security.
Legislative History
H.R. 4383 was introduced in the House on January 13, 2016,
by Ms. Loretta Sanchez of California and Ms. McSally, and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and in addition
to the Committee on the Judiciary. Within the Committee, H.R.
4383 was referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime
Security.
On February 2, 2016, the Subcommittee on Border and
Maritime was discharged from further consideration of H.R.
4383.
The Committee considered H.R. 4383 on February 2, 2016, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 4383 to the House on December
8, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-855, Pt. I. Subsequently, the Committee
on the Judiciary was discharged from further consideration of
H.R. 4383.
------
SOUTHWEST BORDER SECURITY THREAT ASSESSMENT ACT OF 2016
H.R. 4482
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to prepare a
southwest border threat analysis, and for other purposes.
Summary
In May 2012, the U.S. Border Patrol released an updated
five-year strategic plan, marking the first time the strategy
had been updated since 2004 2014-2016 Border Patrol Strategic
Plan The Mission: Protect America. According to the Border
Patrol leadership, the updated Plan marked a shift in focus
from being ``resource-based'' to ``risk-based.'' However,
because of the evolving challenges and threats from drug
cartels, large populations of migrants and child migrants
looking to cross the border, and international terrorist
organizations taking advantage of border security
vulnerabilities, the Committee felt the updated strategy lacked
critical elements for the Border Patrol to gauge its successes.
H.R. 4482 directed the Secretary of the Department of
Homeland Security to submit a threat analysis of the southwest
border to Congress 180 days after enactment. The analysis shall
include: An assessment of current and potential terrorism and
criminal threats posed by individuals and organizations seeking
to exploit border security vulnerabilities; an assessment of
improvements needed between ports of entry to prevent
terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the United
States; an assessment of gaps in law, policy, and cooperation
between State, local, or Tribal law enforcement, international
agreements, or tribal agreements that hinder effective and
efficient border security; an assessment of the current
percentage of situational awareness achieved by the Department
of Homeland Security of the international land and maritime
borders of the United States; and an assessment of the current
percentage of operational control achieved by the Department.
In addition, H.R. 4482 directed the Chief of the Border
Patrol to issue a Border Patrol Strategic Plan, updated every
five years. The plan must include a threat assessment of the
southwest border, efforts to increase situational awareness,
and efforts to detect, prevent, and interdict terrorists,
aliens, and illicit drugs.
Legislative History
H.R. 4482 was introduced in the House on February 4, 2016,
by Ms. McSally and 10 original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 4482
was referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime
Security.
The Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security was
discharged from further consideration on March 23, 2016. The
Full Committee considered H.R. 4482 on March 23, 2016, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 4482 to
the House on April 13, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-492.
The House considered H.R. 4482 on April 13, 2016, under
Suspension of the Rules and passed the measure, as amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 4482 was received in the Senate on April 14, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
STRONG VISA INTEGRITY SECURES AMERICA ACT
H.R. 5253
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and the Immigration
and Nationality Act to improve visa security, visa applicant
vetting, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 5253 takes the necessary steps to address potential
security gaps to strengthen counterterror vetting and screening
of individuals applying for entry into the United States. This
bill increases the number of Immigration and Custom Enforcement
(ICE) Visa Security Units (VSU) from 26 to no fewer than 50.
This allows specially trained investigators to conduct in-depth
reviews of high-risk visa applicants.
While there are more than 220 visa issuing posts around the
world, each VSU costs an estimated $2.7 million, making it
nearly impossible to place one at each consular post.
Therefore, the bill also expanded the Pre-Adjudicated Threat
Recognition Intelligence Operations Team (PATRIOT) program,
which conducts security checks remotely, to an additional 50
locations. This allowed visa issuing posts with limited space
or insufficient workload the benefits of certain visa security
vetting activities in the absence of a VSU.
Legislative History
H.R. 5253 was introduced in the House on May 16, 2016, by
Mr. Hurd of Texas, Mr. McCaul, Mrs. Miller of Michigan, Mr.
King of New York, Mr. Katko, and Ms. McSally and referred to
the Committee on the Judiciary and in addition to the Committee
on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 5253 was
referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
The Chair discharged the Subcommittee on Border and
Maritime Security from further consideration of H.R. 5253 on
June 8, 2016.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5253 on June 8, 2016,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 5253 to the House on December
8, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-850, Pt. I.
----------
Oversight Activities of the Subcommittee
VISA WAIVER PROGRAM
The threat of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
and the identification of ``Jihadi John'' as a radicalized
British National highlights the fact that many members of ISIS
are not Syrian or Iraqi, but rather foreign fighters from
countries throughout the world, including the United States. On
February 26, 2015, Director of National Intelligence testified
before the House of Representatives, Committee on Armed
Services that 20,000 foreign fighters, including approximately
3,400 citizens of Western nations, are estimated to have joined
ISIS. This means that approximately two-thirds of the ISIS
fighting force consists of foreign fighters and that number
continues to grow.
Westerners actively engaged with ISIS present a unique
threat to the homeland because they often travel to the United
States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), without the
requirement of an in-person visa interview. Under the VWP,
travelers from 38 countries can enter the United States as
temporary visitors for business or pleasure for up to 90 days.
While there is no specific evidence that individuals from Visa
Waiver countries who have fought with ISIS have traveled into
the United States, the potential for them to board U.S.-bound
flights has been identified as a potential vulnerability. While
this threat exists, this hearing allowed Members to examine
what mechanisms are in place within the VWP to strengthen
homeland security and help identify returning foreign fighters,
as well as address further steps that can be made to strengthen
the VWP.
On March 17, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Combating Terrorist Travel: Does the Visa Waiver Program Keep
Our Nation Safe?'' The Subcommittee received testimony from
Marc E. Frey. PhD, Senior Director, Steptoe and Johnson, LLP;
Mr. Roger J. Dow, President and Chief Executive Officer, U.S.
Travel Association; Dr. Steven P. Bucci, Director, The Douglas
and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign and National Security
Policy, The Heritage Foundation; and Mr. Brian Michael Jenkins,
Senior Adviser to the RAND President, The RAND Corporation.
This hearing was part of continued oversight of the VWP. In
January 2016, the Chair of the Full Committee and other Members
submitted a letter to the President expressing grave concerns
over the implementation of the ``Visa Waiver Program
Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015.'' In
March 2015, Subcommittee Chairman Candice Miller also submitted
a letter to Secretary Johnson seeking information of how the
compliance of Visa Waiver Program participants is ensured and
what countries were being consider for addition into the
program.
OUTER RING OF BORDER SECURITY
The Department of Homeland Security implements a risk-based
strategy to mitigate threats to the Nation from abroad.
International border security programs are designed to ``push
the border out'' and operate as the first line of defense to
prevent inadmissible, potentially dangerous individuals from
entering the United States.
These programs and the nation's efforts overseas constitute
an ``outer ring of border security'' that gives DHS officials
multiple opportunities to prevent attacks early in the visa and
travel process. DHS created several security focused programs
that actively engage foreign allies in an effort to improve
international cooperation in regards to visa security, aviation
security, border security, immigration policy, law enforcement,
and cargo security.
On June 2, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``The Outer Ring of Border Security: DHS's International
Security Programs.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from
Hon. Alan D. Bersin, Assistant Secretary and Chief Diplomatic
Officer, Office of Policy, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security; Mr. John Wagner, Deputy Assistant Commissioner,
Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Mr. Lev J. Kubiak,
Assistant Director, International Operations, Homeland Security
Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security; and Ms. Rebecca Gambler,
Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, U.S. Government
Accountability Office.
This hearing provided Members an opportunity to examine the
security value and return on investment that these programs
provide to quickly and effectively identify and interdict
threats that originate overseas prior to travel to the United
States.
CBP AIR AND MARINE OPERATIONS
On June 17, 2015, the Subcommittee held a classified Member
briefing for the Members of the Committee on a recent shooting
of a Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine helicopter in
Laredo, Texas. The Members received an update on the situation
by representatives from the Department of Homeland Security.
The maritime borders of the United States cover millions of
square miles. Illicit drug and migrant flow has remained a
principle concern of DHS. However, as the Department has
strengthened security along the southern land border, the
cartels adapt and the flow shifts. Specifically, drug cartels
operating in the maritime environment send panga boats from
Mexico to as far north as San Francisco.
From the Great Lakes, to the coast of California, to the
Gulf of Mexico, to the Caribbean and Central America transit
zones, the maritime security components of the Department of
Homeland Security have a massive area of water to protect. As a
result, they must coordinate effectively, share intelligence to
understand the threat, and smartly position resources to stop
it.
CBP's Air and Marine Operations (AMO) has a fleet of over
280 marine vessels and more than 250 aircraft, making it
essentially the largest civilian law enforcement air force in
the world. They have an enormous responsibility to interdict
drugs and migrants who use the sea as a means to enter the
country.
On July 14, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Securing the Maritime Border: The future of the CBP Air and
Marine.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from Mr. Randolph
D. Alles, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Air and Marine,
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security; and Hon. John Roth, Inspector General, Office of
Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
This hearing explored how AMO, a relatively small
operational component of CBP, fits into the larger maritime
security strategy of DHS. How Air and Marine's authorities
support and compliment the Coast Guard's security and
interdiction missions, Border Patrol's riverine
responsibilities, and most importantly, examined the security
value that American taxpayer is getting for the roughly $750
million dollars AMO is appropriated each year.
CYBERSECURITY AT MARITIME PORTS
More than $1.3 trillion in cargo travels through U.S.
seaports each year and the Nation's economy relies on the
constant and unrestricted flow of goods in the marine
transportation system. Shutting down major ports in the U.S.
would have detrimental effects on global trade and shipping and
be damaging to the domestic economy.
The growing automation of business operations systems,
industrial control systems and onboard vessel control systems
has created cyber-security vulnerabilities in areas that were
previously safe from external threats. New cyber-threats can
originate from nation states, terrorist groups, hackers and
disgruntled workers.
On October 8, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``Protecting Maritime Facilities in the 21st Century:
Are our Nation's ports at risk for a cyber-attack?'' The
Subcommittee received testimony from Rear Admiral Paul F.
Thomas, Assistant Commandant, Prevention Policy, U.S. Coast
Guard, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Mr. Gregory C.
Wilshusen, Director, Information Security Issues, U.S.
Government Accountability Office; Mr. Randy D. Parsons,
Director, Security Services, Port of Long Beach, California;
and Mr. Jonathan Sawicki, Security Improvement Program Manager,
Ports of Brownsville and Harlingen, Texas.
The purpose of this hearing was to provide an overview of
the Department of Homeland Security's efforts in securing
cybersecurity at seaports. This hearing examined the current
threat landscape and Department of Homeland Security
initiatives to counter the growing cyber-threat.
CBP'S PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
In recent years, the United States has experienced a record
increase in international trade and travel. U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) is frequently asked to provide new or
additional port of entry (POE) related services to support
rising travel and cargo volumes but is not always able to
accommodate these requests due to resource constraints. Within
an austere budget climate, authorities like Public Private
Partnerships, including reimbursable fee agreements and
donation acceptance authorities, can be utilized to modernize
our nation's ports of entry, reduce wait times, and improve our
nation's homeland security and economic prosperity.
On November 4, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``A New Approach to Increase Trade and Security: An
Examination of CBP's Public Private Partnerships.'' The
Subcommittee received testimony from Mr. John Wagner, Deputy
Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, U.S.
Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security; Hon. Michael Gelber, Deputy Commissioner, Public
Buildings Service, U.S. General Services Administration; Mr.
Sam F. Vale, President, Starr-Camargo Bridge Company; and Mr.
David A. Garcia, County Administrator, Cameron County, Texas.
This hearing allowed Members to better understand how CBP
and the General Services Administration (GSA) utilize unique
public private partnership authorities at POEs to meet our
nation's economic and security needs. Members also had the
opportunity to question industry stakeholders, some of whom
have entered into agreements with CBP, on the benefits and
challenges they are seeing from these innovative pilot
authorities.
DHS BORDER SECURITY JOINT TASK FORCE
On October 7, 2015, the Members of the Subcommittee
received a classified briefing on the Department of Homeland
Security's Border Security Joint Task Force.
On November 17, 2015, the Members of the Subcommittee
received a classified briefing by representatives from the
Department of Homeland Security's Border Security Joint Task
Force on the current status of the task force and concerns.
This briefing allowed Members to question leadership of the
Department of Homeland Security responsible for the
establishment of the Joint Task Forces (JTF) and for executing
the Department's Southern Border and Approaches Campaign. This
briefing provided insight from DHS leaders on the early
successes and challenges associated with the implementation of
the Secretary's most significant unity of effort initiative.
STATE OF THE BORDER
On February 25, 2016, the Members of the Subcommittee
received a briefing on the state of the border by
representatives from U.S. Border Patrol and the U.S. Customs
and Border Protection Office of Intelligence.
This briefing allowed Members to question Border Patrol
leadership as well as experts within Customs and Border
Protection's (CBP) Office of Intelligence, on the state of
border security and related threats and risks along the border.
Specifically, the brief provided Members the opportunity to
learn how technology, including the use of geospatial
technology, and synthetic aperture radar is helping CBP to
achieve greater situational awareness along the border.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS ON THE BORDER
Understanding both the severity of the threat and the gaps
in our security along the border is a prerequisite for gaining
effective control of the border. Understanding the true state
of the border requires a full understanding of the threat
picture along the border to determine how effective CBP and
other DHS components are at preventing and interdicting illicit
activity.
While the number of agents, miles of fence and technology
on the border are important indicators of security capacity,
they are, in isolation, poor indicators of effectiveness.
A more productive border security conversation involves a
discussion of how effective CBP is at preventing the illicit
movement of drugs and migrants with the level of resources
currently deployed in an area. A hearing was called to provide
Members an opportunity to understand gaps in Situational
Awareness along the border and gain an understanding of how to
truly ensure our borders are secure.
On March 1, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Transparency, Trust and Verification: Measuring Effectiveness
and Situational Awareness along the Border.'' The Subcommittee
received testimony from Mr. Ronald D. Vitiello, Acting Chief,
U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Maj.
Gen. Randolph D. ``Tex'' Alles (Ret.-USMC), Assistant
Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security; and Ms. Rebecca Gambler,
Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, U.S. Government
Accountability Office.
In response to concerns raised at this hearing, the Chair
of the Subcommittee sent a letter to the Secretary of Homeland
on September 21, 2016, expressing concern over the flaws in the
current way the Department measures interdiction rates on the
border and requested greater transparency on the true state of
the border through the use of improved metrics. To date, no
response has been received.
CBP'S STAFFING AND INFRASTRUCTURE
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the lead
Federal agency charged with keeping terrorists, criminals and
other inadmissible aliens out of the country while facilitating
an efficient flow of legitimate trade and travel at our
nation's ports of entry. CBP's mission requires a cadre of
professional law enforcement officers and, equally important,
modern port of entry infrastructure. Unfortunately, CBP faced
significant hiring shortages and struggled to modernize many of
its ports of entry. This often results in significant delays
for legitimate trade that may adversely affect the economy.
On April 19, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Keeping Pace with Trade, Travel, and Security: How does CBP
Prioritize and Improve Staffing and Infrastructure?'' The
Subcommittee received testimony from Mr. Eugene Schied, Acting
Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Enterprise
Services, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department
of Homeland Security; Ms. Linda Jacksta, Assistant
Commissioner, Office of Human Resources Management, U.S.
Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security; Mr. John P. Wagner, Deputy Assistant Commissioner,
Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Mr. Michael Gelber,
Deputy Commissioner, Public Buildings Service, U.S. General
Services Administration; and Mr. Anthony Reardon, National
President, National Treasury Employees Union.
This hearing examined CBP's plans to meet its own internal
staffing requirements, including efforts to recruit and hire
qualified military veterans, as required by law. In addition,
CBP and the General Services Administration (GSA) were asked to
provide details on the prioritization of investments in port of
entry infrastructure, which is vital to the efficient movement
of people and goods, as well as to our nation's homeland
security.
LOCAL PERSPECTIVES ON BORDER SECURITY
The subcommittee convened a field hearing in Southern
Arizona to get a perspective not often heard in Washington, DC:
the perspective from local law enforcement officials, business
and community leaders, ranchers and residents. These are
individuals who understand the very real border security
challenges because they live and work on or near the Southern
border and experience the ramifications of an unsecure border
every day.
On May 9, 2016, the Subcommittee held a field hearing in
Sahuarita, Arizona, entitled ``Life on the Border: Examining
Border Security through the Eyes of Local Residents and Law
Enforcement.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from Hon.
Mark Dannels, Sheriff, Cochise County, Arizona; Hon. Danny
Ortega, Mayor, Douglas, Arizona; Mr. Art Del Cueto, President,
Local 2544, National Border Patrol Council; Mr. Dan Bell,
President, ZZ Cattle Corporation; Mr. Mark S. Adams,
Coordinator, Frontera De Cristo; Mr. Jaime S. Chamberlain,
President, J-C Distributing Inc.; Ms. Nan Stockholm-Walden,
Vice President and Legal Counsel, Farmers Investment Co.
(FICO); and Mr. Frank Krentz, Rancher.
BORDER TECHNOLOGY
Technology, such as cameras, night vision devices, motion
sensors, and surveillance equipment have become a key element
of security operations across the rugged terrain of the
southwest border. It enhanced agent safety, provided constant
monitoring of difficult access areas, and extended agent
situational awareness and ability to interdict criminal
activity.
On May 24, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Border Security Gadgets, Gizmos, and Information: Using
Technology to Increase Situational Awareness and Operational
Control.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from Mr. Ronald
Vitiello, Acting Chief, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security; Maj. Gen. Randolph D. ``Tex'' Alles (Ret.-
USMC), Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Air and
Marine Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security; Mr. Mark Borkowski, Assistant
Commissioner and Chief Acquisition Executive, Office of
Technology Innovation and Acquisition, U.S. Customs and Border
Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and Ms.
Rebecca Gambler, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, U.S.
Government Accountability Office.
This hearing examined the use of technology to secure the
border and examine a procurement process that has struggled to
provide technology to our agents on the ground, on budget, and
in a timely fashion. This hearing followed up on a Government
Accountability Office report Border Security: Progress and
Challenges in DHS's Efforts to Implement and Assess
Infrastructure and Technology [GAO-15-171SP] issued in response
to a Subcommittee request to examine the Department's border
technology acquisition programs.
VISA OVERSTAYS
Fifteen years after the attack on September 11, 2001, one
of the few unfilled recommendations of the 9/11 Commission is
the failure of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to
establish a viable biometric exit system. The 9/11 Commission
understood that the creation of such an entry-exit system was
an ambitious task, but called it, ``an essential investment in
our national security.'' As many as four of the 9/11 hijackers
had either overstayed, or violated the terms of their visa, and
several other high-profile terrorist plots have originated with
aliens who had entered the country legally and overstayed.
Mandates for an electronic exit system designed to verify
when aliens on a valid visa depart the country have existed
since 1996. While progress has been made strengthening the
collection of information, including fingerprints and
photographs, of aliens upon entry into the United States, DHS
cannot match such biometric information upon exit from the
country.
According to the data released by the Department, in Fiscal
Year 2015, more people overstayed their travel visas (482,781
individuals), than were apprehended illegally crossing the
border (337,117). Given that the number of overstays has
surpassed the number of apprehensions, it is likely previous
academic studies indicating that as many as 40 percent of all
illegal aliens enter the country on a valid visa, are no longer
valid, and the number may in fact be closer to 68 percent. This
paradigm shift demonstrates that any attempt to fully secure
the border must also address the challenge of identifying and
then removing visa overstays.
The Department released a report entitled Entry/Exit
Overstay Report on January 19, 2016, which discussed the status
of biometric entry/exit systems in the air, maritime, and land
domain as a counterterrorism tool and determine if ICE can
identify and quickly remove individuals who have overstayed and
pose a threat to national security and public safety threats.
As a follow up to the Department's report, the Subcommittee
held a hearing on June 14, 2016, entitled ``Overstaying Their
Welcome: National Security Risks Posed by Visa Overstays.'' The
Subcommittee received testimony from Mr. John Wagner, Deputy
Assistant Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Mr. Craig Healy,
Assistant Director for National Security Investigations,
Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Ms. Kelli
Ann Burriesci, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department of
Homeland Security's Screening, Coordination Office, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security; and Mr. Robert Burns, Homeland
Security Advanced Research Projects Agency Deputy Director,
Science and Technology Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security.
MARITIME SECURITY THREATS
The job of improving security for nuclear weapons and
weapons-usable nuclear materials is never ``done''-security
must constantly evolve as the threat changes, technologies
shift, and new vulnerabilities are revealed. In the two years
since the last nuclear security summit, security for nuclear
materials has improved modestly-but the desire of some
terrorist groups, particularly the Islamic State to obtain
nuclear material, has grown dramatically, suggesting that the
threat of nuclear smuggling is very real. However, there
remains a gap between terrorist's intent to obtain material and
their capability to deliver it to the United States.
On July 6, 2016, the Members of the Subcommittee received a
classified briefing by representatives the U.S. Coast Guard,
the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Domestic Nuclear
Detection Office, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection on
maritime security threats.
This briefing allowed Members to gain a better
understanding of the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture, and
specific threats to U.S. ports in a classified setting and
produced relevant background information for the hearing below.
MARITIME SECURITY THREATS
International trade is a critical component of the U.S.
economy, with U.S. trade amounting to about $4 trillion in
2014, with more than 26 million cargo containers arriving in
America's ports every year. The efficient flow of legitimate
trade in and out of the United States is a vital element of the
country's economic security.
While U.S. trade and commerce depends on the smooth flow of
cargo through U.S. seaports, the goal of trade facilitation
often competes with two additional goals: enforcement of U.S.
trade laws and maritime security. How to strike the appropriate
balance among these goals is a fundamental question at the
heart of DHS maritime security policies.
The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 led to a
greater emphasis on transportation and port security. Thus,
security measures enacted after 9/11 placed additional
responsibilities on customs officials to pro-actively prevent
weapons of mass destruction, and other threats to the homeland,
from entering the United States and have made maritime security
a central feature of U.S. homeland security policy. Maritime
security has become an important feature of DHS's international
efforts, and the United States and its partners have adopted
new security protocols for tracking, inspecting, and screening
containerized imports and exports, in a manner that pushes the
border out.
On July 7, 2016, the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and
Maritime Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure and the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime
Security held a joint hearing entitled ``An Examination of the
Maritime Nuclear Smuggling Threat.'' The Subcommittees received
testimony from Rear Admiral Linda L. Fagan, Deputy Commandant
for Operations, Policy, and Capabilities, U.S. Coast Guard,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Dr. Todd C. Owen,
Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, U.S.
Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security; Dr. Wayne Brasure, Acting Director, Domestic Nuclear
Detection Office; Ms. Anne Harrington, Deputy Administrator,
Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, National Nuclear Security
Administration; Ms. Jennifer Grover, Director, Homeland
Security and Justice Issues, U.S. Government Accountability
Office; Dr. Gregory H. Canavan, Senior Fellow, Los Alamos
National Laboratories; Mr. David A. Espie, Director of
Security, Maryland Port Administration, Port of Baltimore; and
Mr. James H.I. Weakley, President, Lake Carriers' Association.
This hearing examined the status of equipment and
international programs used by CBP and the U.S. Coast Guard to
prevent nuclear and terrorist threats from entering the country
through its ports and examined broader threats to U.S. port
security.
U.S. BORDER PATROL'S DEFENSE-IN-DEPTH STRATEGY
According to detractors, the U.S. Border Patrol's strategy
of ``Defense-in-Depth'' cedes crucial time and space to drug
cartels in the rural areas of the border by not apprehending
individuals soon after they cross, and instead, uses rugged
terrain to wait hours and sometimes days to interdict illegal
activities. As a result, populated rural areas adjacent to the
border are faced with the prospect of increased illegal
activity on their property and in their communities.
Supporters of Defense-in-Depth argue that, through the use
of interior checkpoints and other enforcement tools, the Border
patrol is able to interdict illegal persons and contraband that
are able to evade the first line of defense on the border.
On September 13, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``Moving the Line of Scrimmage: Re-examining the
Defense-in-Depth Strategy.'' The Subcommittee received
testimony from Mr. Mark Morgan, Chief, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security; Ms. Peggy Davis, Private
Citizen; Mr. Gary Brasher, Private Citizen; Dr. Elyse Golob,
Executive Director, National Center for Border Security and
Immigration, The University of Arizona; and Mr. Christian
Ramirez, Director, Southern Border Communities Coalition.
This hearing examined the Defense-in-Depth Strategy, and
effectiveness of interior checkpoints as a border security
tool. The subcommittee heard from Border Patrol leadership as
well as local citizens who live near the border who testified
on the effects of ``Defense-in-Depth'' on their everyday lives.
INSIDER THREATS AT U.S. AIRPORTS
On November 18, 2016, the Members of the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security and the Subcommittee on Border and
Maritime Security received a briefing the efforts by the U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security
Investigations (HSI) to mitigate insider threats at major U.S.
airports. Members were briefed by a representative from the HSI
Newark, New Jersey, Office of Special Agent-in-Charge on
current investigations and operations focusing on the criminal
activity of employees with access to Federal Inspection Site
areas throughout the Newark Liberty International Airport.
----------
Subcommittee Hearings Held
``Combating Terrorist Travel: Does the Visa Waiver Program Keep
Our Nation Safe?'' March 17, 2015. (Serial No. 114-8)
``The Outer Ring of Border Security: DHS's International
Security Programs.'' June 17, 2015. (Serial No. 114-18)
``Securing the Maritime Border: The Future of CBP Air and
Marine.'' July 14, 2015. (Serial No. 114-25)
``Protecting Maritime Facilities in the 21st Century: Are our
Nation's ports at risk for a cyber-attack?'' October 8,
015. (Serial No. 114-35)
``A New Approach to Increase Trade and Security: An Examination
of CBP's Public Private Partnerships.'' November 4,
2015. (Serial No. 114-42)
``Transparency, Trust and Verification: Measuring Effectiveness
and Situational Awareness along the Border.'' March 1,
2016. (Serial No. 114-57)
``Keeping Pace with Trade, Travel, and Security: How does CBP
Prioritize and Improve Staffing and Infrastructure?''
April 19, 2016. (Serial No. 114-63)
Field hearing in Sahuarita, Arizona. ``Life on the Border:
Examining Border Security through the Eyes of Local
Residents and Law Enforcement.'' May 9, 2016. (Serial
No. 114-67)
``Border Security Gadgets, Gizmos, and Information: Using
Technology to Increase Situational Awareness and
Operational Control.'' May 24, 2016. (Serial No. 114-
72)
``Overstaying Their Welcome: National Security Risks Posed by
Visa Overstays.'' June 14, 2016. (Serial No. 114-75)
Joint with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation. ``An Examination of the Maritime
Nuclear Smuggling Threat.'' July 7, 2016. (Serial No.
114-79)
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies
John Ratcliffe, Texas, Chairman
Peter T. King, New York
Tom Marino, Pennsylvania
Scott Perry, Pennsylvania
Curt Clawson, Florida
Daniel M. Donovan, Jr., New York
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Cedric L. Richmond, Louisiana
Loretta Sanchez, California
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas
James R. Langevin, Rhode Island
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
----------
During the 114th Congress, the Subcommittee on
Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies held 14 hearings, receiving testimony from 62
witnesses, and considered 4 measures, resulting in 1 Public
Law.
----------
Legislative Activities of the Subcommittee
UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ADVANCED RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP
ACT OF 2016
Public Law 114-304 H.R. 5877
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and the United
States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 to promote
cooperative homeland security research and antiterrorism
programs relating to cybersecurity, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-296) and the United States-Israel Strategic
Partnership Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-296) to allow the
Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State to
enter into cooperative programs with Israel for the purposes of
enhancing cybersecurity capabilities. These programs include
both the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency
and the program for establishing cooperative research
activities with foreign partner governments that are United
States' allies in the global war on terrorism, a program
established by the Department's Under Secretary for Science and
Technology (S&T).
Legislative History
H.R. 5877 was introduced in the House on July 14, 2016, by
Mr. Ratcliffe and Mr. Langevin and referred to the Committee on
Homeland Security and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Within
the Committee, H.R. 5877 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies.
The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies. was discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 5877 on September 14, 2016.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5877 on September 14,
2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs sent a letter
to the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security on November
14, 2016, agreeing that, in order to expedite consideration on
the House Floor, the Committee on Foreign Affairs would forego
further consideration of H.R. 5877. On the following day, the
Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security responded
acknowledging the jurisdictional interests of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs and the agreement to forego consideration.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 5877 to
the House on November 15, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-827, Pt. I.
Subsequently, the Committee on Foreign Affairs was discharged
from further consideration of H.R. 5877.
The House considered H.R. 5877 on November 29, 2016, under
Suspension of the Rules and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 5877 was received in the Senate on November 30, 2016.
The Senate considered H.R. 5877 on December 9 and 10, 2016,
and passed the measure without amendment on legislative day of
December 9, 2016. Clearing the measure for the President.
H.R. 5877 was presented to the President on December 14,
2016. The President signed H.R. 5877 into law on December 16,
2016, as Public Law 114-304.
------
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION ACT
H.R. 1073 (S. 1846)
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to secure critical
infrastructure against electromagnetic threats, and for other
purposes.
Summary
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub.L. 107-296) to secure critical infrastructure against
electromagnetic threats. The Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) has a re-sponsibility to assess critical infrastructure
resilience to both man- made and natural threats. The threat of
electromagnetic pulses (EMP), whether due to a nuclear weapon
or solar flares, represents another high-consequence, low-
probability threat to the the nations critical infrastructure.
This legislation requires the Secretary to assess both EMP
threats in the context of other threats to determine the
research and development needs to mitigate the threat and
consequences of EMP events. It also requires the development of
strategic guidance for the Department, and conduct outreach to
educate owners and operators of the critical infrastructure,
emergency planners, and emergency response providers regarding
the threat of EMP events.
Legislative History
113th Congress
In the 113th Congress, H.R. 3410 was introduced in the
House on October 30, 2013, by Mr. Franks of Arizona and Mr.
Sessions, and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 3410 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and
Security Technologies.
On December 1, 2014, the Chair of the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology sent a letter to the Chair of the
Committee on Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology would not seek a sequential
referral of H.R. 3410. On that same date, the Chair of the
Committee on Homeland Security responded, acknowledging the
jurisdictional interests of the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology and the agreement to not seek a sequential
referral.
The House considered H.R. 3410 under Suspension of the
Rules on December 1, 2014, and passed the measure, amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 3410 was received in the Senate on December 2, 2014,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
114th Congress
H.R. 1073
H.R. 1073 was introduced in the House on February 25, 2015,
by Mr. Franks of Arizona and Mr. Sessions, and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 1073
was referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity,
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies.
On June 25, 2015, the Chair discharged the Subcommittee on
Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies from further consideration of H.R. 1073.
The Committee considered H.R. 1073 on June 25, 2015, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 1073 to
the House on August 4, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-240.
The House considered H.R. 1073 under Suspension of the
Rules on November 16, 2015, and passed the measure by voice
vote, as amended.
H.R. 1073 was received in the Senate on November 17, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
Provisions of Sec. 2 of H.R. 1073 were included in Section
1913 of the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943, the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. (See
action taken on S. 2943, under Full Committee legislative
activities).
S. 1846
S. 1846, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in
the Senate on July 23, 2015, by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Cruz and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered S. 1846 on July 29, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate, with an Amendment in the
Nature of a Substitute, favorably.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported S. 1846 to the Senate on May 9, 2016, as S.
Rpt. 114-250.
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FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUNSHINE
ACT OF 2015
H.R. 1637
To require annual reports on the activities and accomplishments
of federally funded research and development centers within the
Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland
Security to annually submit to Congress a list of the ongoing
and completed projects that Federally Funded Research and
Development Centers within the Department have been tasked.
Legislative History
H.R. 1637 was introduced in the House on March 25, 2015, by
Mr. Ratcliffe and seven original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 1637
was referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity,
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies and the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency.
On May 20, 2015, the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity,
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies and the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency were
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1637.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 1637 on
May 20, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to the
House, with a favorable recommendation, without amendment, by
voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 1637 to the House on June 11,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-149.
The Chair of the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security on June 23, 2015, agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee would
not seek a sequential referral of H.R. 1637. The letter further
requested support for the appointment of Conferees should a
House-Senate Conference be called. On that same date, the Chair
of the Committee on Homeland Security sent a letter to the
Chair of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
acknowledging the jurisdictional interests of the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology and the agreement to not seek a
sequential referral of H.R. 1637.
The House considered H.R. 1637 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the measure, amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 1637 was received in the Senate on June 24, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
Provisions relating to H.R. 1637, the Federally Funded
Research and Development Sunshine Act of 2015, were included in
Sec. 1906 of the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943.
(See also action on S. 2943 under Full Committee
legislative activities).
------
PLUM ISLAND ANIMAL DISEASE CENTER
H.R. 1887
To authorize the Comptroller General of the United States to
assess a study on the alternatives for the disposition of Plum
Island Animal Disease Center, and for other purposes.
[To amend certain appropriation Acts to repeal the requirement
directing the Administrator of General Services to sell Federal
property and assets that support the operations of the Plum
Island Animal Disease Center in Plum Island, New York, and for
other purposes.]
Summary
In 2005, the Department of Homeland Security announced that
the Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) in New York,
managed by the Science and Technology Directorate, would be
moved to a new Federal facility in Kansas. PIADC has served as
a form of defense against accidental or intentional
introduction of transboundary animal diseases since 1954. The
traditional interagency consultation process regarding the
disposal of Federal property was bypassed, putting the
potential sale of this island on the fast track without
consulting the local community or other Federal agencies.
Locally, the Town of Southold, New York passed ordinances
preventing any private development of Plum Island.
This legislation requires the Government Accountability
Office (GAO) to assess the study by the Department to address
options for the disposition of Plum Island. The legislation
requires GAO to assess the methodologies used by the Department
in the study, determining whether these methodologies
adequately support the study's findings. Additionally, the
legislation suspends the requirement to sell Plum Island until
a further review of the analysis of alternatives is conducted
by the Department and the GAO.
Legislative History
113th Congress
In the 113th Congress, H.R. 2691 was introduced in the
House by Mr. Bisop of New York, Mr. Courtney, and Mr. Grimm,
and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
114th Congress
H.R. 1887 was introduced in the House on April 16, 2015, by
Mr. Zeldin and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 1887 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and
Security Technologies.
The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies was discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 1887 on April 28, 2016. The Full
Committee considered H.R. 1887 on April 28, 2016, and ordered
the measure to be reported to the House with a favorable
recommendation, as amended, by unanimous consent.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter on May 12, 2016, to the Chair of
the Committee on Homeland Security agreeing that, in order
expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would not seek a sequential
referral of H.R. 1887. The letter further requested support for
the appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate Conference
be called. The Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security
responded on May 16, 2016, agreeing to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure waiving its right to seek a
sequential referral of H.R. 1887.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 1887 to
the House on May 16, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-568.
The House considered H.R. 1887 under Suspension of the
Rules on May 16, 2016, and passed the measure, as amended, by
voice vote. During consideration the title of the bill was
amended so as to read ``To authorize the Comptroller General of
the United States to assess a study on the alternatives for the
disposition of Plum Island Animal Disease Center, and for other
purposes.''
H.R. 1887 was received in the Senate on May 26, 2016, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
HOMELAND SECURITY UNIVERSITY-BASED CENTERS REVIEW ACT
H.R. 2390
To require a review of university-based centers for homeland
security, and for other purposes.
Summary
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Centers of
Excellence (COE) are charged with performing basic and applied
research in areas of emerging threats. These research projects
are typically long-term, support a technology development
program some years later, and are typically tasked with
addressing the `over the horizon' threats.
This legislation requires the Government Accountability
Office (GAO) to initiate a study assessing the university-based
centers for homeland security program and provide
recommendations to Congress for appropriate improvements. This
study includes a review of the Department of Homeland
Security's efforts to identify areas of study needed to support
its missions, along with a review of selection criteria for
designating university-based centers, an examination of best
practices to organize and use university-based research, a
review of criteria and metrics DHS uses to measure progress of
university based centers, an examination of the means by which
other academic institutions can contribute to the research
mission of the Science and Technology Directorate, an
assessment of the interrelationship between the different COEs,
and a review of any other essential elements of the programs.
The Committee believes key areas of needed study to support
the homeland security missions will be identified by this
review, and the review will also provide insight into the
method by which university based centers, which are federally
funded research and develop centers, receive tasking from the
Department.
Legislative History
H.R. 2390 was introduced in the House on May 18, 2015, by
Mr. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and Mr. Richmond and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Within the
Committee, H.R. 2390 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies.
The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies was discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 2390 on May 20, 2015.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 2390 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, without amendment, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security on June 17, 2015, agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee would
forego further consideration of H.R. 2390. On that same date,
the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security responded
acknowledging the agreement to forego further consideration and
supporting the request for Conferees should a House-Senate
Conference be called.
Committee on Homeland Security reported to the House on
June 18, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-168, Pt. I. Subsequently, the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology was discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 2390.
The House considered H.R. 2390 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the measure, amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 2390 was received in the Senate on June 24, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
EINSTEIN ACT OF 2015
H.R. 3305
To help enhance American network security and mitigate
cybersecurity risks, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
and requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to
deploy, operate, and maintain capabilities to protect Federal
agency information and Federal civilian information systems.
This includes technologies used to continuously diagnose,
detect, prevent, and mitigate cybersecurity risks that involve
these information systems. The Secretary is authorized to
retain, use and disclose information obtained through such
activities to protect Federal agency information and Federal
civilian information systems from cybersecurity risks.
Legislative History
H.R. 3305 was introduced in the House on July 29, 2015, by
Mr. Hurd of Texas, Mr. McCaul, and Mr. Ratcliffe, and referred
to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 3305
was referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity,
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies.
On December 16, 2015, the House Committee on Rules met and
granted a Rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 2029.
The Rule was filed in the House as H.Res. 566 (H. Rpt. 114-
382). The Rule provides for the consideration of the Senate
amendment to H.R. 2029. Resolution makes in order a motion that
the House concur in the Senate amendment with 2 House
amendments. Each amendment is debatable for one hour. The
resolution provides that the question shall be divided between
the two House amendments. If only House amendment #2 is
adopted, that amendment shall be engrossed as an amendment in
the nature of a substitute to the Senate amendment to H.R.
2029. Amendment #1 is the text of the ``Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2016''. As introduced, Amendment #1
includes the text of H.R. 158; and provisions of H.R. 1731,
H.R. 3305, and H.R. 3333. Amendment #2 is the text of the
``Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015''
(See also action taken on H.R. 2029 under Full Committee).
------
STRENGTHENING STATE AND LOCAL CYBER CRIME FIGHTING ACT
H.R. 3490
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the
National Computer Forensics Institute, and for other purposes.
Summary
It is imperative that the Nation provide tools and training
to address challenges by cyber criminals to law enforcement to
protect against being exploited through computers, mobile
devices and the internet. Since 2008, the United States Secret
Service (USSS) has operated the National Computer Forensics
Institute (NCFI), which has garnered a reputation as the
premier cybercrime training center in the Nation providing
support to State and local law enforcement investigators,
prosecutors, and judicial officials. Since its existence, it
has not yet been authorized. This legislation amends the
Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-296) to codify the
NCFI and facilitate the expansion of the USSS network of
Electronic Crimes Task Forces throughout the Nation.
Legislative History
H.R. 3490 was introduced in the House on September 11,
2015, by Mr. Ratcliffe, Mr. McCaul, and Mr. Palmer and referred
to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 3490
was referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity,
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies.
The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies considered H.R. 3490 on
September 17, 2015, and reported the measure to the Full
Committee with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Committee on the Judiciary considered H.R. 3490 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House, amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3490 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Committee on the Judiciary reported H.R. 3490 to the
House on November 19, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-345, Pt. I.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 3490 to
the House on November 30, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-345, Pt. II.
The House considered H.R. 3490 under Suspension of the
Rules on November 30, 2015, and passed the measure, as amended,
by voice vote.
H.R. 3490 was received in the Senate on December 1, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on the
Judiciary.
------
SECURING THE CITIES ACT OF 2015
H.R. 3493
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the
Securing the Cities program to enhance the ability of the
United States to detect and prevent terrorist attacks and other
high consequence events utilizing nuclear or other radiological
materials that pose a high risk to homeland security in high-
risk urban areas, and for other purposes.
Summary
With terrorists and rogue nation states continuing to show
interest in developing `crude' nuclear weapons, it is
imperative that the U.S. remain vigilant in preventing and
deterring nuclear smuggling and terrorism. This legislation
amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-296) to
establish the Securing the Cities Program within the Domestic
Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO). It would require the Director
of DNDO to assist state and local governments by designing,
implementing, and enhancing capabilities for coordinating
detection and interdiction of nuclear or other radiological
materials. The legislation would provide resources to enhance
detection, analysis, communication and coordination and
increased oversight and accountability by requiring the
Government Accountability Office to conduct a review on the
effectiveness of the program.
Legislative History
H.R. 3493 was introduced in the House on September 11,
2015, by Mr. Donovan, Mr. King of New York, and Mr. McCaul and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the
Committee, H.R. 3493 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies.
The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies considered H.R. 3493 on
September 17, 2015, and reported the measure to the Full
Committee with a favorable recommendation, without amendment,
by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3490 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 3493 to the House on October
20, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-295.
The House considered H.R. 3493 under Suspension of the
Rules on October 20, 2015, and passed the measure, amended, by
a \2/3\ recorded vote of 411 yeas and 4 nays, (Roll No. 550).
H.R. 3493 was received in the Senate on October 21, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY CYBERSECURITY STRATEGY
ACT OF 2015
H.R. 3510
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the
Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a cybersecurity
strategy for the Department of Homeland Security, and for other
purposes.
Summary
Increasingly, sophisticated cyber threats have underscored
the need to manage and strengthen the cybersecurity of the
Nation's critical infrastructure. In a report entitled
Cybersecurity: A Better Defined and Implemented National
Strategy is Needed to Address Persistent Challenges [GAO-13-
462T], the Government Accountability Office recommended that an
overarching Federal cybersecurity strategy be implemented and
that such strategy should define key elements of a national
strategy including roles and responsibilities.
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-296) to instruct the Secretary of Homeland
Security to develop such a Departmental cybersecurity strategy
and implementation plan. The legislation further prohibits the
Department from reorganizing or realigning offices within the
National Protection and Programs Directorate without
Congressional approval.
Legislative History
H.R. 3510 was introduced in the House on September 15,
2015, by Mr. Richmond and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 3510 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and
Security Technologies.
The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies considered H.R. 3510 on
September 17, 2015, and reported the measure to the Full
Committee with a favorable recommendation, without amendment,
by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3510 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 3510 to the House on October 6,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-284.
The House considered H.R. 3510 on October 6, 2015, under
Suspension of the Rules and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 3510 was received in the Senate on October 7, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
Provisions of H.R. 3510 were included in Section 1912 of
the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943, the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. (See action
taken on S. 2943, listed under Full Committee legislative
activities).
------
DHS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REFORM AND IMPROVEMENTS
ACT OF 2015
H.R. 3578
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to strengthen and
make improvements to the Directorate of Science and Technology
of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
Summary
This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Pub. L. 107-296) to strengthen and make improvements to the
Direc*torate of Science and Technology within the Department of
Home*land Security. The legislation would improve the Science
and Tech*nology Directorate's ability to carry out its
responsibility to conduct re*search and development by, among
other things, modifying the criteria for the designation of
colleges or universities centers for homeland security to
require expertise in nuclear explosives countermeasures or
detection.
Legislative History
Prior to introduction, the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity,
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies considered
a Committee Print entitled ``DHS Science and Technology Reform
and Improvements Act of 2015'' on September 17, 2015, and
reported the measure to the Full Committee with a favorable
recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 3578 was introduced in the House on September 18,
2015, by Mr. Ratcliffe and Mr. Richmond and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3578 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security on October 22, 2015, agreeing that, in order
to expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would not seek a sequential
referral of H.R. 3572. The letter further requested the
appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be
called. On that same day, the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure acknowledging the
agreement to not seek a sequential referral of H.R. 3572 and
the agreement to support the request for Conferees should a
House-Senate Conference be called.
The Committee reported H.R. 3578 to the House on December
8, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-372.
The House considered H.R. 3578 under Suspension of the
Rules on December 10, 2015, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 416 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No. 687).
H.R. 3578 was received in the Senate on December 14, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY PREPAREDNESS CONSORTIUM ACT OF 2016
H.R. 4743
To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to work with
cybersecurity consortia for training, and for other purposes.
[To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a
National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium, and for other
purposes.]
Summary
To support efforts to address cybersecurity risks and
incidents, this legislation authorizes the Department of
Homeland Security to work with consortia including the National
Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium (NCPC or the Consortium),
which currently provides State and local communities with tools
to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber attacks
as they would any other disaster or emergency situation. The
Consortium also evaluates communities' cybersecurity posture
and provides them with a roadmap to correct deficiencies in the
security of their information systems. Based out of the
University of Texas San Antonio's Center for Infrastructure
Assurance and Security, the NCPC has members located throughout
the Nation, including: The Criminal Justice Institute at the
University of Arkansas; the University of Memphis Center for
Information Assurance; the Norwich University Applied Research
Institutes; and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.
The Department may also engage consortia to assist the
National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center
(NCCIC) in providing training to State and local first
responders in preparing for and responding to cybersecurity
risks and incidents. The NCCIC is the central location within
the Department where cyber operations are conducted.
Legislative History
H.R. 4743 was introduced in the House on March 15, 2016, by
Mr. Castro of Texas, Mr. Richmond, Mr. Hurd of Texas, Mr.
Doggett, Mr. Cuellar, Mr. Smith of Texas, and Mr. Welch and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the
Committee, H.R. 4743 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies.
The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies was discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 4743 on April 28, 2016. Full
Committee considered H.R. 4743 on April 28, 2016, and ordered
the measure to be reported to the House with a favorable
recommendation, as amended, by unanimous consent.
The Committee reported H.R. 4743 to the House on May 13,
2016, as H. Rpt. 114-565.
The House considered H.R. 4743 under Suspension of the
Rules on May 16, 2016, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 394 yeas and 3 nays, (Roll No. 194).
H.R. 4743 was received in the Senate on May 17, 2016, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
IMPROVING SMALL BUSINESS CYBER SECURITY ACT OF 2016
H.R. 5064 (S. 3024)
To amend the Small Business Act to allow small business
development centers to assist and advise small business
concerns on relevant cyber security matters, and for other
purposes.
Summary
This legislation amends the Small Business Act and provides
Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) with tools,
resources, and expert guidance to enable these SBDCs to utilize
and leverage existing Federal cyber resources in order to more
effectively meet the information security needs of small
businesses and the National and economic security needs of the
United States.
The legislation improves small business cybersecurity by
leveraging existing Federal programs, as well as the expertise
of nearly 1,000 SBDCs around the country to streamline cyber
support for small businesses. It specifically amends the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.; 72 Stat. 384 et seq.) and
the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-296) to allow
the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and any other
Federal Department or agency coordinating with DHS, to provide
information on cybersecurity risks and other cyber-related
assistance to SBDCs as they help small businesses develop or
enhance cybersecurity infrastructure, threat awareness, and
training programs. Further, the Small Business Administration
(SBA) and the Department are required to jointly develop a
strategy to provide guidance to SBDCs on how they can leverage
existing Federal resources to provide better access to much-
needed cyber support services. To the extent practicable, SBDCs
must offer cybersecurity specialists to counsel, assist, and
inform small business clients, and the SBA Administrator is
authorized to award SBDC grants in furtherance of the cyber
strategy.
Further, the legislation requires the Government
Accountability Office to review current cybersecurity programs
at the Federal level aimed at providing assistance to small
businesses. The review will include an assessment of the wide
utilization of existing resources by small businesses, whether
they are duplicative of other resources, and whether they could
be better structured to improve accessibility and
effectiveness.
Legislative History
H.R. 5064
H.R. 5064 was introduced in the House on April 26, 2016, by
Mr. Hanna and 12 original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Small Business and in addition to the Committee on
Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 5064 was referred
to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5064 on June 8, 2016,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 5064 to the House on July 1,
2016, as H. Rpt. 114-654, Pt. I.
Provisions of H.R. 5064, were included in Secs. 1841 and
1843 of the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943, the
National Defense Authorization Act of 2017. (See also action on
S. 2943 listed under Full Committee legislative activities).
S. 3024
S. 3024, the Senate companion measure, was introduced in
the Senate on June 6, 2016, by Mr. Vitter and Mr. Peters and
referred to the Senate Committee on Small Business and
Entrepreneurship.
The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
considered S. 2034 on June 9, 2016, and ordered the measure to
be reported to the Senate without amendment.
------
CYBER PREPAREDNESS ACT OF 2016
H.R. 5459
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance
preparedness and response capabilities for cyber attacks,
bolster the dissemination of homeland security information
related to cyber threats, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 5459 seeks to enhance preparedness and response
capabilities for cyber attacks and bolster the sharing of
information related to cyber threats. The bill includes, as a
function of the National Cybersecurity and Communications
Integration Center (NCCIC), sharing information about cyber
best practices, in addition to the sharing of cyber threat
indicators and defensive measures currently required by law.
The bill also authorizes representatives from State and major
urban area fusion centers, as defined in the bill, to be
assigned to the NCCIC, similar to the assignment of
representatives from information sharing and analysis centers
(ISACs) permitted under current law.
H.R. 5459 authorizes the use of State Homeland Security
Grant Program and Urban Area Security Initiative funds for
cybersecurity enhancements. Cyber expenditures are currently
allowable under yearly grant guidance for these programs and
this section will codify the authorization to highlight the
importance of these expenditures and ensure they continue to be
allowable.
Finally, H.R. 5459 expresses the sense of Congress that the
Department of Homeland Security should work to lessen the
classification level or provide information in an unclassified
form, as practicable, to enable greater sharing of actionable
intelligence related to cyber threats.
Legislative History
H.R. 5459 was introduced in the House on June 13, 2016, by
Mr. Donovan, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Ratcliffe, and Mr. Payne, and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the
Committee, H.R. 5459 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies and the Subcommittee on Emergency Preapredness,
Response, and Communications.
The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications considered H.R. 5459 on June 14, 2016, and
passed the measure, as amended, by voice vote.
The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies was discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 5459 on September 14, 2016.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5459 on September 14,
2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 5459 to the House on September
19, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-756.
The House considered H.R. 5459 under Suspension of the
Rules on September 26, 2016, and passed the measure by voice
vote.
H.R. 5459 was received in the Senate on September 27, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
UNITED STATES-ISRAEL CYBERSECURITY COOPERATION ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2016
H.R. 5843
To establish a grant program at the Department of Homeland
Security to promote cooperative research and development
between the United States and Israel on cybersecurity.
Summary
In accordance with the Agreement between the Government of
the United States of America and the Government of the State of
Israel on Cooperation in Science and Technology for Homeland
Security Matters signed on May 29, 2008, this legislation
requires the Department of Homeland Security to establish a
grant program to support cybersecurity research, development,
demonstration, and commercializion of cybersecurity technology.
Legislative History
H.R. 5843 was introduced in the House on July 14, 2016, by
Mr. Langevin and Mr. Ratcliffe and referred to the Committee on
Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 5843 was referred
to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies.
The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies was discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 5843 on September 14, 2016.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5843 on September 14,
2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 5843 to
the House on November 15, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-826.
The House considered H.R. 5843 on November 29, 2016, under
Suspension of the Rules and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 5843 was received in the Senate on November 30, 2016.
------
Oversight Activities of the Subcommittee
EMERGING THREATS AND TECHNOLOGIES
On February 12, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``Emerging Threats and Technologies to Protect the
Homeland.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from Dr. Andy
Ozment, Assistant Secretary, Office of Cybersecurity and
Communications, National Protection and Programs Directorate,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Dr. Huban Gowadia,
Director, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security; Mr. Joseph Martin, Acting Director, Homeland
Security Enterprise and First Responders Group, Science and
Technology Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
Mr. William Noonan, Deputy Special Agent in Charge, Criminal
Investigative Division, Cyber Operations Branch, United States
Secret Service, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and Mr.
William Painter, Analyst, Government and Finance Division,
Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
THE PRESIDENT'S CYBERSECURITY INFORMATION SHARING PROPOSAL
On March 4, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Industry Perspectives on the President's Cybersecurity
Information Sharing Proposal.'' The Subcommittee received
testimony from Mr. Matthew J. Eggers, Senior Director, National
Security and Emergency Preparedness, U.S. Chamber of Commerce;
Ms. Mary Ellen Callahan, Jenner & Block and Former Chief
Privacy Officer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Mr.
Gregory T. Garcia, Executive Director, Financial Services
Sector Coordinating Council; and Dr. Martin Libicki, The RAND
Corporation.
INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION
On March 3, 2016, the Chair of the Full Committee and the
Ranking Member of the Full Committee sent a letter to the
Secretary of Homeland Security concerning the Department's
approach to securing ammonium nitrate (AN) and other Improvised
Explosive Devices (IED) precursor chemicals from
misappropriation by terrorists. The Under Secretary of NPPD
responded on April 20, 2016, noting that, since receiving the
authority from Congress through the Secure Handling of Ammonium
Nitrate Act of 2007 (Sec. 563 of Pub. L. 110-161) which
directed the regulation of the sale and transfer of Ammonium
Nitrate to prevent it from being used in an act of terrorism,
the Department has worked to develop a program that balances
not only security value but also cost to U.S. businesses and
public. The Under Secretary noted, however, the difficulty in
finding such balance under the requirement by the legislation,
particularly due to the current terrorist threat and existing
legitimate use of ammonium nitrate in the United States. Thus,
the letter notes that the Department had started engaging
stakeholders, as well as Congress regarding approaches to
regulate ammonium nitrate and other explosive precursor
chemicals that could to make improvised explosive devices
(IED). It also references expanded efforts by the Office of
Bombing Prevention to protect against IEDs. The Under Secretary
maintained that the Department continues to pursue a final rule
in furtherance of the statute while it considers potential
alternative approaches to regulating AN and other IED
precursors.
Due to the legitimate use of the compound in the United
States, the Under Secretary has stated the difficulty in
developing a regulatory program that balances both security
value and the associated cost to American businesses and the
public. The Under Secretary noted the Department's continuance
of rulemaking activity in order to carry out the statute, along
with the Department's recent engagement of Congress and the
private and non-governmental sectors regarding potential
alternative approaches to regulating AN and other IED
precursors. Additionally, the Department's responses to the
oversight questions were enclosed, with the offer of providing
a Member-level briefing on the issue with the Department's
Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE
On May 19, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Examining DHS Science and Technology Directorate's Engagement
with Academia and Industry.'' The Subcommittee received
testimony from Mr. Jake Parker, Director Government Relations,
Security Industry Association; Mr. Marc Pearl, President and
Chief Executive Officer, Homeland Security and Defense Business
Council; and Dr. Samuel H. Aronson, President, American
Physical Society and American Association for the Advancement
of Science Fellow.
EMERGING CYBER THREATS
On June 4, 2015, the Members of the Subcommittee received a
classified briefing from the Department of Homeland Security's
National Protection and Programs Directorate, Office of
Cybersecurity and Communications; the Office of Intelligence
and Analysis; and the U.S. Secret Service on emerging cyber
threats to the Nation and critical infrastructure.
WIRELESS INTRUSION DETECTION SYSTEMS AND WIRELESS INTRUSION PREVENTION
SYSTEMS
On June 17, 2015 the Chair of the Full Committee and the
Chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs sent letters to the Chairman of the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) requesting information to gain a better
understanding of the FCC and the Department's position on the
use of Wireless Intrusion Detection Systems and Wireless
Intrusion Prevention Systems (WIDS/WIPS) as well as better
understand the FCC's coordination with the Department. On June
29, 2015, the Chairman of the FCC responded providing the
requested information.
PROTECTION OF FEDERAL NETWORKS
On June 24, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``DHS' Efforts to Secure .Gov.'' The Subcommittee received
testimony from Dr. Andy Ozment, Assistant Secretary, Office of
Cybersecurity and Communications, National Programs and
Protections Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
Mr. Gregory C. Wilshusen, Director, Information Security
Issues, Government Accountability Office; and Dr. Daniel M.
Gerstein, Senior Fellow, The RAND Corporation.
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
On July 14, 2015, the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity,
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies and the
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications held a joint hearing entitled ``Weapons of Mass
Destruction: Bolstering DHS to Combat Persistent Threats to
America.'' The Subcommittees received testimony from Dr.
Reginald Brothers, Under Secretary for Science and Technology,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Dr. Kathryn Brinsfield,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Health Affairs, U.S. Department
of Homeland Security; Dr. Huban Gowadia, Director, Domestic
Nuclear Detection Office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
Mr. Alan D. Cohn, Counsel, Steptoe & Johnson LLP; Mr. Rick
``Ozzie'' Nelson, Senior Associate, Homeland Security and
Counterterrorism Program, Center for Strategic and
International Studies; and Mr. Warren Stern, Former Director,
Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security.
SAFETY ACT
On July 28, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Promoting and Incentivizing Cybersecurity Best Practices.''
The Subcommittee received testimony from Mr. Brian Finch,
Senior Fellow, Center for Cyber and Homeland Security, George
Washington University; Mr. Raymond B. Biagini, Partner,
Covington and Burling; and Dr. Andrea M. Matwyshyn, Visiting
Professor, Center for Information Technology Policy, Princeton
University.
NATIONAL PROTECTION AND PROGRAMS DIRECTORATE
On September 15, 2015, the Chair and Ranking Member of the
Full Committee, along with the Chairs and Ranking Members of
the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection,
and Security Technology, the Subcommittee on Border and
Maritime Security; the Subcommittee on Oversight and Management
Efficiency; and the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness,
Response and Communications sent a letter to the Secretary of
the Department of Homeland Security and stated concerns with
the lack of transparency of the proposed reorganization of the
National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) and
requesting information on the Department's recommendation for
NPPD's organization. To date, no response has been received by
the Committee.
On October 7, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``Examining the Mission, Structure, and Reorganization
Effort of the National Protection and Programs Directorate.''
The Subcommittee received testimony from Hon. Suzanne
Spaulding, Under Secretary, National Programs and Protection
Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Dr. Phyllis
Schneck, Deputy Under Secretary, Cybersecurity and
Communications, National Programs and Protections Directorate,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Dr. Ronald J. Clark,
Deputy Under Secretary, National Programs and Protections
Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and Mr.
Chris P. Currie, Director, Emergency Management National
Preparedness and Critical Infrastructure Protection Homeland
Security and Justice Team, U.S. Government Accountability
Office.
NUCLEAR SMUGGLING
On November 4, 2015, the Chair of the Full Committee and
the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a letter to the Secretary of
Homeland Security expressing concerns regarding the amount of
radiological and nuclear material present within the former
Soviet Bloc and the potential threat of extremist groups or
terrorist organizations' obtaining this material. The Committee
received a response on December 2, 2016, from the Domestic
Nuclear Detection Office.
WASSENAAR ARRANGEMENT
On January 12, 2016, the Subcommittee on Information
Technology of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
and the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies held a joint hearing
entitled ``Wassenaar: Cybersecurity & Export Control.'' The
Subcommittees received testimony from Hon. Kevin J. Wolf,
Assistant Secretary for Export Administration, U.S. Department
of Commerce; Ms. Ann K. Ganzer, Director of Conventional Arms
Threat Reduction, Bureau of International Security and
Nonproliferation, U.S. Department of State; Mr. Vann H. Van
Diepen, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of
International Security and Nonproliferation, U.S. Department of
State; Dr. Phyllis Schneck, Deputy Under Secretary,
Cybersecurity and Communications, National Protection and
Programs Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Ms.
Cheri Flynn McGuire, Vice President, Global Government Affairs
and Cybersecurity Policy, Symantec; Mr. Iain Mulholland, Vice
President, Engineering Trust and Assurance, VMware, Inc.; Ms.
Cristin Flynn Goodwin, Assistant General Counsel,
Cybersecurity, Microsoft Corporation; and Mr. Dean C. Garfield,
President and CEO, Information Technology Industry Council.
In response to the hearing, on January 12, 2016, the Chair
and Ranking Member of the Full Committee, the Chair and Ranking
Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies, the Chair and Ranking
Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the
Chair and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Information
Technology sent a letter to the Secretary of State stating
concerns that the Wassenaar Arrangement may not be the
appropriate framework within which to control cybersecurity
tools and requested that the interagency undertake a
Government-wide review before agreeing to future export
controls for cybersecurity tools. The letter asked for
confirmation regarding whether or not the U.S. Department of
State will seek changes to the 2013 Wassenaar Arrangement's
control on cybersecurity intrusion and surveillance during the
2016 round of the plenary session. A Member briefing was
requested for the Committees no later than February 26, 2016.
The letter further requested that notification be provided
within twenty-four hours of any proposed export control by the
Wassenaar participating states on issues relating to computer
forensics tools or techniques, mobile device or network
forensics, or encryption.
CYBER THREATS
On February 25, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``Emerging Cyber Threats to the United States.'' The
Subcommittee received testimony from Mr. Frank Cillufo,
Associate Vice President and Director, Center for Cyber and
Homeland Security, The George Washington University; Ms.
Jennifer Kolde, Lead Technical Director, FireEye Threat
Intelligence; Mr. Adam Bromwich, Vice President, Security
Technology and Response, Symantec, testifying on behalf of the
Cyber Threat Alliance; and Dr. Isaac Porche, Associate
Director, Forces and Logistics Program, The RAND Army Research
Division, The RAND Corporation.
CYBER INSURANCE
On March 22, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``The Role of Cyber Insurance in Risk Management.'' The
Subcommittee received testimony from Mr. Matthew P. McCabe,
Senior Vice President, Network Security and Data Privacy, Marsh
FINPRO; Mr. Adam W. Hamm, Commissioner, North Dakota Insurance
Department, testifying on behalf of the National Association of
Insurance Commissioners; Mr. Daniel Nutkis, Chief Executive
Officer, Health Information Trust Alliance; and Mr. Thomas M.
Finan, Chief Strategy Officer, Ark Network Security Solutions.
CYBER PREPAREDNESS
On April 7, 2016, the Subcommittee held a field hearing in
Sherman, Texas, entitled ``Cyber Preparedness and Response at
the Local Level.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from Mr.
Alphonse G. Davis, Deputy Director/Chief Operations Officer,
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service; Mr. Sam Greif, Chief,
Plano Fire-Rescue Department, Plano, Texas, testifying on
behalf of the International Association of Fire Chiefs; Lt.
Richard F. Wilson, Dallas Police Department, Dallas, Texas; and
Mr. Don Waddle, Detective (Ret.), Greenville Police Department,
Greenville, Texas.
The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications and the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity,
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies held a
joint hearing on May 24, 2016, entitled ``Enhancing
Preparedness and Response Capabilities to Address Cyber
Threats.'' The Subcommittees received testimony from Mr. Mark
Ghilarducci, Director, Emergency Services, Office of the
Governor, State of California; Lt. Col. Daniel J. Cooney,
Assistant Deputy Superintendent, Office of Counter Terrorism,
New York State Police; Brig. Gen. Steven Spano (Ret.--USAF),
President and Chief Operating Officer, Center for Internet
Security; Mr. Mark Raymond, Vice President, National
Association of State Chief Information Officers; and Mr. Robert
Galvin, Chief Technology Officer, Port Authority of New York
and New Jersey.
THE CYBERSECURITY ACT OF 2015
On June 15, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Oversight of the Cybersecurity Act of 2015.'' The
Subcommittee received testimony from Mr. Matthew J. Eggers,
Executive Director, Cybersecurity Policy, National Security and
Emergency Preparedness, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Robert H.
Mayer, Vice President, Industry and State Affairs, United
States Telecom Association; Mr. Mark G. Clancy, Chief Executive
Officer, Soltra; Mr. Mordecai Rosen, General Manager, Security
Business Unit, CA Technologies; and Ms. Ola Sage, President and
Chief Executive Officer, e-Management.
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
On July 12, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Value of DHS' Vulnerability Assessments in Protecting our
Nation's Critical Infrastructure.'' The Subcommittee received
testimony from Mr. Chris P. Currie, Director, Homeland Security
and Justice Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office; Dr.
Andy Ozment, Assistant Secretary, Office of Cybersecurity and
Communications, National Protection and Programs Directorate,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Ms. Caitlin Durkovich,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Infrastructure Protection,
National Protection and Programs Directorate, U.S. Department
of Homeland Security; and Mr. Marcus L. Brown, Homeland
Security Advisor, Director of the Office of Homeland Security,
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL LABORATORIES
From October 17 through 21, 2016, Subcommittee staff
visited National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
National Laboratories in order to familiarize Subcommittee
staff with the capabilities resident at the NNSA National
Laboratories that could affect Homeland Security issues. The
staff visited the Los Alamos National Laboratory; Sandia
National Laboratory; and Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratory.
NATIONAL PROTECTION AND PROGRAMS DIRECTORATE
From February 18 through 19, 2016 Subcommittee staff
visited the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD)
Region 4 Regionalization Pilot Program. As part of the
Committee's oversight work of the Department of Homeland
Security and authorization work of NPPD, staff visited NPPD's
office space in Atlanta, Georgia and met with organizations
that utilize NPPD services in the region.
CYBER INCIDENT RESPONSE
On February 27, 2015, the Chairs of the Committee on
Homeland Security and the Committee on Foreign Affairs sent a
letter to the President requesting information on the
Administration's actions in response malicious activities by
foreign government in cyberspace, in response to the cyber
attack committed by North Korea on Sony pictures, as well as
the attack on Anthem, Inc., which had the potential to also be
state-sponsored. Information was also requested on how the
Administration defines and classifies different types of cyber
attacks as well as the U.S. Government's response to those
attacks upon occurrence. To date, no response has been received
by the Committee.
SET-TOP BOX CYBERSECURITY
On May 23, 2016, the Chair and Ranking Member of the Full
Committee along with the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs sent a
letter to the Chair of the Federal Communication Commission
requesting information to better understand impact of the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rulemaking related to
set-top boxes on cybersecurity. Answers to the proposed
questions were requested by June 10, 2016. A response from the
Chair of the Federal Communications Commission was sent,
providing further information and explanation of the FCC's
enforcement in the area of access to unlicensed spectrum and
effective cyber defense, stating that enforcement has focused
on circumstances where companies are using their defense
capabilities to deny legitimate users from accessing shared
unlicensed spectrum.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE
On May 26, 2016, the Chair of the Full Committee sent a
letter to the Under Secretary of the Department of Homeland
Security's Science and Technology Directorate regarding the
placement of the Director of the Finance and Budget Division of
the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology
Directorate on Administrative Leave. The Chair requested a
briefing for Committee staff regarding the status and relevant
details of the Director's Leave, by no later than June 6, 2016.
To date, no response has been received by the Committee.
CYBER WORKFORCE
On September 21, 2016, the Chair of the Full Committee and
the Chair of the Subcommittee sent a letter to the Secretary of
the Department of Homeland Security regarding concerns over the
slow speed at which the Department has carried out several
provisions enacted to bolster the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security's cybersecurity workforce, specifically the
Cybersecurity Workforce Assessment Act (Pub. L. 113-246) and
the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-
277). The letter referenced the Cybersecurity Workforce
Assessment Act, under which the Department is required to
assess the readiness and capacity of its workforce to meet its
cybersecurity mission, as well as requires to development of a
cybersecurity workforce strategy for the Department, noting its
slow progress in implementing both a cyber workforce strategy
and a personnel system that would address the authorities
provided by Congress for the creation of a cyber workforce. The
letter further requested that the Committee be provided: The
cybersecurity workforce assessment and strategy required in the
Cybersecurity Workforce Assessment Act; the plan for execution
of authorities; the annual report related to cybersecurity
recruitment and retention; and the cybersecurity critical needs
report required by the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of
2014, not later than October 3, 2016.
On October 28, 2016, the Department responded, noting in
May of 2016 Congress was provided with the plan for execution
of authorities and the annual report related to cybersecurity
recruitment and retention. The reports were also included in
the response letter. The Under Secretary explained the
Department is preparing a comprehensive report to Congress that
covers the requirements of the Cybersecurity Workforce
Assessment Act, the Border Patrol Agency Pay Reform Act of
2014, and the Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Assessment Act of
2015 (Title III of Pub. L. 114-113) which the Department plans
to transmit the report in December of 2016, and deliver the
workforce strategy in strategy in March 2017.
----------
Subcommittee Hearings Held
``Emerging Threats and Technologies to Protect the Homeland.''
February 12, 2015. (Serial No. 114-3)
``Industry Perspectives on the President's Cybersecurity
Information Sharing Proposal.'' March 4, 2015. (Serial
No. 114-7)
``Examining DHS Science and Technology Directorate's Engagement
with Academia and Industry.'' May 19, 2015. (Serial No.
114-17)
``DHS' Efforts to Secure .Gov.'' June 24, 2015. (Serial No.
114-23)
``Weapons of Mass Destruction: Bolstering DHS to Combat
Persistent Threats to America.'' Joint with the
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications. July 14, 2015. (Serial No. 114-26)
``Promoting and Incentivizing Cybersecurity Best Practices.''
July 28, 2015. (Serial No. 114-29)
``Examining the Mission, Structure, and Reorganization Effort
of the National Protection and Programs Directorate.''
October 7, 2015. (Serial No. 114-34)
``Wassenaar: Cybersecurity & Export Control.'' Joint hearing
with the Subcommittee on Information Security of the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. January
12, 2016. (Serial No. 114-49)
``Emerging Cyber Threats to the United States.'' February 25,
2016. (Serial No. 114-55)
``The Role of Cyber Insurance in Risk Management.'' March 22,
2016. (Serial No. 114-61)
Field hearing in Sherman, Texas. ``Cyber Preparedness and
Response at the Local Level.'' April 7, 2016. (Serial
No. 114-62)
``Enhancing Preparedness and Response Capabilities to Address
Cyber Threats.'' Joint hearing with the Subcommittee on
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications.
May 24, 2016. (Serial No. 114-71)
``Oversight of the Cybersecurity Act of 2015.'' June, 15, 2016.
(Serial No. 114-76)
Value of DHS' Vulnerability Assessments in Protecting our
Nation's Critical Infrastructure.'' July 12, 2016.
(Serial No. 114-81)
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications
Daniel M. Donovan, Jr., New York, Chairman
Tom Marino, Pennsylvania
Mark Walker, North Carolina
Barry Loudermilk, Georgia
Martha McSally, Arizona
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey
Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey
Kathleen M. Rice, New York
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
----------
During the 114th Congress, the Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response, and Communications held 11 hearings,
receiving testimony from 58 witnesses; and considered 7
measures, resulting in 4 Public Laws.
----------
Legislative Activities of the Subcommittee
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS ACT
Public Law 114-29 H.R. 615
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Under
Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security
to take administrative action to achieve and maintain
interoperable communications capabilities among the components
of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
Summary
This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L.
107-295) to include, among the responsibilities of the Under
Secretary for Management (USM) of the Department of Homeland
Security, achieving and maintaining interoperable
communications among the Department's components. The law
requires the USM to develop, and 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 strategy for achieving and maintaining interoperable
communications among the Department's components. The law
further requires the USM to report to the Committees on the
status of efforts to achieve the milestones detailed in the
strategy.
H.R. 615 advances the Committee's oversight of
interoperable communications by ensuring that the Department
will continue to keep the Committee informed of its efforts to
address the Department's Inspector General recommendations in
its November 2012 report DHS' Oversight of Interoperable
Communications [OIG-13-06] and develop and maintain
interoperable communications among the components.
Legislative History
113th Congress
In the 113th Congress, H.R. 4450 was introduced in the
House on March 24, 2014, by Mr. Payne and Mrs. Brooks of
Indiana and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 4289 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications.
On March 27, 2014, the Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response, and Communications considered H.R.
4289, and forwarded the measure to the Full Committee for
consideration, without amendment, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 4289 on June 11, 2014,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, without amendment by voice vote.
H.R. 4289 was reported to the House on June 19, 2014, as H.
Rpt. 113-484.
The House considered H.R. 4289 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 8, 2014, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 393 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No. 370).
H.R. 4289 was received in the Senate, on July 9, 2014, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
114th Congress
H.R. 615 was introduced in the House on January 28, 2015,
by Mr. Payne, Mrs. Brooks of Indiana, Mr. Thompson of
Mississippi, and Mr. McCaul, and referred to the Committee on
Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 615 was referred
to the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications.
The House considered H.R. 615 under Suspension of the Rules
on February 2, 2015, and passed the measure by a \2/3\ recorded
vote of 379 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll No. 52).
H.R. 615 was received in the Senate on February 3, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered H.R. 615 on March 4, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate favorably, with an
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute.
On May 21, 2015, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs reported H.R. 615 to the Senate as S.
Rpt. 114-53.
The Senate passed H.R. 615 with an amendment by unanimous
consent on June 11, 2015.
The House concurred in the Senate amendment to H.R. 615
under Suspension of the Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the
measure by voice vote. Clearing the measure for the President.
H.R. 615 was presented to the President on June 24, 2015.
The President signed H.R. 615 into law on July 6, 2015, as
Public Law 114-29.
------
SOCIAL MEDIA WORKING GROUP ACT OF 2015
Public Law 114-80 H.R. 623
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the
Department of Homeland Security to establish a social media
working group, and for other purposes.
Summary
This law amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L.
107-296) to authorize and enhance the Department of Homeland
Security's Virtual Social Media Working Group (the Group), a
group existing within the Department's Science and Technology
Directorate. During two hearings in the 113th Congress, the
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications heard from numerous stakeholders, including the
private sector, on this new reality and the vital role social
media plays in the response efforts after a disaster. One of
the key takeaways from the hearings was that during and after a
disaster there needs to be better communication between the
public and private sectors, specifically in the use of social
media and other emerging technologies.
H.R. 623 considered the lessons learned from those hearings
and amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize and
enhance the Group to ensure information sharing between the
Department and appropriate stakeholders regarding the use of
social media before, during, and after a terrorist attack or
other emergency. It expands the membership of the Group to
include representatives from state, local, and tribal law
enforcement, the fire service, emergency management, and public
health; along with universities and academia, non-profit
disaster relief organizations, and no fewer than three private
sector organizations. The bill appoints the Secretary, or a
designee, as the Chair of the working group and requires the
Secretary, or designee, to appoint a co-chair from among the
group's state or local representatives.
The law requires the Group to meet within 90 days of
enactment and biannually thereafter, or at the call of the
Chair. The bill also requires the Group to submit an annual
report to Congress on its activities, including a review of
current and emerging technologies; best practices and lessons
learned; available training on the use of social media in the
aftermath of a disaster; and recommendations to improve the
Department's use of social media for emergency management
purposes.
Legislative History
113th Congress
In the 113th Congress, H.R. 4263 was introduced in the
House on March 14, 2013, by Mrs. Brooks of Indiana, Mr. Payne,
Mr. Palazzo, and Mr. Swalwell of California, and referred to
the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R.
4263 was referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response, and Communications.
On March 27, 2014, the Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response, and Communications considered H.R.
4263, and forwarded the measure to the Full Committee for
consideration, as amended, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 4263 on June 11, 2014,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 4263 was reported to the House on June 19, 2014, as H.
Rpt. 113-480.
The Chair of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security on July 7, 2014, agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration of H.R. 4263, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would not seek a sequential
referral of H.R. 4263. The letter further requested the
appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be
called. On that same date, the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security responded acknowledging the jurisdictional
interests of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
and the agreement to not seek a sequential referral.
The House considered H.R. 4263 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 8, 2014, and passed the measure by a \2/3\
recorded vote of 375 yeas and 19 nays, (Roll No. 369).
H.R. 4263 was received in the Senate, on July 9, 2014, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
114th Congress
H.R. 623 was introduced in the House on January 30, 2015,
by Mrs. Brooks of Indiana, Mr. McCaul, and Mr. Payne and
referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
and the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee,
H.R. 623 was referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response, and Communications.
The House considered H.R. 623 under Suspension of the Rules
on February 2, 2015, and passed the measure by a \2/3\ recorded
vote of 328 yeas and 51 nays, (Roll No. 53).
H.R. 623 was received in the Senate on February 3, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered H.R. 623 on May 6, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate, with an amendment,
favorably.
Senate considered H.R. 623 on October 7, 2015, and passed
the measure with an Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute.
On October 28, 2015, the House agreed to Suspend the Rules
and concurred in the Senate amendment to H.R. 623. Clearing the
measure for the President.
H.R. 623 was presented to the President on November 2,
2015. The President signed H.R.623 into law on November 5,
2015, as Public Law 114-80.
------
INTEGRATED PUBLIC ALERT AND WARNING SYSTEM MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2015
Public Law 114-143 S. 1180 (H.R. 1738 / H.R. 1472)
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the
Secretary of Homeland Security to modernize and implement the
national integrated public alert and warning system to
disseminate homeland security information and other
information, and for other purposes.
Summary
Since its establishment in April 2007, the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) Integrated Public Alert and Warning
System (IPAWS) Program Management Office (PMO) has been
operating without Congressional authorization. Given the
significant progress that the PMO has accomplished since its
establishment, the time has come for Congress to provide the
necessary support and direction to ensure that IPAWS reaches
its goals. This legislation provides the Secretary with
direction on the necessary system requirements that IPAWS must
achieve, such as the ability to provide timely alerts and
warnings to the largest segment of the population possible.
This legislation is the product of a number of hearings and
briefing held by the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness,
Response, and Communications in the 112th and 113th Congresses,
including a July 8, 2011, hearing entitled, ``Communicating
With the Public During Emergencies: An Update on Federal Alerts
and Warnings,'' which focused specifically on IPAWS and at
which Members of the Subcommittee received testimony from
Federal witnesses and stakeholders. The Subcommittee continued
its oversight of IPAWS at a November 17, 2011, hearing, which
explored the various emergency communications offices and
programs at the Department of Homeland Security. The director
of the IPAWS PMO testified at that hearing and provided Members
of the Subcommittee with an update on the national test of the
Emergency Alert System and implementation of the Commercial
Mobile Alert System (CMAS) now known as Wireless Emergency
Alert (WEA). The Subcommittee also held a Member briefing on
May 7, 2013, to receive an update on the system and its use.
The Assistant Administrator for National Continuity Programs
from the Federal Emergency Management Administration provided
the briefing.
The need for, and benefit of, a robust integrated public
alert and warning system has been repeatedly demonstrated in
recent events. Alerts through the IPAWS system were sent after
the Boston Marathon bombings and wireless emergency alerts have
been credited with helping to save lives during natural
disasters, including Hurricane Sandy and the severe tornadoes
hit the South and Midwest in Spring 2014. This legislation will
help to ensure that as much information as possible is made
available and accessible to the public before, during, and
after terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and other
emergencies to get them out of harm's way.
Legislative History
112th Congress
In the 112th Congress, H.R. 3563 was introduced in the
House on December 6, 2011, by Mr. Bilirakis and Ms. Richardson,
and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Within the
Committee, H.R. 3563 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications.
The Subcommittee considered H.R. 3563 on December 8, 2011,
and reported the measure to the Full Committee with a favorable
recommendation, amended, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 3563 on March 28, 2012,
and ordered the measure to be favorably reported to the House,
amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 3563 to
the House on September 20, 2012, as H. Rpt. 112-685, Pt. I.
Subsequently, the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure was discharged from further consideration.
A provision similar to H.R. 3563 was included in section
102 of the FEMA Reauthorization Act of 2012 (H.R. 2903), which
passed the House of Representatives on September 19, 2012.
113th Congress
In the 113th Congress, H.R. 3283 was introduced in the
House on October 10, 2013, by Mr. Bilirakis and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Within the
Committee, H.R. 3283 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications.
On March 27, 2014, the Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response, and Communications considered H.R.
3283, and forwarded the measure to the Full Committee for
consideration, as amended, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 3283 on April 30, 2014,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, as
amended, by voice vote.
114th Congress
S. 1180
S. 1180 was introduced in the Senate on May 4, 2015, by Mr.
Johnson and Ms. McCaskill and referred to the Senate Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered S. 1180 on June 6, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate with an amendment,
favorably.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported S. 1180 to the Senate on June 25, 2015, as S.
Rpt. 114-73.
The Senate considered S. 1180 on July 9, 2015, and passed
the measure, with amendments, by unanimous consent.
S. 1180 was received in the House on July 13, 2015, and
held at the Desk.
The House considered S. 1180 under Suspension of the Rules
on March 21, 2016, and passed the measure by voice vote.
Clearing the measure for the President.
S. 1180 was presented to the President on March 31, 2016,
and signed into law on April 11, 2016, as Public Law 114-143.
H.R. 1738
H.R. 1738 was introduced in the House on April 13, 2015, by
Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. McCaul, and Mrs. Brooks of Indiana and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Within the
Committee, H.R. 1738 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications.
The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications was discharged from further consideration of
H.R. 1738 on May 20, 2015.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 1738 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 1738 to the House on December
8, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-854, Pt. I.
H.R. 1472
H.R. 1472 was introduced in the House on March 19, 2015, by
Mr. Barletta, Mr. Carson of Indiana, Mr. Shuster, and Mr.
DeFazio and referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
considered H.R. 1472 on April 15, 2015 and ordered the measure
to be reported to the House by voice vote.
------
FIRST RESPONDER ANTHRAX PREPAREDNESS ACT
Public Law 114-268 S. 1915 (H.R. 1300)
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to make anthrax
vaccines and antimicrobials available to emergency response
providers, and for other purposes.
Summary
An anthrax attack is a serious mass casualty threat. The
National response capability to a wide-area anthrax attack
would be greatly enhanced by having pre-vaccinated responders,
able to deploy immediately and confidently, knowing that they
have been afforded as much protection as possible. Pre-event
vaccination is a safe, effective way to protect these
responders so they can respond in an anthrax attack without
fear of contracting disease. The first responder community has
been requesting this capability and the Committee has worked
with the Department to establish an effective program.
The Department of Homeland Security Office of Health
Affairs has been working with the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention on a pilot program to provide surplus pre-event
anthrax vaccine from the Strategic National Stockpile to
emergency response providers on a voluntary basis and free of
charge. This legislation authorizes that program.
Legislative History
113th Congress
In the 113th Congress, H.R. 5620 was introduced in the
House on September 18, 2015, by Mr. King of New York and Mr.
Pascrell and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and
the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Within the Committee,
H.R. 5620 was Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response and Communications.
114th Congress
H.R. 1300
H.R. 1300 was introduced in the House on March 4, 2015, by
Mr. King of New York, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Rooney of Florida, and
Mr. Katko and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
and the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Within the Committee,
H.R. 1300 was referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response, and Communications.
The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications considered H.R. 1300 on May 14, 2015, and
forwarded the measure to the Full Committee for consideration,
as amended, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 1300 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce sent a
letter to the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security on
July 22, 2015, agreeing that, in order to expedite
consideration on the Floor of the House, the Committee on
Energy and Commerce would waive further consideration of H.R.
1300. On July 21, 2015, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland
Security responded, acknowledging the jurisdictional interests
of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the agreement to
waive further consideration of H.R. 1300.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 1300 to
the House on July 22, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-222, Pt. I.
Subsequently, the Committee on Energy and Commerce was
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1300.
The House considered H.R. 1300 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 27, 2015, and passed the measure on July 29,
2015, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 424 yeas and 0 nays, (Roll
No. 485).
H.R. 1300 was received in the Senate on July 30, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
S. 1915
S. 1915, the Senate companion measure to Sec. 301 of H.R.
3583 as passed by the House, was introduced in the Senate by
Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Booker, and Mr. Coons on August 3, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs considered S. 1915 on December 9, 2015, and ordered the
measure to be reported to the Senate, with an amendment.
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs reported S. 1915 to the Senate on May 9, 2016, as S.
Rpt. 114-251.
The Senate passed S. 1915 on November 16, 2016, by
unanimous consent with an amendment and an amendment to the
title.
S. 1915 was received in the House on November 17, 2016, and
held at the Desk.
The House agreed to take from the Speakers table and passed
S. 1915 on November 29, 2016, clearing the measure for the
President.
S. 1915 was presented to the President on December 2, 2016.
The President signed S. 1915 into law on December 14, 2016, as
Pub. L. 114-268.
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CBRN INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION SHARING ACT OF 2015
H.R. 2200
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish
chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear intelligence
and information sharing functions of the Office of Intelligence
and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security and to
require dissemination of information analyzed by the Department
to entities with responsibilities relating to homeland
security, and for other purposes.
Summary
Terrorist groups have long strived to employ chemical,
biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) materials in their
attacks. Furthermore, events such as the Boston Marathon
bombing in 2013 illustrate the need for better information
sharing between Federal and local officials. This legislation
requires that the Office of Intelligence and Analysis within
the Department of Homeland Security enhance intelligence
analysis and information sharing on CBRN threats and work to
ensure that State and local officials get the actionable
intelligence information necessary to stop an attack.
Legislative History
H.R. 2200 was introduced in the House on May 1, 2015, by
Ms. McSally, Mr. McCaul, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Meehan, Mr.
Thompson of Mississippi, and Mr. Payne and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 2200
was referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and
Intelligence and the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness,
Response, and Communications.
The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications considered H.R. 2200 on May 14, 2015, and
forwarded the measure to the Full Committee for consideration,
as amended, by voice vote.
The Chair discharged the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism
and Intelligence from further consideration of H.R. 2200 on May
20, 2015.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 2200 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 2200 to the House on June 17,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-164.
The House considered H.R. 2200 under Suspension of the
Rules on June 23, 2015, and passed the measure, on June 25,
2015, amended, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 420 yeas and 2 nays,
(Roll No. 389).
H.R. 2200 was received in the Senate on July 7, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
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STATE WIDE INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS ENHANCEMENT ACT
H.R. 2206
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require
recipients of State Homeland Security Grant Program funding to
preserve and strengthen interoperable emergency communications
capabilities, and for other purposes.
Summary
Despite an investment of more than $5 billion in grant
funding to enhance communications capabilities over the past 10
years, interoperability remains a challenge, particularly
during disaster scenarios. H.R. 2206 recognizes the important
role played by Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (SWICs),
be it through the development of Statewide Communications
Interoperability Plans, coordinating interoperable
communications projects and grant requests, or engaging with
the First Responder Network Authority as it works to design and
build the Nation-wide public safety broadband network. The bill
requires a governor to certify, as part of the application for
State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) funds, that the
State has designated a SWIC, or, if a SWIC has not been
designated, that the State is performing in another manner the
functions of a SWIC.
Legislative History
H.R. 2206 was introduced in the House on May 1, 2015, by
Mr. Payne, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. McCaul, and Ms.
McSally, and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
Within the Committee, H.R. 2206 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications.
The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications considered H.R. 2206 on May 14, 2015, and
forwarded the measure to the Full Committee for consideration,
without amendment, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 2206 on May 20, 2015,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, with a
favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 2206 to the House on June 17,
2015, as H. Rpt. 114-165.
The House considered H.R. 2206 under Suspension of the
Rules on July 27, 2015, and passed the measure by voice vote.
H.R. 2206 was received in the Senate on July 28, 2015, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
FIRST RESPONDER IDENTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY NEEDS IN DISASTER
SITUATIONS
H.R. 2795
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a study
on the circumstances which may impact the effectiveness and
availability of first responders before, during, or after a
terrorist threat or event.
Summary
H.R. 2795 was introduced as the Nation neared the tenth
anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Catastrophic emergencies like
Hurricane Katrina and the 2014 Ebola scare in Texas impact
entire communities that State and local first responders are
responsible for protecting. These first responders are also
responsible for protecting their own families impacted by
emergencies. This bill analyzes how much is being done to
support the needs of first responders--particularly with
respect to concerns about their families--so that they can
continue to do their job successfully. This measure provides
Congress with relevant information about policies and programs
at both the State and local levels that support the protection
and preparedness of first responders and their families during
emergencies.
Legislative History
H.R. 2795 was introduced in the House on June 16, 2015, by
Ms. Jackson Lee and 14 original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 2795
was referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness,
Response, and Communications.
On November 4, 2015, the Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response and Communications was discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 2795.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 2795 on November 4,
2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House, as
amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 2795 to the House on December
7, 2015, as H. Rpt. 114-370.
The House considered H.R. 2795 under Suspension of the
Rules on December 10, 2015, and passed the bill, as amended, by
a \2/3\ recorded vote of 396 yeas and 12 nays, (Roll No. 689).
H.R. 2795 was received in the Senate on December 14, 2015,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
PROMOTING RESILIENCE AND EFFICIENCY IN PREPARING FOR ATTACKS AND
RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES ACT
H.R. 3583
To reform and improve the Federal Emergency Management Agency,
the Office of Emergency Communications, and the Office of
Health Affairs of the Department of Homeland Security, and for
other purposes.
Summary
The Promoting Resilience and Efficiency in Preparing for
Attacks and Responding to Emergencies (PREPARE) Act seeks to
enhance accountability at the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Office of Emergency Communications, and Office of
Health Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security. As a
part of the Committee's authorization process, the PREPARE Act
builds efficiencies and increases coordination for preparedness
improvements, while providing greater accountability for
taxpayers.
Legislative History
H.R. 3583
The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications considered a Committee Print entitled
``Promoting Resilience and Efficiency in Preparing for Attacks
and Responding to Emergencies Act'' on September 10, 2015, and
reported the measure to the Full Committee for consideration,
with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 3583 was introduced in the House on September 22,
2015, by Ms. McSally, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Donovan, and Mr. Payne
and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
The Committee on Homeland Security considered H.R. 3583 on
September 30, 2015, and ordered the measure to be reported to
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice
vote.
On March 9, 2016, the Chair of the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure sent a letter to the Chair of
the Committee on Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to
expedite consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure would waive further
consideration of H.R. 3583. The letter further requested
support for the appointment of Conferees should a House-Senate
Conference be called. On March 10, the Chair of the Committee
on Homeland Security responded acknowledging the jurisdictional
interests of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, and the agreement to not waive further
consideration.
On March 11, 2016, the Chair of the Committee on Energy and
Commerce sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to expedite
consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on Energy and
Commerce would waive further consideration of H.R. 3583. The
letter further requested support for the appointment of
Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be called. On that
same date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security
responded acknowledging the jurisdictional interests of the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the agreement to not
waive further consideration.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 3583 to
the House on March 16, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-455, Pt. I.
Subsequently, the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce were
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3583.
On March 22, 2016, the Chair of the Committee on Financial
Services sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on
Homeland Security agreeing that, in order to expedite
consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on Financial
Services would not seek a sequential referral of H.R. 3583. The
letter further requested support for the appointment of
Conferees should a House-Senate Conference be called. The Chair
of the Committee on Homeland Security responded on April 6,
2016, acknowledging the jurisdictional letter of the Committee
on Financial Services, and the agreement to not seek a
sequential referral.
The House agreed to Suspend the Rules on April 26, 2016,
and passed the measure, as amended, by voice vote.
H.R. 3583 was received in the Senate on April 27, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
STATE AND HIGH-RISK URBAN AREA WORKING GROUP ACT
H.R. 4509
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to clarify
membership of State planning committees or urban area working
groups for the Homeland Security Grant Program, and for other
purposes.
Summary
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-296)
requires States and urban areas that receive State Homeland
Security Grant Program and Urban Areas Security Initiative
funds to have planning committees to determine how to
efficiently and effectively expend these funds. H.R. 4509
expands the stakeholders required to be involved in these
committees to include representatives from public health,
educational institutions, fusion centers, and interoperability
coordinators, where appropriate.
Legislative History
H.R. 4509 was introduced in the House on February 9, 2016,
by Mr. Payne and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 4509 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications.
The Subcommittee on Emergency Response and Communications
was discharged from further consideration on March 23, 2016.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 4509 on March 23, 2016, and
ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, without amendment, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 4509 to
the House on April 13, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-491.
The House considered H.R. 4509 on April 13, 2016, under
Suspension of the Rules and passed the measure, as amended, by
voice vote.
H.R. 4509 was received in the Senate on April 14, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
Provisions of H.R. 4509 were included in Section 1911 of
the Conference Report to accompany S. 2943, the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. (See action
taken on S. 2943, listed under Full Committee legislative
activities).
------
SECURING OUR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD ACT
H.R. 5346
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make the
Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Health Affairs
responsible for coordinating the efforts of the Department of
Homeland Security related to food, agriculture, and veterinary
defense against terrorism, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 5346 amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
authorize a program to coordinate the Department of Homeland
Security's efforts related to food, agriculture, and veterinary
defense from acts of terrorism and other high-consequence
events that pose a high risk to homeland security.
Legislative History
H.R. 5346 was introduced in the House on May 26, 2016, by
Mr, Young of Iowa and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce and the Committee on Agriculture. Within the
Committee, H.R. 5346 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications.
On June 16, 2016, the Subcommittee on Emergency
Communications, Preparedness, and Response considered H.R. 5346
and reported the measure to the Full Committee, as amended, by
voice vote.
The Chair of the Committee on Agriculture sent a letter to
the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security on September 6,
2016, agreeing that, in order to expedite consideration on the
House Floor, the Committee on Agriculture would waive its right
to consider H.R. 5346.
The Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce sent a
letter to the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security on
September 14, 2016, agreeing that, in order to expedite
consideration on the House Floor, the Committee on Energy and
Commerce would waive its right to consider H.R. 5346. On that
same date, the Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security
responded acknowledging the agreement by the Committee on
Energy and Commerce to forgo consideration of H.R. 5346, and
the agreement to support the appointment of Conferees should a
House-Senate Conference be called.
The Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security responded
to the Chair of the Committee on Agriculture on September 14,
2016, acknowledging an agreement by the Committee on
Agriculture to forgo consideration of H.R. 5346, and the
agreement to support the appointment of Conferees should a
House-Senate Conference be called.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5346 on September 15,
2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee on Homeland Security reported H.R. 5346 to
the House on September 19, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-755, Pt. I.
Subsequently, the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the
Committee on Agriculture were discharged from further
consideration of H.R. 5346.
The House considered H.R. 5346 under Suspension of the
Rules on September 26, 2016, and passed the measure by voice
vote.
H.R. 5346 was received in the Senate on September 27, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
CYBER PREPAREDNESS ACT OF 2016
H.R. 5459
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance
preparedness and response capabilities for cyber attacks,
bolster the dissemination of homeland security information
related to cyber threats, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 5459 seeks to enhance preparedness and response
capabilities for cyber attacks and bolster the sharing of
information related to cyber threats. The bill includes, as a
function of the National Cybersecurity and Communications
Integration Center (NCCIC), sharing information about cyber
best practices, in addition to the sharing of cyber threat
indicators and defensive measures currently required by law.
The bill also authorizes representatives from State and major
urban area fusion centers, as defined in the bill, to be
assigned to the NCCIC, similar to the assignment of
representatives from information sharing and analysis centers
(ISACs) permitted under current law.
H.R. 5459 authorizes the use of State Homeland Security
Grant Program and Urban Area Security Initiative funds for
cybersecurity enhancements. Cyber expenditures are currently
allowable under yearly grant guidance for these programs and
this section will codify the authorization to highlight the
importance of these expenditures and ensure they continue to be
allowable.
Finally, H.R. 5459 expresses the sense of Congress that the
Department of Homeland Security should work to lessen the
classification level or provide information in an unclassified
form, as practicable, to enable greater sharing of actionable
intelligence related to cyber threats.
Legislative History
H.R. 5459 was introduced in the House on June 13, 2016, by
Mr. Donovan, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Ratcliffe, and Mr. Payne, and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. Within the
Committee, H.R. 5459 was referred to the Subcommittee on
Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies and the Subcommittee on Emergency Preapredness,
Response, and Communications.
The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications considered H.R. 5459 on June 14, 2016, and
passed the measure, as amended, by voice vote.
The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies was discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 5459 on September 14, 2016.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5459 on September 14,
2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 5459 to the House on September
19, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-756.
The House considered H.R. 5459 under Suspension of the
Rules on September 26, 2016, and passed the measure by voice
vote.
H.R. 5459 was received in the Senate on September 27, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
FIRST RESPONDER ACCESS TO INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES ACT
H.R. 5460
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish a
review process to review applications for certain grants to
purchase equipment or systems that do not meet or exceed any
applicable national voluntary consensus standards, and for
other purposes.
Summary
This measure amends Subsection (f) of section 2008 of the
Home*land Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 609) by adding at the
end a re*view process for applications seeking to purchase
equipment or sys*tems that do not meet or exceed applicable
national voluntary con*sensus standards using funds from the
Urban Area Security Initia*tive or the State Homeland Security
Grant Program. This bill addresses complaints raised by
stakeholder groups that Federal Emergency Management Agency
lacks a uniform, predictable, and transparent process to review
grantee requests to use grant funding to purchase equipment
that does not meet or exceed voluntary consensus standards or
for which no voluntary consensus standard exists.
Legislative History
H.R. 5460 was introduced in the House on June 13, 2016, by
Mr. Payne and Mr. Donovan, and referred to the Committee on
Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 5460 was referred
to the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications.
On June 16, 2016, the Subcommittee on Emergency
Communications, Preparedness, and Response considered H.R. 5460
and reported the measure to the Full Committee, without
amendment, by voice vote.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5460 on September 16,
2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committee reported H.R. 5460 to the House on September
26, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-788.
The House considered H.R. 5460 under Suspension of the
Rules on September 26, 2016, and passed the measure by voice
vote.
H.R. 5460 was received in the Senate on September 27, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
COMMUNITY COUNTERTERRORISM PREPAREDNESS ACT
H.R. 5859
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the
major metropolitan area counterterrorism training and exercise
grant program, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 5859 authorizes $39 million for emergency response
providers in major metropolitan areas to conduct training and
exercises to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the most
likely terrorist attack scenarios, including active shooters.
Legislative History
H.R. 5859 was introduced in the House on July 14, 2016, by
Mr. McCaul and 25 original cosponsors and referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security. Within the Committee, H.R. 5859
was referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness,
Response, and Communications.
The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications was discharged from further consideration of
H.R. 5859 on September 14, 2016.
The Full Committee considered H.R. 5859 on September 14,
2016, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with
a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice vote.
The Committed reported H.R. 5859 to the House on September
19, 2016, as H. Rpt. 114-754.
The House considered H.R. 5859 under Suspension of the
Rules on September 21, 2016, and passed the measure, as
amended, by a \2/3\ recorded vote of 395 yeas and 30 nays,
(Roll No. 537).
H.R. 5859 was received in the Senate on September 22, 2016,
read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.
------
Oversight Activities of the Subcommittee
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY
Since the beginning of the 114th Congress, States and
localities have experienced a number of disasters including:
terrorist attacks in San Bernardino, California and Orlando,
Florida, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and flooding. It is
imperative that the Federal Government, along with its partners
at the State and local levels and the private sector, work to
prepare for and respond to terrorist attacks, natural
disasters, and other emergencies.
The Members of the Subcommittee conducted a site visit to
the Federal Emergency Management Agency Headquarters in
Washington, D.C. on March 18, 2015, to meet with the
Administrator and tour the National Response Coordination
Center.
On April 3, 2015, the Full Committee and Subcommittee
Chairs, as well as the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, sent a
letter to Administrator Fugate regarding the recommendations
found in Hurricane Sandy: FEMA Has Improved Disaster Aid
Verification but Could Act to Further Limit Improper Assistance
[GAO-15-15] and Opportunities Exist to Strengthen Oversight of
the Administrative Cost for Major Disasters [GAO-15-65]. The
Committee received a response from FEMA's Office of Response
and Recovery on May 20, 2015.
On April 30, 2015, Committee staff met with representatives
of the National Academy of Public Administration to discuss
their work related to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
On May 21, 2015, Committee staff met with representatives
of the Government Accountability Office to discuss the Office's
ongoing work related to the response to and recovery from
Hurricane Sandy.
On June 25, 2015, the Subcommittee Chair and the Chair of
the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence sent a
letter to the Director of National Intelligence regarding the
Joint Counterterrorism Assessment Team and information sharing
between Federal, State, and local public safety officials. The
Subcommittees received a response on November 9, 2015.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency's Protection and National
Preparedness Directorate on July 29, 2015, to receive a
briefing on Presidential Preparedness Directive-8.
As a result of the disaster preparedness and response
meetings above and meetings detailed in other sections of this
report, on September 22, 2015, the Subcommittee Chair and
Ranking Member, along with the Full Committee Chair and
Representative Donovan, introduced H.R. 3583, the Promoting
Resilience and Efficiency in Preparing for Attacks and
Responding to Emergencies (PREPARE) Act. (For additional
information on H.R. 3583, please see the legislative action
section above.)
Shortly after the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, on
September 28, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with representatives
of the RAND Corporation to receive a briefing on the evolution
of disaster response capabilities since Hurricane Katrina.
On October 8, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with the Federal
Emergency Management Agency's Office of Response and Recovery
to receive a briefing on current operations and the Office's
realignment.
On October 22, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``Ready and Resilient?: Examining Federal Emergency
Preparedness and Response Capabilities.'' The Subcommittee
received testimony from the Hon. W. Craig Fugate,
Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security; Mr. Bryan Koon, Director,
Florida Division of Emergency Management, testifying on behalf
of the National Emergency Management Association; and Mr. Chris
P. Currie, Director, Emergency Management, National
Preparedness, and Critical Infrastructure Protection, Homeland
Security and Justice Team, U.S. Government Accountability
Office. This hearing provided Subcommittee Members with an
opportunity to receive testimony from Federal and State
emergency management officials and the Government
Accountability Office to examine the current state of
preparedness and response capabilities, particularly in light
of the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and 3rd
anniversary of Hurricane Sandy.
On March 2, 2016, Subcommittee staff participated in a
conference call with representatives of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency regarding Hurricane Sandy recovery
operations.
On March 3, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Texas A&M University Veterinary
Emergency Response Team to receive information on the Team's
disaster response efforts related to animals.
From May 3--5, 2016, Subcommittee staff conducted site
visits in New York, New York, and Bayonne, New Jersey to
observe U.S. Coast Guard emergency response operations and
operations and equipment funded using Federal homeland security
grants.
On May 26, 2016, the Subcommittee Chair visited the Federal
Emergency Management Agency to meet with the Administrator and
tour the National Response Coordination Center.
Subcommittee staff received a briefing from representatives
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, and American Red Cross on June
1, 2016, regarding forecasts and preparations for the 2016
Atlantic Hurricane season.
On June 21, 2016, the Subcommittee held a field hearing in
Jersey City, New Jersey entitled ``Protecting Our Passengers:
Perspectives on Securing Surface Transportation in New Jersey
and New York.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from Ms.
Sonya Proctor, Director, Surface Division, Office of Security
Policy and Industry Engagement, Transportation Security
Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Mr.
Thomas Belfiore, Chief Security Officer, The Port Authority of
New York and New Jersey; Mr. Raymond Diaz, Director of
Security, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York); Mr.
Christopher Trucillo, Chief of Police, New Jersey Transit
Police Department; Mr. Martin Conway, Deputy Police Chief,
National Railroad Passenger CorporationAMTRAK; Sergeant W. Greg
Kierce, Director, Office of Emergency Management and Homeland
Security, City of Jersey City, New Jersey; Mr. Rick Sposa,
Operations Coordinator, Emergency Medical Services, Jersey City
Medical Center; Lieutenant Vincent Glenn, Commander, Emergency
Services Unit, Police Department, Jersey City, New Jersey;
Captain Richard D. Gorman, Department of Fire and Emergency
Services, Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security,
Jersey City, New Jersey; and Mr. Mike Mollahan, Trustee, Port
Authority Police Benevolent Association. This hearing examined
the preparedness and response capabilities of major surface
transportation systems and first responders in the New York and
New Jersey area.
In preparation for this hearing, on April 21, 2016, the
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications and the Subcommittee on Transportation Security
held a roundtable with representatives of transit systems to
receive information on their security efforts.
Subsequent to this hearing, on September 7, 2016, the
Subcommittee Chair and Ranking Member introduced H.R. 5943, the
Transit Security Grant Program Flexibility Act. (For additional
information on H.R. 5943, please see the legislative action
section above.)
On July 11, 2016, the Subcommittee held a field hearing on
Staten Island, New York entitled ``A Prepared Community is a
Resilient Community.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from
Mr. Michael Byrne, Deputy Regional Administrator, Region II,
Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security; Ms. Marion McFadden, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Grant Programs, Office of Community Planning and
Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development;
Mr. Daniel A. Zarrilli, Chief Resilience Officer, Office of the
Mayor, City of New York, New York; Mr. Vincent M. Ignizio,
Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities of Staten Island,
Staten Island, New York; Mr. Brad Gair, Private Citizen; Ms.
Donna Moravick, Executive Director, Southside Hospital, Bay
Shore, New York; and Ms. Kelly D. Higgs, Disaster Recovery and
Resiliency Coordinator, New Jersey Voluntary Organizations
Active in Disaster. This hearing provided Members with an
opportunity to hear from representatives of Federal and local
governments, non-profit organizations, and the private sector
regarding response and recovery operations to Hurricane Sandy
and provided recommendations for improvements to those
operations for future disasters.
Based on the findings of the hearing, on August 22, 2016,
the Subcommittee Chair sent a letter to the Administrator of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development, informing them of the hearing's
findings and requesting additional information. The
Subcommittee received a response to the letter on October 28,
2016.
During National Preparedness Month, on September 9, 2016,
the Full Committee and Subcommittee Chairs visited FEMA
Headquarters in Washington, DC to meet with the Administrator
and receive an update on preparedness efforts and disaster
operations.
On October 6, 2016, Subcommittee staff attended a briefing
with representatives of FEMA to receive an update on Federal
response preparations for Hurricane Matthew. In the aftermath
of the storm, staff also participated in a number of conference
calls with Federal and State representatives to receive updates
on response operations.
MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS
The mission of the Department of Homeland Security's Office
of Health Affairs is to provide health and medical expertise in
support of the Department's mission to prepare for, respond to,
and recover from all hazards impacting the Nation's health
security. As a result, the Subcommittee conducted a number of
oversight activities related to the Office of Health Affairs in
the 114th Congress.
On March 17, 2015, the Subcommittee Chair met with Dr.
Kathryn Brinsfield, Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs,
Department of Homeland Security.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of the Office
of Health Affairs on August 11, 2015, to receive a briefing on
improvised explosive device and active shooter response
guidance.
On September 21, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Office of Health Affairs to receive a
briefing on efforts to combat Severe Avian Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS).
Subcommittee staff received a briefing from representatives
of the Office of Health Affairs and U.S. Customs and Border
Protection on October 21, 2015 on the Southwest Border Health
Initiative.
On October 22, 2015, the Subcommittee Chair met with Dr.
Kathryn Brinsfield, Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs,
Department of Homeland Security and Dr. Nicole Lurie, Assistant
Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Department of Health
and Human Services.
On January 19, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Trust for America's Health to receive a
briefing on its report, Outbreaks: Protecting Americans from
Infectious Diseases.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of the Office
of Health Affairs and U.S. Customs and Border Protection on
January 20, 2016 to receive a briefing on efforts to prevent
the spread of Chagas Disease in the Department of Homeland
Security's canine population.
On January 27, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Department of Homeland Security's Office
of Inspector General to receive a briefing on their assessment
of the Department's response to the Ebola cases in the United
States in 2014.
On February 5, 2016, the Full Committee and Subcommittee
Chairs sent a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security
regarding efforts by the Department to combat the threat of
emerging infectious diseases in light of the spread of the Zika
Virus.
Subcommittee staff participated in a briefing with
representatives of the New York City Department of Health and
Mental Hygiene on February 22, 2016.
On April 14, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention's (CDC) Office of Emergency Preparedness and
Response to receive a briefing on the CDC's Zika Virus
preparedness and response efforts.
On July 12, 2016, the Members of the Subcommittee received
a briefing from representatives of the Department of Health and
Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and
Department of Homeland Security to receive information on
Federal efforts to combat the Zika virus.
Subcommittee staff attended a briefing with Dr. Anthony
Fauci of the National Institutes of Health on July 29, 2016
regarding research and development of vaccines and antivirals
to combat Zika virus.
On December 7, 2016, the Subcommittee Chair met with the
Assistant Secretary of Health Affairs to discuss the future of
the Office of Health Affairs and its programs.
OUTREACH TO STATE, LOCAL, AND TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS, AND THE PRIVATE
SECTOR
Throughout the 114th Congress, Subcommittee staff met with
various Federal agencies and stakeholder groups representing
the first responder and emergency management communities and
the private sector to discuss issues of concern to their
membership. These meetings included the International
Association of Fire Chiefs, National Volunteer Fire Council,
International Association of Firefighters, Congressional Fire
Services Institute, National Emergency Management Association,
International Association of Emergency Managers, National
Governors Association, National Association of Counties, U.S.
Conference of Mayors, National Fusion Center Association, Major
County Sheriffs Association, Major Cities Chiefs Association,
National Sheriffs Association, National Association of State
Emergency Medical Services Officials, National Association of
Emergency Medical Technicians, Business Executives for National
Security, and the American Red Cross. This engagement provides
valuable insights for the Subcommittee and has contributed to
the development of legislative and oversight activities.
On January 27, 2015, the Subcommittee Chair met with the
Director of the Arizona Division of Emergency Management.
On March 16, 2015, Subcommittee staff participated in a
panel discussion at the National Emergency Management
Association's (NEMA) Mid Year Conference in Washington, D.C.
Subsequently, on March 17, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
NEMA's leadership to receive an update on their priorities.
Following the November 2015 attacks in Paris that impacted
a number of private sector entities, on December 2, 2015, the
Subcommittee, jointly with the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism
and Intelligence, held a roundtable with members of the private
sector to discuss information sharing with the Federal
government. Subcommittee Members received a briefing from
representatives of the hotel, retail, and entertainment
industries. In preparation for the roundtable, Subcommittee
staff met with representatives of the National Fusion Center
Association to discuss fusion center efforts to share
information with the private sector.
Subsequent to this roundtable, on February 4, 2016, the
Subcommittees held a classified briefing with representatives
from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of
Homeland Security's Office of Intelligence and Analysis and
Office of Infrastructure Protection to discuss the findings of
the December 2nd roundtable and receive information on Federal
efforts to engage and share information with the private
sector.
On February 1, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the National Governors Association's
Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council (GHSAC) Executive
Committee to receive a briefing on current GHSAC initiatives.
Subcommittee staff participated in a site visit to the
Department of Homeland Security's Office of National Capital
Region Coordination and the District of Columbia Homeland
Security and Emergency Management Agency on March 31, 2016.
On April 6, 2016, Subcommittee staff participated in a
panel discussion at the National Emergency Management
Association's (NEMA) Mid Year Conference in Washington, D.C.
Subsequently, on April 7, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
NEMA's leadership to receive an update on their priorities.
On August 2, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of Business Executives for National Security to
discuss the organization's study of private sector preparedness
and response capabilities and engagement with the Department of
Homeland Security.
EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS AND INDIVIDUALS
The Department of Homeland Security has distributed
approximately $40 billion in grants to States and localities
since the September 11th attacks. Administered by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency's Grant Programs Directorate, this
funding is used to help jurisdictions prevent, prepare for,
mitigate, and respond to terrorist attacks. FEMA is also
responsible for the distribution of disaster relief funding to
States and individuals following disaster declarations.
On February 25, 2015, Members of the Subcommittee received
a briefing from representatives of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency's Grant Programs Directorate on the non-
disaster grant programs administered by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency.
Subcommittee staff attended a briefing with representatives
of the Grant Programs Directorate on March 31, 2015, to receive
information on Fiscal Year 2015 Homeland Security Grant Program
allocations. Subcommittee staff attended a final allocations
briefing on July 27, 2015.
On May 8, 2015, Subcommittee staff conducted a conference
call with representatives of the U.S. Government Accountability
Office to discuss ongoing work related to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency's Public Assistance Program.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of the Grant
Programs Directorate on July 9, 2015, to discuss performance
metrics, transparency, and accountability for FEMA's non-
disaster grant programs.
Subcommittee staff attended a briefing with representatives
of the Grant Programs Directorate on February 16, 2016, to
receive information on Fiscal Year 2016 Homeland Security Grant
Program allocations. Subcommittee staff attended a final
allocations briefing on June 28, 2016.
As a result of the Administration's Fiscal Year 2017 budget
proposal to cut homeland security grants by 50 percent, on
March 15, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``State of Emergency: The Disaster of Cutting Preparedness
Grants.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from the Hon.
Bill de Blasio, Mayor, City of New York, New York; Mr. Jim
Butterworth, Director, Emergency Management/Homeland Security,
State of Georgia, testifying on behalf of the National
Emergency Management Association, Ms. Rhoda Mae Kerr, Fire
Chief, City of Austin Fire Department, Austin, Texas,
testifying on behalf of the International Association of Fire
Chiefs, Mr. George Turner, Chief of Police, Atlanta Police
Department, Atlanta, Georgia, testifying on behalf of the Major
Cities Chiefs Association; Mr. Mike Sena, Director, Northern
California Regional Intelligence Center, testifying on behalf
of the National Fusion Center Association; and Sergeant W. Greg
Kierce, Director, Office of Emergency Management and Homeland
Security, City of Jersey City, New Jersey. This hearing
provided Subcommittee Members with an opportunity to hear from
State and local stakeholders about the impact the proposed cuts
would have on their ability to prevent, prepare for, protect
against, and respond to terrorist attacks at a time when the
threat to the United States is the highest since the September
11th terrorist attacks.
Subsequent to this hearing, on March 23, 2016, the Chairs
of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and
Communications, and the Chair of the Subcommittee on
Counterterrorism and Intelligence sent a letter to the Chair of
the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security,
sharing the findings of the hearing and requesting that they
provide funding equal to the Fiscal Year 2016 levels in the
Fiscal Year 2017 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations
Act.
On March 30, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Department of Homeland Security's Office
of Community Partnerships and Federal Emergency Management
Agency's Grant Programs Directorate to receive a briefing on
grants to counter violent extremism.
On June 29, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Government Accountability Office to
receive an update on their review of the Assistance to
Firefighters and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency
Response grant programs.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of FEMA's Grant
Programs Directorate, the Office of Community Partnerships, and
the Office of Intelligence and Analysis on September 1, 2016,
to receive a classified briefing on the Countering Violent
Extremism Grant Program and efforts to vet applicants for
funding.
On October 13, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Grant Programs Directorate to receive a
briefing on the use of State Homeland Security Grant Program
and Urban Area Security Initiative funding for law enforcement
terrorism prevention activities.
On December 6, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to
discuss the guidance and review process for the Complex
Coordinated Terrorist Attacks Grant Program.
CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, AND NUCLEAR PLANNING, PREPAREDNESS,
AND RESPONSE
Terrorists have actively plotted to use chemical,
biological, radiological, and nuclear agents to attack the
United States. The Committee has worked with various
organizations, including the Commission on the Prevention of
Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism (WMD
Commission) and the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense, to
examine these threats and the Federal government's ability to
prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from them.
On January 22, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Office to
receive a briefing on current operations.
On January 26, 2015, Subcommittee staff with
representatives of the Government Accountability Office to
receive an update on the Office's review of the Office of
Health Affairs' National Biosurveillance Integration Center.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of the Office
of Health Affairs on January 29, 2016, to receive a briefing on
preparedness efforts related to anthrax.
On February 4, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a briefing
from representatives of the Office of Health Affairs on the
President's Fiscal Year 2016 budget request.
Subcommittee staff received a classified briefing from
representatives of the Department of Homeland Security on
Presidential Policy Directive--25 on March 3, 2015.
On March 19, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Agents of Opportunity: Responding to the Threat of Chemical
Terrorism.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from Dr. Mark
Kirk, Director, Chemical Defense Program, Office of Health
Affairs, Department of Homeland Security; Dr. Christina
Catlett, Associate Director, Office of Critical Event
Preparedness and Response, Department of Emergency Medicine,
The Johns Hopkins Hospital; Chief G. Keith Bryant, Fire Chief,
Oklahoma City Fire Department, testifying on behalf of the
International Association of Fire Chiefs; and Mr. Armando B.
Fontoura, Sheriff, Essex County, New Jersey. This hearing
provided Subcommittee Members with an opportunity to examine
the threat of chemical terrorism and the steps being taken at
the Federal, State, and local government levels to address the
threat of chemical attacks.
Prior to this hearing, on February 18, 2015, Subcommittee
staff attended the Baltimore Chemical Defense Demonstration
hosted by the Office of Health Affairs' Chemical Defense
Program and the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore,
Maryland, to receive a briefing and observe chemical security
technology on the Baltimore transit system.
On April 22, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Strategic Perspectives on the Bioterrorism Threat.'' The
Subcommittee received testimony from the Hon. Jim Talent,
Former Senator from the State of Missouri and Co-Chair, the
Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction
Proliferation and Terrorism; Dr. Charles B. Cairns, Interim
Dean, Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona College of
Medicine; and Marisa Raphael, MPH, Deputy Commissioner, Office
of Emergency Planning and Response, Department of Health and
Mental Hygiene, New York City, New York. This hearing
highlighted the threat of bioterrorism and assessed the Federal
government's efforts to prepare for and defend against this
threat.
Subsequent to the March 19th and April 22nd hearings, the
Subcommittee Chair and Ranking Member, along with the Full
Committee Chairman and Ranking Member, Representative King of
New York, and Representative Meehan, introduced H.R. 2200, the
CBRN Intelligence and Information Sharing Act of 2015. (For
additional information on H.R. 2200, please see the legislative
action section above.)
Subcommittee staff received a briefing on April 30, 2015
from representatives of the Department of Homeland Security on
efforts to build the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility in
Manhattan, Kansas.
On May 29, 2015, Subcommittee staff received a briefing
from representatives of the Office of Health Affairs and the
Science and Technology Directorate on efforts to collaborate on
the future of the BioWatch program.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of the Science
and Technology Directorate on June 16, 2015, to receive a
briefing on Material Threat Assessments and Material Threat
Determinations.
On July 14, 2015, the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity,
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies and the
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications held a joint hearing entitled ``Weapons of Mass
Destruction: Bolstering DHS to Combat Persistent Threats to
America.'' The Subcommittees received testimony from Dr.
Reginald Brothers, Under Secretary for Science and Technology,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Dr. Kathryn Brinsfield,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Health Affairs, U.S. Department
of Homeland Security; Dr. Huban Gowadia, Director, Domestic
Nuclear Detection Office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
Mr. Alan D. Cohn, Counsel, Steptoe & Johnson LLP; Mr. Rick
``Ozzie'' Nelson, Senior Associate, Homeland Security and
Counterterrorism Program, Center for Strategic and
International Studies; and Mr. Warren Stern, Former Director,
Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security. This hearing reviewed the Department of Homeland
Security's proposal to consolidate certain chemical,
biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives defense
activities at the Department's headquarters to ensure America
is prepared to combat these threats.
Prior to this hearing, Subcommittee staff received a number
of briefings on the proposed consolidation, including on April
30, 2015. In addition, on May 29, 2015, Subcommittee staff
received a classified briefing from representatives of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation on its Weapons of Mass
Destruction Directorate. These activities culminated in the
introduction of H.R. 3875, the Department of Homeland Security
CBRNE Defense Act of 2015, which authorized the consolidation
of a number of CBRNE functions from the Office of Health
Affairs, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, Science and
Technology Directorate, Office of Policy, and Office of
Operations into a new CBRNE Directorate (For further action on
this legislation, please see the Full Committee legislative
action section above).
On September 14, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of Texas A&M's Institute for Infectious Animal
Diseases (IIAD) to receive a briefing on IIAD's efforts to
address infectious disease preparedness and other biological
threats.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of the National
Biosurveillance Integration Center on October 26, 2015, to
receive a briefing on NBIC's efforts to address the findings of
the Government Accountability Office's report, Biosurveillance:
Challenges and Options for the National Biosurveillance
Integration Center [GAO-15-793].
On October 29, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense to
discuss the release of the panel's forthcoming report, A
National Blueprint for Biodefense: Leadership and Major Reform
Needed to Optimize Efforts.
On January 14, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to
receive a briefing on synthetic biology.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of the
Department of Defense on January 20, 2016, to receive a
briefing on biodetection efforts and collaboration with the
Office of Health Affairs' BioWatch Program.
On January 29, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Office of Health Affairs to discuss the
findings of the Government Accountability Office's report,
Biosurveillance: DHS Should Not Pursue BioWatch Upgrades or
Enhancements Until System Capabilities Are Established [GAO-16-
99].
On February 2, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Science and Technology Directorate to
receive a briefing on chemical and biological research and
development efforts.
On February 11, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled, ``Improving the Department of Homeland Security's
Biological Detection and Surveillance Programs.'' The
Subcommittee received testimony from Dr. Kathryn Brinsfield,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Health Affairs, U.S. Department
of Homeland Security; Dr. Reginald Brothers, Under Secretary
for Science and Technology, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security; Mr. Chris P. Currie, Director, Emergency Management,
National Preparedness, and Critical Infrastructure Protection,
Homeland Security and Justice Team, U.S. Government
Accountability Office. This hearing built upon previous
biological threat hearings to review the Department of Homeland
Security's biological detection and surveillance programs.
Prior to this hearing, on February 10, 2016, the
Subcommittee held a roundtable on biodetection with
representatives of the private sector.
On February 17, 2016, Subcommittee staff received a
briefing from representatives of the Office of Health Affairs
and Domestic Nuclear Detection Office on the President's Fiscal
Year 2017 budget request.
Members of the Subcommittee received a classified briefing
on the threat of chemical terrorism from representatives of the
National Counterterrorism Center and Department of Homeland
Security on February 24, 2016.
On February 26, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``Food for Thought: Efforts to Defend the Nation's
Agriculture and Food.'' The Subcommittee received testimony
from R. Douglas Meckes, D.V.M., State Veterinarian, Veterinary
Division, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,
State of North Carolina; Tammy R. Beckham, D.V.M., Ph.D., Dean,
College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University; Mr.
Bobby Acord, Former Administrator, Animal Plant Health
Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, testifying
on behalf of the National Pork Producers Council; and Mr. Brian
Williams, Assistant Extension Professor, Mississippi State
University. This hearing examined the risk to the nation from a
terrorist attack on, or natural disruption of, U.S.
agricultural or food systems, including an assessment of the
threat and overview of capabilities and efforts to enhance our
security posture.
On March 1, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee met with
the Undersecretary for Science and Technology, U.S. Department
of Homeland Security.
The Subcommittee Chair sent a letter to the Comptroller
General of the Government Accountability Office on March 1,
2016, requesting a report on DHS efforts to combat chemical
weapons. The review is underway.
On August 23, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Government Accountability Office to
receive a briefing on the findings of their report, Nuclear
Security: NRC Has Enhanced the Controls of Dangerous
Radioactive Materials, but Vulnerabilities Remain [GAO-16-330].
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 exposed
communications failures with catastrophic implications.
Communications challenges persisted during Hurricane Katrina.
Since that time, great strides have been made in interoperable
communications, including through the National Emergency
Communications Plan and the establishment of the First
Responder Network Authority (FirstNet). However, more recent
disasters have demonstrated that communications challenges
remain. Within the Department of Homeland Security, the Office
of Emergency Communications is charged with assisting State and
local first responders to achieve and maintain interoperable
communications.
On January 15, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Office of Emergency Communications to
receive an update on current operations.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of the Office
of Emergency Communications on February 5, 2015, to receive a
briefing on the President's Fiscal Year 2016 budget request.
On February 12, 2015, Members of the Subcommittee received
a briefing from representatives of the Office of Emergency
Communications on the Office's programs and efforts to assist
State and local first responders.
On July 8, 2015 and October 2, 2015, Subcommittee staff met
with representatives of the National Protection and Programs
Directorate to discuss their reorganization proposal, which
would impact the Office of Emergency Communications.
On September 15, 2015 the Chairs and Ranking Members of the
Full Committee as well as the Subcommittees on Cybersecurity,
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies; Border
and Maritime Security; Oversight and Management Efficiency; and
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications sent a
letter to the Secretary of DHS regarding the proposed
reorganization of the National Protection and Programs
Directorate, including the impact of the proposed
reorganization on the Office of Emergency Communications.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of the First
Responder Network Authority on September 1, 2015, October 14,
2015, and January 8, 2016 to discuss current operations and the
PREPARE Act (H.R. 3583).
On January 13, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Government Accountability Office to
discuss their ongoing work on emergency communications.
Staff met with representatives of the Office of Emergency
Communications (OEC) on January 20, 2016 to receive a briefing
about OEC programs.
On April 20, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the First Responder Network Authority to
receive an update on its operations.
On May 24, 2016, the Full Committee and Subcommittee Chairs
and the Full Committee and Subcommittee Ranking Members sent a
letter to the Comptroller General of the Government
Accountability Office requesting a report assessing the Office
of Emergency Communication's role in the National Protection
and Programs Directorate as well as its relationship with
stakeholders. This review is underway.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of the
Department of Homeland Security's Joint Wireless Program
Management Office on June 2, 2016 to discuss the DHS
Interoperable Communications Strategy pursuant to Public Law
114--29, the DHS InteroperableCommunications Act.
On June 13, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the DHS Office of Inspector General to
discuss their ongoing work on the Department's efforts to
achieve and maintain interoperability between and among DHS
components.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of the National
Protection and Programs Directorate on numerous occasions to
discuss the reorganization proposal and its impact on the
Office of Emergency Communications, including on January 19,
2016, February 10, 2016, and March 17, 2016.
On November 16, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Office of Emergency Communications to
receive a briefing on OEC's internal organization.
On December 7, 2016, the Chair of the Subcommittee met with
the President of the First Responder Network Authority to
receive an update on FirstNet's operations.
SOCIAL MEDIA AND NEW TECHNOLOGY
In today's technology driven world, social media and other
types of new technology are becoming one of the primary ways
people receive, process, and relay information. Studies have
shown that more than 60 percent of the people in the United
States have at least one social media account, with many having
multiple accounts, including Facebook pages and Twitter
profiles. While social media originally started out as a way to
share information among friends, it is evident that is has
evolved to serve other functions, and is a prevalent source for
news, advertising, and entertainment. The management of ``big
data'' and the use of social media can provide enormous
opportunities for efficiencies in emergency management.
On July 28, 2015, Members of the Subcommittee received a
briefing on the use of social media and new technology during
disasters. The Members met with representatives from the
private sector to discuss current capabilities and concerns.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of Texas A&M
University on August 26, 2105, to discuss research and
development of robots and unmanned aerial systems for use in
emergency response.
On October 20, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with Facebook
Disaster Relief Engineers to discuss Facebook's disaster
response and relief efforts.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of the Science
and Technology Directorate's First Responder Group on February
23, 2016, to receive an update on current research and
development efforts.
On April 27, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to
receive a briefing on the Agency's use of social media during
disasters.
Subsequent to numerous meetings with stakeholders
throughout the 114th Congress regarding the need for innovative
emergency response technology, the Subcommittee Ranking Member,
along with the Chair, introduced H.R. 5460, the First Responder
Access to Innovative Technologies Act. (For additional
information on H.R. 5460, please see the legislative action
section above).
ALERTS AND WARNINGS
Terrorist attacks and natural disasters can occur at any
time, often with little-to-no notice. Alerts and warnings
provided in advance of potential threats and hazards can help
to direct the public to seek safety or, in the event of the
September 2016 IED attacks in New York and New Jersey, assist
in the investigation.
Over the course of the 114th Congress, Subcommittee staff
worked with Senate staff and multiple stakeholder organizations
to finally pass legislation (S. 1180) to authorize the
Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. The President
signed S. 1180 into law on April 11, 2016 (Pub. L. 114-143).
(For additional information on Pub. L. 114-143, please see the
legislative action section above).
On June 29, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning
System program office to receive a briefing on current
operations and implementation of Pub. L. 114-143.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of American
Public Television on August 15, 2016 to discuss ways public
television stations are assisting localities with alerts and
warnings.
On October 7, 2016, the Subcommittee Chair and Ranking
Member sent a letter to the Chairman of the Federal
Communications Commission regarding sustaining the capabilities
of the Emergency Alert System.
SCHOOL SECURITY
The Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with
the Department of Education, Federal Bureau of Investigation,
and Department of Health and Human Services, provides numerous
resources to enhance state and local school security efforts.
These resources include guidance, security assessments as well
as grant funding to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond to, and
recover from potential emergencies. According to the Government
Accountability Office, eighteen states provided State Homeland
Security Grant Program funds to school districts for emergency
planning activities that ranged from $25,000 to $1.2 million in
Fiscal Year 2014. With fifty million students in public schools
alone, it is crucial to ensure the continued coordination of
federal resources to support state and local school security.
On March 10, 2015 and November 12, 2015, Subcommittee staff
met with representatives of the Government Accountability
Office to receive an update on Committee requested work on
school security.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives from the Texas
School Safety Center on November 19, 2015, to receive a
briefing on their programs.
On December 2, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives from the Department of Homeland Security's
National Protection and Programs Directorate to discuss school
security efforts.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of the Security
Industry Association on February 18, 2016, regarding innovative
technology to enhance school security.
On July 5, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Department of Homeland Security's Office
of Academic Engagement to learn more about the office's work
with institutes of higher education, including an upcoming
security table top exercise.
The Chair and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee along with
Rep. Brooks of Indiana and Rep. Larsen of Washington, sent a
letter to the Comptroller General of the United States on July
5, 2016, requesting the Government Accountability Office
conduct a review of the Federal Government's progress in
assisting institutes of higher learning in enhancing campus
security.
As a result of this request, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Government Accountability Office on
October 18, 2016.
TRAINING AND EXERCISES
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, through its
National Exercise Division and partners such as the National
Domestic Preparedness Consortium, supports training and
exercises for emergency response providers. As terrorists
continually change their tactics, these programs are vital for
emergency response providers so they are prepared for the
threats and hazards they face.
On June 2, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium
to receive an update on current training offerings to first
responders.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of FEMA's
National Exercise Division on June 25, 2015, to receive an
update on the National Exercise Program and plans for Capstone
2016.
From August 5--6, 2015, Subcommittee staff visited the
Texas Engineering Extension Service, a National Domestic
Preparedness Consortium member, to observe first responder
training programs.
On September 1, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response
Training (ALERRT) Center to discuss active shooter training.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of the National
Exercise Division and Office of Response and Recovery on
December 16, 2015 to discuss exercise after action reports.
On January 12, 2016 the Subcommittee Chair and Ranking
Member, along with the Chair and Ranking Member of the
Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, sent a
letter to Secretary Johnson regarding coordination of relevant
Federal, State, and local stakeholders during the Capstone 16
National Level Exercise. A copy of the letter was also sent to
Administrator Fugate of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Director Clapper of the Office of the Director of
National Intelligence, Director Comey of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, and Secretary Carter of the Department of
Defense. The Committee received a response from Administrator
Fugate February 9, 2016 confirming that FEMA would brief the
Committee on the details of Capstone 16.
On February 19, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the National Exercise Division to receive a
classified briefing on Capstone 2016.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of the National
Domestic Preparedness Consortium on March 15, 2016, to discuss
first responder training opportunities.
On April 27, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of FEMA, the National Counterterrorism Center,
and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to receive a briefing
on the Joint Counterterrorism Awareness Workshop Series
(JCTAWS) and plans for future offerings.
Subcommittee staff traveled to Brooklyn, New York on August
18, 2016 to observe a joint exercise of the Securing the Cities
Program conducted by the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office and
the New York Police Department.
On October 27, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of FEMA's Office of Counterterrorism and
Security Preparedness to receive an update on JCTAWS, fusion
center technical assistance, and grants to prepare for complex,
coordinated terrorist attacks.
CYBER INCIDENT RESPONSE
Cybersecurity is a major national security issue and the
threat is real and immediate. For instance, a cyber-attack
causing widespread power outages could have major cascading
consequences on public health and safety. While gains in cyber
incident responder capabilities have been made, for the third
year in a row, the 2015 National Preparedness Report highlights
States' concerns about their cybersecurity capabilities. It is
vital that the Federal government share information with
emergency response providers about the cyber threat so they are
prepared to respond.
On May 24, 2016, the Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response, and Communications and the Subcommittee
on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies held a joint hearing entitled ``Enhancing
Preparedness and Response Capabilities to Address Cyber
Threats.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from Mr. Mark
Ghilarducci, Director, Emergency Services, Office of the
Governor, State of California; Lt. Col. Daniel J. Cooney,
Assistant Deputy Superintendent, Office of Counter Terrorism,
New York State Police; Brg. Gen. Steven Spano (USAF, Ret.),
President and Chief Operating Officer, Center for Internet
Security; Mr. Mark Raymond, Vice President, National
Association of State Chief Information Officers; and Mr. Robert
Galvin, Chief Technology Officer, Port Authority of New York
and New Jersey. This joint hearing examined Department of
Homeland Security efforts to assist States in preparing for and
responding to cyber attacks.
Subsequent to this hearing, on June 13, 2016, the
Subcommittee Chair, along with the Full Committee Chair and the
Chair of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies, introduced H.R. 5459,
the Cyber Preparedness Act of 2016, to address findings from
the hearing, including the need for better cyber information
sharing with State and major urban area fusion centers. (For
additional information on H.R. 5459, please see the legislative
action section above).
On June 9, 2016, Subcommittee staff spoke on a panel at the
National Council of ISACs conference.
DEFENSE SUPPORT OF CIVIL AUTHORITIES
In times of emergency, Federal, State, and local civilian
response agencies can greatly benefit from the experience and
capabilities of the United States Military, be it active duty,
National Guard, or reserve forces. It is vital that civilian
agencies are aware of, and can leverage, the support that the
military is willing and able to provide.
Continuing oversight work that began in the 113th Congress,
on June 10, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Defense Support of Civil Authorities: A Vital Resource in the
Nation's Homeland Security Missions.'' The Subcommittee
received testimony from Mr. Robert H. Fenton, Jr., Deputy
Associate Administrator, Office of Response and Recovery,
Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security; Mr. Robert G. Salesses, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Homeland Defense Integration and Defense Support of
Civil Authorities, U.S. Department of Defense; Brg. Gen. Joseph
E. Whitlock, Deputy Director, Western Hemisphere, Strategic
Plans and Policy Directorate (J5), Joint Staff, U.S. Department
of Defense; Joseph W. Kirschbaum, Ph.D., Director, Defense
Capabilities and Management, U.S. Government Accountability
Office; Maj. Gen. Michael T. McGuire, Adjutant General,
Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, State of Arizona;
Mr. Jimmy J. Gianato, Director, Division of Homeland Security
and Emergency Management, State of West Virginia, testifying on
behalf of the National Emergency Management Association; and
Mr. Peter Gaynor, Director, Emergency Management Office, State
of Rhode Island. This hearing examined the vital role played by
the military in homeland defense and explored their support
capabilities in cybersecurity, chemical, biological,
radiological, and nuclear incident response, and other disaster
response activities.
On September 1, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Office of Homeland Defense Integration
and Defense Support of Civil Authorities at the Pentagon for a
further discussion on the military's role in disaster response.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of the National
Guard Bureau on May 16, 2016, to discuss Army National Guard
readiness for the DSCA mission.
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Efficient and effective management of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA)is vital to ensuring its ability to
meet its mission. While FEMA has made great strides since
Hurricane Katrina in agency transformation, challenges remain
in FEMA's management functions.
On February 4, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to
receive a briefing on the President's Fiscal Year 2016 budget
request.
Subcommittee staff met with FEMA's Chief Human Capital
Officer on February 27, 2015, to receive an update on efforts
to address personnel challenges.
On March 13, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of FEMA's Office of Response and Recovery to
receive a briefing on FEMA's grant systems modernization
effort.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of the
Department's Office of Inspector General on March 26, 2015, to
discuss grants management and human capital at FEMA.
On April 27, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of FEMA's Mission Support Bureau.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of the
Government Accountability Office on June 12, 2015, to discuss
FEMA information technology systems.
On September 14, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of the Office of Inspector General to discuss
FEMA's progress in addressing OIG recommendations. Subcommittee
staff held a similar meeting with representatives of the
Government Accountability Office on September 22, 2015.
Subcommittee staff met with the Associate Administrator for
Mission Support on September 25, 2015 to discuss efforts to
efficiently and effectively management FEMA.
On October 29, 2015, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of FEMA to receive a briefing on FEMA's
information technology resiliency review.
On February 11, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with
representatives of FEMA to receive a briefing on the Presidents
Fiscal Year 2017 budget request.
Subcommittee staff met with representatives of the
Government Accountability Office on April 15, 2016 to discuss
FEMA's information technology systems.
On May 2, 2016, Subcommittee staff met with FEMA's Chief
Administrative Officer and Chief Procurement Officer to discuss
management programs.
Subcommittee staff continued its FEMA Mission Support
Bureau meetings on May 25, 2016, meeting with the Chief
Information Officer, Chief Human Capital Officer, and Chief
Security Officer.
----------
Subcommittee Hearings Held
``Agents of Opportunity: Responding to the Threat of Chemical
Terrorism.'' March 19, 2015. (Serial No. 114-10)
``Strategic Perspectives of the Bioterrorism Threat.'' April
22, 2015. (Serial No. 114-14)
``Defense Support of Civil Authorities: A Vital Resource in the
Nation's Homeland Security Missions.'' June 10, 2105.
(Serial No. 114-20)
``Weapons of Mass Destruction: Bolstering DHS to Combat
Persistent Threats to America.'' Joint with the
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies. July 14, 2015.
(Serial No. 114-26)
``Ready and Resilient?: Examining Federal Emergency
Preparedness and Response Capabilities.'' October 22,
2015. (Serial No. 114-38)
``Improving the Department of Homeland Security's Biological
Detection and Surveillance Programs.'' February 11,
2016. (Serial No. 114-52)
``Food for Thought: Efforts to Defend the Nation's Agriculture
and Food.'' February 26, 2016. (Serial No. 114-56)
``State of Emergency: The Disaster of Cutting Preparedness
Grants.'' March 15, 2016. (Serial No. 114-59)
Joint with the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies. ``Enhancing
Preparedness and Response Capabilities to Address Cyber
Threats.'' May 24, 2016. (Serial No. 114-71)
Field hearing in Jersey City, New Jersey. ``Protecting our
Passengers: Perspectives on Securing Surface
Transportation in New Jersey and New York.'' June 21,
2016. (Serial No. 114-77)
Field hearing in Staten Island, New York. ``A Prepared
Community is a Resilient Community.'' July 11, 2016.
(Serial No. 114-80)
Oversight Plan of the Committee on Homeland Security for the 114th
Congress
Clause 2(d), Rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives for the 114th Congress requires each standing
Committee to adopt an oversight plan for the two-year period of
the Congress and to submit the plan to the Committees on
Oversight and Government Reform and House Administration not
later than February 15th of the first session of the Congress.
Rule XI, clause 1(2)(d)(1) requires each Committee to
submit to the House of Representatives not later than January
2, of each odd-numbered year, a report on the activities of
that committee under Rule X and Rule XI during the Congress
ending on January 3 of such year. Clause 1(2)(d)(3) of Rule XI
also requires that such report include a summary of the action
taken and recommendations made with respect to each such plan;
and a summary of any additional oversight activities undertaken
by the Committee, and any recommendations made or actions taken
thereon.
Part A of this section contains the Committee on Homeland
Security Oversight Plan for the 114th Congress which the Full
Committee considered and adopted by voice vote on January 21,
2015, a quorum being present.
Part B of this section contains a summary of the actions
taken by the Committee on Homeland Security to implement the
Oversight Plan for the 114th Congress and the recommendations
made with respect to this plan. Part B also contains a summary
of the additional oversight activities undertaken by the
Committee, and the recommendations made or actions taken
thereon.
----------
PART A--COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY OVERSIGHT PLAN
This is the oversight plan for the Committee on Homeland
Security for the 114th Congress. It includes the areas in which
the Committee expects to conduct oversight during the 114th
Congress, but does not preclude oversight or investigation of
additional matters as needs arise. The Full Committee will
examine the following four key priorities, among other issues.
PREVENTING A TERRORIST ATTACK ON THE HOMELAND
Protecting the homeland from a terrorist attack is the
reason the Department of Homeland Security was created in the
wake of the 9/11 attacks. Consequently, this Committee's
highest priority is focusing on helping ensure that our Nation
is strong and resilient, in the face of ever-evolving terrorist
threats. We must also conduct robust oversight to ensure that
the Department of Homeland Security and its partners at the
Federal, State and local level can detect, disrupt, and defend
against a multitude of threats facing the United States.
During the 114th Congress, the Committee will examine the
persisting threats to Americans and American interests from
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Al Qaeda in the Arabian
Peninsula other existing and emerging terrorist cells inspired
by Al Qaeda, and homegrown violent extremists, and domestic
terrorists. The Committee will work to identify and address
vulnerabilities within our Nation's critical infrastructure and
systems and help ensure that mechanisms that dangerous people
and entities aspire to exploit, such as our aviation and other
transit systems, our cyber networks, and critical
infrastructure control systems, are protected.
SECURING OUR BORDERS
During the 114th Congress, the Committee will continue to
examine the Department's efforts to secure the land, air, and
maritime borders of the United States. The Committee will
assess programs and technologies used to secure U.S.land
borders on the north and the south, as well as the Caribbean
region. A large portion of the Committee's oversight in the
114th Congress will focus on examining what the Department is
doing to secure the border in the face of the multiple
immigration crises currently facing the United States. The
Committee will also examine how the Department is leveraging
defense technologies on the border, including equipment re-
deployed from Iraq and Afghanistan.
PROTECTING AGAINST CYBER ATTACKS
Cyber attacks are one of the biggest homeland security
threats that our Nation faces. Malicious organized criminal
organizations, along with state-sponsored cyber attackers
continue to target our critical infrastructure and compromise
our sensitive and confidential information on a daily basis.
Our Committee, throughout the 114th Congress, will continue its
efforts to ensure the Department has the resources and
personnel to effectively execute its cybersecurity mission of
protecting critical infrastructure and Federal civilian
networks.
ENSURING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY RUNS EFFECTIVELY
The current leadership of the Department has undertaken a
number of reviews and reforms to address a series of well-
documented management challenges, many of which harken back to
the days when twenty two agencies were brought together to form
this new Federal Department in 2003. Key management challenges
include acquisitions management, and chronically-low employee
morale. In the 114th Congress, the Committee will continue to
conduct oversight to ensure that DHS effectively conducts its
operations while guarding against waste, fraud, abuse, and
duplication. We will also give close scrutiny to efforts to
improve acquisition and procurement outcomes, bolster employee
morale, and effectively address instances of employee
corruption. Furthermore, the Committee is planning to advance
legislation to authorize the activities of the Department of
Homeland Security during the 114th Congress in an effort to
provide statutory guidance and hold the Department accountable,
as it seeks to carry out its core mission of protecting the
homeland, while executing its traditional non-homeland security
missions.
------
SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY
DEPARTMENTAL EFFICIENCY AND WASTE, FRAUD, ABUSE, AND DUPLICATION
In the 114th Congress, the Committee will oversee the
Department of Homeland Security's day-to-day operations to
ensure that it is operating in the most efficient and effective
manner possible. Pursuant to Rule X, clause 2(d)(F) of the
Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee will work
to identify potential opportunities to eliminate duplicative or
unnecessary programs, find efficiencies that will contribute to
the Department's ability to meet its vital missions, and
identify areas for cost savings. The Committee will investigate
homeland security programs and practices, as warranted. The
Committee will also conduct rigorous oversight to ensure the
Department conducts effective outreach to the private sector
and utilize commercial best practices, as appropriate. The
Committee will continue to monitor the security of Federal
buildings and facilities, including the role and effectiveness
of the Federal Protective Service.
ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT
During the 114th Congress, the Committee will review the
efforts of the Department of Homeland Security to improve
acquisition outcomes, and to ensure that effective management
controls are put in place to prevent contract waste, fraud, and
abuse while promoting efficiency and effectiveness. The
Committee will review the authorities and activities of the
Undersecretary for Management and Chief Procurement Officer to
ensure the effective management of these key functions. The
Committee will monitor the cost, schedule, and performance
status of major Department acquisition programs. The Committee
will also examine the impact of the Department's acquisition
initiatives to enhance processes and improve outcomes related
to its major acquisition programs.
The Committee also will review the Department's
implementation of Section 831(a) of the Homeland Security Act
of 2002, which grants the Secretary authority with respect to
research and development projects to use more flexible
contracting mechanisms in an effort to attract ``nontraditional
government contractors'' for needed homeland security
technologies, as well as the Secretary's use of other
streamlined acquisition practices. The Committee will continue
to monitor the Department's efforts to leverage strategic
sourcing, as outlined in Federal guidance, to increase
efficiencies.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
In the 114th Congress, the Committee will continue its
oversight of the Department of Homeland Security's progress to
properly manage financial systems and data to minimize
inefficient and wasteful spending, make more informed decisions
to manage its programs and implement Department policies. The
Committee will also review the Department's efforts to enhance
its managerial cost accounting, address internal control
weaknesses in financial reporting, achieve a clean audit
opinion on its financial statements, and reduce the reliance on
manual data calls to collect cost information from the various
components and compile consolidated, reliable data.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT
During the 114th Congress, the Committee will review the
Department's efforts to address information technology (IT)
challenges, including the management and integration of the
Department's IT systems. The Committee will review the
authorities and activities of the Chief Information Officer
(CIO) and component CIOs to ensure the effective management and
coordination of these key functions. The Committee will also
monitor the Department's progress in IT architectural planning,
investment management, cloud computing, policy development,
operations, and related personnel management.
DEPARTMENTAL WORKFORCE
Throughout the 114th Congress, the Committee will monitor
the Department's efforts to recruit and retain personnel and to
address employee concerns set forth in the Office of Personnel
Management's Federal Human Capital Survey and the Department's
own personnel surveys, which have indicated morale problems
across the Department. In addition, the Committee will continue
to examine the Department's efforts to ensure an appropriate
balance is struck between Federal employees and private
contracts and guard against any unnecessary elimination of
private sector jobs.
The Committee will continue to monitor the Department's
efforts to effectively and efficiently consolidate its
headquarters from more than 40 locations throughout the
National Capital Region, known as the St. Elizabeth's
Headquarters Consolidation Project.
EMPLOYEE INTEGRITY
In the 114th Congress, the Committee will examine employee
corruption and misconduct issues and their effect on homeland
security. Although the vast majority of Department employees
reflect the agency's core values, even one corrupt employee
represents a significant management challenge. The Committee
will review Department statistics and case studies associated
with employee integrity issues, as well as, the effectiveness
of policies, procedures, and practices the Department utilizes
to address such issues.
UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE
In the 114th Congress, the Committee will examine the
homeland security operations of the United States Secret
Service, including its critical role of protecting the
President of the United States, and the protection of
presidential candidates in the 2016 presidential election. The
Committee will also monitor the efforts of the Department to
reform the agency.
PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES
Section 222 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (the Act)
created a Privacy Officer for the Department of Homeland
Security to ensure that the Department's information gathering
and analysis functions and other programs across its components
adhere to established standards for the protection of privacy.
Section 705 of the Act also established an Officer for Civil
Rights and Liberties to review and assess information alleging
abuses of civil rights or civil liberties by employees and
officials of the Department of Homeland Security. During the
114th Congress, the Committee will continue to monitor the
Department's efforts under such laws to strike an appropriate
balance between the need to combat terrorist attacks against
the United States with the privacy expectations and civil
rights of US citizens. The Committee will also examine the
extent to which the Department is transparent with the American
people including its process for managing Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) requests.
------
SUBCOMMITTEE ON EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND COMMUNICATIONS
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
During the 114th Congress, the Committee will examine the
Administration's efforts to implement Presidential Policy
Directive 8 (PPD-8), and the required National Preparedness
System, which includes the various frameworks and the National
Preparedness Goal. The Committee will review preparedness
capabilities for mass gatherings. Additionally, the Committee
will review the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA)
response and recovery efforts for declared disasters to ensure
capabilities are enhanced by lessons learned and Federal
resources are used appropriately. The Committee will
investigate issues, if any, of waste, fraud, and abuse
associated with FEMA's disaster response efforts.
ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND FIRST RESPONDERS
Throughout the 114th Congress, the Committee will examine
FEMA's allocation and administration of grants to enhance the
ability of state and local governments and emergency response
providers to prevent, prepare for, respond to, mitigate, and
recover from a terrorist attack, including proposals for
reforms to these programs. The Committee will review the
coordination of grant programs across the Federal government;
coordination within the Department of Homeland Security in
developing guidance and administering grants; the ability of
state and local governments to access, obligate, and expend
funds; the strength of regional partnerships developed through
grants; and the risk-based distribution and expenditure of such
grants at the state and local levels. The Committee will
examine options to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of
grant programs. The Committee will also review ongoing efforts
to comprehensively assess these investments and the impact on
preparedness capabilities through the lens of the National
Preparedness Goal, National Preparedness Report, State
Preparedness Reports, and other related assessments.
CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, AND NUCLEAR PLANNING, PREPAREDNESS,
AND RESPONSE
During the 114th Congress, the Committee will examine the
significant challenges posed by chemical, biological,
radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons to homeland security
and assess the Department's progress in implementing security
strategies including prevention, preparedness, and response
approaches that utilize multiple tools and policies to reduce
the likelihood and impact of CBRN attacks, and, thus, the CBRN
risk to the Nation. The Committee will oversee the Department's
efforts to predict and respond to the evolving CBRN threat
landscape, and ensure that CBRN expenditures are risk-based,
coordinated, and in general represent wise use of taxpayer
dollars. The Committee will examine the Department's capability
to mitigate CBRN risks through appropriate means including the
detection of, preparedness for, and response to CBRN threats.
The Committee will continue its oversight of those activities
needed to ensure the safety of the public and the first
responder community in the event of an attack, such as through
the development of medical countermeasures programs.
COMMUNICATIONS
In the 114th Congress, the Committee will examine the
coordination of various communications programs and offices
within the Department of Homeland Security, including the
achievement and maintenance of interoperable communications
capabilities among the Department's components. The Committee
will monitor activities of the First Responder Network
Authority (FirstNet) and the development of the public safety
interoperable wireless broadband network. In addition, the
Committee will review the Department's Integrated Public Alert
and Warning System to ensure timely and effective alerts and
warnings are provided to the public in the event of an
emergency.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROVIDER TRAINING
During the 114th Congress, the Committee will review the
Department's terrorism preparedness training programs,
including awareness of these resources among first responders
and state and local governments and the level of coordination
among Federal, state, and local training programs. The
Committee will also review existing training centers and
determine whether the Department is optimally utilizing these
facilities to enhance first responder terrorism preparedness.
EXERCISES AND SIMULATIONS
The Committee will examine the Department's efforts to
streamline and improve the National Exercise Program to ensure
the program enhances the preparedness of the Nation. The
Committee will monitor the extent to which FEMA is
incorporating lessons learned from national exercises into
future training, planning, and response, recovery, and
mitigation activities.
------
SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION SECURITY
ADDRESSING EVOLVING THREATS
In the 114th Congress, the Committee will examine efforts
within the Department of Homeland Security to mitigate known
and evolving terrorist threats to domestic transportation
systems. With respect to aviation security, the Committee will
review the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA)
multi-layered, risk-based approach to preventing an attack on
cargo and passenger aircraft, both at home and overseas. The
Committee will also evaluate the capabilities of the TSA
workforce and checkpoint technologies to ensure that TSA is
effectively screening passengers and baggage.
In addition, the Committee will review TSA security
measures for international flights bound for the U.S.,
including but not limited to, the use of the Federal Air
Marshal Service (FAMS), directives that augment security
protocols in select foreign airports, and the Secure Flight
Program's watch list matching process. The Committee will also
evaluate how TSA is working to leverage other federal law
enforcement resources to enhance security on aircraft.
ADVANCING RISK-BASED SECURITY
During the 114th Congress, the Committee will examine TSA's
long-term goals for TSA PreTM and assess the
effectiveness of TSA's other passenger screening programs, such
as Managed Inclusion. The Committee will evaluate TSA's
approach to expanding enrollment in TSA
PreTM, including through contracts with
private sector entities, and examine TSA's methodology to
decide which passengers are eligible for TSA
PreTM. Additionally, the Committee will
monitor TSA's efforts to protect passenger privacy, and will
monitor TSA's implementation of two new laws to provide
expedited screening to certain passengers: the Helping Heroes
Fly Act (Pub. L. 113-27) and the Honor Flight Act (Pub. L. 113-
221).
The Committee will also examine how TSA is ensuring that
passengers that are designated high-risk are receiving enhanced
screening at the checkpoint. Finally, the Committee will assess
whether there are additional ways for TSA to enhance security
and implement risk-based strategies at the screening checkpoint
or in other areas of security, such as checked baggage
screening operations and access control points at domestic
airports.
ENHANCING PRIVATE SECTOR ENGAGEMENT
In the 114th Congress, the Committee will conduct oversight
to ensure that TSA is effectively engaging the private sector
to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its operations.
Specifically, the Committee will evaluate the contracting
process and management of TSA's Screening Partnership Program
(SPP). The Committee will also monitor TSA's implementation of
the Aviation Security Stakeholder Participation Act of 2014
(Pub. L. 113-238). The Committee will work to ensure that
stakeholders are properly consulted on major security policy
decisions, through the Aviation Security Advisory Committee or
other means. The Committee will encourage TSA to find new ways
to leverage private sector expertise, innovation, and
technologies in its mission to secure the Nation's critical
transportation systems in the most effective and efficient
manner possible.
TARGETING WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE
During the 114th Congress, the Committee will conduct
oversight to help identify and prevent waste, fraud, or abuse
within TSA. As part of this overall effort, the Committee will
conduct oversight on the implementation of H.R.2719, the
Transportation Security Acquisition Reform Act (Public Law 113-
245), and monitor whether TSA is complying with the provisions
outlined in the Act. This includes, among other things, better
private sector engagement, strategic planning, and transparency
in how tax dollars are spent to avoid wasteful spending on
technologies that do not perform as intended. Additionally, the
Committee's oversight will include continued focus on the
misclassification of employees within TSA's Office of
Inspection, which according to the DHS Office of Inspector
General could cost taxpayers as much as $17 million over the
next five years if it goes uncorrected.
STREAMLINING AND IMPROVING SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY PROGRAMS AND
REGULATIONS
In the 114th Congress, the Committee will review TSA's
efforts to secure surface transit systems, including the
highest-risk mass transit and rail systems. The Committee's
oversight will include a review of the Visible Intermodal
Prevention and Response Program, the Surface Transportation
Security Inspection Program, and TSA's surface transportation
security regulations. The Committee will review the extent to
which TSA effectively coordinates with its Federal, State,
local, and private sector partners to secure our Nation's
transportation systems and to help prevent conflicting or
unnecessarily redundant regulations. The Committee will also
assess the effectiveness of TSA's efforts to secure the
Nation's pipeline systems through TSA's oversight and
inspection activities.
------
SUBCOMMITTEE ON CYBERSECURITY, INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION, AND SECURITY
TECHNOLOGIES
During the 114th Congress, the Committee will conduct
oversight of the cybersecurity activities of the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) with particular attention to the
activities within the National Protection and Programs
Directorate (NPPD) and the U.S.Secret Service. Areas of
examination will include the President's Executive Order 13636
``Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity,'' and
operations of NPPD's EINSTEIN and Continuous Diagnostics and
Mitigation (CDM) programs.
Finally, the Committee will examine the implementation of
cybersecurity legislation enacted by the 113th Congress to,
among other things, authorize the National Cybersecurity
Communications and Integration Center (NCCIC), help improve the
cybersecurity workforce, and grant DHS the authority to carry
out protection of Federal civilian networks (Public Laws 113-
246, 113-274, 113-277, 113-282, and 113-283).
PROTECTION OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
In the 114th Congress, the Committee will review the
Department's programs to help protect critical infrastructure
that are operated by NPPD. One of the key areas of focus will
be on coordination within NPPD so that capabilities are
leveraged on both sides of the house-cyber and physical-
including the work of the Office of Cyber and Infrastructure
Analysis (OCIA). The Committee will also review how DHS,
through NPPD, works with the critical infrastructure sectors to
foster greater security against threats to critical
infrastructure.
During the 114th Congress the Committee with conduct
oversight of the implementation of recently-passed legislation
authorizing the Department's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism
Standard (CFATS) program (Pub. L. 113-254). Further the
Subcommittee will continue to monitor the Department's efforts
at establishing an Ammonium Nitrate Security program, which has
been delayed for several years.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Throughout the 114th Congress the Subcommittee will focus
on the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and its ability
to provide DHS components with the technology advancements
needed to effectively carry out their respective missions.
The Subcommittee will also examine S&T's collaboration with
the Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC)
and the transparency in which S&T reports this work to
Congress.
NUCLEAR AND RADIOLOGICAL DETECTION
During the 114th Congress the Subcommittee will examine on
the threat and challenges of the Department to prevent, detect
and respond to a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear
attack (CBRN). The Subcommittee will specifically examine the
efforts of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) and its
efforts to provide DHS components with the capabilities to
detect and prevent radiological and nuclear material from being
smuggled into the United States.
The Subcommittee will be working closely with the
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and
Communications (EPRC) on examining the efforts of the
Department to better predict, prevent and respond to CBRN
threats and ensure these efforts are risk based and well
coordinated. The Subcommittee's will be examining the
Departments proposals to reorganize and merge components within
the Department including the Office of Health Affairs (OHA) and
DNDO to better coordinate the Departments efforts to combat
this threat.
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SUBCOMMITTEE ON BORDER AND MARITIME SECURITY
BORDER SECURITY BETWEEN PORTS OF ENTRY
During the 114th Congress, the Committee will examine the
Department's efforts to secure land and maritime borders of the
United States, including but not limited to personnel,
technology, infrastructure, and coordination between
components. The Committee will also assess the status of
programs and international agreements to secure US borders,
from illegal entry by persons or contraband. The Committee will
monitor the extent to which the Department can measure its
performance in securing the borders and how these measures
reflect the state of border security.
The Committee will also examine the technologies used to
secure the borders. Specifically, the Committee will conduct
oversight of the Department's acquisitions of border
technologies, as well as examine the extent to which the
Department is leveraging Department of Defense technologies
declared excess, or available to the Department through long-
term loan to effectively secure the borders.
The Committee will also examine the Department's efforts to
identify, detain, prioritize, and remove criminal aliens from
the United States, including those apprehended at or near US
borders and ports of entry who are subject to removal, and
particularly those from special interest countries.
BORDER SECURITY AT PORTS OF ENTRY
In the 114th Congress, the Committee will examine the
integration and effectiveness of transportation and border
security screening systems at ports of entry for detecting
high-risk passengers and cargo transported within the United
States and across our borders, including efforts to better
facilitate travel and trade such as implementation of ``trusted
traveler'' programs and the Beyond the Border Agreement with
Canada.
The Committee will continue its rigorous oversight of the
Department of Homeland Security's biometric programs including
the accuracy and completeness of databases and the development
and implementing of a biometric exit system in the air, sea and
land environments. The biometric entry system was a 9/11
Commission recommendation and was first implemented in 2003
with the creation of US-VISIT. The recommendation to support a
biometric exit system has not been completed, and DHS has
attempted to implement partial solutions short of the biometric
requirements found in law.
The Committee will examine the technology and
infrastructure needs at ports of entry to better facilitate
trade and travel while also increasing border security.
VISA SECURITY
In the 114th Congress, the Committee intends to review
efforts to ensure the deployment and implementation of training
and infrastructure enhancements to assist border and consular
officials in identifying, intercepting, and disrupting
terrorists or others who would do our Nation harm and who are
attempting to enter the U.S.The Committee will address any
security-related deficiencies in the immigration and
naturalization process that terrorists could use to gain entry
to or remain in the country for illegitimate purposes. These
weaknesses may be exploited by terrorists and those seeking to
commit terrorist acts. The Committee intends to continue to
explore challenges associated with visa security.
The Committee will continue to review visa security
programs and policies to ensure adequate screening and vetting
by DHS law enforcement including the Visa Security Program, the
Preadjudicated Threat Recognition and Intelligence Operations
Teams (PATRIOT), as well as reviewing the criteria for
admission under the Visa Waiver Program and the Electronic
System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). These programs are
critical to countering the growing threat of foreign fighters,
including Americans and Europeans, who may attempt to join ISIS
or its affiliates in Syria or Iraq, and who may return or
travel to the United States to commit acts of terrorism.
The Committee will also examine the integration, security,
and reliability of criminal, immigration, and terrorist
databases used to screen persons seeking to enter and exit this
country, to include advanced passenger information. The
Committee will also assess the development of secure travel
documents.
PORT AND MARITIME SECURITY
In the 114th Congress, the Committee will examine various
aspects of port and maritime security, including the security
of port facilities; the screening of vessels, passengers,
cargo, and crew, for potential terrorists, terrorist weapons,
and contraband. Specifically, the Committee will examine
nuclear detection efforts and the development of international
security standards for shipping and containers as well as
conduct a comprehensive analysis of the operations, including
technology utilized, of the Transportation Worker
Identification Credential.
The Committee also plans to review how the Department
manages risks emerging from maritime threats and
vulnerabilities such as small go-fast boats and semi-
submersible vessels, the increasing maritime smuggling threat
along the California coast and the impact of fewer interdiction
assets and holding platforms in the source and transit zones.
The Committee plans to review the efficiency and
effectiveness of the Department's supply chain security
programs, such as the Customs Trade Partnership Against
Terrorism (C-TPAT), the Container Security Initiative (CSI),
the need to utilize a risk-based methodology and the future of
the Radiation Portal Monitor program to ensure a proper balance
between the facilitation of lawful trade and the security of
the homeland. This will include an assessment of implementation
of the Maritime and Transportation Security Act of 2002 (Pub.
L. 107-295), the Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE)
Port Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-347), relevant provisions of the
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (Pub.
L. 108-458), and the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11
Commission Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-53).
The Committee will examine the operations and procedures of
the Customs and Border Protection Office of Air and Marine
(OAM), specifically looking at OAM's interagency working
relationships with law enforcement and Department partners and
its specific capabilities and authorities. The Committee will
review OAM's operational platforms and future acquisition
programs to ensure both aviation and maritime assets are
capable of meeting future mission needs and service
requirements.
The Committee plans to review the Coast Guard's statutorily
defined homeland security missions, to include ports,
waterways, and coastal security; drug interdiction; migrant
interdiction; law enforcement; and defense readiness. The
Committee will examine Coast Guard operations to ensure that
the service is using a risk-based, layered strategy to enforce
laws and keep America's waters secure. This will include a
specific assessment of the Coast Guard's counter terrorism
capabilities, including the Maritime Safety and Security Teams,
Port Security Units, Tactical Law Enforcement Teams, and the
Maritime Security Response Team.
The Committee will review resource and asset needs within
the Coast Guard to determine whether the service is
operationally ready to address the varied threats to America's
ports and waterways while pursuing a long-term sustainable path
of fleet recapitalization.
Additionally, the Committee will investigate the Coast
Guard's specific maritime security operations and initiatives,
such as the International Port Security Program and the
inspection of vessels originating from ports with inadequate
anti-terrorism measures. The Committee will examine these and
other programs to ensure that the service is improving its
maritime domain awareness and executing all of its missions in
the most effective manner possible to keep America secure.
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SUBCOMMITTEE ON COUNTERTERRORISM AND INTELLIGENCE
The security of the United States is undeniably linked to
international security. Vulnerabilities in one part of the
world can quickly become security threats in another; to
include the U.S.Homeland. During the 114th Congress, the
Committee will examine the capabilities and efforts of the
Federal government, particularly the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS), to identify, prevent, deter, and respond to
threats to the Homeland.
EMERGING THREATS AND HOMELAND COUNTERTERRORISM ACTIVITIES
The Committee will examine worldwide threats against the
U.S.Homeland from various terrorist groups, including al Qaeda
core, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the Islamic
State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), al Qaeda in the Islamic
Maghreb (AQIM), al Shahbab, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP),
Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Boko Haram, and other emerging groups
that seek to establish safe havens in destabilized regions from
which they can plot attacks against U.S.citizens and the
Homeland. The Committee will monitor issues related to
homegrown terror threats and the U.S.Government's response, the
programs and policies to counter violent extremism, as well as
threats directed towards soft targets and those posed by active
shooters. The Committee will conduct oversight on foreign
fighter travel and trends, economic threats, terrorist
financing. The Committee will also examine cyber threats to the
Homeland from nation states and terrorist groups.
The Committee will continue to study national efforts to
deter terrorist activity through terrorist designations, and
efforts to prevent individuals from entering the United States
who are members of or have provided support to terrorist
groups. This oversight will include how DHS contributes to
designation decisions as well as how multiple DHS components
use this information in determining eligibility for entry into
the United States.
COUNTERINTELLIGENCE AND INSIDER THREAT PROGRAMS
The Committee will continue to assess the development of
DHS counterintelligence and insider threat programs, including
Departmental organizational changes, resources, monitoring
programs, and training initiatives. DHS's counterintelligence
efforts are intended to prevent adversaries from penetrating
the Department to exploit sensitive information, operations,
programs, personnel, and resources.
HOMELAND SECURITY INTELLIGENCE ENTERPRISE
The Committee will conduct oversight of DHS's Intelligence
Enterprise (DHS IE), including intelligence activities
throughout the Department and component agencies. This will
include a focus on the coordination and collaboration across
intelligence offices and personnel within the Headquarters'
elements and component agencies. Additionally, the Committee
will review efforts to build the intelligence, analytical, and
assessment capabilities of the Department and to ensure its
full participation in the Intelligence Community as part of its
homeland security mission. This will include an examination of
the hiring authorities, practices, and career-development of
intelligence analysts and professionals within Headquarters
elements and component agencies.
The Committee will examine the Department's role in
managing, distributing, and otherwise using terrorist threat
information in furtherance of its homeland security mission.
The Committee will monitor the extent to which DHS effectively
coordinates and collaborates with other Federal, state, and
local agencies to mitigate threats to the Homeland.
Additionally, the Committee will assess how threat information
is incorporated in Departmental investments and programs, such
as improvements to component traveler screening and visa
programs, as well as research, staffing, and technology.
COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM
The Committee will continue to review federal efforts to
counter violent extremism (CVE) in the United States. This will
include programs and policies designed to counter the narrative
of violent Islamist extremism in the United States, as well as
national efforts to carry out engagement and outreach to
communities at risk for radicalization and recruitment by
jihadist networks.
INFORMATION SHARING
The Committee will examine the Department's efforts to
improve homeland security and terrorism information sharing
among Federal, state, and local governments; law enforcement
entities; first responders and emergency management personnel;
and the private sector. The Committee will examine the
Department's initiatives to coordinate information sharing to
and from state and local fusion centers throughout the country,
and will continue to evaluate the efficacy and efficiency of
the National Network of Fusion Centers to determine their
impact on securing the homeland. The Committee will also review
coordination and information sharing procedures between state
and local fusion centers and Joint Terrorism Task Forces. The
Committee will examine the Department's role in managing,
distributing, and otherwise using terrorist threat information
in furtherance of its homeland security mission. The Committee
will monitor the extent to which DHS effectively coordinates
and collaborates with other Federal, state, and local agencies
to mitigate threats to the Homeland. Additionally, the
Committee will examine how threat information is incorporated
in Departmental investments and programs, such as improvements
to component traveler screening and visa programs, as well as
research, staffing, and technology.
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PART B--IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY OVERSIGHT
PLAN FOR THE 114TH CONGRESS
Part B of this section contains a summary of the actions
taken by the Committee on Homeland Security to implement the
Oversight Plan for the 114th Congress and the recommendations
made with respect to this plan. Part B also contains a summary
of the additional oversight activities undertaken by the
Committee, and the recommendations made or actions taken
thereon.
PREVENTING A TERRORIST ATTACK ON THE HOMELAND
During the 114th Congress, the Committee on Homeland
Security held numerous hearings on preventing the next
terrorist attack in the homeland. Additionally the Committee
had numerous threat briefings and site visits to examine
countering violent extremism and radical Islamist terrorism.
The Full Committee held a roundtable with various tech
companies to discuss best practices to confront violent
extremism over the internet.
SECURING OUR BORDERS
Throughout the 114th Congress the Committee, through the
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security held eight
hearings relating to the border and securing the border. The
Committee heard from locals who experience the influx of people
entering into the United States to the agencies who work to
control the flow.
PROTECTING AGAINST CYBER ATTACKS
In the 114th Congress, the Committee on Homeland Security
examined the Department of Homeland Security's capabilities and
programs to protect against Cyber attacks. The Committee had
numerous briefings on the state of our cyber defenses and
information sharing in the private sector. Additionally the
Committee held a hearing on how to better protect from cyber
attacks through private sector information sharing and examined
the President's proposal to facilitate cyber information
sharing between the federal government and private sector.
ENSURING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY RUNS EFFECTIVELY
During the 114th Congress, the Committee on Homeland
Security investigated allegations of special access and
improper influence at the Department of Homeland Security. The
Committee also examined the leadership and management
challenges that have plagued the Department since its
inception. The full Committee held two hearings concerning
these leadership problems and heard testimony directly from the
Deputy Secretary concerning improper influence at the
Department. Additionally, we examined Departmental management,
policy, and programs by holding a Department of Homeland
Security budget hearing and various briefings concerning DHS
component budgets and programs.
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SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY
DEPARTMENTAL EFFICIENCY AND WASTE, FRAUD, ABUSE, AND DUPLICATION
During the 114th Congress, the Subcommittee on Oversight
and Management Efficiency investigated programs and practices
of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure
efficient and effective management was being conducted. The
Subcommittee conducted several hearings to identify cost
savings, find efficiencies, and eliminate duplicative or
unnecessary programs. These hearings included examinations of
watchdog recommendations, inefficiencies associated with the
Federal Protective Service's vehicle fleet management, and
failures with the implementation of the Human Resources
Information Technology program. The Subcommittee also received
testimony regarding the extent to which the Department conducts
effective outreach to the private sector and utilizes
commercial best practices. Subcommittee Members introduced
several pieces of legislation to better ensure efficient and
effective management of DHS on issues such as paid
administrative leave, the Department's headquarters
consolidation efforts, and oversight of its Freedom of
Information Act response process. Subcommittee Members
requested that the DHS Office of Inspector General and
Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct numerous audits
on a variety of issues to probe DHS management and operations.
ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT
The Subcommittee conducted oversight to improve acquisition
outcomes at DHS.The Subcommittee held a hearing with DHS and
GAO to examine assessments of DHS's major acquisition programs.
Committee Members introduced legislation to reform the
Department's acquisition processes and increase transparency
and accountability of DHS's purchases. At the request of the
Subcommittee, GAO completed several reviews to audit the cost,
schedule, and performance status of major acquisition programs,
as well as, the Department's acquisition initiatives, such as
the reestablished Joint Requirements Council. Subcommittee
Members and staff received several updates from senior
management officials regarding the performance of DHS
acquisition programs.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
The Subcommittee continued its oversight of the progress in
properly managing financial systems and data. The Subcommittee
Chair sent a letter to the Chief Financial Officer regarding
the Department's efforts to address internal control weaknesses
in financial reporting. Subcommittee staff received briefings
from the Office of Chief Financial Officer regarding its
efforts to modernize DHS financial systems through the use of a
federal shared service provider.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT
In the 114th Congress, the Subcommittee reviewed
information technology (IT) challenges across the Department
and at specific DHS components. The Committee Members passed
legislation to review duplicative IT programs within DHS and
identify a plan to reduce unnecessarily duplicative systems.
This legislation became public law and the Department provided
a report to the Committee as mandated by this legislation. At
the request of the Subcommittee, GAO examined IT issues
including U.S.Citizenship and Immigration Services IT
transformation program and radio interoperability. The
Subcommittee Chair sent letters regarding the Department's
policies on using private email to conduct official business.
The Subcommittee staff held briefings with senior DHS
officials, such as the Chief Information Officer, on efforts to
implement the Federal Information Technology Reform Act and
Secret Service and border security IT modernization efforts.
The Subcommittee Chair also requested GAO to review the
Transportation Security Administration's IT modernization
efforts.
DEPARTMENTAL WORKFORCE
The Subcommittee continued its oversight of DHS's efforts
to consolidate its headquarters at the St. Elizabeths campus in
Washington DC. Committee Members toured the site and received a
briefing on the construction progress. The Committee also
passed legislation, which became public law, to provide greater
transparency and oversight to the project. Subcommittee staff
received several briefings from the Office of the Chief Human
Capital Officer to review DHS's efforts to improve morale and
recruit and retain a talented workforce. The Subcommittee Chair
sent a letter to the Chief Human Capital Officer regarding law
enforcement position classification issues. The Subcommittee
Chair also wrote the Under Secretary for Management on
oversight of DHS workforce training centers. The Subcommittee
Chair sent a letter to DHS to monitor political conversions as
the change in administrations approached. Subcommittee staff
also received a briefing on preparations for the presidential
transition. In addition, Committee majority staff released a
report examining the workforce's footprint domestically titled
``Streamlining the Department of Homeland Security's Overhead
Will Make the Homeland Safer.''
EMPLOYEE INTEGRITY
Throughout the 114th Congress, the Committee investigated
allegations of employee misconduct at DHS.Employee misconduct
represents a major management challenge at the Department. The
Committee held hearings regarding allegations of improper
access and influence of the Deputy Secretary. The Subcommittee
Chair wrote to the Administrator of the transportation Security
Administration (TSA) regarding alleged misconduct by employees
in the Federal Air Marshal Service. The Committee majority
staff also released a report titled ``Misconduct at TSA
Threatens the Security of the Flying Public.'' The Subcommittee
Chair also requested GAO to review the internal affairs offices
of U.S.Customs and Border Enforcement, the TSA, and Immigration
and Customs Enforcement to determine their effectiveness in
identifying and addressing employee misconduct. The
Subcommittee Chair became a requester of an ongoing GAO audit
examining misconduct at the Federal Emergency Management
Agency.
UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE
Through a Subcommittee hearing, Member site visit, numerous
letters, and staff briefings, the Committee conducted rigorous
oversight of the Secret Service. Following the Inspector
General's report on improper access and distribution of a
Member of Congress's personal information, the Subcommittee,
along with Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management,
conducted a joint oversight hearing of the Secret Service. In
addition, Committee Members toured the Secret Service training
center in Beltsville, Maryland following a breach of White
House security. The Subcommittee Chair sent a letter regarding
security for the Papal visit in 2015 and a staff delegation
observed security at sites the Pope would visit. The
Subcommittee staff also examined protective operations
associated with the 2016 presidential conventions. At the
Subcommittee's request, GAO completed a review of Secret
Service's domestic field office structure. The Committee sent
several letters regarding the need for reform of the Secret
Service.
PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES
The Subcommittee continued its oversight of issues
associated with privacy and civil liberties. The Subcommittee
held a hearing that examined DHS's countering violent extremism
program, which began in the Department's Civil Rights and Civil
Liberties office and later led by the newly created Office of
Community Partnerships. The Committee passed legislation to
reform and improve the Department's oversight of its Freedom of
Information Act process. The Subcommittee staff received
several briefings from the Chief Privacy Officer on the
office's efforts to safeguard the privacy of American citizens.
Additionally, the Subcommittee staff received a briefing from
senior DHS officials on the Department's social media vetting
programs to discuss ongoing efforts and policies.
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SUBCOMMITTEE ON EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND COMMUNICATIONS
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
During the 114th Congress, the Subcommittee conducted
oversight of efforts at the Federal, State, local, Tribal, and
private sector levels to prepare for, respond to, and recover
from terrorist attacks and natural disasters. Through a series
of hearings, field hearings, briefings, and site visits, the
Subcommittee worked to ensure that the whole community is
engaged in these efforts. The Subcommittee held hearings to
assess the response readiness of Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA); examine Hurricane Sandy recovery and community
resiliency; assess preparedness for events impacting mass
transit; examine military support to civilian disaster
response; and examine cyber incident response capabilities.
Subcommittee Members visited the FEMA National Response
Coordination Center to observe response capabilities and
operations. As a result of this oversight, the Committee passed
legislation that was referred to the Subcommittee, including
H.R.3583, the Promoting Resilience and Efficiency in Preparing
for Attacks and Responding to Emergencies (PREPARE) Act.
ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND FIRST RESPONDERS
The Department of Homeland Security has awarded nearly $40
billion to State and local governments and first responders
since the September 11th terrorist attacks. As a result of the
Administration's Fiscal Year 2017 budget proposal to cut
homeland security grants by 50 percent, the Subcommittee held a
hearing with State and local stakeholders to hear about the
impact the proposed cuts would have on their ability to
prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to terrorist
attacks. In addition, Committee staff has held briefings with
FEMA representatives on the development of performance metrics
to measure the effectiveness of the grants and programmatic and
financial monitoring efforts. Grants management provisions were
included in Title I of H.R.3583, the PREPARE Act. The Committee
also considered legislation, H.R.5943, the Transit Security
Grant Program Flexibility Act, which was introduced by the
Subcommittee Chair.
CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, AND NUCLEAR PLANNING, PREPAREDNESS,
AND RESPONSE
Preparedness for and response to chemical, biological,
radiological, and nuclear events has remained a focus for the
Subcommittee in the 114th Congress. The Subcommittee has
received numerous briefings on the Office of Health Affairs'
BioWatch, National Biosurveillance Integration Center, and
Chemical Defense Programs at both the classified and
unclassified levels. The Subcommittee also held hearings on the
chemical terrorism threat, the bioterrorism threat, BioWatch,
and the appropriate organization of chemical, biological,
radiological, nuclear, and explosives policy offices within the
Department of Homeland Security. In furtherance of this
oversight, the Committee passed legislation that was referred
to the Subcommittee, H.R.1300 and H.R.2200, authorizing a
voluntary anthrax vaccination program for first responders and
requiring better sharing of CBRN threat information,
respectively. Provisions related to this oversight were also
included in H.R.3583, the PREPARE Act.
COMMUNICATIONS
In the 114th Congress, the Subcommittee continued its
oversight of communications issues with briefings on the Office
of Emergency Communications, the First Responder Network
Authority and the implementation of the Public Safety Broadband
Network, and the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.
After multiple Congresses, the Subcommittee was pleased that
the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization
Act was signed into law. This oversight also resulted in the
inclusion of a Communications title in H.R.3583, the PREPARE
Act.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROVIDER TRAINING, EXERCISES AND SIMULATIONS
As part of its oversight of first responder training
programs, the Subcommittee received numerous briefings on DHS-
funded training programs and from Federal and State training
providers. Committee staff visited the National Emergency
Response and Rescue Training Center to observe training and
exercise programs. The Subcommittee also received briefings
from FEMA's National Exercise Division and Office of
Counterterrorism and Security Preparedness on training and
exercise programs.
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SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION SECURITY
ADDRESSING EVOLVING THREATS
During the 114th Congress, the Subcommittee on
Transportation Security conducted extensive oversight efforts
within the Department of Homeland Security to prevent and
mitigate known and evolving terrorist threats to domestic
transportation systems. Through a series of hearings,
briefings, and site visits, the Subcommittee worked to ensure
that the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) multi-
layered, risk-based approach to preventing an attack on cargo
and passenger aircraft at home and overseas was efficiently
managed and maintained. The Subcommittee also provided strict
evaluation the capabilities of the TSA workforce and checkpoint
technologies to ensure that TSA is effectively screening
passengers and baggage.
Additionally, the Subcommittee has worked hard to review
the TSA security measures for international flights bound for
the United States, including but not limited to, the use of
Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS), directives that augment
security protocols in the select foreign airports, and the
Secure Flight Programs watch list matching process. The
Subcommittee also reviewed how TSA leverages additional Federal
Law Enforcement resources to enhance security measures on U.S.
bound aircraft.
ADVANCING RISK-BASED SECURITY
The Subcommittee continued oversight related to TSA's long-
term goals for TSA PreTM. The Subcommittee
assessed the effectiveness of TSA programs, in addition to
PreTM, such as Managed Inclusion. The
Subcommittee conducted evaluation of TSA's approach to expand
enrollment into the TSA PreTM program,
including through contracts with private sector entities, and
examined methodology to decide eligibility requirements for
passengers applying to enter the program. Additionally, the
Subcommittee closely monitored TSA's effort to protect
passenger privacy, in conjunction with new laws that aim to
provide expedited screening to certain passengers.
Moreover, the Subcommittee continued to examine how TSA is
ensuring that passengers that are designated high-risk are
subject to enhanced screening procedures at checkpoints.
Finally, the Subcommittee has provided strong oversight of
TSA's use of innovative technologies and implementation of
risk-based strategies at the screening checkpoint or in other
areas of security, such as baggage screening operation
facilities and access control points for employees at domestic
airports.
ENHANCING PRIVATE SECTOR ENGAGEMENT
Throughout the 114th Congress, the Subcommittee closely
maintained oversight efforts to ensure that TSA effectively
engaged the private sector in an effort to improve the
effectiveness and efficiency of TSA security operations.
Specifically, the Subcommittee conducted numerous briefings
which outlined the contract and bidding process for management
of TSA's PreTM program, as well as TSA's
Screening Partnership Program (SPP). The Subcommittee closely
monitored TSA's implementation of the Aviation Security
Stakeholder Participation Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-238),
through oversight letters and briefings. The oversight work by
the Subcommittee was aimed at ensuring that stakeholders are
properly consulted on major security policy decisions, through
the Aviation Security Advisory Committee or other means. The
Subcommittee insistently encouraged TSA to create broad means
of communications with the private sector, and leverage their
expertise, innovation, and technologies in the overall mission
to secure the nation's critical transportation systems in a
manner that is most effective and efficient for passengers,
TSA, and our partners in the private sector.
TARGETING WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE
During the 114th Congress, the Subcommittee conducted
oversight to identify and prevent waste, fraud, or abuse within
the Transportation Security Administration. Throughout the
oversight efforts, the Subcommittee monitored programs and
practices to ensure that TSA effectively implements and
complies with provisions outlined in H.R. 2719, the
Transportation Security Acquisition Reform Act (Pub. Law 113-
245). These provisions include, among other things, better
private sector engagement, strategic planning, and transparency
when working with the Subcommittee and Congressional oversight
bodies. The Subcommittee was diligent in the review of
nefarious salary bonuses being distributed among executive
level staff, and submitted multiple information requests
regarding other forms of misconduct throughout the TSA.
STREAMLINING AND IMPROVING SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY PROGRAMS AND
REGULATIONS
The Subcommittee continued its oversight of issues related
to TSA's effort to secure surface transit systems, including
the highest-risk mass transit and rail systems. As part of its
oversight of the surface transit systems, the Subcommittee held
multiple briefings to review programs associated with, but not
limited to, the Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response
Program, the Surface Transportation Security Inspection
Program, and TSA's surface transportation security regulations.
Additionally, the Subcommittee held a hearing to review and
assess the effectiveness of TSA's efforts to secure the
Nation's pipeline systems through TSA's oversight and
inspection activities.
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SUBCOMMITTEE ON CYBERSECURITY, INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION, AND SECURITY
TECHNOLOGIES
PROTECTION OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
During the 114th Congress, the Subcommittee on
Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies investigated programs and authorities of the
Department of Homeland Security to protect critical
infrastructure from both cyber and physical threats. The
Subcommittee conducted several hearings to examine ways to
enhance these efforts such as increasing the sharing of cyber
threat information, promoting and incentivizing greater
adoption of cybersecurity best practices, assessing the role of
cyber insurance in risk management, ensuring preparedness and
response capabilities to address cyber threats, and ensuring
value of the vulnerability assessments by the National
Protection and Programs Directorate in protecting our Nation's
critical infrastructure. Additionally, the Subcommittee held a
hearing to examine the mission, structure, and reorganization
effort of the National Protection and Programs Directorate that
led to legislation that would authorize a National
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Agency to improve
critical infrastructure protection. Last, the Committee passed
H.R. 1731, the Cybersecurity Act of 2015 (which was included in
Pub. L. 114--92) to improve the sharing of cyber threat
information to further protect critical infrastructure from
cybersecurity risks.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
During the 114th Congress, the Subcommittee on
Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies investigated programs and authorities of the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)to strengthen and make
improvements to the Directorate of Science and Technology (S&T)
of the Department. The Subcommittee conducted several hearings
that evaluated emerging threats and technologies to protection
the Homeland and examined S&T's Engagement with academia and
industry. The Subcommittee also led a Staff delegation visit to
the National Laboratories to better understand how S&T is
collaborating with the National labs to both identify and
address gaps in homeland security technology. Last, the
Subcommittee passed legislation, H.R. 3578, the DHS Science and
Technology Reform and Improvement Act of 2015 which made
tailored improvements to how S&T carries out its responsibility
to conduct research and development.
NUCLEAR AND RADIOLOGICAL DETECTION
During the 114th Congress, the Subcommittee on
Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies investigated programs and authorities of the
Department of Homeland Security to prevent, detect and respond
to chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attack (CBRN).
The Subcommittee conducted several hearings that examined
emerging threats and technologies to protect the Homeland and
ways to bolster DHS' efforts to combat persistent threat from
weapons of mass destruction. Additionally, the Subcommittee
held briefings on nuclear and radiological threats to the
homeland and counterintelligence concerns regarding
transportation security technologies. The Subcommittee also
passed legislation to assist State and local governments by
designing, implementing, and enhancing capabilities for
coordinating detection and interdiction of nuclear or other
radiological materials. The legislation would provide resources
to enhance detection, analysis, communication and coordination
and increased oversight and accountability by requiring the
Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a review on
the effectiveness of the program. Last, the Subcommittee also
passed legislation that would authorizes a Chemical,
Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE)
Office within the Department of Homeland Security.
------
SUBCOMMITTEE ON BORDER AND MARITIME SECURITY
BORDER SECURITY BETWEEN PORTS OF ENTRY
Through legislation, hearings briefings, and site visits,
the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security conducted
rigorous oversight of the security between the Nation's Ports
of Entry. Legislation was introduced to set Sector by Sector
requirements for infrastructure, staffing, and policy in order
to secure our nation's borders. Additionally, three bills
passed the House of Representatives that specify how new
technology is acquired after previous costly overruns, and
directs the Secretary to complete a thorough threat assessment
of the Southern and Northern Border. The Subcommittee
dovetailed its legislative activities with hearings and
briefings on the Department of Homeland Security's Border
Security Joint Task Forces, local challenges for border
residents, border technology, and the Department's ``Defense in
Depth'' strategy. The Subcommittee culminated this Congress
with a bipartisan, bicameral Staff Delegation trip to the
Southwest Border, examining nearly every facet of border
security to include security between the ports of entry along
the border, maritime challenges, new technology, and staffing.
BORDER SECURITY AT PORTS OF ENTRY
Much like the strategy to secure the Border between ports-
of-entry, the Subcommittee took a holistic approach to
improving security, while not impairing the flow of commerce,
at our nation's ports of entry. The subcommittee conducted
briefings and introduced legislation to address staffing
shortages, security, and senescent infrastructure. In order to
bolster staffing at and between ports of entry, the
Subcommittee introduced the Border Jobs for Veterans Act of
2015 (H.R.2835) to actively recruit veterans for Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) positions. This Act was signed into law
(Pub. L. 114-68) and assists CBP in addressing its staffing
shortage by reaching a previously untapped pool of potential
employment applicants. Additionally, the subcommittee authored
Title VIII of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act
of 2015 (Pub. L. 114-125) to formally authorize U.S.Customs and
Border Protection, enhance security within the global supply
chain, streamline commerce at Ports of Entry, and authorized
the Secretary to expand and conduct preclearance operations
domestically and overseas in order to ``push out'' the border
and shorten travel delays. The Subcommittee also conducted
hearings on CBP's staffing and infrastructure to address
staffing shortages and aging infrastructure at U.S.Ports of
Entry and examined the feasibility of public-private
partnerships to improve infrastructure and security at our
nation's ports. These hearings led to the house passage of
H.R.3586, as amended, to allow for private funds to be used to
improve infrastructure at ports of entry.
VISA SECURITY
In January 2015 the Subcommittee introduced legislation to
strengthen the security of the Visa Waiver Program and the
Electronic System for Travel Authorization, which was included
in Public Law 114-113. Using this legislation as a foundation
the Subcommittee held hearings on combating terrorist travel
through the Visa Waiver Program, DHS's international security
programs, and ensuring those granted visas or arriving through
the visa waiver program do not overstay their authorized time
in the United States. The Subcommittee also completed an
international Staff Delegation to Asia and the Middle East to
conduct oversight of the visa issuing and the security vetting
process first hand.
PORT AND MARITIME SECURITY
The cornerstone of the Subcommittee's work on Port and
Maritime Security was the introduction, and House passage of
H.R.3586, the Border and Maritime Coordination Improvement Act.
H.R.3586 included various port and maritime security provisions
to strengthen coordination between the Coast Guard and
U.S.Customs and Border Protection, evaluate the effectiveness
of the Coast Guard Deployable Specialized Forces, and
strengthen security within international shipping programs such
as the Container Security Initiative and the Customs-Trade
Partnership Against Terrorism. The Subcommittee also worked
diligently to address a myriad of issues within the Transit
Worker Identification Card (TWIC) Program through the
introduction and House passage of H.R.710, which seeks to
strengthen internal controls when issuing TWIC cards and
evaluate the effectiveness of TWIC as a secure credential.
Hearings and classified briefings were held on nuclear
smuggling and cyber security threats to U.S.ports in order to
guide continuing oversight and any need for future legislation.
ADDITIONAL OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
The Subcommittee ensured it conducted additional oversight
of the Department with due diligence and held classified member
briefings on the state of the U.S.border. The Subcommittee also
ensured that it questioned the new Chief of the U.S.Border
Patrol, at subcommittee hearing on the Border Patrol's
``Defense in Depth'' strategy.
------
SUBCOMMITTEE ON COUNTERTERRORISM AND INTELLIGENCE
EMERGING THREATS AND HOMELAND COUNTERTERRORISM ACTIVITIES
Examining current and emerging threats to the U.S.Homeland
as a top Subcommittee priority. The Subcommittee conducted
regular briefings and hearings with government and non-
government experts on threats posed by international terror
groups. Subcommittee Members and staff conducted meetings with
foreign embassy personnel and traveled to several countries to
discuss threats and counterterrorism cooperation.
The Subcommittee held a hearing and several classified
briefings on terror threats in Africa targeting U.S.or
U.S.interests. Additionally, the Subcommittee held a hearing
and multiple briefings related to threats to the homeland from
Iran and Hezbollah. In April 2016, the Subcommittee held a
hearing on the spread of terrorism in Southeast Asia and
related threats to the United States. Subcommittee staff also
reviewed the Foreign Terrorist Organization designation process
through a series of briefings and conversations with Federal
agencies.
The Subcommittee also reviewed threats associated with
vetting of refugees during a June 2015 hearing and examined
emerging areas linked to terror financing during a May 2016
hearing. The Subcommittee focused on threats to soft targets in
January and February of 2015 with briefings on threats posed by
unmanned aerial vehicles to mass gathering events, as well as
through a Member roundtable with the private industry
representing potential soft targets.
COUNTERINTELLIGENCE AND INSIDER THREAT PROGRAMS
The Subcommittee conducted extensive oversight over
Department of Homeland Security counterintelligence and insider
threat programs. Members and staff met with the Office of
Intelligence and Analysis, Office of the Chief Security
Officer, the U.S.Coast Guard, the Defense Security Service, and
other Federal agencies regarding threats and mitigation
efforts. In July 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing on DHS
efforts and challenges related to both issues.
The Subcommittee considered several pieces of legislation
to address counterintelligence and insider threat issues,
including H.R.3361, the Department of Homeland Security Insider
Threat and Mitigation Act of 2015 and H.R.3505, the Department
of Homeland Security Clearance Management and Administration
Act.
HOMELAND SECURITY INTELLIGENCE ENTERPRISE
The Subcommittee held numerous briefings and site visits
with Department of Homeland Security agencies and offices
considered to be part of the DHS Intelligence Enterprise,
including the Chief Intelligence Officer, the Office of
Intelligence and Analysis, Customs and Border Protection,
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Transportation Security
Administration, the U.S.Coast Guard, the National Operations
Center, the Chief Security Officer, and offices within the
National Protection and Programs Directorate. Additionally, the
Subcommittee met with outside experts and former officials from
Departmental agencies.
The Subcommittee also conducted extensive oversight over
the Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), including its
missions, capabilities, and workforce realignment initiative.
Subcommittee Members and staff also received regular classified
briefings from I&A officials regarding threats to the homeland
and DHS mitigation efforts.
COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM
The Subcommittee supported the efforts of the Full
Committee in reviewing threats posed by Islamist radicalization
of persons in the U.S., as well as programs intended to
identify, prevent and deter such radicalization. The
Subcommittee joined the Full Committee in sending multiple
oversight letters to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
and other agencies regarding the various pilots, programs and
policies. Subcommittee staff also held a number of meetings
with relevant DHS agencies, including the Office of Community
Partnerships to review their plans and priorities related to
countering homegrown Islamist extremism.
The Subcommittee held a hearing in October 2015 focused on
countering radicalization in U.S.prisons. In the lead up and
aftermath of the hearing, the Subcommittee conducted a number
of briefings with government and non-governmental entities.
INFORMATION SHARING
The Subcommittee held several hearings focused on
Department of Homeland Security and other Federal agency
efforts to share threat information with State and local
partners, as well as other stakeholders. Specifically, on
February 26, 2015, and September 8, 2016, the Subcommittee held
hearings with State and local law enforcement associations to
receive recommendations on needed improvements to the
information sharing environment.
Additionally, the Subcommittee Members and staff conducted
numerous briefings and site visits with Department of Homeland
Security agencies, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the
National Counterterrorism Center, State and local entities, the
private sector, and outside experts. Subcommittee staff also
conducted site visits at fusion centers in Virginia, Washington
D.C., Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
The Subcommittee considered several pieces of legislation
to address the information sharing environment and the
statutory requirement of the Department of Homeland Security to
share information with State and local law enforcement, first
responders, and the private sector, including H.R.3350, the
Know the CBRN Terrorism Threats to Transportation Act;
H.R.3503, the Department of Homeland security Support to Fusion
Centers Act; and H.R.3598, the Fusion Center Enhancement Act.
=======================================================================
A P P E N D I C E S
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APPENDIX I
Committee Rules
114th Congress
Adopted January 21, 2015
Modified March 26, 2015
------
RULE I.--GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(A) Applicability of the Rules of the U.S. House of
Representatives.--The Rules of the U.S. House of
Representatives (the ``House'') are the rules of the Committee
on Homeland Security (the ``Committee'') and its subcommittees
insofar as applicable.
(B) Applicability to Subcommittees.--Except where the terms
``Full Committee'' and ``subcommittee'' are specifically
mentioned, the following rules shall apply to the Committee's
subcommittees and their respective Chairmen and Ranking
Minority Members to the same extent as they apply to the Full
Committee and its Chairman and Ranking Minority Member.
(C) Appointments by the Chairman.--Clause 2(d) of Rule XI of
the House shall govern the designation of a Vice Chairman of
the Full Committee.
(D) Recommendation of Conferees.--Whenever the Speaker of the
House is to appoint a conference committee on a matter within
the jurisdiction of the Full Committee, the Chairman shall
recommend to the Speaker of the House conferees from the Full
Committee. In making recommendations of Minority Members as
conferees, the Chairman shall do so with the concurrence of the
Ranking Minority Member of the Committee.
(E) Motions to Disagree.--The Chairman is authorized to offer
a motion under clause 1 of Rule XXII of the Rules of the House
whenever the Chairman considers it appropriate.
(F) Committee Website.--The Chairman shall maintain an
official Committee web site for the purposes of furthering the
Committee's legislative and oversight responsibilities,
including communicating information about the Committee's
activities to Committee Members, other Members, and the public
at large. The Ranking Minority Member may maintain a similar
web site for the same purposes. The official Committee web site
shall display a link on its home page to the web site
maintained by the Ranking Minority Member.
(G) Activity Report.--Not later than January 2 of each odd
numbered year, the Committee shall submit to the House a report
on the activities of the Committee. After adjournment sine die
of the last regular session of a Congress, or after December 15
of an even-numbered year, whichever occurs first, the Chair may
file the report with the Clerk at any time and without approval
of the Committee provided that a copy of the report has been
available to each Member of the Committee for at least seven
calendar days and the report includes any supplemental,
minority, additional, or dissenting views submitted by a Member
of the Committee.
RULE II.--COMMITTEE PANELS.
(A) Designation.--The Chairman of the Full Committee, with the
concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member, may designate a
panel of the Committee consisting of Members of the Committee
to inquire into and take testimony on a matter or matters that
warrant enhanced consideration and to report to the Committee.
(B) Duration.--No panel appointed by the Chairman shall
continue in existence for more than six months after the
appointment.
(C) Party Ratios and Appointment.--The ratio of Majority to
Minority Members shall be comparable to the Full Committee,
consistent with the party ratios established by the Majority
party, with all Majority members of the panels appointed by the
Chairman of the Committee and all Minority members appointed by
the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee. The Chairman of
the Committee shall choose one of the Majority Members so
appointed who does not currently chair another Subcommittee of
the Committee to serve as Chairman of the panel. The Ranking
Minority Member of the Committee shall similarly choose the
Ranking Minority Member of the panel.
(D) Ex Officio Members.--The Chairman and Ranking Minority
Member of the Full Committee may serve as ex-officio Members of
each committee panel but are not authorized to vote on matters
that arise before a committee panel and shall not be counted to
satisfy the quorum requirement for any purpose other than
taking testimony.
(E) Jurisdiction.--No panel shall have legislative
jurisdiction.
(F) Applicability of Committee Rules.--Any designated panel
shall be subject to all Committee Rules herein.
RULE III.--SUBCOMMITTEES.
(A) Generally.--The Full Committee shall be organized into the
following six standing subcommittees and each shall have
specific responsibility for such measures or matters as the
Chairman refers to it:
L(1) Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence;
L(2) Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security;
(3) LSubcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection
and Security Technologies;
L(4) Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency;
L(5) Subcommittee on Transportation Security; and
L(6) Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and
Communications.
(B) Selection and Ratio of Subcommittee Members.--The ratio of
Majority to Minority Members shall be comparable to the Full
Committee, consistent with the party ratios established by the
Majority party, with all Majority members of the panels
appointed by the Chairman of the Committee and all Minority
members appointed by the Ranking Minority Member of the
Committee. The Chairman of the Committee shall choose one of
the Majority Members so appointed who does not currently chair
another Subcommittee of the Committee to serve as Chairman of
the panel. The Ranking Minority Member of the Committee shall
similarly choose the Ranking Minority Member of the panel.
(C) Ex Officio Members.--The Chairman and Ranking Minority
Member of the Full Committee shall be ex officio members of
each subcommittee but are not authorized to vote on matters
that arise before each subcommittee. The Chairman and Ranking
Minority Member of the Full Committee shall only be counted to
satisfy the quorum requirement for the purpose of taking
testimony and receiving evidence.
(D) Powers and Duties of Subcommittees.--Except as otherwise
directed by the Chairman of the Full Committee, each
subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings, receive
testimony, mark up legislation, and report to the Full
Committee on all matters within its purview. Subcommittee
Chairmen shall set hearing and meeting dates only with the
approval of the Chairman of the Full Committee. To the greatest
extent practicable, no more than one meeting and hearing should
be scheduled for a given time.
(E) Special Voting Provision.--If a tie vote occurs in a
Subcommittee on the question of forwarding any measure to the
Full Committee, the measure shall be placed on the agenda for
Full Committee consideration as if it had been ordered reported
by the Subcommittee without recommendation.
RULE IV.--TIME OF MEETINGS.
(A) Regular Meeting Date.--The regular meeting date and time
for the transaction of business of the Full Committee shall be
at 10:00 a.m. on the first Wednesday that the House is in
Session each month, unless otherwise directed by the Chairman.
(B) Additional Meetings.--At the discretion of the Chairman,
additional meetings of the Committee may be scheduled for the
consideration of any legislation or other matters pending
before the Committee or to conduct other Committee business.
The Committee shall meet for such purposes pursuant to the call
of the Chairman.
(C) Consideration.--Except in the case of a special meeting
held under clause 2(c)(2) of House Rule XI, the determination
of the business to be considered at each meeting of the
Committee shall be made by the Chairman.
RULE V.--NOTICE AND PUBLICATION.
(A) Notice.--
L(1) Hearings.--Pursuant to clause 2(g)(3) of rule XI of the
Rules of the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the
Committee shall make public announcement of the date, place,
and subject matter of any hearing before the Full Committee or
subcommittee, which may not commence earlier than one week
after such notice. However, if the Chairman of the Committee,
with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member, determines
that there is good cause to begin the hearing sooner, or if the
Committee so determines by majority vote, a quorum being
present for the transaction of business, the Chairman shall
make the announcement at the earliest possible date. The names
of all witnesses scheduled to appear at such hearing shall be
provided to Members no later than 48 hours prior to the
commencement of such hearing.
L(2) Meetings and Briefings.--The date, time, place and
subject matter of any meeting, which could be a briefing, other
than a hearing or a regularly scheduled meeting, may not
commence earlier than the third day on which Members have
notice thereof except in the case of a special meeting called
under clause 2(c)(2) of House Rule XI. These notice
requirements may be waived if the Chairman with the concurrence
of the Ranking Minority Member, determines that there is good
cause to begin the meeting sooner or if the Committee so
determines by majority vote, a quorum being present for the
transaction of business.
L(a) At least 48 hours prior to the commencement of a
meeting for the markup of legislation, or at the time of
announcement of the meeting, if less than 48 hours under Rule
V(A)(2), the text of such legislation to be marked up shall be
provided to the Members, made publicly available in electronic
form, and posted on the official Committee web site.
L(b) Not later than 24 hours after concluding a meeting to
consider legislation, the text of such legislation as ordered
forwarded or reported, including any amendments adopted or
defeated, shall be made publicly available in electronic form
and posted on the official Committee web site.
L(3) Publication.--The meeting or hearing announcement shall
be promptly published in the Daily Digest portion of the
Congressional Record. To the greatest extent practicable,
meeting announcements shall be entered into the Committee
scheduling service of the House Information Resources.
RULE VI.--OPEN MEETINGS AND HEARINGS; BROADCASTING.
(A) Open Meetings.--All meetings and hearings of the Committee
shall be open to the public including to radio, television, and
still photography coverage, except as provided by Rule XI of
the Rules of the House or when the Committee, in open session
and with a majority present, determines by recorded vote that
all or part of the remainder of that hearing on that day shall
be closed to the public because disclosure of testimony,
evidence, or other matters to be considered would endanger the
national security, compromise sensitive law enforcement
information, tend to defame, degrade or incriminate a witness,
or violate any law or rule of the House of Representatives.
(B) Broadcasting.--Whenever any hearing or meeting conducted
by the Committee is open to the public, the Committee shall
permit that hearing or meeting to be covered by television
broadcast, internet broadcast, print media, and still
photography, or by any of such methods of coverage, in
accordance with the provisions of clause 4 of Rule XI of the
Rules of the House. Operation and use of any Committee operated
broadcast system shall be fair and nonpartisan and in
accordance with clause 4(b) of Rule XI and all other applicable
rules of the Committee and the House. Priority shall be given
by the Committee to members of the Press Galleries. Pursuant to
clause 2(e) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the Committee shall, to the greatest extent
practicable, provide audio and video coverage of each hearing
or meeting in a manner that allows the public to easily listen
to and view the proceedings and shall maintain the recordings
of such coverage in a manner that is easily accessible to the
public.
(C) Transcripts.--A transcript shall be made of the testimony
of each witness appearing before the Committee during a
Committee hearing. All transcripts of meetings or hearings that
are open to the public shall be made available.
RULE VII.--PROCEDURES FOR MEETINGS AND HEARINGS.
(A) Opening Statements.--At any meeting of the Committee, the
Chairman and Ranking Minority Member shall be entitled to
present oral opening statements of five minutes each. Other
Members may submit written opening statements for the record.
The Chairman presiding over the meeting may permit additional
opening statements by other Members of the Full Committee or of
that subcommittee, with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority
Member.
(B) The Five-Minute Rule.--The time any one Member may address
the Committee on any bill, motion, or other matter under
consideration by the Committee shall not exceed five minutes,
and then only when the Member has been recognized by the
Chairman, except that this time limit may be extended when
permitted by unanimous consent.
(C) Postponement of Vote.--The Chairman may postpone further
proceedings when a record vote is ordered on the question of
approving any measure or matter or adopting an amendment. The
Chairman may resume proceedings on a postponed vote at any
time, provided that all reasonable steps have been taken to
notify Members of the resumption of such proceedings, including
circulation of notice by the Clerk of the Committee, or other
designee of the Chair. When proceedings resume on a postponed
question, notwithstanding any intervening order for the
previous question, an underlying proposition shall remain
subject to further debate or amendment to the same extent as
when the question was postponed.
(D) Contempt Procedures.--No recommendation that a person be
cited for contempt of Congress shall be forwarded to the House
unless and until the Full Committee has, upon notice to all its
Members, met and considered the alleged contempt. The person to
be cited for contempt shall be afforded, upon notice of at
least 72 hours, an opportunity to state why he or she should
not be held in contempt prior to a vote of the Full Committee,
with a quorum being present, on the question whether to forward
such recommendation to the House. Such statement shall be, in
the discretion of the Chairman, either in writing or in person
before the Full Committee.
(E) Record.--Members may have 10 business days to submit to
the Chief Clerk of the Committee their statements for the
record, and, in the case of a hearing, additional questions for
the hearing record to be directed towards a witness at the
hearing.
RULE VIII.--WITNESSES.
(A) Questioning of Witnesses.--
L(1) Questioning of witnesses by Members will be conducted
under the five-minute rule unless the Committee adopts a motion
permitted by clause 2(j)(2) of House Rule XI.
L(2) In questioning witnesses under the five-minute rule, the
Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member shall first be
recognized. In a subcommittee meeting or hearing, the Chairman
and Ranking Minority Member of the Full Committee are then
recognized. All other Members who are present before the
commencement of the meeting or hearing will be recognized in
the order of seniority on the Committee, alternating between
Majority and Minority Members. Committee Members arriving after
the commencement of the hearing shall be recognized in order of
appearance, alternating between Majority and Minority Members,
after all Members present at the beginning of the hearing have
been recognized. Each Member shall be recognized at least once
before any Member is given a second opportunity to question a
witness.
L(3) The Chairman, in consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member, or the Committee by motion, may permit an extension of
the period of questioning of a witness beyond five minutes but
the time allotted must be equally apportioned to the Majority
party and the Minority and may not exceed one hour in the
aggregate.
L(4) The Chairman, in consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member, or the Committee by motion, may permit Committee staff
of the Majority and Minority to question a witness for a
specified period of time, but the time allotted must be equally
apportioned to the Majority and Minority staff and may not
exceed one hour in the aggregate.
(B) Minority Witnesses.--Whenever a hearing is conducted by
the Committee upon any measure or matter, the Minority party
Members on the Committee shall be entitled, upon request to the
Chairman by a majority of those Minority Members before the
completion of such hearing, to call witnesses selected by the
Minority to testify with respect to that measure or matter
during at least one day of hearing thereon.
(C) Oath or Affirmation.--The Chairman of the Committee or any
Member designated by the Chairman, may administer an oath to
any witness.
(D) Statements by Witnesses.--
L(1) Consistent with the notice given, and to the greatest
extent practicable, witnesses shall submit a prepared or
written statement for the record of the proceedings (including,
where practicable, an electronic copy) with the Clerk of the
Committee no less than 48 hours in advance of the witness's
appearance before the Committee. Unless the 48 hour requirement
is waived or otherwise modified by the Chairman, after
consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, the failure to
comply with this requirement may result in the exclusion of the
written testimony from the hearing record and/or the barring of
an oral presentation of the testimony. The Clerk of the
Committee shall provide any such prepared or written statement
submitted to the Clerk prior to the hearing to the Members of
the Committee prior to the commencement of the hearing.
L(2) In the case of a witness appearing in a non-governmental
capacity, a written statement of proposed testimony shall
include a curriculum vita and a disclosure of any Federal
grants or contracts, or contracts or payments originating with
a foreign government, received during the current calendar year
or either of the two preceding calendar years by the witness or
by an entity represented by the witness and related to the
subject matter of the hearing. Such disclosures shall include
the amount and source of each Federal grant (or subgrant
thereof) or contract (or subcontract thereof) related to the
subject matter of the hearing, and the amount and country of
origin of any payment or contract related to the subject matter
jurisdiction of the hearing originating with a foreign
government. Such statements, with the appropriate redactions to
protect the privacy or security of the witness, shall be made
publicly available in electronic form not later than one day
after the witness appears.
RULE IX.--QUORUM.
Quorum Requirements.--Two Members shall constitute a quorum for
purposes of taking testimony and receiving evidence. One-third
of the Members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for
conducting business, except for (1) reporting a measure or
recommendation; (2) closing Committee meetings to the public,
pursuant to Committee Rule IV; (3) any other action for which
an actual majority quorum is required by any rule of the House
of Representatives or by law. The Chairman's staff shall
consult with the Ranking Minority Member's staff when
scheduling meetings and hearings, to ensure that a quorum for
any purpose will include at least one Minority Member of the
Committee.
RULE X.--DECORUM.
(A) Breaches of Decorum.--The Chairman may punish breaches of
order and decorum, by censure and exclusion from the hearing;
and the Committee may cite the offender to the House for
contempt.
(B) Access to Dais.--Access to the dais before, during, and
after a hearing, markup, or other meeting of the Committee
shall be limited to Members and staff of the Committee. Subject
to availability of space on the dais, Committee Members'
personal staff may be present on the dais during a hearing if
their employing Member is seated on the dais and during a
markup or other meeting if their employing Member is the author
of a measure or amendment under consideration by the Committee,
but only during the time that the measure or amendment is under
active consideration by the Committee, or otherwise at the
discretion of the Chairman, or of the Ranking Minority Member
for personal staff employed by a Minority Member.
(C) Wireless Communications Use Prohibited.--During a hearing,
mark-up, or other meeting of the Committee, ringing or audible
sounds or conversational use of cellular telephones or other
electronic devices is prohibited in the Committee room.
RULE XI.--REFERRALS TO SUBCOMMITTEES.
Referral of Bills and Other Matters by Chairman.-Except for
bills and other matters retained by the Chairman for Full
Committee consideration, each bill or other matter referred to
the Full Committee shall be referred by the Chairman to one or
more subcommittees within two weeks of receipt by the
Committee. In referring any measure or matter to a
subcommittee, the Chair may specify a date by which the
subcommittee shall report thereon to the Full Committee. Bills
or other matters referred to subcommittees may be reassigned or
discharged by the Chairman.
RULE XII.--SUBPOENAS.
(A) Authorization.--The power to authorize and issue subpoenas
is delegated to the Chairman of the Full Committee, as provided
for under clause 2(m)(3)(A)(i) of Rule XI of the Rules of the
House of Representatives. The Chairman shall notify the Ranking
Minority Member prior to issuing any subpoena under such
authority. To the extent practicable, the Chairman shall
consult with the Ranking Minority Member at least 24 hours in
advance of a subpoena being issued under such authority,
excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays. The
Chairman of the Full Committee shall notify Members of the
Committee of the authorization and issuance of a subpoena under
this rule as soon as practicable, but in no event later than
one week after service of such subpoena.
(B) Disclosure.--Provisions may be included in a subpoena with
the concurrence of the Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member
of the Full Committee, or by the Committee, to prevent the
disclosure of the Full Committee's demands for information when
deemed necessary for the security of information or the
progress of an investigation, including but not limited to
prohibiting the revelation by witnesses and their counsel of
Full Committee's inquiries.
(C) Subpoena duces tecum.--A subpoena duces tecum may be
issued whose return to the Committee Clerk shall occur at a
time and place other than that of a regularly scheduled
meeting.
RULE XIII.--COMMITTEE STAFF.
(A) Generally.--Committee staff members are subject to the
provisions of clause 9 of House Rule X and must be eligible to
be considered for routine access to classified information.
(B) Staff Assignments.--For purposes of these rules, Committee
staff means the employees of the Committee, detailees, fellows,
or any other person engaged by contract or otherwise to perform
services for, or at the request of, the Committee. All such
persons shall be either Majority, Minority, or shared staff.
The Chairman shall appoint, supervise, where applicable
determine remuneration of, and may remove Majority staff. The
Ranking Minority Member shall appoint, supervise, where
applicable determine remuneration of, and may remove Minority
staff. In consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, the
Chairman may appoint, supervise, determine remuneration of and
may remove shared staff that is assigned to service of the
Committee. The Chairman shall certify Committee staff
appointments, including appointments by the Ranking Minority
Member, as required.
(C) Divulgence of Information.--Prior to the public
acknowledgement by the Chairman or the Committee of a decision
to initiate an investigation of a particular person, entity, or
subject, no member of the Committee staff shall knowingly
divulge to any person any information, including non-classified
information, which comes into his or her possession by virtue
of his or her status as a member of the Committee staff, if the
member of the Committee staff has a reasonable expectation that
such information may alert the subject of a Committee
investigation to the existence, nature, or substance of such
investigation, unless authorized to do so by the Chairman or
the Committee.
RULE XIV.--COMMITTEE MEMBER AND COMMITTEE STAFF TRAVEL.
(A) Approval of Travel.--Consistent with the primary expense
resolution and such additional expense resolutions as may have
been approved, travel to be reimbursed from funds set aside for
the Committee for any Committee Member or Committee staff shall
be paid only upon the prior authorization of the Chairman.
Travel may be authorized by the Chairman for any Committee
Member or Committee staff only in connection with official
Committee business, such as the attendance of hearings
conducted by the Committee and meetings, conferences, site
visits, and investigations that involve activities or subject
matters under the general jurisdiction of the Full Committee.
L(1) Proposed Travel by Majority Party Committee Members and
Committee Staff.--In the case of proposed travel by Majority
party Committee Members or Committee staff, before such
authorization is given, there shall be submitted to the
Chairman in writing the following: (a) the purpose of the
travel; (b) the dates during which the travel is to be made and
the date or dates of the event for which the travel is being
made; (c) the location of the event for which the travel is to
be made; (d) the estimated total cost of the travel; and (e)
the names of Members and staff seeking authorization. On the
basis of that information, the Chairman shall determine whether
the proposed travel is for official Committee business,
concerns a subject matter under the jurisdiction of the Full
Committee, and is not excessively costly in view of the
Committee business proposed to be conducted.
L(2) Proposed Travel by Minority Party Committee Members and
Committee Staff.--In the case of proposed travel by Minority
party Committee Members or Committee staff, the Ranking
Minority Member shall provide to the Chairman a written
representation setting forth the information specified in items
(a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of subparagraph (1) and his or her
determination that such travel complies with the other
requirements of subparagraph (1).
(B) Foreign Travel.--Committee Member and Committee staff
requests for foreign travel must include a written
representation setting forth the information specified in items
(a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of subparagraph (A)(1) and be
submitted to the Chairman and, absent extenuating
circumstances, to the Ranking Minority Member, not fewer than
ten business days prior to the start of the travel. Within
thirty days of the conclusion of any such foreign travel
authorized under this rule, there shall be submitted to the
Chairman a written report summarizing the information gained as
a result of the travel in question, or other Committee
objectives served by such travel. The requirements of this
section may be waived or abridged by the Chairman.
(C) Compliance with Committee Travel Policy and Guidelines.--
Travel must be in accordance with the Committee Travel Policy
and Guidelines, as well as with House Rules, the Travel
Guidelines and Regulations and any additional guidance set
forth by the Committee on Ethics and the Committee on House
Administration. Committee Members and staff shall follow these
rules, policies, guidelines, and regulations in requesting and
proceeding with any Committee-related travel.
RULE XV.--CLASSIFIED AND CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION.
(A) Security Precautions.--Committee staff offices, including
Majority and Minority offices, shall operate under strict
security precautions administered by the Security Officer of
the Committee. A security officer shall be on duty at all times
during normal office hours. Classified documents and controlled
unclassified information (CUI)- formerly known as sensitive but
unclassified (SBU) information- may be destroyed, discussed,
examined, handled, reviewed, stored, transported and used only
in an appropriately secure manner in accordance with all
applicable laws, executive orders, and other governing
authorities. Such documents may be removed from the Committee's
offices only in furtherance of official Committee business.
Appropriate security procedures, as determined by the Chairman
in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, shall govern
the handling of such documents removed from the Committee's
offices.
(B) Temporary Custody of Executive Branch Material.--Executive
branch documents or other materials containing classified
information in any form that were not made part of the record
of a Committee hearing, did not originate in the Committee or
the House, and are not otherwise records of the Committee
shall, while in the custody of the Committee, be segregated and
maintained by the Committee in the same manner as Committee
records that are classified. Such documents and other materials
shall be returned to the Executive branch agency from which
they were obtained at the earliest practicable time.
(C) Access by Committee Staff.--Access to classified
information supplied to the Committee shall be limited to
Committee staff members with appropriate security clearances
and a need-to-know, as determined by the Chairman or Ranking
Minority Member, and under the direction of the Majority or
Minority Staff Directors.
(D) Maintaining Confidentiality.--No Committee Member or
Committee staff shall disclose, in whole or in part or by way
of summary, to any person who is not a Committee Member or
authorized Committee staff for any purpose or in connection
with any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, any testimony given
before the Committee in executive session except for purposes
of obtaining an official classification of such testimony.
Classified information and controlled unclassified information
(CUI) shall be handled in accordance with all applicable laws,
executive orders, and other governing authorities and
consistently with the provisions of these rules and Committee
procedures.
(E) Oath.--Before a Committee Member or Committee staff may
have access to classified information, the following oath (or
affirmation) shall be executed:
LI do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will not
disclose any classified information received in the course of
my service on the Committee on Homeland Security, except as
authorized by the Committee or the House of Representatives or
in accordance with the Rules of such Committee or the Rules of
the House.
Copies of the executed oath (or affirmation) shall be retained
by the Clerk of the Committee as part of the records of the
Committee.
(F) Disciplinary Action.--The Chairman shall immediately
consider disciplinary action in the event any Committee Member
or Committee staff member fails to conform to the provisions of
these rules governing the disclosure of classified or
unclassified information. Such disciplinary action may include,
but shall not be limited to, immediate dismissal from the
Committee staff, criminal referral to the Justice Department,
and notification of the Speaker of the House. With respect to
Minority staff, the Chairman shall consider such disciplinary
action in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member.
RULE XVI.--COMMITTEE RECORDS.
(A) Committee Records.--Committee Records shall constitute all
data, charts and files in possession of the Committee and shall
be maintained in accordance with clause 2(e) of House Rule XI .
(B) Legislative Calendar.--The Clerk of the Committee shall
maintain a printed calendar for the information of each
Committee Member showing any procedural or legislative measures
considered or scheduled to be considered by the Committee, and
the status of such measures and such other matters as the
Committee determines shall be included. The calendar shall be
revised from time to time to show pertinent changes. A copy of
such revisions shall be made available to each Member of the
Committee upon request.
(C) Members Right To Access.--Members of the Committee and of
the House shall have access to all official Committee Records.
Access to Committee files shall be limited to examination
within the Committee offices at reasonable times. Access to
Committee Records that contain classified information shall be
provided in a manner consistent with these rules.
(D) Removal of Committee Records.--Files and records of the
Committee are not to be removed from the Committee offices. No
Committee files or records that are not made publicly available
shall be photocopied by any Member.
(E) Executive Session Records.--Evidence or testimony received
by the Committee in executive session shall not be released or
made available to the public unless agreed to by the Committee.
Such information may be made available to appropriate
government personnel for purposes of classification. Such
information Members may examine the Committee's executive
session records, but may not make copies of, or take personal
notes from, such records.
(F) Availability of Committee Records.--The Committee shall
keep a complete record of all Committee action including
recorded votes and attendance at hearings and meetings.
Information so available for public inspection shall include a
description of each amendment, motion, order, or other
proposition, including the name of the Member who offered the
amendment, motion, order, or other proposition, and the name of
each Member voting for and each Member voting against each such
amendment, motion, order, or proposition, as well as the names
of those Members present but not voting. Such record shall be
made available to the public at reasonable times within the
Committee offices and also made publicly available in
electronic form and posted on the official Committee web site
within 48 hours of such record vote.
(G) Separate and Distinct.--All Committee records and files
must be kept separate and distinct from the office records of
the Members serving as Chairman and Ranking Minority Member.
Records and files of Members' personal offices shall not be
considered records or files of the Committee.
(H) Disposition of Committee Records.--At the conclusion of
each Congress, non-current records of the Committee shall be
delivered to the Archivist of the United States in accordance
with Rule VII of the Rules of the House.
(I) Archived Records.--The records of the Committee at the
National Archives and Records Administration shall be made
available for public use in accordance with Rule VII of the
Rules of the House. The Chairman shall notify the Ranking
Minority Member of any decision, pursuant to clause 3(b)(3) or
clause 4(b) of the Rule, to withhold a record otherwise
available, and the matter shall be presented to the Committee
for a determination on the written request of any member of the
Committee. The Chairman shall consult with the Ranking Minority
Member on any communication from the Archivist of the United
States or the Clerk of the House concerning the disposition of
noncurrent records pursuant to clause 3(b) of the Rule.
RULE XVII.--COMMITTEE RULES.
(A) Availability of Committee Rules in Electronic Form.--
Availability of Committee Rules in Electronic Form.-Pursuant to
clause 2(a) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the Committee shall make its rules publicly
available in electronic form and posted on the official
Committee web site and shall submit such rules for publication
in the Congressional Record not later than 30 days after the
Chairman of the Committee is elected in each odd-numbered year.
(B) Changes to Committee Rules.--These rules may be modified,
amended, or repealed by the Full Committee provided that a
notice in writing of the proposed change has been given to each
Member at least 48 hours prior to the meeting at which action
thereon is to be taken and such changes are not inconsistent
with the Rules of the House of Representatives.
APPENDIX II
Membership Changes
January 2015
On January 6, 2015, Mr. Michael T. McCaul of Texas was elected as
Chair, and Mr. Bennie G. Thompson of Mississippi as Ranking Member
pursuant to H. Res. 6 and H. Res. 7, respectively.
Majority Members were elected to the Committee on January 13, 2015,
pursuant to H. Res. 29.
Minority Members were elected to the Committee on January 13, 2015,
pursuant to H. Res. 30.
__________
COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY
Michael T. McCaul, Texas, Chairman
Lamar Smith, Texas
Peter T. King, New York
Mike Rogers, Alabama
Candice S. Miller, Michigan
Jeff Duncan, South Carolina
Tom Marino, Pennsylvania
Steven M. Palazzo, Mississippi
Lou Barletta, Pennsylvania
Scott Perry, Pennsylvania
Curt Clawson, Florida
John Katko, New York
Will Hurd, Texas
Earl L. ``Buddy'' Carter, Georgia
Mark Walker, North Carolina
Barry Loudermilk, Georgia
Martha McSally, Arizona
John Ratcliffe, Texas Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
Loretta Sanchez, California
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas
James R. Langevin, Rhode Island
Brian Higgins, New York
Cedric L. Richmond, Louisiana
William R. Keating, Massachusetts
Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey
Filemon Vela, Texas
Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey
Kathleen M. Rice, New York
Norma J. Torres, California
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON COUNTERTERRORISM AND INTELLIGENCE
Peter T. King, New York, Chairman
Candice S. Miller, Michigan
Lou Barletta, Pennsylvania
John Katko, New York
Will Hurd, Texas
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Brian Higgins, New York
William R. Keating, Massachusetts
Filemon Vela, Texas
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON BORDER AND MARITIME SECURITY
Candice S. Miller, Michigan, Chairman
Lamar Smith, Texas
Mike Rogers, Alabama
Jeff Duncan, South Carolina
Lou Barletta, Pennsylvania
Will Hurd, Texas
Martha McSally, Arizona
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Filemon Vela, Texas
Loretta Sanchez, California
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas
Brian Higgins, New York
Norma J. Torres, California
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY
Scott Perry, Pennsylvania, Chairman
Jeff Duncan, South Carolina
Curt Clawson, Florida
Earl L. ``Buddy'' Carter, Georgia
Barry Loudermilk, Georgia
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey
Cedric L. Richmond, Louisiana
Norma J. Torres, California
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION SECURITY
John Katko, New York, Chairman
Mike Rogers, Alabama
Earl L. ``Buddy'' Carter, Georgia
Mark Walker, North Carolina
John Ratcliffe, Texas
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Kathleen M. Rice, New York
William R. Keating, Massachusetts
Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND COMMUNICATIONS
Martha McSally, Arizona, Chairman
Tom Marino, Pennsylvania
Steven M. Palazzo, Mississippi
Mark Walker, North Carolina
Barry Loudermilk, Georgia
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey
Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey
Kathleen M. Rice, New York
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON CYBERSECURITY, INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION, AND SECURITY
TECHNOLOGIES
John Ratcliffe, Texas, Chairman
Peter T. King, New York
Tom Marino, Pennsylvania
Steven M. Palazzo, Mississippi
Scott Perry, Pennsylvania
Curt Clawson, Florida
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Cedric L. Richmond, Louisiana
Loretta Sanchez, California
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas
James R. Langevin, Rhode Island
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
March/April 2015
On March 24, 2015, Mr. Steven M. Palazzo of Mississippi resigned as
a Member of the Committee on Homeland Security. Mr. Patrick Meehan of
Pennsylvania was elected to the Committee on April 14, 2015, pursuant
to H. Res. 199. The Membership was as follows:
__________
COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY
Michael T. McCaul, Texas, Chairman
Lamar Smith, Texas
Peter T. King, New York
Mike Rogers, Alabama
Candice S. Miller, Michigan
Jeff Duncan, South Carolina
Tom Marino, Pennsylvania
Patrick Meehan, Pennsylvania
Lou Barletta, Pennsylvania
Scott Perry, Pennsylvania
Curt Clawson, Florida
John Katko, New York
Will Hurd, Texas
Earl L. ``Buddy'' Carter, Georgia
Mark Walker, North Carolina
Barry Loudermilk, Georgia
Martha McSally, Arizona
John Ratcliffe, Texas Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
Loretta Sanchez, California
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas
James R. Langevin, Rhode Island
Brian Higgins, New York
Cedric L. Richmond, Louisiana
William R. Keating, Massachusetts
Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey
Filemon Vela, Texas
Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey
Kathleen M. Rice, New York
Norma J. Torres, California
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON COUNTERTERRORISM AND INTELLIGENCE
Peter T. King, New York, Chairman
Candice S. Miller, Michigan
Lou Barletta, Pennsylvania
John Katko, New York
Will Hurd, Texas
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Brian Higgins, New York
William R. Keating, Massachusetts
Filemon Vela, Texas
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON BORDER AND MARITIME SECURITY
Candice S. Miller, Michigan, Chairman
Lamar Smith, Texas
Mike Rogers, Alabama
Jeff Duncan, South Carolina
Lou Barletta, Pennsylvania
Will Hurd, Texas
Martha McSally, Arizona
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Filemon Vela, Texas
Loretta Sanchez, California
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas
Brian Higgins, New York
Norma J. Torres, California
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY
Scott Perry, Pennsylvania, Chairman
Jeff Duncan, South Carolina
Curt Clawson, Florida
Earl L. ``Buddy'' Carter, Georgia
Barry Loudermilk, Georgia
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey
Cedric L. Richmond, Louisiana
Norma J. Torres, California
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION SECURITY
John Katko, New York, Chairman
Mike Rogers, Alabama
Earl L. ``Buddy'' Carter, Georgia
Mark Walker, North Carolina
John Ratcliffe, Texas
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Kathleen M. Rice, New York
William R. Keating, Massachusetts
Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND COMMUNICATIONS
Martha McSally, Arizona, Chairman
Tom Marino, Pennsylvania
Patrick Meehan, Pennsylvania
Mark Walker, North Carolina
Barry Loudermilk, Georgia
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey
Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey
Kathleen M. Rice, New York
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON CYBERSECURITY, INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION, AND SECURITY
TECHNOLOGIES
John Ratcliffe, Texas, Chairman
Peter T. King, New York
Tom Marino, Pennsylvania
Patrick Meehan, Pennsylvaniav
Scott Perry, Pennsylvania
Curt Clawson, Florida
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Cedric L. Richmond, Louisiana
Loretta Sanchez, California
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas
James R. Langevin, Rhode Island
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
May 2015
Mr. Patrick Meehan of Pennsylvania resigned as a Member of the
Committee on May 19, 2015. Mr. Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. of New York was
elected to the Committee on May 19, 2015, pursuant to H. Res. 272. The
Membership was as follows:
__________
COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY
Michael T. McCaul, Texas, Chairman
Lamar Smith, Texas
Peter T. King, New York
Mike Rogers, Alabama
Candice S. Miller, Michigan
Jeff Duncan, South Carolina
Tom Marino, Pennsylvania
Lou Barletta, Pennsylvania
Scott Perry, Pennsylvania
Curt Clawson, Florida
John Katko, New York
Will Hurd, Texas
Earl L. ``Buddy'' Carter, Georgia
Mark Walker, North Carolina
Barry Loudermilk, Georgia
Martha McSally, Arizona
John Ratcliffe, Texas
Daniel M. Donovan, Jr., New York Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
Loretta Sanchez, California
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas
James R. Langevin, Rhode Island
Brian Higgins, New York
Cedric L. Richmond, Louisiana
William R. Keating, Massachusetts
Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey
Filemon Vela, Texas
Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey
Kathleen M. Rice, New York
Norma J. Torres, California
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON COUNTERTERRORISM AND INTELLIGENCE
Peter T. King, New York, Chairman
Candice S. Miller, Michigan
Lou Barletta, Pennsylvania
John Katko, New York
Will Hurd, Texas
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Brian Higgins, New York
William R. Keating, Massachusetts
Filemon Vela, Texas
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON BORDER AND MARITIME SECURITY
Candice S. Miller, Michigan, Chairman
Lamar Smith, Texas
Mike Rogers, Alabama
Jeff Duncan, South Carolina
Lou Barletta, Pennsylvania
Will Hurd, Texas
Martha McSally, Arizona
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Filemon Vela, Texas
Loretta Sanchez, California
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas
Brian Higgins, New York
Norma J. Torres, California
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY
Scott Perry, Pennsylvania, Chairman
Jeff Duncan, South Carolina
Curt Clawson, Florida
Earl L. ``Buddy'' Carter, Georgia
Barry Loudermilk, Georgia
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey
Cedric L. Richmond, Louisiana
Norma J. Torres, California
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION SECURITY
John Katko, New York, Chairman
Mike Rogers, Alabama
Earl L. ``Buddy'' Carter, Georgia
Mark Walker, North Carolina
John Ratcliffe, Texas
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Kathleen M. Rice, New York
William R. Keating, Massachusetts
Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND COMMUNICATIONS
Martha McSally, Arizona, Chairman
Tom Marino, Pennsylvania
Mark Walker, North Carolina
Barry Loudermilk, Georgia
Daniel M. Donovan, Jr., New York
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey
Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey
Kathleen M. Rice, New York
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON CYBERSECURITY, INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION, AND SECURITY
TECHNOLOGIES
John Ratcliffe, Texas, Chairman
Peter T. King, New York
Tom Marino, Pennsylvania
Scott Perry, Pennsylvania
Curt Clawson, Florida
Daniel M. Donovan, Jr., New York
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Cedric L. Richmond, Louisiana
Loretta Sanchez, California
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas
James R. Langevin, Rhode Island
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
February 16, 2016
Mrs. Candice S. Miller of Michigan resigned as Chair of the
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security; subsequently, Ms. Martha
McSally of Arizona was appointed as Chair.
Ms. Martha McSally resigned as Chair of the Subcommittee on
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications; subsequently, Mr.
Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. of New York was appointed as Chair. The
Membership was as follows:
__________
COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY
Michael T. McCaul, Texas, Chairman
Lamar Smith, Texas
Peter T. King, New York
Mike Rogers, Alabama
Candice S. Miller, Michigan
Jeff Duncan, South Carolina
Tom Marino, Pennsylvania
Lou Barletta, Pennsylvania
Scott Perry, Pennsylvania
Curt Clawson, Florida
John Katko, New York
Will Hurd, Texas
Earl L. ``Buddy'' Carter, Georgia
Mark Walker, North Carolina
Barry Loudermilk, Georgia
Martha McSally, Arizona
John Ratcliffe, Texas
Daniel M. Donovan, Jr., New York Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
Loretta Sanchez, California
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas
James R. Langevin, Rhode Island
Brian Higgins, New York
Cedric L. Richmond, Louisiana
William R. Keating, Massachusetts
Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey
Filemon Vela, Texas
Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey
Kathleen M. Rice, New York
Norma J. Torres, California
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON COUNTERTERRORISM AND INTELLIGENCE
Peter T. King, New York, Chairman
Candice S. Miller, Michigan
Lou Barletta, Pennsylvania
John Katko, New York
Will Hurd, Texas
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Brian Higgins, New York
William R. Keating, Massachusetts
Filemon Vela, Texas
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY
Scott Perry, Pennsylvania, Chairman
Jeff Duncan, South Carolina
Curt Clawson, Florida
Earl L. ``Buddy'' Carter, Georgia
Barry Loudermilk, Georgia
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey
Cedric L. Richmond, Louisiana
Norma J. Torres, California
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION SECURITY
John Katko, New York, Chairman
Mike Rogers, Alabama
Earl L. ``Buddy'' Carter, Georgia
Mark Walker, North Carolina
John Ratcliffe, Texas
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Kathleen M. Rice, New York
William R. Keating, Massachusetts
Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON BORDER AND MARITIME SECURITY
Martha McSally, Arizona, Chairman
Lamar Smith, Texas
Mike Rogers, Alabama
Candice S. Miller, Michgan
Jeff Duncan, South Carolina
Lou Barletta, Pennsylvania
Will Hurd, Texas
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Filemon Vela, Texas
Loretta Sanchez, California
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas
Brian Higgins, New York
Norma J. Torres, California
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON CYBERSECURITY, INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION, AND SECURITY
TECHNOLOGIES
John Ratcliffe, Texas, Chairman
Peter T. King, New York
Tom Marino, Pennsylvania
Scott Perry, Pennsylvania
Curt Clawson, Florida
Daniel M. Donovan, Jr., New York
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Cedric L. Richmond, Louisiana
Loretta Sanchez, California
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas
James R. Langevin, Rhode Island
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
______
SUBCOMMITTEE ON EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND COMMUNICATIONS
Daniel M. Donovan, Jr., New York, Chairman
Tom Marino, Pennsylvania
Mark Walker, North Carolina
Barry Loudermilk, Georgia
Martha McSally, Arizona
Michael T. McCaul, Texas
(ex officio) Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey
Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey
Kathleen M. Rice, New York
Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi
(ex officio)
APPENDIX III
List of Public Laws
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Law Date Approved Bill Title
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
114-22.............................. August 9, 2015......... S. 178 (H.R. 460). Justice for Victims of
Trafficking Act of 2015
To provide justice for
the victims of
trafficking.
114-29.............................. July 6, 2015........... H.R. 615.............. Department of Homeland
Security Interoperable
Communications Act
To amend the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 to
require the Under
Secretary for Management
of the Department of
Homeland Security to
take administrative
action to achieve and
maintain interoperable
communications
capabilities among the
components of the
Department of Homeland
Security, and for other
purposes.
114-41.............................. July 31, 2015.......... H.R. 1626............. Surface Transportation
and Veterans Health Care
Choice Improvement Act
of 2015
To provide an extension
of Federal-aid highway,
highway safety, motor
carrier safety, transit,
and other programs
funded out of the
Highway Trust Fund, to
provide resource
flexibility to the
Department of Veterans
Affairs for health care
services, and for other
purposes.
114-43.............................. August 6, 2015......... H.R. 1626............. DHS IT Duplication
Reduction Act of 2015
To reduce duplication of
information technology
at the Department of
Homeland Security, and
for other purposes.
114-50.............................. September 24, 2015..... H.R. 720.............. Gerardo Hernandez Airport
Security Act of 2015
To improve
intergovernmental
planning for and
communication during
security incidents at
domestic airports, and
for other purposes.
114-53.............................. September 30, 2015..... H.R. 719.............. TSA Office of Inspection
Accountability Act of
2015
Continuing Appropriations
Act, 2016
To require the
Transportation Security
Administration to
conform to existing
Federal law and
regulations regarding
criminal investigator
positions, and for other
purposes.
114-68.............................. October 6, 2015........ H.R. 2835............. Border Jobs for Veterans
Act of 2015
To actively recruit
members of the Armed
Forces who are
separating from military
service to serve as
Customs and Border
Protection officers.
114-80.............................. November 5, 2015....... H.R. 623.............. DHS Social Media
Improvement Act of 2015
To amend the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 to
authorize the Department
of Homeland Security to
establish a social media
working group, and for
other purposes.
114-92.............................. November 25, 2015...... S. 1356 (H.R. 1735) National Defense
Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2016
To clarify that certain
provisions of the Border
Patrol Agent Pay Reform
Act of 2014 will not
take effect until after
the Director of the
Office of Personnel
Management promulgates
and makes effective
regulations relating to
such provisions.
114-113............................. December 18, 2015...... H.R. 2029 (H.R. 158, Consolidated
H.R. 1731, H.R. 3305, Appropriations Act, 2016
H.R. 3313). To clarify that certain
provisions of the Border
Patrol Agent Pay Reform
Act of 2014 will not
take effect until after
the Director of the
Office of Personnel
Management promulgates
and makes effective
regulations relating to
such provisions.
114-125............................. February 24, 2016...... H.R. 644 (H.R. 878, Trade Facilitation and
H.R. 998). Trade Enforcement Act of
2015
To reauthorize trade
facilitation and trade
enforcement functions
and activities,and for
other purposes.
114-136............................. March 18, 2016......... S. 1172............... Edward Ted Kaufman and
Michael Leavitt
Presidential Transitions
Improvements Act of 2015
To improve the process of
presidential transition.
114-143............................. April 11, 2016......... S. 1180............... Integrated Public Alert
and Warning System
Modernization Act of
2015
To amend the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 to
direct the Administrator
of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency to
modernize the integrated
public alert and warning
system of the United
States, and for other
purposes.
114-190............................. July 15, 2016.......... H.R. 636 (H.R. 2843, Federal Aviation
H.R. 4698, H.R. 5338, Administration
H.R. 5385). Reauthorization Act of
2016
To amend title 49, United
States Code, to
authorize appropriations
for the Federal Aviation
Administration for
fiscal years 2016
through 2017, and for
other purposes.
114-267............................. December 14, 2016...... S. 1808 (H.R. 455).... Northern Border Security
Review Act
To require the Secretary
of Homeland Security to
conduct a Northern
Border threat analysis,
and for other purposes.
114-268............................. December 14, 2016...... S. 1915 (H.R. 1300)... First Responder Anthrax
Preparedness Act
To direct the Secretary
of Homeland Security to
make anthrax vaccines
available to emergency
response providers, and
for other purposes.
114-278............................. December 16, 2016...... H.R. 710.............. To require the Secretary
of Homeland Security to
prepare a comprehensive
security assessment of
the transportation
security card program,
and for other purposes.
114-279............................. December 16, 2016...... H.R. 875.............. Cross-Border Trade
Enhancement Act of 2016
To provide for
alternative financing
arrangements for the
provision of certain
services and the
construction and
maintenance of
infrastructure at land
border ports of entry,
and for other purposes.
114-285............................. December 16, 2016...... H.R. 3842............. Federal Law Enforcement
Training Centers Reform
and Improvement Act
To improve homeland
security, including
domestic preparedness
and response to
terrorism, by reforming
Federal Law Enforcement
Training Centers to
provide training to
first responders, and
for other purposes.
114-293............................. December 16, 2016...... H.R. 5065............. Bottles and Breastfeeding
Equipment Screening Act
To direct the
Administrator of the
Transportation Security
Administration to notify
air carriers and
security screening
personnel of the
Transportation Security
Administration of such
Administration's
guidelines regarding
permitting baby formula,
breast milk, purified
deionized water, and
juice on airplanes, and
for other purposes.
114-301............................. December 16, 2016...... H.R. 5687............. GAO Mandates Revision Act
of 2016
To eliminate or modify
certain mandates of the
Government
Accountability Office.
114-304............................. December 16, 2016...... H.R. 5877............. United States-Israel
Advanced Research
Partnership Act of 2016
To amend the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 and
the United States-Israel
Strategic Partnership
Act of 2014 to promote
cooperative homeland
security research and
antiterrorism programs
relating to
cybersecurity, and for
other purposes.
114-_............................... December 23, 2016...... S. 2943............... National Defense
(H.R. 399)............ Authorization Act for
(H.R. 1073)........... Fiscal Year 2017
(H.R. 3510)........... To authorize
(H.R. 3572)........... appropriations for
(H.R. 3586)........... fiscal year 2017 for
(H.R. 4402)........... military activities of
(H.R. 4408)........... the Department of
(H.R. 4509)........... Defense, for military
(H.R. 4780)........... construction, and for
(H.R. 5064)........... defense activities of
(S. 2976)............. the Department of
Energy, to prescribe
military personnel
strengths for such
fiscal year, and for
other purposes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX IV
Committee Legislative Reports
H. Rpt. 114-10 Secure Our Borders First Act of 2015
H.R.399 To require the Secretary of Homeland Security
to gain and maintain operational control of
the international borders of the United
States, and for other purposes.
Filed January 27, 2015.
H. Rpt. 114-83 National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement
H.R.1731 Act of 2015
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
enhance multi-directional sharing of
information related to cybersecurity risks and
strengthen privacy and civil liberties
protections, and for other purposes.
Filed April 17, 2015.
H. Rpt. 114-148 DHS FOIA Efficiency Act of 2015
H.R. 1615 To direct the Chief FOIA Officer of the
Department of Homeland Security to make
certain improvements in the implementation of
section 552 of title 5, United States Code
(commonly known as the Freedom of Information
Act), and for other purposes.
Filed June 11, 2015
H. Rpt. 114-149 Federally Funded Research and Development
H.R. 1637 Sunshine Act of 2015
To require annual reports on the activities and
accomplishments of federally funded research
and development centers within the Department
of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
Filed June 11, 2015
H. Rpt. 114-162 DHS IT Duplication Reduction Act of 2015
H.R. 1626 To reduce duplication of information technology
at the Department of Homeland Security, and
for other purposes.
Filed June 17, 2015
H. Rpt. 114-163 DHS Paid Administrative Leave Accountability
H.R. 1633 Act of 2015
To provide for certain improvements relating to
the tracking and reporting of employees of the
Department of Homeland Security placed on
administrative leave, or any other type of
paid non-duty status without charge to leave,
for personnel matters, and for other purposes.
Filed June 17, 2015
H. Rpt. 114-164 CBRN Intelligence and Information Sharing Act
H. R. 2200 of 2015
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
establish chemical, biological, radiological,
and nuclear intelligence and information
sharing functions of the Office of
Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of
Homeland Security and to require dissemination
of information analyzed by the Department to
entities with responsibilities relating to
homeland security, and for other purposes.
Filed June 17, 2015
H. Rpt. 114-165 State Wide Interoperable Communications
H.R. 2206 Enhancement Act
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
require recipients of State Homeland Security
Grant Program funding to preserve and
strengthen interoperable emergency
communications capabilities, and for other
purposes.
Filed June 17, 2015
H. Rpt. 114-166 Department of Homeland Security Headquarters
H.R. 1640 Consolidation Accountability Act of 2015
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to
submit to Congress a report on the Department
of Homeland Security headquarters
consolidation project in the National Capital
Region, and for other purposes.
Filed June 17, 2015
H. Rpt. 114-168, Pt. I Homeland Security University-based Centers
H.R. 2390 Review Act
To require a review of university-based centers
for homeland security, and for other purposes.
Filed June 18, 2015
H. Rpt. 114-169, Pt. I Homeland Security Drone Assessment and Analysis
H.R. 1646 Act
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security
to research how small and medium sized
unmanned aerial systems could be used in an
attack, how to prevent or mitigate the effects
of such an attack, and for other purposes.
Filed June 18, 2015
H. Rpt. 114-218 Keeping Our Travelers Safe and Secure Act
H.R. 2770 To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
require certain maintenance of security-
related technology at airports, and for other
purposes, with and amendment.
Filed July 22, 2015
H. Rpt. 114-219. Pt. I Preclearance Authorization Act of 2015
H.R. 998 To establish the conditions under which the
Secretary of Homeland Security may establish
preclearance facilities, conduct preclearance
operations, and provide customs services
outside the United States, and for other
purposes, with an amendment.
Filed July 22, 2015
H. Rpt. 114-220 Securing Expedited Screening Act
H.R. 2127 To direct the Administrator of the
Transportation Security Administration to
limit access to expedited airport security
screening at an airport security checkpoint to
participants of the PreCheck program and other
known low-risk passengers, and for other
purposes, with an amendment.
Filed July 22, 2015
H. Rpt. 114-221 TSA PreCheck Expansion Act
H.R. 2843 To require certain improvements in the
Transportation Security Administration's
PreCheck expedited screening program, and for
other purposes, with an amendment.
Filed July 22, 2015
H. Rpt. 114-222, Pt. I First Responder Anthrax Preparedness Act
H.R. 1300 To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to
make anthrax vaccines and antimicrobials
available to emergency response providers, and
for other purposes, with an amendment.
Filed July 22, 2015
H. Rpt. 114-226 Border Security Technology Accountability Act
H.R. 1634 of 2015
To strengthen accountability for deployment of
border security technology at the Department
of Homeland Security, and for other purposes,
with an amendment.
Filed July 27, 2015
H. Rpt. 114-227 Improved Security Vetting for Aviation Workers
H.R. 2750 Act of 2015
To reform programs of the Transportation
Security Administration, streamline
transportation security regulations, and for
other purposes, with an amendment.
Filed July 27, 2015
H. Rpt. 114-232 Northern Border Security Review Act
H.R.455 To require the Secretary of Homeland Security
to conduct a northern border threat analysis,
and for other purposes, with an amendment.
Filed July 28, 2015
H. Rpt. 114-233 Cross-Border Rail Security Act of 2015
H.R. 2786 To require the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and
Border Protection to submit a report on cross-
border rail security, and for other purposes.
Filed July 28, 2015
H. Rpt. 114-240 Critical Infrastructure Protection Act
H.R. 1073 To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
secure critical infrastructure against
electromagnetic threats, and for other
purposes.
Filed August 4, 2015
H. Rpt. 114-283 Airport Access Control Security Improvement Act
H.R. 3102 of 2015
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
reform programs of the Transportation Security
Administration, streamline transportation
security regulations, and for other purposes,
with an amendment.
(Filed October 7, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-284 Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity
H.R. 3510 Strategy Act of 2015
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
require the Secretary of Homeland Security to
develop a cybersecurity strategy for the
Department of Homeland Security, and for other
purposes, with an amendment.
(Filed October 7, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-295 Securing the Cities Act of 2015
H.R. 3493 To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
establish the Securing the Cities program to
enhance the ability of the United States to
detect and prevent terrorist attacks and other
high consequence events utilizing nuclear or
other radiological materials that pose a high
risk to homeland security in high-risk urban
areas, and for other purposes.
(Filed October 20, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-296 Know the CBRN Terrorism Threats to
H.R. 3350 Transportation Act
To require a terrorism threat assessment
regarding the transportation of chemical,
biological, nuclear, and radiological
materials through United States land borders
and within the United States, and for other
purposes.
(Filed October 20, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-297 DHS Headquarters Reform and Improvement Act of
H.R. 3572 2015
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
reform, streamline, and make improvements to
the Department of Homeland Security and
support the Department's efforts to implement
better policy, planning, management, and
performance, and for other purposes.
(Filed October 20, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-320 Partners for Aviation Security Act
H.R. 3144 To require consultation with the Aviation
Security Advisory Committee regarding
modifications to the prohibited item list,
require a report on the Transportation
Security Oversight Board, and for other
purposes.
(Filed November 2, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-321 Department of Homeland Security Insider Threat
H.R. 3361 and Mitigation Act of 2015
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
establish the Insider Threat Program, and for
other purposes.
(Filed September 24, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-322 Department of Homeland Security Support to
H.R. 3503 Fusion Centers Act of 2015
To require an assessment of fusion center
personnel needs, and for other purposes.
(Filed September 24, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-323 Department of Homeland Security Clearance
H.R. 3505 Management and Administration Act
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
improve the management and administration of
the security clearance processes throughout
the Department of Homeland Security, and for
other purposes.
(Filed September 24, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-324 Fusion Center Enhancement Act
H.R. 3598 To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
enhance the partnership between the Department
of Homeland Security and the National Network
of Fusion Centers, and for other purposes.
(Filed September 24, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-333 HSA Technical Corrections Act
H.R. 3859 To make technical Correction to the Homeland
Security Act of 2002.
(Filed November 16, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-334 Department of Homeland Security CBRNE Defense
H.R. 3875 Act of 2015
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, with an amendment.
(Filed November 16, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-343, Pt. I Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers Reform
H.R. 3842 and Improvement Act of 2015
To improve homeland security, including
domestic preparedness and response to
terrorism, by reforming Federal Law
Enforcement Training Centers to provide
training to first responders, and for other
purposes.
(Filed November 19, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-344 Countering Violent Extremism Act of 2015
H.R. 2899 To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
authorize the Office for Countering Violent
Extremism.
(Filed November 19, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-345, Pt. II Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime
H.R. 3490 Fighting Act
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
authorize the National Computer Forensics
Institute, and for other purposes, with an
amendment.
(Filed November 30, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-363 State and Local Cyber Protection Act of 2015
H.R. 3869 To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
require State and local coordination on
cybersecurity with the national cybersecurity
and communications integration center, and for
other purposes, with an amendment.
(Filed December 3, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-369, Pt. I Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist
H.R. 3869 Travel Prevention Act of 2015.
To clarify the grounds for ineligibility for
travel to the United States regarding
terrorism risk, to expand the criteria by
which a country may be removed from the Visa
Waiver Program, to require the Secretary of
Homeland Security to submit a report on
strengthening the Electronic System for Travel
Authorization to better secure the
international borders of the United States and
prevent terrorists and instruments of
terrorism from entering the United States, and
for other purposes, with an amendment.
(Filed December 7, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-370 State and Local Cyber Protection Act of 2015
H.R. 3869 To require the Secretary of Homeland Security
to submit a study on the circumstances which
may impact the effectiveness and availability
of first responders before, during, or after a
terrorist threat or event, with an amendment.
(Filed December 7, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-372 DHS Science and Technology Reform and
H.R. 3578 Improvement Act of 2015
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
strengthen and make improvements to the
Directorate of Science and Technology of the
Department of Homeland Security, and for other
purposes.
(Filed December 8, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-379 Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing
H.R. 3878 and Coordination in Our Ports Act of 2015
To enhance cybersecurity information sharing
and coordination at ports in the United
States, and for other purposes, with an
amendment.
(Filed December 15, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-380, Pt. I Prevent Trafficking in Cultural Property Act
H.R. 2285 To improve enforcement against trafficking in
cultural property and prevent stolen or
illicit cultural property from financing
terrorist and criminal networks, and for other
purposes, with an amendment.
(Filed December 15, 2015)
H. Rpt. 114-396, Pt. I Transportation Security Administration Reform
H.R. 3584 and Improvement Act of 2015
To authorize, streamline, and identify
efficiencies within the Transportation
Security Administration, and for other
purposes.
(Filed January 12, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-423 Foreign Fighter Review Act of 2016
H.R. 4402 To require a review of information regarding
persons who have traveled or attempted to
travel from the United States to support
terrorist organizations in Syria and Iraq, and
for other purposes.
(Filed February 23, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-424 National Strategy to Combat Terrorist Travel
H.R. 4408 Act of 2016
To require the development of a national
strategy to combat terrorist travel, and for
other purposes.
(Filed February 23, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-425 DHS Acquisition Documentation Integrity Act of
H.R. 4398 2016
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
provide for requirements relating to
documentation for major acquisition programs,
and for other purposes.
(Filed February 23, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-437 ALERT Act of 2016
H.R. 4401 To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security
to provide countering violent extremism
training to Department of Homeland Security
representatives at State and local fusion
centers, and for other purposes.
(Filed February 29, 2016)
H. Rpt. 455, Pt. I Promoting Resilience and Efficiency in
H.R. 3583 Preparing for Attacks and Responding to
Emergencies Act
To reform and improve the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, the Office of Emergency
Communications, and the Office of Health
Affairs of the Department of Homeland
Security, and for other purposes.
(Filed March 16, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-456 Terrorist Foreign Fighter Travel Exercise Act
H.R. 4404 of 2016
To require an exercise related to terrorist and
foreign fighter travel, and for other
purposes.
(Filed March 16, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-480, Pt. I. Enhancing Overseas Traveler Vetting Act
H.R. 4403 To authorize the development of open-source
software based on certain systems of the
Department of Homeland Security and the
Department of State to facilitate the vetting
of travelers against terrorist watchlists and
law enforcement databases, enhance border
management, and improve targeting and
analysis, and for other purposes.
(Filed April 11, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-481 Counterterrorism Advisory Board Act of 2016
H.R. 4407 To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
establish in the Department of Homeland
Security a board to coordinate and integrate
departmental intelligence, activities, and
policy related to counterterrorism, and for
other purposes.
(Filed April 11, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-488, Pt. I Border and Maritime Coordination Improvement
H.R. 3586 Act
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
improve border and maritime security
coordination in the Department of Homeland
Security, and for other purposes.
(Filed April 12, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-491 State and High-Risk Urban Area Working Group
H.R. 4509 Act
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
clarify membership of State planning
committees or urban area working groups for
the Homeland Security Grant Program, and for
other purposes.
(Filed April 13, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-492 Southwest Border Security Threat Assessment Act
H.R. 4482 of 2016
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security
to prepare a southwest border threat analysis,
and for other purposes.
(Filed April 13, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-493 Treating Small Airports with Fairness Act of
H.R. 4549 2016
To require the Transportation Security
Administration to conduct security screening
at certain airports, and for other purposes.
(Filed April 13, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-494 DHS Stop Asset and Vehicle Excess Act
H.R.4785 To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
direct the Under Secretary for Management of
the Department of Homeland Security to make
certain improvements in managing the
Department's vehicle fleet, and for other
purposes.
(Filed April 14, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-513 Securing Aviation From Foreign Entry Points and
H.R. 4698 Guarding Airports Through Enhanced Security
Act of 2016
To enhance aviation by requiring airport
security assessments and a security
coordination enhancement plan, and for other
purposes.
(Filed April 21, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-525 Combating Terrorist Recruitment Act of 2016
H.R. 4820 To require the Secretary of Homeland Security
to use the testimonials of former violent
extremists or their associates in order to
counter terrorist recruitment, and for other
purposes.
(Filed April 26, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-565 National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium
H.R. 4743 Act of 2016
To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security
to establish a National Cybersecurity
Preparedness Consortium, and for other
purposes, with an amendment.
(Filed May 13, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-566 Department of Homeland Security Strategy for
H.R. 4780 International Programs Act
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security
to develop a comprehensive strategy for
Department of Homeland Security operations
abroad, and for other purposes, with an
amendment.
(Filed May 13, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-568 To amend certain appropriation Acts to repeal
H.R. 1887 the requirement directing the Administrator of
General Services to sell Federal property and
assets that support the operations of the Plum
Island Animal Disease Center in Plum Island,
New York, and for other purposes.
(Filed May 16, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-629 Support for Rapid Innovation Act of 2016
H.R. 5388 To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
provide for innovative research and
development, and for other purposes.
(Filed June 21, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-630 Leveraging Emerging Technologies Act of 2016
H.R. 5389 To encourage engagement between the Department
of Homeland Security and technology
innovators, and for other purposes.
(Filed June 21, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-652 Gains in Global Nuclear Detection Architecture
H.R. 5391. Act
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
enhance certain duties of the Domestic Nuclear
Detection Office, and for other purposes.
(Filed July 1, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-653 Airport Perimeter and Access Control Security
H.R. 5056 Act of 2016
To modernize and enhance airport perimeter and
access control security by requiring updated
risk assessments and the development of
security strategies, and for other purposes.
(Filed July 1, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-654, Part I Improving Small Business Cyber Security Act of
H.R. 5064 2016
To amend the Small Business Act to allow small
business development centers to assist and
advise small business concerns on relevant
cyber security matters, and for other
purposes, with an amendment.
(Filed July 1, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-662 Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Technical
H.R. 5385 Correction Act of 2016
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
make technical corrections to the requirement
that the Secretary of Homeland Security submit
quadrennial homeland security reviews, with an
amendment.
(Filed July 5, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-754 Community Counterterrorism Preparedness Act
H.R. 5859 To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
establish the major metropolitan area
counterterrorism training and exercise grant
program, and for other purposes, with an
amendment.
(Filed September 19, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-755, Pt. I Securing our Agriculture and Food Act
H.R. 5346 To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
make the Assistant Secretary of Homeland
Security for Health Affairs responsible for
coordinating the efforts of the Department of
Homeland Security related to food,
agriculture, and veterinary defense against
terrorism, and for other purposes, with an
amendment.
(Filed September 19, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-756 Cyber Preparedness Act of 2016
H.R. 5459 To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
enhance preparedness and response capabilities
for cyber attacks, bolster the dissemination
of homeland security information related to
cyber threats, and for other purposes, with an
amendment.
(Filed September 19, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-775 Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening
H.R. 5065 Act
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to
notify air carriers and security screening
personnel of the Transportation Security
Administration of such Administration's
guidelines regarding permitting baby formula,
breast milk, and juice on airplanes, and for
other purposes, with amendments.
(Filed September 20, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-776 Transit Security Grant Program Flexibility Act
H.R. 5943 To amend the Implementing Recommendations of
the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 to clarify
certain allowable uses of funds for public
transportation security assistance grants and
establish periods of performance for such
grants, and for other purposes, amended.
(Filed September 20, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-788 First Responder Access to Innovative
H.R. 5460 Technologies Act
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
establish a review process to review
applications for certain grants to purchase
equipment or systems that do not meet or
exceed any applicable national voluntary
consensus standards, and for other purpose,
amended.
(Filed September 26, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-826 United States-Israel Cybersecurity Cooperation
H.R. 5843 Enhancement Act of 2016
To establish a grant program at the Department
of Homeland Security to promote cooperative
research and development between the United
States and Israel on cybersecurity.
(Filed November 15, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-827, Pt. I United States-Israel Advanced Research
H.R. 5877 Partnership Act of 2016
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and
the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership
Act of 2014 to promote cooperative homeland
security research and antiterrorism programs
relating to cybersecurity, and for other
purposes.
(Filed November 15, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-850, Pt. I Strong Visa Integrity Secures America Act
H.R. 5253 To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and
the Immigration and Nationality Act to improve
visa security, visa applicant vetting, and for
other purposes.
(Filed December 8, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-854, Pt. I Integrated Public Alert and Warning System
H.R. 1738 Modernization Act of 2015
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to
modernize and implement the national
integrated public alert and warning system to
disseminate homeland security information and
other information, and for other purposes.
(Filed December 8, 2016)
H. Rpt. 114-855, Pt. I DHS Human Trafficking Prevention Act of 2016
H.R. 4383 To require the Secretary of Homeland Security
to enhance Department of Homeland Security
coordination on how to identify and record
information regarding individuals suspected or
convicted of human trafficking, and for other
purposes.
(Filed December 8, 2016)
APPENDIX V
Status of Legislation Referred to the Committee
PUBLIC LAWS
Pub. L. 114-22. S. 178 (H. Con. Res. 47)._Justice for
Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015. To provide justice for the
victims of trafficking. Referred to the Judiciary Jan. 13,
2015. Reported amended Mar. 2, 2015; no written report.
Considered Mar. 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, Apr. 14, 16, 20,
21, 2015. Passed Senate amended Apr. 22, 2015; Roll No. 163:
99-0. Received in House and held at desk Apr. 23, 2015.
Considered under suspension of rules May 18, 2015. Rules
suspended. Passed House May 19, 2015; Roll No. 244: 420-3.
Presented to the President May 21, 2015. Approved May 29, 2015.
Public Law 114-22.
Pub. L. 114-29. H.R. 615._Department of Homeland Security
Interoperable Communications Act. To amend the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 to require the Under Secretary for
Management of the Department of Homeland Security to take
administrative action to achieve and maintain interoperable
communications capabilities among the components of the
Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
Referred to Homeland Security Jan. 28, 2015. Rules suspended.
Passed House Feb. 2, 2015; Roll No. 52: 379-0. Received in
Senate and referred to Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs Feb. 3, 2015. Reported with amendment May 21, 2015;
Rpt. 114-53. Passed Senate with amendment June 11, 2015. House
agreed to Senate amendment under suspension of the rules June
23, 2015. Presented to the President June 24, 2015. Approved
July 6, 2015. Public Law 114-29.
Pub. L. 114-41. H.R. 3236 (H. Res. 388)._Surface
Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act
of 2015. To provide an extension of Federal-aid highway,
highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other
programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund, to provide
resource flexibility to the Department of Veterans Affairs for
health care services, and for other purposes. Referred to
Transportation and Infrastructure and in addition to Ways and
Means, Energy and Commerce, Science, Space, and Technology,
Natural Resources, Veterans' Affairs, Education and the
Workforce, the Budget, and Homeland Security July 28, 2015.
Passed House July 29, 2015; Roll No. 486: 385-34. Received in
Senate and passed July 30, 2015; Roll No. 261: 91-4. Presented
to the President July 31, 2015. Approved July 31, 2015. Public
Law 114-41.
Pub. L. 114-43. H.R. 1626 (S. 1620)._DHS IT Duplication
Reduction Act of 2015. To reduce duplication of information
technology at the Department of Homeland Security, and for
other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security Mar. 25, 2015.
Reported amended June 17, 2015; Rpt. 114-162. Union Calendar.
Rules suspended. Passed House amended June 23, 2015. Received
in Senate and referred to Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs June 24, 2015. Committee discharged. Passed Senate July
23, 2015. Presented to the President July 27, 2015. Approved
Aug. 6, 2015. Public Law 114-43.
Pub. L. 114-50. H.R. 720._Gerardo Hernandez Airport
Security Act of 2015 To improve intergovernmental planning for
and communication during security incidents at domestic
airports, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security
Feb. 4, 2015. Rules suspended. Passed House Feb. 10, 2015; Roll
No. 70: 411-1. Received in Senate Feb. 11, 2015. Referred to
Commerce, Science and Transportation Feb. 12, 2015. Reported
with amendment July 23, 2015; Rpt. 114-92. Passed Senate with
amendment Aug. 5, 2015. House agreed to Senate amendment under
suspension of the rules Sept. 16, 2015. Presented to the
President Sept. 17, 2015. Approved Sept. 24, 2015. Public Law
114-50.
Pub. L. 114-53. H.R. 719 (H. Res. 448)._TSA Office of
Inspection Accountability Act of 2015. Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2016. To require the Transportation
Security Administration to conform to existing Federal law and
regulations regarding criminal investigator positions, and for
other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security Feb. 4, 2015.
Rules suspended. Passed House Feb. 10, 2015; Roll No. 69: 414-
0. Received in Senate Feb. 11, 2015. Referred to Commerce,
Science and Transportation Feb. 24, 2015. Reported with
amendment Aug. 4, 2015; Rpt. 114-111. Passed Senate with
amendment Sept. 17, 2015. House agreed to Senate amendment with
amendment pursuant to H. Res. 434 Sept. 24, 2015. Senate agreed
to House amendment to Senate amendment with amendment Sept. 30,
2015. Roll No. 272: 78-20. House agreed to Senate amendment to
House amendment to Senate amendment Sept. 30, 2015; Roll No.
528: 277-151. Presented to the President Sept. 30, 2015.
Approved Sept. 30, 2015. Public Law 114-53.
Pub. L. 114-68. H.R. 2835. (S. 1603)._Border Jobs for
Veterans Act of 2015. To actively recruit members of the Armed
Forces who are separating from military service to serve as
Customs and Border Protection Officers. Referred to Homeland
Security and in addition to Armed Services June 18, 2015. Rules
suspended. Passed House amended Sept. 28, 2015; Roll No. 519:
410-0. Received in Senate Sept. 29, 2015. Passed Senate Oct. 1,
2015. Presented to the President Oct. 7, 2015. Approved Oct.
16, 2015. Public Law 114-68.
Pub. L. 114-80 H.R. 623._Social Media Working Group Act of
2015. To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize
the Department of Homeland Security to establish a social media
working group, and for other purposes. Referred to
Transportation and Infrastructure and in addition to Homeland
Security Jan. 30, 2015. Rules suspended. Passed House Feb. 2,
2015; Roll No. 53: 328-51. Received in Senate and referred to
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Feb. 3, 2015.
Reported with amendment Sept. 21, 2015; Rpt. 114-145. Passed
Senate with amendment Oct. 7, 2015. House agreed to Senate
amendment under suspension of the rules Oct. 28, 2015.
Presented to the President Nov. 2, 2015. Approved Nov. 5, 2015.
Public Law 114-80.
Pub. L. 114-92 S. 1356 (H.R. 2252)._National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 To clarify that certain
provisions of the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2014
will not take effect until after the Director of the Office of
Personnel Management promulgates and makes effective
regulations relating to such provisions. Passed Senate May 14,
2015. Received in House and held at desk May 14, 2015. Rules
suspended. Passed House with amendment Nov. 5, 2015; Roll No.
618: 370-58. Senate agreed to House amendment Nov. 10, 2015.
Roll No. 301: 91-3. Presented to the President Nov. 17, 2015.
Approved Nov. 25, 2015. Public Law 114-92. For prior action see
H.R. 1735. (Sec. 1052 of the Conference Report to accompany
H.R. 1735 contains provisions of Sec. 17 of H.R. 399, as
reported, and Sec. 16 of S. 208)..
Pub. L. 114-113 H.R. 2029 (H.R. 158, H.R. 1731, H.R. 3305,
H.R. 3313) (H. Res. 223) (H. Res. 566)._Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2016.Making appropriations for military
construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related
agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and for
other purposes. Reported from Appropriations Apr. 24, 2015;
Rpt. 114-92. Union Calendar. Considered Apr. 29, 2015. Passed
House amended Apr. 30, 2015; Roll No. 193: 255-163. Received in
Senate and referred to Appropriations May 4, 2015. Reported
with amendment May 21, 2015; Rpt. 114-57. Considered Nov. 5, 9,
2015. Passed Senate with amendment Nov. 10, 2015; Roll No. 302:
93-0. House agreed to Senate amendment with amendment No. 2
Dec. 17, 2015; Roll No. 703: 318-109. House agreed to Senate
amendment with amendment No. 1 Roll No. 705: 316-113. Senate
agreed to House amendments to Senate amendment Dec. 18, 2015.
Roll No. 339: 65-33. Presented to the President Dec. 18, 2015.
Approved Dec. 18, 2015. Public Law 114-113. As signed into law,
contains H.R. 158, H.R. 1731, H.R. 3305, and H.R. 3313.
Pub. L. 114-125 H.R. 644 (H. Res. 101) (H. Res. 305) (H.R.
878) (H.R. 998)._Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act
of 2015. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to
permanently extend and expand the charitable deduction for
contributions of food inventory. Referred to Ways and Means
Feb. 2, 2015. Reported amended Feb. 9, 2015; Rpt. 114-18. Union
Calendar. Passed House amended Feb. 12, 2015; Roll No. 80: 279-
137. Received in Senate Feb. 23, 2015. Ordered placed on the
calendar Apr. 20, 2015. Passed Senate with amendments May 14,
2015; Roll No. 179: 78-20. House agreed to Senate amendment to
the title June 12, 2015. House agreed to Senate amendment to
the text with amendment June 12, 2015; Roll No. 363: 240-190.
Senate agreed to House amendment to Senate amendment to the
text with an amendment June 24, 2015. Senate insisted on its
amendment and asked for a conference June 24, 2015. House
insisted on its amendment to Senate amendment to the text and
agreed to a conference Dec. 1, 2015; Roll No. 652: 252-170.
Conference report filed in the House Dec. 9, 2015; Rpt. 114-
376. House agreed to conference report Dec. 11, 2015; Roll No.
693: 256-158. Conference report considered in Senate Feb. 9,
2016. Senate agreed to conference report Feb. 11, 2016; Roll
No. 22: 75-20. Presented to the President Feb. 23, 2016.
Approved Feb. 24, 2016. Public Law 114-125.
Pub. L. 114-136 S. 1172._Edward ``Ted'' Kaufman and Michael
Leavitt Presidential Transitions Improvements Act of 2015. To
improve the process of presidential transition. Referred to
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Apr. 30, 2015.
Reported amended July 27, 2015; Rpt. 114-94. Passed Senate
amended July 30, 2015. Received in House and referred to
Oversight and Government Reform and in addition to Homeland
Security July 31, 2015. Reported with amendment from Oversight
and Government Reform Dec. 18, 2015; Rpt. 114-384, Pt. I.
Homeland Security discharged Dec. 18, 2015. Union Calendar.
Rules suspended. Passed House with amendment Feb. 29, 2016.
Senate agreed to House amendment Mar. 8, 2016. Presented to the
President Mar. 15, 2016. Approved Mar. 18, 2016. Public Law
114-136.
Pub. L. 114-143 S. 1180. (H.R. 14772-- (H.R. 1738))._
Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of
2015. To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to
modernize the integrated public alert and warning system of the
United States, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs May 4, 2015. Reported amended
June 25, 2015; Rpt. 114-73. Passed Senate amended July 9, 2015.
Received in House and held at desk July 13, 2015. Rules
suspended. Passed House Mar. 21, 2016. Presented to the
President Mar. 31, 2016. Approved Apr. 11, 2016. Public Law
114-143.
Pub. L. 114-150 S. 1638 (H.R. 1640)._ Department of
Homeland Security Headquarters Consolidation Accountability Act
of 2015. To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to
submit to Congress information on the Department of Homeland
Security headquarters consolidation project in the National
Capital Region, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs June 18, 2015. Reported
amended Mar. 14, 2016; Rpt. 114-227. Passed Senate amended Apr.
6, 2016. Received in House and held at desk Apr. 11, 2016.
Rules suspended. Passed House Apr. 18, 2016. Presented to the
President Apr. 20, 2016. Approved Apr. 29, 2016. Public Law
114-150.
Pub. L. 114-190 H.R. 636 (H. Res. 101) (H.R. 2843, H.R.
5385, H.R. 5338, and H.R. 4698)._Federal Aviation
Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016. To amend the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend increased
expensing limitations, and for other purposes. Referred to Ways
and Means and in addition to the Budget Feb. 2, 2015. Reported
amended from Ways and Means Feb. 9, 2015; Rpt. 114-21, Pt. I.
The Budget discharged Feb. 9, 2015. Union Calendar. Passed
House amended Feb. 13, 2015; Roll No. 82: 272-142. Received in
Senate Feb. 23, 2015. Ordered placed on the calendar Apr. 20,
2015. Considered Apr. 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 2016. Passed
Senate with amendments Apr. 19, 2016; Roll No. 47: 95-3. House
agreed to Senate amendments with amendments pursuant to H. Res.
818 July 11, 2016. Senate agreed to House amendments to Senate
amendment July 13, 2016. Roll No. 127: 89-4. Presented to the
President July 14, 2016. Approved July 15, 2016. Public Law
114-190. (See also action on H.R. 2843, H.R. 5385, H.R. 5338,
and H.R. 4698.)
Pub. L. 114-267 S. 1808 (H.R. 455)._Northern Border
Security Review Act. To require the Secretary of Homeland
Security to conduct a Northern Border threat analysis, and for
other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs July 21, 2015. Reported amended Oct. 19, 2015; Rpt.
114-155. Passed Senate amended Nov. 16, 2016. Received in House
and held at desk Nov. 17, 2016. Passed House Nov. 29, 2016.
Approved Dec. 14, 2016. Public Law 114-267.
Pub. L. 114-268 S. 1915 (H.R. 1300)._ First Responder
Anthrax Preparedness Act.To direct the Secretary of Homeland
Security to make anthrax vaccines and antimicrobials available
to emergency response providers, and for other purposes.
Referred to Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Aug. 3,
2015. Reported amended May 9, 2016; Rpt. 114-251. Passed Senate
amended Nov. 16, 2016. Received in House and held at desk Nov.
17, 2016. Passed House Nov. 29, 2016. Approved Dec. 14, 2016.
Public Law 114-268.
Public Law 114-278 H.R. 710._Essential Transportation
Worker Identification Credential Assessment Act. To require the
Secretary of Homeland Security to prepare a comprehensive
security assessment of the transportation security card
program, and for other purposes. Received in House and referred
to Homeland Security Feb. 4, 2015. Rules suspended. Passed
House Feb. 10, 2015. Received in Senate and referred to
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Feb. 11, 2015.
Committee discharged Apr. 22, 2015. Referred to Commerce,
Science and Transportation Apr. 22, 2015. Reported with
amendment Apr. 25, 2016; Rpt. 114-244. Senate passed, amended,
Dec. 9, 2016. House concurred in Senate amendment, Dec. 14,
2016. Presented to President Dec. 15, 2016. Approved Dec. 16,
2016. Public Law 114-278.
Public Law 114-279 H.R. 875._Cross-Border Trade Enhancement
Act of 2015 . To provide for alternative financing arrangements
for the provision of certain services and the construction and
maintenance of infrastructure at land border ports of entry,
and for other purposes. Referred to the Committee on Ways and
Means, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and
Infrastructure, the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and
Agriculture Feb. 11, 2015. Rules suspended. Passed House Dec.
6, 2016. Passed Senate Dec. 10 (Legislative day of Dec. 9),
2016. Presented to the President Dec. 14, 2016. Approved Dec.
16, 2016. Public Law 114-279.
Public Law 114-285 H.R. 3842._Federal Law Enforcement
Training Centers Reform and Improvement Act of 2015. To improve
homeland security, including domestic preparedness and response
to terrorism, by reforming Federal Law Enforcement Training
Centers to provide training to first responders, and for other
purposes. Referred to Homeland Security and in addition to the
Judiciary Oct. 28, 2015. Reported amended from Homeland
Security Nov. 19, 2015; Rpt. 114-343, Pt. I. The Judiciary
discharged Nov. 19, 2015. Union Calendar. Rules suspended.
Passed House amended Dec. 8, 2015; Roll No. 680: 420-2.
Received in Senate and referred to the Judiciary Dec. 9, 2015.
Passed Senate amended Dec. 9, 2016. House concurred in Senate
amendments, Dec. 14, 2016. Presented to the President Dec. 15,
2016. Approved Dec. 16, 2016. Public Law 114-285.
Public Law 114-293 H.R. 5065 (S. 3299)._Bottles and
Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act. To direct the
Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration to
notify air carriers and security screening personnel of the
Transportation Security Administration of such Administration's
guidelines regarding permitting baby formula, breast milk,
purified deionized water, and juice on airplanes, and for other
purposes.''. Homeland Security Apr. 26, 2016. Homeland Security
markup Sep. 13, 2015, amended, voice vote. Reported amended
Sept. 20, 2016; Rpt. 114-775. Union Calendar. Passed House
amended, Sep. 27, 2016. Passed Senate Dec. 10 (Legislative day
of Dec. 9), 2016. Presented to the President Dec. 14, 2016.
Approved Dec. 16, 2016. Public Law 114-293.
Public Law 114-301 H.R. 5687._GAO Mandates Revision Act of
2016. To eliminate or modify certain mandates of the Government
Accountability Office. Referred to Oversight and Government
Reform and in addition to Transportation and Infrastructure,
Financial Services, Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and
Homeland Security July 8, 2016. Reported from Oversight and
Government Reform Sept. 19, 2016; Rpt. 114-760, Pt. I.
Transportation and Infrastructure, Financial Services, Energy
and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Homeland Security discharged
Sept. 19, 2016. Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House
Sept. 20, 2016. Received in Senate Sept. 21, 2016. Ordered
placed on the calendar Sept. 22, 2016. Passed Senate Dec. 10
(Legislative day of Dec. 9), 2016. Presented to the President
Dec. 14, 2016. Approved Dec. 16, 2016. Public Law 114-301.
Public Law 114-304 H.R. 5877._United States-Israel Advanced
Research Partnership Act of 2016. To amend the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 and the United States-Israel Strategic
Partnership Act of 2014 to promote cooperative homeland
security research and antiterrorism programs relating to
cybersecurity, and for other purposes. Homeland Security and
Foreign Affairs July 14, 2016. Homeland Security markup Sep.
13, 2015, amended, voice vote. Union Calendar. Rules suspended.
Passed House amended Nov. 29, 2016. assed Senate Dec. 10
(Legislative day of Dec. 9), 2016. Presented to the President
Dec. 14, 2016. Approved Dec. 16, 2016. Public Law 114-304.
LEGISLATION VETOED BY THE PRESIDENT
H.R. 1735 (S. 1356) (H. Res. 255) (H. Res. 260) (H. Res.
340) (H. Res. 449)._National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2016. To authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2016 for military activities of the Department of Defense and
for military construction, to prescribe military personnel
strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.
Referred to Armed Services Apr. 13, 2015. Reported amended May
5, 2015; Rpt. 114-102. Union Calendar. Supplemental report
filed May 12, 2015; Pt. II. Considered May 13, 14, 2015. Passed
House amended May 15, 2015; Roll No. 239: 269-151. Received in
Senate and ordered placed on the calendar May 21, 2015.
Considered June 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 2015. Passed Senate
with amendment June 18, 2015; Roll No. 215: 71-25. Papers
returned to Senate pursuant to H. Res. 340 June 25, 2015.
Senate returned papers to House June 25, 2015. House disagreed
to Senate amendment and asked for a conference June 25, 2015.
Senate agreed to a conference July 9, 2015. Conference report
filed in the House Sept. 29, 2015; Rpt. 114-270. House agreed
to conference report Oct. 1, 2015; Roll No. 532: 270-156.
Conference report considered in Senate Oct. 6, 2015. Senate
agreed to conference report Oct. 7, 2015; Roll No. 277: 70-27.
Presented to the President Oct. 21, 2015. Vetoed Oct. 22, 2015.
(See also action on S. 1356. (Sec. 1052 of the Conference
Report to accompany H.R. 1735 contains provisions of Sec. 17 of
H.R. 399, as reported, and Sec. 16 of S. 208).)
LEGISLATION PRESENTED TO THE PRESIDENT
S. 2943 (H. Res. 809) (H.R. 4909)._National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017.To authorize
appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military activities of
the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe
military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes. Reported from Armed Services May 18, 2016; Rpt.
114-255. Considered June 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 2016. Passed
Senate amended June 14, 2016; Roll No. 98: 85-13. Received in
House and held at desk June 16, 2016. Passed House with
amendment pursuant to H. Res. 809 July 7, 2016. House insisted
on its amendment and asked for a conference July 8, 2016. Chair
appointed Conferees: from the Committee on Homeland Security,
for consideration of secs. 564 and 1091 of the Senate bill, and
secs. 1097, 1869, 1869A, and 3510 of the House amendment, and
modifications committed to conference: Representatives McCaul,
Donovan, and Thompson (MS). Senate disagreed to House amendment
and agreed to a conference July 14, 2016. Conference report
filed in the House Nov. 30, 2016; Rpt. 114-840. House agreed to
conference report Dec. 2, 2016; Roll No. 600: 375-34. Senate
agreed to conference report Dec. 8, 2016; Roll No. 159: 92-7.
(See also action on H.R. 399, H.R. 1073, H.R. 3510, H.R. 3572,
H.R. 3586, H.R. 4402, H.R. 4408, H.R. 4509, H.R. 4780, H.R.
5064, S. 2976; Provisions included in the Conference Report to
accompany S. 2943).
LEGISLATION REPORTED IN THE SENATE
H.R. 460._Essential Transportation Worker Identification
Credential Assessment. To direct the Secretary of Homeland
Security to train Department of Homeland Security personnel how
to effectively deter, detect, disrupt, and prevent human
trafficking during the course of their primary roles and
responsibilities, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland
Security and in addition to the Judiciary Jan. 21, 2015. Rules
suspended. Passed House Jan. 27, 2015. Received in Senate and
referred to Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Jan. 28,
2015. Reported May 14, 2015; Rpt. 114-46. See action on S. 178,
Public Law 114-22.
H.R. 998._Preclearance Authorization Act of 2015. To
establish the conditions under which the Secretary of Homeland
Security may establish preclearance facilities, conduct
preclearance operations, and provide customs services outside
the United States, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland
Security and in addition to Ways and Means Feb. 13, 2015.
Reported amended from Homeland Security July 22, 2015; Rpt.
114-219, Pt. I. Ways and Means discharged July 22, 2015. Union
Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House amended July 27, 2015.
Received in Senate and referred to Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs July 28, 2015. Reported with amendment
Dec. 15, 2015; Rpt. 114-180. See action on H.R. 644, Public Law
114-125.
H.R. 2843._TSA PreCheck Expansion Act. To require certain
improvements in the Transportation Security Administration's
PreCheck expedited screening program, and for other purposes.
Referred to Homeland Security June 19, 2015. Reported amended
July 22, 2015; Rpt. 114-221. Union Calendar. Rules suspended.
Passed House amended July 27, 2015. Received in Senate and
referred to Commerce, Science and Transportation July 28, 2015.
Reported with amendment Mar. 7, 2016; Rpt. 114-223.
S. 1603.\1\._Border Jobs for Veterans Act of 2015 / Born-
Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. To actively recruit
members of the Armed Forces who are separating from military
service to serve as Customs and Border Protection Officers.
Referred to Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs June 17,
2015. Reported amended Aug. 5, 2015; Rpt. 114-116. Passed
Senate amended Sept. 9, 2015. Received in House and referred to
Homeland Security and in addition to Armed Services Sept. 10,
2015. Passed House with amendment pursuant to H. Res. 421 Sept.
18, 2015.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Pursuant to H. Res. 421, upon passage by the House, the text of
S. 1603 was stricken and the text of H.R. 3504 was inserted in lieu
thereof. The legislative text within the jurisdiction of the Committee
on Homeland Security was thereby removed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEGISLATION PASSED THE HOUSE
H.R. 158._Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act of 2015. To
clarify the grounds for ineligibility for travel to the United
States regarding terrorism risk, to expand the criteria by
which a country may be removed from the Visa Waiver Program, to
require the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a report
on strengthening the Electronic System for Travel Authorization
to better secure the international borders of the United States
and prevent terrorists and instruments of terrorism from
entering the United States, and for other purposes. Referred to
Judiciary and in addition to Homeland Security. Reported
amended from Homeland Security Dec. 7, 2015; Rpt. 114-369, Pt.
I. Rules suspended. Passed House amended Dec. 8, 2015; Roll No.
679: 407-19. Received in Senate Dec. 9, 2015. See action on
H.R. 2029; Public Law 114-113.
H.R. 361._Department of Homeland Security Insider Threat
and Mitigation Act of 2015. To amend the Homeland Security Act
of 2002 to codify authority under existing grant guidance
authorizing use of Urban Area Security Initiative and State
Homeland Security Grant Program funding for enhancing medical
preparedness, medical surge capacity, and mass prophylaxis
capabilities. Referred to Homeland Security Jan. 14, 2015.
Rules suspended. Passed House Feb. 2, 2015; Roll No. 51: 377-2.
Received in Senate and referred to Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs Feb. 3, 2015.
H.R. 455. (S. 1808)._Northern Border Security Review Act.
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a
northern border threat analysis, and for other purposes.
Referred to Homeland Security Jan. 21, 2015. Reported amended
July 28, 2015; Rpt. 114-232. Union Calendar. Rules suspended.
Passed House amended Oct. 28, 2015. Received in Senate and
referred to Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Oct. 29,
2015. (See Summary of S. 1808).
H.R. 1073. (S. 1846)._Critical Infrastructure Protection
Act. To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to secure
critical infrastructure against electromagnetic threats, and
for other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security Feb. 25,
2015. Reported amended Aug. 4, 2015; Rpt. 114-240. Union
Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House amended Nov. 16, 2015.
Received in Senate and referred to Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs Nov. 17, 2015. See action on H.R. 2027;
Public Law 114-113
H.R. 1300. (S. 1915)._First Responder Anthrax Preparedness
Act. To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to make
anthrax vaccines and antimicrobials available to emergency
response providers, and for other purposes. Referred to
Homeland Security and in addition to Energy and Commerce Mar.
4, 2015. Reported amended from Homeland Security July 22, 2015;
Rpt. 114-222, Pt. I. Energy and Commerce discharged July 22,
2015. Union Calendar. Considered under suspension of rules July
27, 2015. Rules suspended. Passed House amended July 29, 2015;
Roll No. 485: 424-0. Received in Senate and referred to
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs July 30, 2015. (See
Summary of S. 1915).
H.R. 1560 (H. Res. 212) (H.R. 1731)._Protecting Cyber
Networks Act. To improve cybersecurity in the United States
through enhanced sharing of information about cybersecurity
threats, and for other purposes. Referred to Intelligence Mar.
24, 2015. Reported amended Apr. 13, 2015; Rpt. 114-63. Union
Calendar. Passed House amended Apr. 22, 2015; Roll No. 170:
307-116. Received in Senate Apr. 27, 2015. The text of H.R.
1731 was added to the end of H.R. 1560, was passed by the
House.
H.R. 1615._DHS FOIA Efficiency Act of 2015. To direct the
Chief FOIA Officer of the Department of Homeland Security to
make certain improvements in the implementation of section 552
of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Freedom
of Information Act), and for other purposes. Referred to
Homeland Security Mar. 25, 2015. Reported amended June 11,
2015; Rpt. 114-148. Union Calendar. Considered under suspension
of rules June 23, 2015. Rules suspended. Passed House amended
June 25, 2015; Roll No. 387: 423-0. Received in Senate and
referred to the Judiciary July 7, 2015.
H.R. 1633._DHS Paid Administrative Leave Accountability Act
of 2015 To provide for certain improvements relating to the
tracking and reporting of employees of the Department of
Homeland Security placed on administrative leave, or any other
type of paid non-duty status without charge to leave, for
personnel matters, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland
Security Mar. 25, 2015. Reported amended June 17, 2015; Rpt.
114-163. Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House amended
June 23, 2015. Received in Senate and referred to Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs June 24, 2015.
H.R. 1634. (S. 1873)._Border Security Technology
Accountability Act of 2015. To strengthen accountability for
deployment of border security technology at the Department of
Homeland Security, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland
Security Mar. 25, 2015. Reported amended July 27, 2015; Rpt.
114-226. Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House amended
July 27, 2015. Received in Senate and referred to Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs July 28, 2015.
H.R. 1637._Federally Funded Research and Development
Sunshine Act of 2015. To require annual reports on the
activities and accomplishments of federally funded research and
development centers within the Department of Homeland Security,
and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security Mar. 25,
2015. Reported June 11, 2015; Rpt. 114-149. Union Calendar.
Rules suspended. Passed House June 23, 2015. Received in Senate
and referred to Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs June
24, 2015.
H.R. 1640._Department of Homeland Security Headquarters
Consolidation Accountability Act of 2015. To direct the
Secretary of Homeland Security to submit to Congress a report
on the Department of Homeland Security headquarters
consolidation project in the National Capital Region, and for
other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security Mar. 25, 2015.
Reported amended June 17, 2015; Rpt. 114-166. Union Calendar.
Rules suspended. Passed House amended June 23, 2015. Received
in Senate and referred to Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs June 24, 2015. (See Action on S. 163, Public L. 114-
150)
H.R. 1646._Homeland Security Drone Assessment and Analysis
Act. To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to research
how small and medium sized unmanned aerial systems could be
used in an attack, how to prevent or mitigate the effects of
such an attack, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland
Security and in addition to Transportation and Infrastructure
Mar. 26, 2015. Reported amended from Homeland Security June 18,
2015; Rpt. 114-169, Pt. I. Transportation and Infrastructure
discharged June 18, 2015. Union Calendar. Rules suspended.
Passed House amended June 23, 2015. Received in Senate and
referred to Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs June 24,
2015
H.R. 1731. (H.R. 1560)(H. Res. 212)._National Cybersecurity
Protection Advancement Act of 2015. To amend the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 to enhance multi-directional sharing of
information related to cybersecurity risks and strengthen
privacy and civil liberties protections, and for other
purposes. Referred to Homeland Security Apr. 13, 2015. Reported
amended Apr. 17, 2015; Rpt. 114-83. Union Calendar. Passed
House amended Apr. 23, 2015; Roll No. 173: 355-63. Laid on the
table pursuant to H. Res. 212 Apr. 23, 2015. See H.R. 1560 for
further action.
H.R. 1887._To amend certain appropriation Acts to repeal
the requirement directing the Administrator of General Services
to sell Federal property and assets that support the operations
of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in Plum Island, New
York, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security
April 16, 2015. Reported amended May 16, 2016; Rpt. 114-568.
Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House amended May 16,
2016. Received in Senate May 17, 2016. Referred to Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs May 26, 2016.
H.R. 2127._Securing Expedited Screening Act. To direct the
Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration to
limit access to expedited airport security screening at an
airport security checkpoint to participants of the PreCheck
program and other known low-risk passengers, and for other
purposes. Referred to Homeland Security Apr. 30, 2015. Reported
amended July 22, 2015; Rpt. 114-220. Union Calendar. Rules
suspended. Passed House amended July 27, 2015. Received in
Senate and referred to Commerce, Science and Transportation
July 28, 2015.
H.R. 2200._CBRN Intelligence and Information Sharing Act of
2015. To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish
chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear intelligence
and information sharing functions of the Office of Intelligence
and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security and to
require dissemination of information analyzed by the Department
to entities with responsibilities relating to homeland
security, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security
May 1, 2015. Reported amended June 17, 2015; Rpt. 114-164.
Union Calendar. Considered under suspension of rules June 23,
2015. Rules suspended. Passed House amended June 25, 2015; Roll
No. 389: 420-2. Received in Senate and referred to Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs July 7, 2015.
H.R. 2206._State Wide Interoperable Communications
Enhancement Act. To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
require recipients of State Homeland Security Grant Program
funding to preserve and strengthen interoperable emergency
communications capabilities, and for other purposes. Referred
to Homeland Security May 1, 2015. Reported amended June 17,
2015; Rpt. 114-165. Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed
House amended July 27, 2015. Received in Senate and referred to
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs July 28, 2015.
H.R. 2285._Prevent Trafficking in Cultural Property Act. To
improve enforcement against trafficking in cultural property
and prevent stolen or illicit cultural property from financing
terrorist and criminal networks, and for other purposes.
Referred to Ways and Means, Homeland Security, Judiciary, May
13, 2015. Reported amended from Homeland Security Dec. 15,
2015; Rpt. 114-380, Pt. I. Reported amended from Ways and Means
Sept. 19, 2016; Pt. II. The Judiciary discharged Sept. 19,
2016. Union Calendar. Considered under suspension of rules
Sept. 20, 2016. Rules suspended. Passed House amended Sep. 22,
2016; Roll No. 547: 415-0.
H.R. 2390._Homeland Security University-based Centers
Review Act. To require a review of university-based centers for
homeland security, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland
Security and in addition to Science, Space, and Technology May
18, 2015. Reported from Homeland Security June 18, 2015; Rpt.
114-168, Pt. I. Science, Space, and Technology discharged June
18, 2015. Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House amended
June 23, 2015. Received in Senate and referred to Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs June 24, 2015.
H.R. 2750._Improved Security Vetting for Aviation Workers
Act of 2015 To reform programs of the Transportation Security
Administration, streamline transportation security regulations,
and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security June 12,
2015. Reported amended July 27, 2015; Rpt. 114-227. Union
Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House amended July 27, 2015.
Received in Senate and referred to Commerce, Science and
Transportation July 28, 2015.
H.R. 2770._Keeping our Travelers Safe and Secure Act. To
amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require certain
maintenance of security-related technology at airports, and for
other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security June 15, 2015.
Reported amended July 22, 2015; Rpt. 114-218. Union Calendar.
Rules suspended. Passed House amended July 27, 2015; Roll No.
469: 380-0. Received in Senate and referred to Commerce,
Science and Transportation July 28, 2015.
H.R. 2786._Cross-Border Rail Security Act of 2015. To
require the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection
to submit a report on cross-border rail security, and for other
purposes. Referred to Homeland Security June 15, 2015. Reported
July 28, 2015; Rpt. 114-233. Union Calendar. Rules suspended.
Passed House Sept. 28, 2015; Roll No. 520: 412-0. Received in
Senate and referred to Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs Sept. 29, 2015.
H.R. 2795._First Responder Identification of Emergency
Needs in Disaster Situations. To require the Secretary of
Homeland Security to submit a study on the circumstances which
may impact the effectiveness and availability of first
responders before, during, or after a terrorist threat or
event. Referred to Homeland Security, Jun. 16, 2015. Reported
amended Dec. 7, 2015; Rpt. 114-370. Union Calendar. Rules
suspended. Passed House amended Dec. 10, 2015; Roll No. 689:
396-12. Received in Senate and referred to Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs Dec. 14, 2015.
H.R. 3038 (H. Res. 362) (H.R. 2353)._Highway and
Transportation Funding Act of 2015, Part II. To provide an
extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier
safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway
Trust Fund, and for other purposes. Referred to Transportation
and Infrastructure and in addition to Ways and Means, Natural
Resources, Science, Space, and Technology, Energy and Commerce,
Homeland Security, and Education and the Workforce July 13,
2015. Passed House July 15, 2015; Roll No. 441: 312-119.
Received in Senate July 16, 2015. Ordered placed on the
calendar July 21, 2015.
H.R. 3102._Airport Access Control Security Improvement Act
of 2015. To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to reform
programs of the Transportation Security Administration,
streamline transportation security regulations, and for other
purposes. Referred to Homeland Security July 16, 2015. Reported
amended Oct. 6, 2015; Rpt. 114-283. Union Calendar. Rules
suspended. Passed House amended Oct. 6, 2015. Received in
Senate and referred to Commerce, Science and Transportation
Oct. 7, 2015.
H.R. 3144._Partners for Aviation Security Act. To require
consultation with the Aviation Security Advisory Committee
regarding modifications to the prohibited item list, require a
report on the Transportation Security Oversight Board, and for
other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security. Reported amended
Nov. 2, 2015; Rpt. 114-320. Union Calendar. Rules suspended.
Passed House amended Nov. 16, 2015. Received in Senate and
referred to Commerce, Science and Transportation Nov. 17, 2015.
H.R. 3350._Know the CBRN Terrorism Threats to
Transportation Act. To require a terrorism threat assessment
regarding the transportation of chemical, biological, nuclear,
and radiological materials through United States land borders
and within the United States, and for other purposes. Referred
to Homeland Security July 29, 2015. Reported Oct. 20, 2015;
Rpt. 114-296. Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House
Oct. 20, 2015; Roll No. 551: 416-0. Received in Senate and
referred to Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Oct. 21,
2015.
H.R. 3361._Department of Homeland Security Insider Threat
and Mitigation Act of 2015. To amend the Homeland Security Act
of 2002 to establish the Insider Threat Program, and for other
purposes. Referred to Homeland Security July 29, 2015. Reported
amended Nov. 2, 2015; Rpt. 114-321. Union Calendar. Rules
suspended. Passed House amended Nov. 2, 2015. Received in
Senate and referred to Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs Nov. 3, 2015. Reported Jul. 12, 2016; Rpt. 114-297.
H.R. 3490._Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime
Fighting Act. To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
authorize the National Computer Forensics Institute, and for
other purposes. Referred to the Judiciary and in addition to
Homeland Security Sept. 11, 2015. Reported amended from the
Judiciary Nov. 19, 2015; Rpt. 114-345, Pt. I. Reported amended
from Homeland Security Nov. 30, 2015; Pt. II. Union Calendar.
Rules suspended. Passed House amended Nov. 30, 2015. Received
in Senate and referred to the Judiciary Dec. 1, 2015.
H.R. 3493._Securing the Cities Act of 2015. To amend the
Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the Securing the
Cities program to enhance the ability of the United States to
detect and prevent terrorist attacks and other high consequence
events utilizing nuclear or other radiological materials that
pose a high risk to homeland security in high-risk urban areas,
and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security. Referred
to Homeland Security Sept. 11, 2015. Reported amended Oct. 20,
2015; Rpt. 114-295. Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed
House amended Oct. 20, 2015; Roll No. 550: 411-4. Received in
Senate and referred to Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs Oct. 21, 2015.
H.R. 3503._Department of Homeland Security Support to
Fusion Centers Act of 2015. To require an assessment of fusion
center personnel needs, and for other purposes. Referred to
Homeland Security Sept. 11, 2015. Reported amended Nov. 2,
2015; Rpt. 114-322. Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed
House amended Nov. 2, 2015. Received in Senate and referred to
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Nov. 3, 2015.
H.R. 3505._Department of Homeland Security Clearance
Management and Administration Act. To amend the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 to improve the management and
administration of the security clearance processes throughout
the Department of Homeland Security, and for other
purposes.Referred to Homeland Security Sept. 15, 2015. Reported
Nov. 2, 2015; Rpt. 114-323. Union Calendar. Rules suspended.
Passed House Nov. 2, 2015. Received in Senate and referred to
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Nov. 3, 2015.
H.R. 3510._Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity
Strategy Act of 2015. To amend the Homeland Security Act of
2002 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a
cybersecurity strategy for the Department of Homeland Security,
and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security Sept. 15,
2015. Reported amended Oct. 6, 2015; Rpt. 114-284. Union
Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House amended Oct. 6, 2015.
Received in Senate and referred to Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs Oct. 7, 2015.
H.R. 3572._DHS Headquarters Reform and Improvement Act of
2015. To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to reform,
streamline, and make improvements to the Department of Homeland
Security and support the Department's efforts to implement
better policy, planning, management, and performance, and for
other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security Sept. 18, 2015.
Reported amended Oct. 20, 2015; Rpt. 114-297. Union Calendar.
Rules suspended. Passed House amended Oct. 20, 2015. Received
in Senate and referred to Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs Oct. 21, 2015.
H.R. 3578._DHS Science and Technology Reform and
Improvements Act of 2015. To amend the Homeland Security Act of
2002 to strengthen and make improvements to the Directorate of
Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security,
and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security. Reported
amended Dec. 8, 2015; Rpt. 114-372. Union Calendar. Rules
suspended. Passed House amended Dec. 10, 2015; Roll No. 687:
416-0. Received in Senate and referred to Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs Dec. 14, 2015.
H.R. 3583._Promoting Resilience and Efficiency in Preparing
for Attacks and Responding to Emergencies Act. To reform and
improve the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Office of
Emergency Communications, and the Office of Health Affairs of
the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
Referred to Homeland Security and in addition to Transportation
and Infrastructure and Energy and Commerce. Reported amended
from Homeland Security Mar. 16, 2016; Rpt. 114-455, Pt. I.
Transportation and Infrastructure and Energy and Commerce
discharged Mar. 16, 2016. Union Calendar. Rules suspended.
Passed House amended Apr. 26, 2016. Received in Senate and
referred to Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Apr. 27,
2016.
H.R. 3584._Transportation Security Administration Reform
and Improvement Act of 2015. To authorize, streamline, and
identify efficiencies within the Transportation Security
Administration, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland
Security. Reported amended Jan. 12, 2016; Rpt. 114-396. Union
Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House amended Feb. 23, 2016.
Received in Senate and referred to Commerce, Science and
Transportation Feb. 24, 2016.
H.R. 3586._Border and Maritime Coordination Improvement
Act. To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to improve
border and maritime security coordination in the Department of
Homeland Security, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland
Security and in addition to Transportation and Infrastructure.
Reported amended from Homeland Security Apr. 12, 2016; Rpt.
114-488, Pt. I. Transportation and Infrastructure discharged
Apr. 12, 2016. Union Calendar. Rules suspended.Passed House
amended Apr. 13, 2016. Received in Senate and referred to
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Apr. 14, 2016
H.R. 3598._Fusion Center Enhancement Act of 2015. To amend
the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance the partnership
between the Department of Homeland Security and the National
Network of Fusion Centers, and for other purposes. Referred to
Homeland Security Sept. 24, 2015. Reported amended Nov. 2,
2015; Rpt. 114-324. Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed
House amended Nov. 2, 2015. Received in Senate and referred to
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Nov. 3, 2015.
H.R. 3859._HSA Technical Corrections Act. To make technical
corrections to the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Referred to
Homeland Security Oct. 29, 2015. Reported Nov. 16, 2015; Rpt.
114-333. Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House amended
Dec. 8, 2015. Received in Senate and referred to Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs Dec. 9, 2015.
H.R. 3869. (S. 2665)._State and Local Cyber Protection Act
of 2015. To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require
State and local coordination on cybersecurity with the national
cybersecurity and communications integration center, and for
other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security, Nov. 2, 2015.
Reported amended Dec. 3, 2015; Rpt. 114-363. Union Calendar.
Rules suspended. Passed House amended Dec. 10, 2015. Received
in Senate and referred to Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs Dec. 14, 2015.
H.R. 3875._Department of Homeland Security CBRNE Defense
Act of 2015. 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. Referred to Homeland Security
Nov. 2, 2015. Reported amended Nov. 16, 2015; Rpt. 114-334.
Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House amended Dec. 10,
2015. Received in Senate and referred to Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs Dec. 14, 2015.
H.R. 3878._Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing
and Coordination in Our Ports Act of 2015. To enhance
cybersecurity information sharing and coordination at ports in
the United States, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland
Security and in addition to Transportation and Infrastructure
Nov. 2, 2015. Reported amended from Homeland Security Dec. 15,
2015; Rpt. 114-379, Pt. I. Transportation and Infrastructure
discharged Dec. 15, 2015. Union Calendar. Rules suspended.
Passed House amended Dec. 16, 2015. Received in Senate and
referred to Commerce, Science and Transportation Dec. 17, 2015.
H.R. 4314._Counterterrorism Screening and Assistance Act of
2016. To require a plan to combat international travel by
terrorists and foreign fighters, accelerate the transfer of
certain border security systems to foreign partner governments,
establish minimum international border security standards,
authorize the suspension of foreign assistance to countries not
making significant efforts to comply with such minimum
standards, and for other purposes. Referred to Foreign Affairs
and in addition to Homeland Security, and the Judiciary Jan. 5,
2016. Rules suspended. Passed House amended Mar. 21, 2016; Roll
No. 130: 371-2. Received in Senate and referred to Foreign
Relations Apr. 4, 2016.
H.R. 4398._DHS Acquisition Documentation Integrity Act of
2016 To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide for
requirements relating to documentation for major acquisition
programs, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security
Feb. 1, 2016. Reported Feb. 23, 2016; Rpt. 114-425. Union
Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House Feb. 23, 2016. Received
in Senate and referred to Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs Feb. 24, 2016.
H.R. 4401._Amplifying Local Efforts to Root out Terror Act
of 2016 To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to
provide countering violent extremism training to Department of
Homeland Security representatives at State and local fusion
centers, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security
Feb. 1, 2016. Reported Feb. 29, 2016; Rpt. 114-437. Union
Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House amended Feb. 29, 2016.
Received in Senate and referred to Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs Mar. 1, 2016. (See action on H.R. 5471).
H.R. 4402._Foreign Fighter Review Act of 2016 To require a
review of information regarding persons who have traveled or
attempted to travel from the United States to support terrorist
organizations in Syria and Iraq, and for other purposes.
Referred to Homeland Security Feb. 1, 2016. Reported amended
Feb. 23, 2016; Rpt. 114-423. Union Calendar. Rules suspended.
Passed House amended Feb. 23, 2016; Roll No. 84: 397-0.
Received in Senate and referred to Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs Feb. 24, 2016.
H.R. 4403._Enhancing Overseas Traveler Vetting Act To
authorize the development of open-source software based on
certain systems of the Department of Homeland Security and the
Department of State to facilitate the vetting of travelers
against terrorist watchlists and law enforcement databases,
enhance border management, and improve targeting and analysis,
and for other purposes. Referred to Foreign Affairs and in
addition to Homeland Security Feb. 1, 2016. Reported amended
from Homeland Security Apr. 11, 2016; Rpt. 114-480, Pt. I.
Rules suspended. Passed House amended Apr. 13, 2016.
H.R. 4404._Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel Exercise
Act of 2016 To require an exercise related to terrorist and
foreign fighter travel, and for other purposes. Referred to
Homeland Security Feb. 1, 2016. Reported amended Mar. 16, 2016;
Rpt. 114-456. Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House
amended July 11, 2016.
H.R. 4407._Counterterrorism Advisory Board Act of 2016 To
amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in the
Department of Homeland Security a board to coordinate and
integrate departmental intelligence, activities, and policy
related to counterterrorism, and for other purposes. Referred
to Homeland Security Feb. 1, 2016. Reported Apr. 11, 2016; Rpt.
114-481. Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House amended
May 16, 2016; Roll No. 195: 389-5. Received in Senate and
referred to Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs May 17,
2016.
H.R. 4408._National Strategy to Combat Terrorist Travel Act
of 2016 To require the development of a national strategy to
combat terrorist travel, and for other purposes. Referred to
Homeland Security Feb. 1, 2016. Reported Feb. 23, 2016; Rpt.
114-424. Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House amended
Feb. 23, 2016; Roll No. 83: 392-0. Received in Senate and
referred to Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Feb. 24,
2016. (See action on H.R. 5471).
H.R. 4482._Southwest Border Security Threat Assessment Act
of 2016 To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to
prepare a southwest border threat analysis, and for other
purposes. Referred to Homeland Security Feb. 4, 2016. Reported
amended Apr. 13, 2016; Rpt. 114-492. Union Calendar. Rules
suspended. Passed House amended Apr. 13, 2016. Received in
Senate and referred to Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs Apr. 14, 2016.
H.R. 4509._State and High-Risk Urban Area Working Group Act
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to clarify
membership of State planning committees or urban area working
groups for the Homeland Security Grant Program, and for other
purposes. Referred to Homeland Security Feb. 9, 2016. Reported
Apr. 13, 2016; Rpt. 114-491. Union Calendar. Rules suspended.
Passed House amended Apr. 13, 2016.
H.R. 4549. (S. 2549)._Treating Small Airports with Fairness
Act of 2016 To require the Transportation Security
Administration to conduct security screening at certain
airports, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security
Feb. 11, 2016. Reported amended Apr. 13, 2016; Rpt. 114-493.
Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House amended Apr. 13,
2016.
H.R. 4698._Securing Aviation from Foreign Entry Points and
Guarding Airports Through Enhanced Security Act of 2016. To
enhance aviation by requiring airport security assessments and
a security coordination enhancement plan, and for other
purposes. Referred to Homeland Security Mar. 3, 2016. Reported
amended Apr. 21, 2016; Rpt. 114-513. Union Calendar. Rules
suspended. Passed House amended Apr. 26, 2016. Received in
Senate and referred to Commerce, Science and Transportation
Apr. 27, 2016.
H.R. 4743._National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium
Act of 2016. To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to
establish a National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium, and
for other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security Mar. 15,
2016. Reported amended May 13, 2016; Rpt. 114-565. Union
Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House amended May 16, 2016;
Roll No. 194: 394-3. Received in Senate and referred to
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs May 17, 2016.
H.R. 4780._Department of Homeland Security Strategy for
International Programs Act To require the Secretary of Homeland
Security to develop a comprehensive strategy for Department of
Homeland Security operations abroad, and for other purposes.
Referred to Homeland Security Mar. 17, 2016. Reported amended
May 13, 2016; Rpt. 114-566. Union Calendar. Rules suspended.
Passed House amended May 16, 2016. Received in Senate and
referred to Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs May 17,
2016.
H.R. 4785._DHS Stop Asset and Vehicle Excess Act. To amend
the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Under Secretary
for Management of the Department of Homeland Security to make
certain improvements in managing the Department's vehicle
fleet, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security
Mar. 17, 2016. Reported amended Apr. 14, 2016; Rpt. 114-494.
Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House amended July 11,
2016.
H.R. 4820._Combating Terrorist Recruitment Act of 2016, To
require the Secretary of Homeland Security to use the
testimonials of former or estranged violent extremists or their
associates in order to counter terrorist recruitment, and for
other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security Mar. 21, 2016.
Reported amended Apr. 26, 2016; Rpt. 114-525. Union Calendar.
Rules suspended. Passed House amended Apr. 26, 2016; Roll No.
164: 322-79. Received in Senate and referred to Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs Apr. 27, 2016. (See action on
H.R. 5471).
H.R. 5056._Airport Perimeter and Access Control Security
Act of 2016. To modernize and enhance airport perimeter and
access control security by requiring updated risk assessments
and the development of security strategies, and for other
purposes. Referred to Homeland Security Apr. 26 2016. Reported
July 1, 2016; Rpt. 114-653. Union Calendar. Rules suspended.
Passed House July 11, 2016.
H.R. 5064._Improving Small Business Cyber Security Act of
2016.To amend the Small Business Act to allow small business
development centers to assist and advise small business
concerns on relevant cyber security matters, and for other
purposes. Referred to Small Business and in addition to
Homeland Security Apr. 26, 2016. Reported amended from Homeland
Security July 1, 2016; Rpt. 114-654, Pt. I. Rules suspended.
Passed House amended Sept. 21, 2016.
H.R. 5338._Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act of
2016. To reduce passenger wait times at airports, and for other
purposes. Referred to Homeland Security May 26, 2016. Rules
suspended. Passed House amended June 7, 2016. Received in
Senate and referred to Commerce, Science and Transportation
June 8, 2016.
H.R. 5346._Securing our Agriculture and Food Act. To amend
the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make the Assistant
Secretary of Homeland Security for Health Affairs responsible
for coordinating the efforts of the Department of Homeland
Security related to food, agriculture, and veterinary defense
against terrorism, and for other purposes. Homeland Security,
Energy and Commerce, Agriculture May 26, 2016. Homeland
Security markup Sep. 13, 2015, amended, voice vote. Reported
amended from Homeland Security Sept. 19, 2016; Rpt. 114-755,
Pt. I. Energy and Commerce and Agriculture discharged Sept. 19,
2016. Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House amended
Sep. 26,, 2016.
H.R. 5385._Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Technical
Correction Act of 2016. To amend the Homeland Security Act of
2002 to make technical corrections to the requirement that the
Secretary of Homeland Security submit quadrennial homeland
security reviews, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland
Security Homeland Markup Jun. 8, 2016. Reported amended July 5,
2016; Rpt. 114-662. Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed
House amended July 11, 2016.
H.R. 5388._Support for Rapid Innovation Act of 2016. To
amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide for
innovative research and development, and for other purposes.
Referred to Homeland Security June 7, 2016. Reported June 21,
2016; Rpt. 114-629. Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed
House June 21, 2016; Roll No. 335: 351-4. Received in Senate
and referred to Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs June
22, 2016.
H.R. 5389._Leveraging Emerging Technologies Act of 2016. To
encourage engagement between the Department of Homeland
Security and technology innovators, and for other purposes.
Referred to Homeland Security, Jun. 7, 2016. Reported June 21,
2016; Rept. 114-630. Union Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed
House June 21, 2016; Roll No. 336: 347-8. Received in Senate
and referred to Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs June
22, 2016.
H.R. 5391._Gains in Global Nuclear Detection Architecture
Act. To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance
certain duties of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, and
for other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security Jun. 7, 2016.
Reported July 1, 2016; Rpt. 114-652. Union Calendar. Passed
House amended, Sep. 27, 2016.
H.R. 5459._Cyber Preparedness Act of 2016. To amend the
Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance preparedness and
response capabilities for cyber attacks, bolster the
dissemination of homeland security information related to cyber
threats, and for other purposes. Homeland Security Jun. 13,
2016. Homeland Security markup Sep. 13, 2015, amended, voice
vote. Reported amended Sept. 19, 2016; Rpt. 114-756. Union
Calendar. Rules suspended. Passed House, amended, Sep. 26,
2016.
H.R. 5460._(First Responder Access to Innovative
Technologies Act. To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
establish a review process to review applications for certain
grants to purchase equipment or systems that do not meet or
exceed any applicable national voluntary consensus standards,
and for other purposes. Homeland Security Jun. 13, 2016.
Homeland Security markup Sep. 13, 2015, amended, voice vote.
Reported Sep. 26, 2016; Rpt. 114-788. Union Calendar. Rules
suspended. Passed House, amended, Sep. 26, 2016.
H.R. 5471 (H.R. 4401, H.R. 4407, H.R. 4820)._Countering
Terrorist Radicalization Act. To combat terrorist recruitment
in the United States, and for other purposes. Referred to
Homeland Security Jun. 14, 2016. Rules suspended. Passed House
Jun. 16, 2016.
H.R. 5843._United States-Israel Cybersecurity Cooperation
Enhancement Act of 2016. To establish a grant program at the
Department of Homeland Security to promote cooperative research
and development between the United States and Israel on
cybersecurity. Homeland Security Jul. 14, 2016. Homeland
Security markup Sep. 13, 2015, amended, voice vote. Reported
amended Nov. 15, 2016; Rpt. 114-826. Union Calendar. Rules
suspended. Passed House amended Nov. 29, 2016.
H.R. 5859._Community Counterterrorism Preparedness Act. To
amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the major
metropolitan area counterterrorism training and exercise grant
program, and for other purposes. Homeland Security Jul. 14,
2016. Homeland Security markup Sep. 13, 2015, amended, voice
vote. Reported amended Sept. 19, 2016; Rpt. 114-754. Union
Calendar. Considered under suspension of rules Sept. 20, 2016.
Rules suspended. Passed House amended Sept. 21, 2016; Roll No.
537: 395-30.
H.R. 5943._Transit Security Grant Program Flexibility Act.
To amend the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11
Commission Act of 2007 to clarify certain allowable uses of
funds for public transportation security assistance grants and
establish periods of performance for such grants, and for other
purposes. Homeland Security Sep. 7, 2016. Homeland Security
markup Sep. 13, 2015, amended, voice vote. Reported amended
Sept. 20, 2016; Rpt. 114-776. Union Calendar. Rules suspended.
Passed House amended Sept. 26, 2016.
RESOLUTIONS PASSED THE HOUSE
H. Res. 827._Condemning the terrorist attack on the Pulse
Orlando nightclub, honoring the memory of the victims of the
attack, offering condolences to and expressing support for
their families and friends and all those affected, and
applauding the dedication and bravery of law enforcement,
emergency response, and counterterrorism officials in
responding to the attack. Referred to Oversight and Government
Reform and in addition to Foreign Affairs, and Homeland
Security July 13, 2016. Committees discharged. Passed House
July 13, 2016.
H. Res. 842._Expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives regarding the terrorist attacks launched
against the United States on September 11, 2001, on the 15th
anniversary of that date. Referred to Oversight and Government
Reform, and in addition Foreign Affairs, Armed Services,
Transportation and Infrastructure, the Judiciary, Homeland
Security, Intelligence Sep. 6, 2016. Committees discharged.
Passed House Sep. 9, 2016.
LEGISLATION REPORTED TO THE HOUSE
H.R. 399._Secure Our Borders First Act of 2015. To require
the Secretary of Homeland Security to gain and maintain
operational control of the international borders of the United
States, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security
and in addition to Armed Services, Natural Resources, and
Agriculture Jan. 16, 2015. Reported amended from Homeland
Security Jan. 27, 2015; Rpt. 114-10, Pt. I. Armed Services,
Natural Resources, and Agriculture discharged Jan. 27, 2015.
H.R. 1738._Integrated Public Alert and Warning System
Modernization Act of 2015. To amend the Homeland Security Act
of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to
modernize and implement the national integrated public alert
and warning system to disseminate homeland security information
and other information, and for other purposes. Referred to
Homeland Security and in addition to Transportation and
Infrastructure. Homeland Security markup May 20, 2015, amended,
voice vote. Reported Dec. 8, 2016 H. Rpt. 114-854, Pt. I (See
also action taken on S. 1180, Public Law 114-143).
H.R. 1907._Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of
2015 To reauthorize trade facilitation and trade enforcement
functions and activities, and for other purposes. Referred to
Ways and Means and in addition to Homeland Security, Foreign
Affairs, Financial Services, and the Judiciary Apr. 21, 2015.
Reported amended from Ways and Means May 14, 2015; Rpt. 114-
114, Pt. I. Homeland Security, Foreign Affairs, Financial
Services, and the Judiciary discharged May 14, 2015. (See also
action on H.R. 644, above).
H.R. 2899._Countering Violent Extremism Act of 2015. To
amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Office
for Countering Violent Extremism. Referred to Homeland
Security. Referred to Homeland Security June 25, 2015. Reported
amended Nov. 19, 2015; Rpt. 114-344.
H.R. 4383._DHS Human Trafficking Prevention Act of 2016. To
require the Secretary of Homeland Security to enhance
Department of Homeland Security coordination on how to identify
and record information regarding individuals suspected or
convicted of human trafficking, and for other purposes.
Referred to Homeland Security and Judiciary Jan. 13, 2016.
Homeland Security markup Feb. 2, 2016, amended, voice vote.
Reported Dec. 8, 2016. 114-855, Pt. I. Judiciary discharged
Dec. 8, 2016.
H.R. 5253._Strong Visa Integrity Secures America Act. To
amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and the Immigration and
Nationality Act to improve visa security, visa applicant
vetting, and for other purposes. Referred to Homeland Security.
Homeland Markup Jun. 8, 2016. Reported Dec. 8, 2016, H. Rpt.
114-850, Pt. I.
LEGISLATION ORDERED TO BE REPORTED TO THE HOUSE
H.R. 5390._Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection
Agency Act of 2016. To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002
to authorize the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection
Agency of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other
purposes. Referred to Homeland Security, Energy and Commerce,
Oversight and Government Reform, Transportation and
Infrastructure Jun. 7, 2016. Homeland Security markup Jun. 8,
2016. amended, voice vote.
H.R. 5728._Cuban Airport Security Act of 2016. To prohibit
scheduled passenger air transportation between the United
States and Cuba until a study has been completed regarding
security measures and equipment at Cuba's airports, to amend
title 49, United States Code, to clarify the role of the
Secretary of Homeland Security regarding security standards at
foreign airports, and for other purposes. Homeland Security and
Foreign Affairs Jul. 12, 2016. Homeland Security markup Sep.
13, 2015, amended, voice vote.
APPENDIX VI
Executive Communications, Memorials, and Presidential Messages
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS
Executive Communication 398
February 10, 2015--Letter from Assistant Secretary for
Legislative Affairs, Department of Homeland Security,
transmitting the Privacy Office's report entitled ``2014 Data
Mining Report to Congress'', pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 2000ee-3.
Executive Communication 399
February 10, 2015--Letter from Assistant Secretary for
Legislative Affairs, Department of Homeland Security,
transmitting the Privacy Office's semiannual report to Congress
covering the period March 1, 2014, through September 30, 2014,
pursuant to the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, ( 803.
Executive Communication 2291
July 23, 2015--Letter from Chief Counsel, Federal
Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Suspension of
Community Eligibility; Virginia: Augusta County, Unincorporated
Areas [Docket ID: FEMA-2015-0001; Internal Agency Docket No.:
FEMA-8389] received July 22, 2015, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); Added by Pub. L. 104-121, ( 251.
Executive Communication 2650
September 8, 2015--Letter from Acting Director,
Regulations and Disclosure Law Division, U.S. Customs and
Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Liberalization of
Certain Documentary Evidence Required as Proof of Exportation
on Drawback Claims [CBP Dec. 15-11] (RIN: 1515-AE02) received
August 11, 2015, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by
Pub. L. 104-121, ( 251.
Executive Communication 3478
November 16, 2015--Letter from Chief, Trade and
Commercial Regulations Branch, Customs and Border Protection,
Department of Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's
final rule--Customs and Border Protection's Bond Program [CBP
Dec. 15-15] [USCBP-2006-0013] (RIN: 1515-AD56 [formerly 1505-
AB54]) received November 12, 2015, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); Added by Pub. L. 104-121, ( 251.
Executive Communication 3629
December 2, 2015--Letter from Chief Privacy Officer,
Department of Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's
Privacy Office 2015 Annual Report to Congress, pursuant to 6
U.S.C. 142(a)(6); Pub. L. 107-296, Sec. 222(5); (116 Stat.
2155).
Executive Communication 4200
February 2, 2016--Letter from Administrator,
Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland
Security, transmitting the Administration's certification that
the level of screening services and protection services at the
Punta Gorda Airport in Florida will be equal to or greater than
the level that would be provided at the airport by TSA
Transportation Security Officers, pursuant to 49 U.S.C.
44920(d)(1); Pub. L. 107-71, Sec. 108(a); (115 Stat. 613).
Executive Communication 4517
March 1, 2016--Letter from Deputy Chief Counsel for
Regulations and Security Standards, Transportation Security
Administration, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting
the Department's Major final rule--Passenger Screening Using
Advanced Imaging Technology [Docket No.: TSA-2013-0004] (RIN:
1652-AA67) received February 26, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); Added by Pub. L. 104-121, ( 251; (110 Stat. 868).
Executive Communication 4629
March 10, 2016--Letter from Chief Privacy Officer,
Privacy Office, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting
the Department's Privacy Office's 2015 Data Mining Report to
Congress, as required by the Federal Agency Data Mining
Reporting Act, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 2000ee-3(c)(1); Pub. L.
110-53, ( 804(c)(1); (121 Stat. 363).
Executive Communication 4662
March 16, 2016--Letter from Assistant Secretary for
Legislative Affairs, Department of Homeland Security,
transmitting the Department's 2015 Data Mining Report to
Congress, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 2000ee-3(c)(1); Pub. L. 110-53,
( 804(c)(1); (121 Stat. 363).
Executive Communication 4682
March 21, 2016--Letter from Chief, Border Security
Regulations Branch, Customs and Border Protection, Department
of Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's interim
final rule--Flights to and from Cuba [USCBP-2016-0015] (RIN:
1651-AB10) received March 17, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); Added by Pub. L. 104-121, (251; (110 Stat. 868).
Executive Communication 5501
May 25, 2016--Letter from Senior Advisor to the Officer
for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Office of the Secretary,
Department of Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's
final rule--Federal Agency Final Regulations Implementing
Executive Order 13559: Fundamental Principles and Policymaking
Criteria for Partnerships With Faith-Based and Other
Neighborhood Organizations [Docket No.: DHS-2006-0065] (RIN:
1601-AA40) received May 19, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); Pub. L. 104-121, ( 251; (110 Stat. 868).
Executive Communication 5739
June 16, 2016--Letter from Deputy Under Secretary for
Management and Chief Financial Officer, Department of Homeland
Security, transmitting the Department's report entitled
``Purchase and Usage of Weapons for 2014'', pursuant to 6
U.S.C. 472(a)-(b); Pub. L. 114-4, ( 562(a)-(b); (129 Stat. 72).
Executive Communication 5818
June 24, 2016--Letter from Assistant Secretary for
Legislative Affairs, Department of Homeland Security,
transmitting the Department's report entitled ``Human
Trafficking Awareness Training for Department of Homeland
Security Personnel'', pursuant to 6 U.S.C. 643(a); Pub. L. 114-
22, ( 903(a); (129 Stat. 265).
Executive Communication 5819
June 24, 2016--Letter from Director for Legislative
Affairs, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting the
Department's Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties:
Fiscal Year 2015 report to Congress, pursuant to 6 U.S.C.
345(b); Pub. L. 107-296, Sec. 705; (116 Stat. 2219).
Executive Communication 6185
July 18, 2016--Letter from Administrator, Transportation
Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security,
transmitting the Administration's certification that the level
of screening services and protection services at the Charles M.
Schulz-Sonoma County Airport in California will be equal to or
greater than the level that would be provided airport by TSA
Transportation Security Officers, pursuant to 49 U.S.C.
44920(d)(1); Pub. L. 107-71, Sec. 108(a); (115 Stat. 613).
Executive Communication 6186
July 18, 2016--Letter from Administrator, Transportation
Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security,
transmitting the Administration's certification that the level
of screening services and protection services at the San
Francisco International Airport in California will be equal to
or greater than the level that would be provided at the airport
by TSA Transportation Security Officers, pursuant to 49 U.S.C.
44920(d)(1); Pub. L. 107-71, Sec. 108(a); (115 Stat. 613).
Executive Communication 6188
July 18, 2016--Letter from Director for Legislative
Affairs, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting the
Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Semiannual Report
to Congress for October 1, 2015, through March 31, 2016,
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 2000ee-1(f).
Executive Communication 6675
September 6, 2016--Letter from Attorney-Advisor,
Regulatory Affairs Law Division, Office of the General Counsel,
Department of Homeland Security, transmitting the Department's
interim final rule--Petitions for Rulemaking, Amendment, or
Repeal [Docket No.: DHS-2009-0009] (RIN: 1601-AA56) received
August 18, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Pub. L.
104-121, ( 251; (110 Stat. 868).
Executive Communication 7708
December 1, 2016--A letter from the Chief, Border
Security Regulations Branch, U.S. Customs and Border
Protection, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting the
Department's final rule--The U.S. Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation Business Travel Card Program [Docket No.: USCBP-
2013-0029] (RIN: 1651-AB01) received November 21, 2016,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.
251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Homeland Security.
----------
MEMORIALS
Memorial 101
July 22, 2015--Memorial of the Legislature of the State
of Texas, relative to Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 5,
expressing dissatisfaction with the Federal Government's
inadequate efforts to secure the Texas-Mexico international
border.
Memorial 137
September 22, 2015--Memorial of the House of
Representatives of the State of Texas, relative to House
Resolution No. 1215, urging the Congress to instruct the
Transportation Security Administration to accept concealed
handgun licenses as valid forms of identification.
Memorial 233
May 24, 2016--Memorial of the Legislature of the State of
Arizona, relative to Senate Concurrent Memorial 1006, urging
the United States Congress to act to increase the number of
United States customs and border protection personnel at the
ports of entry in Arizona.
Memorial 236
May 24, 2016--Memorial of the Legislature of the State of
Arizona, relative to Senate Concurrent Memorial 1012, urging
the United States Congress to direct the appropriate federal
agencies to secure the borders of the United States.
Memorial 275
July 1, 2016--Memorial of the Legislature of the State of
Arizona, relative to Senate Concurrent Memorial 1006, urging
the United States Congress to act to increase the number of
United States Customs and Boarder Protection personnel at the
ports of entry in Arizona.
Memorial 277
July 1, 2016--Memorial of the Legislature of the State of
Arizona, relative to Senate Concurrent Memorial 1012, urging
the United States Congress to direct the appropriate federal
agencies to secure the borders of the United States.
----------
PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGES
Presidential Message 31
November 17, 2015--Communication from the President of
the United States, transmitting the Administration's 2015
National Drug Control Strategy, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 1705;
Pub. L. 109-469, ( 706(a); (120 Stat. 3513).
APPENDIX VII
Committee Staff
MAJORITY STAFF
Brendan P. Shields, Staff Director
Paul Anstine, Staff Director, Subcommittee on Border and
Maritime Security
Diana Bergwin, Sr. Professional Staff Member
Kate Bonvechio, Sr. Professional Staff Member
Mandy Bowers, Staff Director, Subcommittee on Counterterrorism
and Intelligence
Samia Brahimi, Professional Staff Member
Luke Burke, Sr. Professional Staff Member / Investigator
Kris Carlson, Subcommittee Clerk
Alan Carroll, Sr. Professional Staff Member
Ryan Consaul, Staff Director, Subcommittee on Oversight and
Management Efficiency
Jake Crisp, National Security Director
Brett DeWitt, Staff Director, Subcommittee on Cybersecurity,
Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies
Kirsten Duncan, Sr. Professional Staff Member
Kathleen Crooks Flynn, Deputy General Counsel
Laura Fullerton, Sr. Advisor
Steven Giaier, Counsel, Subcommittee on Border and Maritime
Security
Tess Glancey, Press Secretary
Emily Gunn, Sr. Professional Staff Member
Krista P. Harvey, Staff Director, Subcommittee on
Transportation Security
Walter Haydock, Professional Staff Member / Investigator
Eric Heighberger, Deputy Staff Director
Elizabeth Hoffman, Professional Staff Member
Kerry A. Kinirons, Staff Director, Subcommittee on Emergency
Preparedness, Response, and Communications
Kyle Klein, Sr. Professional Staff Member
Vanessa Layne, Special Assistant
Lexi Marten, Staff Assistant
Natalie Matson, Professional Staff Member
Madeline Matthews, Professional Staff Member
Kyle McFarland, Security Director
Joan O'Hara, General Counsel
Renn Osborne, Deputy Press Secretary
Jason Olin, Professional Staff Member
Erik Peterson, Professional Staff Member
Susan Phalen, Communications Director
Ann Pierce, Administrative Director
Ryan Propis, Counsel
Katie Rashid, Subcommittee Clerk
Alex Rosen, Staff Assistant
John Ross, Finance Officer
Cindy B. (Boyd) Simms, Director of Member Services and
Coalitions
Miles Taylor, National Security Advisor
Lars Trautman, Counsel
Claire Woolf, Director of Strategic and Digital Communications
MINORITY STAFF
I. Lanier Avant, Staff Director
Moira Bergin, Subcommittee Director and Counsel, Subcommittee
on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications
Christian Bolden, Professional Staff Member
Frank Bradford, Professional Staff Member
Alexandra Sifuentes Carnes, Professional Staff Member
Rosaline Cohen, Chief Counsel for Legislation
Adam M. Comis, Communications Director
Kimaya Davis, Executive Assistant
Shante Gauthier, Professional Staff Member
Hope E. Goins, Chief Counsel for Oversight
Imani D. Gunn, Research Assistant
Cedric C. Haynes, Subcommittee Director, Subcommittee on
Transportation Security
Cory Horton, Professional Staff Member
Nzinga Hutchinson, Professional Staff Member and Counsel
Brittany Lynch, Research Assistant
Alison B. Northrop, Subcommittee Director and Counsel,
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security
Elise Phillips, Office Manager
K. Christopher Schepis, Subcommittee Director, Subcommittee on
Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies
Alicia M. Smith, Professional Staff Member
Nicole Tisdale, Subcommittee Director and Counsel, Subcommittee
on Counterterrorism and Intelligence
Erica Danielle Woods, Professional Staff Member and Counsel
SHARED COMMITTEE STAFF
Michael S.Twinchek, Chief Clerk
John L. Dickhaus, Deputy Chief Clerk
Heather Crowell, GPO Detailee, Printer
----------
FORMER MAJORITY STAFF
Matthew J. Ballard, Deputy Communications Director
Chad Carlough, Professional Staff Member
Susan ``Paige'' Davies, Staff Assistant
Tina Garcia, Staff Assistant
Nicole Halavik, Professional Staff Member
Deborah Jordan, Subcommittee Clerk
Tyler Lowe, Counsel
Margaret Anne Moore, Press Secretary
Jason Miller, Sr. Professional Staff Member
James Murphy, Professional Staff Member and Director of Member
Services
Amanda Parikh, Staff Director, Subcommittee on Transportation
Security
John Neal, Professional Staff Member
Bradley Saull, Professional Staff Member
Dennis Terry, Subcommittee Clerk
Andrea Thompson, Sr. Advisor
Jake Vreeburg, Parliamentarian
April (Corbett) Ward, Press Secretary / Director of Digital
Media
Nathan Wheat, Staff Assistant
Maseh Zarif, Professional Staff Member / Investigator
FORMER MINORITY STAFF
Toure Burgess, Research Assistant
Ashley M. Delgado, Professional Staff Member
Deborah R. Mack, Professional Staff Member
Ramzi M. Nemo, Detailee, United States Government
Accountability Office
Lori Stith, Professional Staff Member
Brian B. Turbyfill, Subcommittee Director, Subcommittee on
Oversight, Management, and Efficiency
Nicole Wade, Office Manager
FORMER SHARED STAFF
Natalie Nixon, Deputy Chief Clerk / Administrator
----------
APPENDIX VIII
Witnesses
-- A --
Acevedo, Art, Chief of Police, Austin, Texas, testifying on
behalf of the Major Cities Chiefs Association.
LFULL, Sep. 14, 2016, ``Stopping the Next Attack: How to
Keep Our City Streets from Becoming the Battleground.''
Acord, Bobby, Former Administrator, Animal Plant Health
Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
testifying on behalf of the National Pork Producers
Council.
LEPRC, Feb. 26, 2016, ``Food for Thought: Efforts to
Defend the Nation's Agriculture and Food.''
Adams, Mark S., Coordinator, Frontera De Cristo.
LBMS, May 9, 2016, field hearing in Sahuarita, Arizona,
``Life on the Border: Examining Border Security through the
Eyes of Local Residents and Law Enforcement.''
Alexander, Cedric, National President, National Organization of
Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).
LCTI, Feb. 26, 2015,``Addressing Remaining Gaps in
Federal, State, and Local Information Sharing.''
LCTI, Sep. 8, 2016, ``State and Local Perspectives on
Federal Information Sharing.''
Alles, Randolph D. ``Tex'', Maj. Gen. (Ret.-USMC),, Assistant
Commissioner, Office of Air and Marine, U.S. Customs
and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security.
LBMS, Jul. 14, 2015 ``Securing the Maritime Border: The
future of the CBP Air and Marine.'
LBMS, Mar. 1, 2016, ``Transparency, Trust and
Verification: Measuring Effectiveness and Situational Awareness
along the Border.''
LBMS, May 24, 2016, ``Border Security Gadgets, Gizmos,
and Information: Using Technology to Increase Situational
Awareness and Operational Control.''
Allin, Bonnie A., President and CEO, Tucson Airport Authority,
Tucson, Arizona.
LTS, May 26, 2016, ``Long Lines, Short Patience: Local
Perspectives.''
Aronson, Samuel H., President, American Physical Society.
LCIPST, May 19, 2015, ``Examining DHS Science and
Technology Directorate's Engagement with Academia and
Industry.''
Aziz, Sahar F., Professor of Law, Texas A&M University School
of Law.
LOME, Sep. 22, 2016, ``Identifying the Enemy: Radical
Islamist Terror.'' B
-- B --
Bailey, Angela, Chief Human Capital Officer, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security.
LOME, Feb. 25, 2016, ``Probing DHS's Botched Management
of the Human Resources Information Technology Program.''
Beairsto, Lydia, Managing Deputy Commissioner for Security,
Department of Aviation, City of Chicago, Illinois.
LTS, May 26, 2016, ``Long Lines, Short Patience: Local
Perspectives.''
Beary, Richard, Chief, Immediate Past President, International
Association of Chiefs of Police.
LCTI, Sep. 8, 2016, ``State and Local Perspectives on
Federal Information Sharing.''
Beary, Richard, President, International Association of Chiefs
of Police.
LCTI, Feb. 26, 2015,``Addressing Remaining Gaps in
Federal, State, and Local Information Sharing.''
LOME, Mar, 18, 2015, ``Unmanned Aerial System Threats:
Exploring Security Implications and Mitigation Technologies.''
Beckham, Tammy R., D.V.M., Ph.D., Dean, College of Veterinary
Medicine, Kansas State University.
LEPRC, Feb. 26, 2016, ``Food for Thought: Efforts to
Defend the Nation's Agriculture and Food.''
Belfiore, Thomas, Chief Security Officer, The Port Authority of
New York and New Jersey.
LEPRC, Jun. 21, 2016, field hearing in Jersey City, New
Jersey ``Protecting our Passengers: Perspectives on Securing
Surface Transportation in New Jersey and New York.''
Bell, Dan, President, ZZ Cattle Corporation.
LBMS, May 9, 2016, field hearing in Sahuarita, Arizona,
``Life on the Border: Examining Border Security through the
Eyes of Local Residents and Law Enforcement.''
Bergen, Peter, Vice President, Director International Security
and Fellows Programs, New America.
LFULL & Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nov. 18, 2015,
``The Rise of Radicalism: Growing Terrorist Sanctuaries and the
Threat to the U.S. Homeland.''
Berman, Ilan, Vice President, American Foreign Policy Council.
LCTI, Feb. 11, 2016, ``The Future of Iranian Terror and
Its Threat to the US Homeland.''
Bersin, Alan D., Assistant Secretary and Chief Diplomatic
Officer, Office of Policy, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security.
LBMS, Jun. 2, 2015, ``The Outer Ring of Border Security:
DHS's International Security Programs.''
Biagini, Raymond B., Partner, Covington and Burling.
LCIPST, Jul. 28, 2015, ``Promoting and Incentivizing
Cybersecurity Best Practices.''
Bjelopera, Jerome P., Specialist in Organized Crime and
Terrorism, Congressional Research Service, Library of
Congress.
LCTI, Oct. 28, 2015, ``Terror Inmates: Countering
Violent Extremism in Prison and Beyond.''
Black, Andrew, President and CEO, Association of Oil Pipe
Lines, testifying on behalf of the American Petroleum
Institute.
LTS, Apr. 19, 2016, ``Pipelines: Securing the Veins of
the American Economy.''
Bond, Michele Thoren, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular
Affairs, Department of State.
LFULL, Feb. 3, 2016, ``Crisis of Confidence: Preventing
Terrorist Infiltration through U.S. Refugee and Visa
Programs.''
Borkowski, Mark, Assistant Commissioner and Chief Acquisition
Executive, Office of Technology Innovation and
Acquisition, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security.
LBMS, May 24, 2016, ``Border Security Gadgets, Gizmos,
and Information: Using Technology to Increase Situational
Awareness and Operational Control.''
Bouchard, Michael J., Sheriff, Oakland County Sheriff's Office,
Oakland County, Michigan, testifying on behalf of the
Major County Sheriffs Association.
LFULL, Sep. 14, 2016, ``Stopping the Next Attack: How to
Keep Our City Streets from Becoming the Battleground.''
Bouchars, Michael, Sheriff of Oakland County, Michigan, Oakland
County Sheriff's Office. testifying on behalf of the
Major County Sheriff's Association.
LOME, Apr. 28, 2016, ``Transferring Guantanamo Bay
Detainees to the Homeland: Implications for States and Local
Communities.''
Brasher, Gary, Private Citizen.
LBMS, Sep. 13, 2016, ``Moving the Line of Scrimmage: Re-
examining the Defense-in-Depth Strategy.''
Brasure, Wayne, Acting Director, Domestic Nuclear Detection
Office.
LBMS & the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, Jul. 7, 2016, ``An Examination of the Maritime
Nuclear Smuggling Threat.''
Bratton, William J., Commissioner, Police Department, City of
New York, New York.
LFULL, field hearing in New York City, New York,
``Beyond Bin Laden's Caves and Couriers to A New Generation of
Terrorists: Confronting the Challenges in a Post 9/11 World.''
Brinsfield, Kathryn, Assistant Secretary, Office of Health
Affairs, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LCIPST & EPRC, Jul. 14, 2015 ``Weapons of Mass
Destruction: Bolstering DHS to Combat Persistent Threats to
America.''
LEPRC, Feb. 11, 2016, ``Improving the Department of
Homeland Security's Biological Detection and Surveillance
Programs.''
Bromwich, Adam, Vice President, Security Technology and
Response, Symantec, testifying on behalf of the Cyber
Threat Alliance.
LCIPST, Feb. 25, 2016, ``Emerging Cyber Threats to the
United States.''
Brothers, Reginald, Under Secretary for Science and Technology,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LCIPST & EPRC, Jul. 14, 2015 ``Weapons of Mass
Destruction: Bolstering DHS to Combat Persistent Threats to
America.''
LEPRC, Feb. 11, 2016, ``Improving the Department of
Homeland Security's Biological Detection and Surveillance
Programs.''
Brown, Marcus L., Homeland Security Advisor, Director of the
Office of Homeland Security, Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
LCIPST, Jun. 15, 2016, ``Value of DHS' Vulnerability
Assessments in Protecting our Nation's Critical
Infrastructure.''
Bryant, G. Keith, Fire Chief, Oklahoma City Fire Department,
testfying on behalf of the International Association of
Fire Chiefs.
LEPRC, Mar. 19, 2015, ``Agents of opportunity:
Responding to the Threat of Chemical Terrorism.''
Bucci, Steven P., Director, The Douglas and Sarah Allison
Center for Foreign and National Security Policy, The
Heritage Foundation.
LBMS, Mar. 17, 2015, ``Combating Terrorist Travel: Does
the Visa Waiver Program Keep Our Nation Safe?''
Burns, Robert, Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects
Agency Deputy Director, Science and Technology
Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LBMS, Jun. 14, 2016, ``Overstaying Their Welcome:
National Security Risks Posed by Visa Overstays.''
Burriesci, Kelli Ann, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department of
Homeland Security's Screening, Coordination Office,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LBMS, Jun. 14, 2016, ``Overstaying Their Welcome:
National Security Risks Posed by Visa Overstays.''
Butterworth, Jim, Director, Emergency Management Agency/
Homeland Security, State of Georgiatestifying on behalf
of the National Emergency Management Association.
LEPRC, Mar. 15, 2016, ``State of Emergency: The Disaster
of Cutting Preparedness Grants.''
Byman, Daniel, Research Director, Center for Middle East
Policy, Center for Security Studies, The Brookings
Institution.
LCTI, Apr. 30, 2015, ``Terrorism in Africa: The Imminent
Threat to the United States.''
Byrne, Michael, Deputy Regional Administrator, Federal
Emergency Management Agency, Region II, U.S. Department
of Homeland Security.
LEPRC, Jul. 11, 2016, field hearing in Staten Island,
New York ``Prepared Community is a Resilient Community.''
-- C --
Cairns, Charles B., Interim Dean, University of Arizona College
of Medicine, Heather Sciences Center.
LEPRC, Apr. 22, 2015, ``Strategic Perspectives of the
Bioterrorism Threat.''
Callahan, Christina R., Executive Director, Syracuse Hancock
International Airport, Syracuse, New York.
LTS, May 26, 2016, ``Long Lines, Short Patience: Local
Perspectives.''
Callahan, Mary Ellen, Jenner & Block and the Former Chief
Privacy Officer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LCIPST, Mar. 4, 2015, ``Industry Perspectives on the
President's Cybersecurity Information Sharing Proposal.''
Canavan, Gregory H., Senior Fellow, Los Alamos National
Laboratories.
LBMS & the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, Jul. 7, 2016, ``An Examination of the Maritime
Nuclear Smuggling Threat.''
Carraway, Melvin J., Acting Administrator, Transportation
Security Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security.
LTS, Apr. 30, 2015, ``A Review of Access Control
Measures at Our Nation's Airports, Part II.''
Catlett, Christina, Associate Director, Office of Critical
Event Preparedness and Response, Department of
Emergency Medicine, The Johns Hopkins Hospital.
LEPRC, Mar. 19, 2015, ``Agents of opportunity:
Responding to the Threat of Chemical Terrorism.''
Cha, Carol R., Director , Information Technology Acquisition
Management Issues, U.S. Government Accountability
Office.
LOME, Feb. 25, 2016, ``Probing DHS's Botched Management
of the Human Resources Information Technology Program.''
Chaleki, Thomas, Deputy Chief Readiness Support Officer,
Management Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security.
LOME, Dec. 3, 2015, ``Driving Away with Taxpayer
Dollars: DHS's Failure to Effectively Manage the FPS Vehicle
Fleet.''
Chamberlain, Jaime S., President, J-C Distributing Inc.
LBMS, May 9, 2016, field hearing in Sahuarita, Arizona,
``Life on the Border: Examining Border Security through the
Eyes of Local Residents and Law Enforcement.''
Cillufo, Frank, Associate Vice President and Director, Center
for Cyber and Homeland Security, The George Washington
University.
LCIPST, Feb. 25, 2016, ``Emerging Cyber Threats to the
United States.''
Clancy, Joseph P., Director, United States Secret Service, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security.
LOME & the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and
Federal Management of the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate, Nov. 17, 2015, ``Examining
Ongoing Challenges at the U.S. Secret Service and their
Government-wide Implications.''
Clancy, Mark G., Chief Executive Officer, Soltra.
LCIPST, Jun. 15, 2016, ``Oversight of the Cybersecurity
Act of 2015.''
Clark, Ronald J., Dr. Deputy Under Secretary, National
Protections and Programs Directorate, U.S. Department
of Homeland Security.
LCIPST, Oct. 7, 2015, ``Examining the Mission,
Structure, and Reorganization Effort of the National Protection
and Programs Directorate.''
Cohen, J. Richard, President, Southern Poverty Law Center.
LFull, Jul. 15, 2015, ``The Rise of Radicalization: Is
the U.S. Government Failing to Counter International and
Domestic Terrorism?''
Cohn, Alan D., Counsel, Steptoe & Johnson LLP.
LCIPST & EPRC, Jul. 14, 2015 ``Weapons of Mass
Destruction: Bolstering DHS to Combat Persistent Threats to
America.''
Cole, Leonard A., PhD, Director, Terror Medicine and Security
Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, Rutgers New
Jersey Medical School.
LFULL, Nov. 3, 2015, ``Defending Against Bioterrorism:
How Vulnerable is America?''
Comey, James B., Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation,
U.S. Department of Justice.
LFULL, Oct. 21, 2015, ``Worldwide Threats and Homeland
Security Challenges.''
LFULL, Jul., 14, 2016, ``Worldwide Threats to the
Homeland: ISIS and the New Wave of Terror.''
Conway, Martin, Deputy Police Chief, National Railroad
Passenger Corporation--AMTRAK.
LEPRC, Jun. 21, 2016, field hearing in Jersey City, New
Jersey ``Protecting our Passengers: Perspectives on Securing
Surface Transportation in New Jersey and New York.''
Cooney, Daniel J., Assistant Deputy Superintendent, Office of
Counter Terrorism, New York State Police.
LEPRC & CIPST, May 24, 2016, ``Enhancing Preparedness
and Response Capabilities to Address Cyber Threats.''
Cox, J. David , Sr., National President, American Federation of
Government Employees.
LTS, May 26, 2016, ``Long Lines, Short Patience: Local
Perspectives.''
Currie, Chris P., Director, Emergency Management, National
Preparedness and Critical Infrastructure Protection
Homeland Security and Justice Team, U.S. Government
Accountability Office.
LCIPST, Oct. 7, 2015, ``Examining the Mission,
Structure, and Reorganization Effort of the National Protection
and Programs Directorate.''
LEPRC, Oct. 22, 2015, ``Ready and Resilient?: Examining
Federal Emergency Preparedness and Response Capabilities.''
LEPRC, Feb. 11, 2016, ``Improving the Department of
Homeland Security's Biological Detection and Surveillance
Programs.''
LOME, May 17, 2016, ``Oversight of Federal Efforts to
Address Electromagnetic Risks.''
LCIPST, Jun. 15, 2016, ``Value of DHS' Vulnerability
Assessments in Protecting our Nation's Critical
Infrastructure.''
-- D --
Dannels, Mark, Sheriff, Cochise County, Arizona.
LBMS, May 9, 2016, field hearing in Sahuarita, Arizona,
``Life on the Border: Examining Border Security through the
Eyes of Local Residents and Law Enforcement.''
Davis, Alphonse G., Deputy Director/Chief Operations Officer,
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.
LCIPST, Apr. 7, 2016, field hearing in Sherman, Texas,
``Cyber Preparedness and Response at the Local Level.''
Davis, Peggy, Private Citizen.
LBMS, Sep. 13, 2016, ``Moving the Line of Scrimmage: Re-
examining the Defense-in-Depth Strategy.''
de Blasio, Bill, Mayor, City of New York, New York.
LEPRC, Mar. 15, 2016, ``State of Emergency: The Disaster
of Cutting Preparedness Grants.''
Del Cueto, Art, President, Local 2544, National Border Patrol
Council.
LBMS, May 9, 2016, field hearing in Sahuarita, Arizona,
``Life on the Border: Examining Border Security through the
Eyes of Local Residents and Law Enforcement.''
Demings, Jerry L., Sheriff, Orange County Sheriff's Office,
Orange County, Florida.
LFULL, Sep. 14, 2016, ``Stopping the Next Attack: How to
Keep Our City Streets from Becoming the Battleground.''
Diaz, Raymond, Director of Security, Metropolitan
Transportation Authority (New York).
LTS and CTI, September 17, 2015, ``Safeguarding our
Nation's Surface Transportation Systems Against Evolving
Terrorist Threats.''
LEPRC, Jun. 21, 2016, field hearing in Jersey City, New
Jersey ``Protecting our Passengers: Perspectives on Securing
Surface Transportation in New Jersey and New York.''
Dorgham, Carolyn, Director, Screening Partnership Program,
Office of Security Operations, Transportation Security
Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LTS, Nov, 17, 2015, ``Assessing TSA's Management and
Implementation of the Screening Partnership Program.''
Dow, Roger J., President and Chief Executive Officer, U.S.
Travel Association.
LBMS, Mar. 17, 2015, ``Combating Terrorist Travel: Does
the Visa Waiver Program Keep Our Nation Safe?''
Duke, Elaine, Principal, Elaine Duke & Associates, LLC.
LOME, Sept. 18, 2015, ``Making DHS More Efficient:
Industry Recommendations to Improve Homeland Security.''
Durkovich, Caitlin, Assistant Secretary, Office of
Infrastructure Protection, National Protection and
Programs Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security.
LCIPST, Jun. 15, 2016, ``Value of DHS' Vulnerability
Assessments in Protecting our Nation's Critical
Infrastructure.''
-- E --
Eggers, Matthew J., Executive Director, Cybersecurity Policy,
National Security and Emergency Preparedness, U.S.
Chamber of Commerce.
LCIPST, Mar. 4, 2015, ``Industry Perspectives on the
President's Cybersecurity Information Sharing Proposal.''
LCIPST, Jun. 15, 2016, ``Oversight of the Cybersecurity
Act of 2015.''
Espie, David A., Director of Security, Maryland Port
Administration, Port of Baltimore.
LBMS & the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, Jul. 7, 2016, ``An Examination of the Maritime
Nuclear Smuggling Threat.''
-- F --
Fagan, Linda L., Deputy Commandant for Operations, Policy, and
Capabilities, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security.
LBMS & the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, Jul. 7, 2016, ``An Examination of the Maritime
Nuclear Smuggling Threat.''
Fenton, Robert J., Jr., Deputy Associate Administrator, Office
of Response and Recovery, Federal Emergency Management
Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LEPRC, Jun. 10, 2015, ``Defense Support of Civil
Authorities: A Vital Resource in the Nation's Homeland Security
Missions.''
Finan, Thomas Michael, Chief Strategy Officer, Ark Network
Security Solutions.
LCIPST, Mar. 22, 2016, ``The Role of Cyber Insurance in
Risk Management.''
Finch, Brian, Senior Fellow, Center for Cyber and Homeland
Security, George Washington University.
LCIPST, Jul. 28, 2015, ``Promoting and Incentivizing
Cybersecurity Best Practices.''
Fischer, Eric, Senior Specialist, Science and Technology,
Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
LFULL, Feb. 25, 2015, ``Examining the President's
Cybersecurity Information Sharing Proposal.''
Fitzmaurice, Stacey, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of
Intelligence and Analysis, Transportation Security
Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LTS, Jun. 2, 2015, ``How TSA Can Improve Aviation Worker
Vetting.''
Fletcher, Kenneth, Chief Risk Officer, Transportation Security
Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LTS, Mar. 25, 2015, ``Risk-Based Security: Assessing the
Path Forward for TSA PreTM.''
Fontoura, Armando B., Sheriff, Essex County, New Jersey.
LEPRC, Mar. 19, 2015, ``Agents of opportunity:
Responding to the Threat of Chemical Terrorism.''
Freed, Judson, Director, Emergency Management & Homeland
Security, Ramsey County, Minnesota, testifying on
behalf of the National Association of Counties.
LOME, May 17, 2016, ``Oversight of Federal Efforts to
Address Electromagnetic Risks.''
Frey, Marc E., PhD, Senior Director, Steptoe and Johnson, LLP.
LBMS, Mar. 17, 2015, ``Combating Terrorist Travel: Does
the Visa Waiver Program Keep Our Nation Safe?''
Fuentes, Thomas, FBI Assistant Director (Retired).
LCTI, Jun. 24, 2015, ``Admitting Syrian Refugees: The
Intelligence Void and the Emerging Homeland Security Threat.''
Fugate, W. Craig, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management
Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LEPRC, Oct. 22, 2015, ``Ready and Resilient?: Examining
Federal Emergency Preparedness and Response Capabilities.''
Fujimura, Paul, Assistant Administrator, Office of Global
Strategies, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LTS, May 17, 2016, ``Flying Blind: What are the security
risks of resuming U.S. Commercial Air Service to Cuba?''
Fulghum, Chip, Deputy Under Secretary for Management U.S.
Department of Homeland Security.
LOME, Apr. 22, 2015, ``Acquisition Oversight: How
Effectively Is DHS Safeguarding Taxpayer Dollars?''
LOME, Feb. 25, 2016, ``Probing DHS's Botched Management
of the Human Resources Information Technology Program.''
-- G --
Gair, Brad, Private Citizen.
LEPRC, Jul. 11, 2016, field hearing in Staten Island,
New York ``Prepared Community is a Resilient Community.''
Galvin, Robert, Chief Technology Officer, Port Authority of New
York and New Jersey.
LEPRC & CIPST, May 24, 2016, ``Enhancing Preparedness
and Response Capabilities to Address Cyber Threats.''
Gambler, Rebecca, Director, Homeland Security and Justice
Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
LOME, Feb. 26, 2015, ``Assessing DHS's Performance:
Watchdog Recommendations to Improve Homeland Security.''
LBMS, Jun. 2, 2015, ``The Outer Ring of Border Security:
DHS's International Security Programs.''
LBMS, Mar. 1, 2016, ``Transparency, Trust and
Verification: Measuring Effectiveness and Situational Awareness
along the Border.''
LBMS, May 24, 2016, ``Border Security Gadgets, Gizmos,
and Information: Using Technology to Increase Situational
Awareness and Operational Control.''
Ganzer, Ann K., Director of Conventional Arms Threat Reduction,
Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation,
U.S. Department of State.
LCIPST & the Subcommittee on Information Security of the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Jan. 12, 2016,
``Wassenaar: Cybersecurity & Export Control.''
Garcia, David A., County Administrator, Cameron County, Texas.
LBMS, Nov. 4, 2015, ``A New Approach to Increase Trade
and Security: An Examination of CBP's Public Private
Partnerships.''
Garcia, Gregory T., Executive Director, Financial Services
Sector Coordinating Council.
LCIPST, Mar. 4, 2015, ``Industry Perspectives on the
President's Cybersecurity Information Sharing Proposal.''
Garfield, Dean C., President and CEO, Information Technology
Industry Council.
LCIPST & the Subcommittee on Information Security of the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Jan. 12, 2016,
``Wassenaar: Cybersecurity & Export Control.''
Gartenstein-Ross, Daveed, Senior Fellow, Foundation for Defense
of Democracies.
LCTI, Jun. 24, 2015, ``Admitting Syrian Refugees: The
Intelligence Void and the Emerging Homeland Security Threat.''
Gaynor, Peter, Director, Emergency Management Office, State of
Rhode Island
LEPRC. Jun. 10, 2015, ``Defense Support of Civil
Authorities: A Vital Resource in the Nation's Homeland Security
Missions.''
Gelber, Michael, Deputy Commissioner, Public Buildings Service,
U.S. General Services Administration.
LBMS, Nov. 4, 2015, ``A New Approach to Increase Trade
and Security: An Examination of CBP's Public Private
Partnerships.''
LBMS, Apr. 19, 2016, ``Keeping Pace with Trade, Travel,
and Security: How does CBP Prioritize and Improve Staffing and
Infrastructure?''
Gerstein, Daniel M., Senior Policy Researcher, The RAND
Corporation.
LOME, Feb. 26, 2015, ``Assessing DHS's Performance:
Watchdog Recommendations to Improve Homeland Security.''
LCIPST, Jun. 24, 2015, ``DHS' Efforts to Secure .Gov.''
Ghilarducci, Mark, Director, Emergency Services, Office of the
Governor, State of California.
LEPRC & CIPST, May 24, 2016, ``Enhancing Preparedness
and Response Capabilities to Address Cyber Threats.''
Gianato, Jimmy J., Director, Division of Homeland Security and
Emergency Management, State of West Virginia,
testifying on behalf of the National Emergency
Management Association.
LEPRC, Jun. 10, 2015, ``Defense Support of Civil
Authorities: A Vital Resource in the Nation's Homeland Security
Missions.''
Gingrich, Newt, Former Speaker of the U.S. House of
Representatives.
LFULL, Mar. 24, 2015, ``A Global Battleground: The Fight
Against Islamist Extremism at Home and Abroad.''
Giuliani, Rudolph ``Rudy'' W., Former Mayor, City of New York,
New York.
LFULL, field hearing in New York City, New York,
``Beyond Bin Laden's Caves and Couriers to A New Generation of
Terrorists: Confronting the Challenges in a Post 9/11 World.''
Glenn, Vincent, Lt., Commander, Emergency Service Unit, Police
Department, Jersey City, New Jersey.
LEPRC, Jun. 21, 2016, field hearing in Jersey City, New
Jersey ``Protecting our Passengers: Perspectives on Securing
Surface Transportation in New Jersey and New York.''
Golob, Elyse, Executive Director, National Center for Border
Security and Immigration, The University of Arizona.
LBMS, Sep. 13, 2016, ``Moving the Line of Scrimmage: Re-
examining the Defense-in-Depth Strategy.''
Goodwin, Cristin Flynn, Assistant General Counsel,
Cybersecurity Microsoft Corporation.
LCIPST & the Subcommittee on Information Security of the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Jan. 12, 2016,
``Wassenaar: Cybersecurity & Export Control.''
Gorman, Richard D., Capt., Office of Emergency Management and
Homeland Security, Department of Fire and Emergency
Services, Jersey City, New Jersey.
LEPRC, Jun. 21, 2016, field hearing in Jersey City, New
Jersey ``Protecting our Passengers: Perspectives on Securing
Surface Transportation in New Jersey and New York.''
Gowadia, Huban, Director, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LCIPST, Feb. 12, 2015, ``Emerging Threats and
Technologies to Protect the Homeland.''
LCIPST & EPRC, Jul. 14, 2015 ``Weapons of Mass
Destruction: Bolstering DHS to Combat Persistent Threats to
America.''
LOME and TS, Jul. 7, 2016, ``How Pervasive is Misconduct
at TSA: Examining Findings from a Joint Subcommittee
Investigation.''
Deputy Director, Transportation Security Administration,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LFULL, Sep. 14, 2016, ``Shutting Down Terrorist Pathways
into America.''
Greif, Sam, Chief, Plano Fire-Rescue Department, Plano, Texas,
testifying on behalf of the International Association
of Fire Chiefs.
LCIPST, Apr. 7, 2016, field hearing in Sherman, Texas,
``Cyber Preparedness and Response at the Local Level.''
Grossman, Steven, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director,
Jacksonville International Airport, Jacksonville
Aviation Authority, testifying on behalf of The
Airports Council International, North America.
LTS, Apr. 30, 2015, ``A Review of Access Control
Measures at Our Nation's Airports, Part II.''
Grover, Jennifer, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, U.S.
Government Accountability Office.
LTS, Mar. 25, 2015, ``Risk-Based Security: Assessing the
Path Forward for TSA PreTM.''
LTS, Jun. 2, 2015, ``How TSA Can Improve Aviation Worker
Vetting.''
Director, Transportation Security and Coast Guard Issues,
Homeland Security and Justice Team, U.S. Government
Accountability Office.
LTS and CTI, September 17, 2015, ``Safeguarding our
Nation's Surface Transportation Systems Against Evolving
Terrorist Threats.''
LTS, Nov, 17, 2015, ``Assessing TSA's Management and
Implementation of the Screening Partnership Program.''
LBMS & the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, Jul. 7, 2016, ``An Examination of the Maritime
Nuclear Smuggling Threat.''
Gude, Ken, Senior Fellow, National Security, Center for
American Progress.
LOME, Apr. 28, 2016, ``Transferring Guantanamo Bay
Detainees to the Homeland: Implications for States and Local
Communities.''
-- H --
Haley, Nikki R., Governor, State of South Carolina.
LOME, Apr. 28, 2016, ``Transferring Guantanamo Bay
Detainees to the Homeland: Implications for States and Local
Communities.''
Hamm, Adam W., Commissioner, North Dakota Department of
Insurance, testifying on behalf of the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners.
LCIPST, Mar. 22, 2016, ``The Role of Cyber Insurance in
Risk Management.''
Hanson, Polly, Chief of Police, National Railroad Passenger
Corporation (Amtrak).
LTS and CTI, September 17, 2015, ``Safeguarding our
Nation's Surface Transportation Systems Against Evolving
Terrorist Threats.''
Harrington, Anne, Deputy Administrator, Defense Nuclear
Nonproliferation, National Nuclear Security
Administration.
LBMS & the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, Jul. 7, 2016, ``An Examination of the Maritime
Nuclear Smuggling Threat.''
Hatfield, Mark, Acting Deputy Administrator, Transportation
Security Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security.
LTS, Feb. 3, 2015, ``A Review of Access Control Measures
at Our Nation's Airports.''
Hayden, Michael, General (USAF-Ret.), Former Director, Central
Intelligence Agency and Former Director, National
Security Agency.
LFULL, Mar. 24, 2015, ``A Global Battleground: The Fight
Against Islamist Extremism at Home and Abroad.''
Hayes, Robert, Assistant Commandant for Intelligence, U.S.
Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LCTI, Jul. 13, 2016, ``Counterintelligence and Insider
Threats: How Prepared is the Department of Homeland Security?''
Healy, Craig, Assistant Director for National Security
Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security.
LBMS, Jun. 14, 2016, ``Overstaying Their Welcome:
National Security Risks Posed by Visa Overstays.''
Higgs, Kelly D., Disaster Recovery and Resiliency Coordinator,
New Jersey Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.
LEPRC, Jul. 11, 2016, field hearing in Staten Island,
New York ``Prepared Community is a Resilient Community.''
Hoekstra, Peter, Shillman Senior Fellow, Investigative Project
on Terrorism.
LOME, Sep. 22, 2016, ``Identifying the Enemy: Radical
Islamist Terror.''
Hughes, Seamus, Deputy Director, Program on Extremism, Center
for Cyber and Homeland Security, George Washington
University.
LFull, Jul. 15, 2015, ``The Rise of Radicalization: Is
the U.S. Government Failing to Counter International and
Domestic Terrorism?''
Humphreys, Todd E., Assistant Professor, Cockrell School of
Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin.
LOME, Mar, 18, 2015, ``Unmanned Aerial System Threats:
Exploring Security Implications and Mitigation Technologies.''
-- I --
Ielpi, Lee A., President, September 11th Families Association.
LFULL, field hearing in New York City, New York,
``Beyond Bin Laden's Caves and Couriers to A New Generation of
Terrorists: Confronting the Challenges in a Post 9/11 World.''
Ignizio, Vincent M., Chief Executive Officer, Catholic
Charities of Staten Island, Staten Island, New York.
LEPRC, Jul. 11, 2016, field hearing in Staten Island,
New York ``Prepared Community is a Resilient Community.''
-- J --
Jacksta, Linda, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Human
Resources Management, U.S. Customs and Border
Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LBMS, Apr. 19, 2016, ``Keeping Pace with Trade, Travel,
and Security: How does CBP Prioritize and Improve Staffing and
Infrastructure?''
Jasser, M. Zuhdi, President, American Islamic Forum for
Democracy.
LOME, Sep. 22, 2016, ``Identifying the Enemy: Radical
Islamist Terror.''
Jenkins, Brian Michael, Senior Adviser to the RAND President,
The RAND Corporation.
LBMS, Mar. 17, 2015, ``Combating Terrorist Travel: Does
the Visa Waiver Program Keep Our Nation Safe?''
LFULL, Mar. 24, 2015, ``A Global Battleground: The Fight
Against Islamist Extremism at Home and Abroad.''
Johnson, Hillary Batjer, Deputy Coordinator, Homeland Security,
Screening, and Designations, Bureau of
Counterterrorism, U.S. Department of State.
LFULL, Feb. 10, 2016, ``National Security and Law
Enforcement: Breaking the New Visa Waiver Law to Appease
Iran.''
Johnson, Jeh C., Secretary, Department of Homeland Security.
LFULL, Oct. 21, 2015, ``Worldwide Threats and Homeland
Security Challenges.''
LFULL, Mar. 16, 2016, ``DHS in Today's Dangerous World:
Examining the Department's Budget and Readiness to Counter
Homeland Threats.''
LFULL, Jul., 14, 2016, ``Worldwide Threats to the
Homeland: ISIS and the New Wave of Terror.''
Jones, Seth, Director, International Security and Defense
Policy Center, RAND Corporation.
LCTI, Jun. 24, 2015, ``Admitting Syrian Refugees: The
Intelligence Void and the Emerging Homeland Security Threat.''
Joscelyn, Thomas, Senior Fellow, Foundation for Defense of
Democracies.
LCTI, Apr. 30, 2015, ``Terrorism in Africa: The Imminent
Threat to the United States.''
Judge, Kathleen S., Director of Risk and Compliance for Global
Security, National Grid, testifying on behalf of the
American Gas Association.
LTS, Apr. 19, 2016, ``Pipelines: Securing the Veins of
the American Economy.''
-- K --
Kahn, Tzvi, Senior Policy Analyst, Foreign Policy Initiative.
LCTI, Feb. 11, 2016, ``The Future of Iranian Terror and
Its Threat to the US Homeland.''
Keane, John M., (Gen. Ret. U.S. Army), Chairman of the Board,
Institute for the Study of War.
LFULL & Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nov. 18, 2015,
``The Rise of Radicalism: Growing Terrorist Sanctuaries and the
Threat to the U.S. Homeland.''
Kerlikowske, R. Gil, Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border
Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LFULL, Feb. 10, 2016, ``National Security and Law
Enforcement: Breaking the New Visa Waiver Law to Appease
Iran.''
Kerr, Rhoda Mae, Fire Chief, City of Austin Fire Department,
Austin, Texas, testifying on behalf of the
International Association of Fire Chiefs.
LEPRC, Mar. 15, 2016, ``State of Emergency: The Disaster
of Cutting Preparedness Grants.''
Kierce, W. Greg, Sergeant, Director, Office of Emergency
Management and Homeland Security, City of Jersey City,
New Jersey.
LEPRC, Mar. 15, 2016, ``State of Emergency: The Disaster
of Cutting Preparedness Grants.''
LEPRC, Jun. 21, 2016, field hearing in Jersey City, New
Jersey ``Protecting our Passengers: Perspectives on Securing
Surface Transportation in New Jersey and New York.''
Kirk, Mark, Director, Chemical Defense Program, Office of
Health Affairs, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LEPRC, Mar. 19, 2015, ``Agents of opportunity:
Responding to the Threat of Chemical Terrorism.''
Kirschbaum, Joseph W., Ph.D., Director, Defense Capabilities
and Management, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
LEPRC, Jun. 10, 2015, ``Defense Support of Civil
Authorities: A Vital Resource in the Nation's Homeland Security
Missions.''
Kolasky, Robert, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Infrastructure
Protection, National Protection and Programs
Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LOME, Jul. 8, 2015, ``Examining DHS's Misplaced Focus on
Climate Change.''
Kolde, Jennifer, Lead Technical Director, FireEye Threat
Intelligence.
LCIPST, Feb. 25, 2016, ``Emerging Cyber Threats to the
United States.''
Koon, Bryan, Director, Florida Division of Emergency
Management, testifying on behalf of the National
Emergency Management Association.
LEPRC, Oct. 22, 2015, ``Ready and Resilient?: Examining
Federal Emergency Preparedness and Response Capabilities.''
Krentz, Frank, Rancher.
LBMS, May 9, 2016, field hearing in Sahuarita, Arizona,
``Life on the Border: Examining Border Security through the
Eyes of Local Residents and Law Enforcement.''
Kubiak, Lev J., Assistant Director, International Operations,
Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security.
LBMS, Jun. 2, 2015, ``The Outer Ring of Border Security:
DHS's International Security Programs.''
LFULL, Feb. 3, 2016, ``Crisis of Confidence: Preventing
Terrorist Infiltration through U.S. Refugee and Visa
Programs.''
-- L --
Lehr, Deborah, Chairman and Founder, The Antiquities Coalition.
LCTI, May 12, 2016, ``Following the Money: Examining
Current Terrorist Financing Trends and the Threat to the
Homeland.''
Levin, Brian, Professor, Department of Criminal Justice,
Director, Center for Study of Hate and Extremism,
California State University, San Bernardino.
LCTI, Oct. 28, 2015, ``Terror Inmates: Countering
Violent Extremism in Prison and Beyond.''
Levy, Marc A., Deputy Director, Center for International Earth,
Science Information Network, Columbia University.
LOME, Jul. 8, 2015, ``Examining DHS's Misplaced Focus on
Climate Change.''
Libicki, Martin, The RAND Corporation.
LCIPST, Mar. 4, 2015, ``Industry Perspectives on the
President's Cybersecurity Information Sharing Proposal.''
Lieberman, Joseph I., Co-Chair, Blue Ribbon Study Panel on
Biodefense.
LFULL, Nov. 3, 2015, ``Defending Against Bioterrorism:
How Vulnerable is America?''
Liow Joseph C., Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy, Center for East
Asia Policy Studies, The Brookings Institution.
LCTI, Apr. 27, 2016, ``ISIS in the Pacific: Assessing
Terrorism in Southeast Asia and the Threat to the Homeland.''
-- M --
Mackin, Michele, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management,
U.S. Government Accountability Office.
LOME, Apr. 22, 2015, ``Acquisition Oversight: How
Effectively Is DHS Safeguarding Taxpayer Dollars?''
LTS, Jan. 7, 2016, ``Transportation Security Acquisition
Reform Act: Examining Remaining Challenges.''
Maola, Marisa, Regional Director, Region One, Transportation
Security Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security.
LTS, Oct. 26, 2015, (Syracuse, New York) ``Examining
Critical Security Measures, Communications, and Response at our
Nation's Airports.''
Martelle, Jeremy, President, New York Aviation Management
Association.
LTS, Oct. 26, 2015, (Syracuse, New York) ``Examining
Critical Security Measures, Communications, and Response at our
Nation's Airports.''
Martin, Joseph, Acting Director, Homeland Security Enterprise
and First Responders Group, Science and Technology
Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LCIPST, Feb. 12, 2015, ``Emerging Threats and
Technologies to Protect the Homeland.''
Matwyshyn, Andrea M., Visiting Professor, Center for
Information Technology Policy, Princeton University.
LCIPST, Jul. 28, 2015, ``Promoting and Incentivizing
Cybersecurity Best Practices.''
Mayenschein, Eddie, Assistant Administrator, Office of Security
Policy and Industry Engagement, Transportation Security
Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LTS and CTI, September 17, 2015, ``Safeguarding our
Nation's Surface Transportation Systems Against Evolving
Terrorist Threats.''
Mayer, Robert H., Vice President, Industry and State Affairs,
United States Telecom Association.
LCIPST, Jun. 15, 2016, ``Oversight of the Cybersecurity
Act of 2015.''
Mayorkas, Alejandro, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security.
LFULL, Apr. 30, 2015, ``Allegations of Special Access
and Political Influence at the Department of Homeland
Security.''
McAleenan, Kevin, Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border
Protection , U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LFULL, Sep. 14, 2016, ``Shutting Down Terrorist Pathways
into America.''
McCabe, Matthew P., Senior Vice President, Network Security and
Data Privacy, Marsh Finrpo.
LCIPST, Mar. 22, 2016, ``The Role of Cyber Insurance in
Risk Management.''
McClelland, Joseph, Director, Office of Energy Infrastructure
Security, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, U.S.
Department of Energy.
LOME, May 17, 2016, ``Oversight of Federal Efforts to
Address Electromagnetic Risks.''
McComb, Richard D., Chief Security Officer, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security.
LCTI, Jul. 13, 2016, ``Counterintelligence and Insider
Threats: How Prepared is the Department of Homeland Security?''
McFadden, Marion, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Grant Programs,
Office of Community Planning and Development, U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
LEPRC, Jul. 11, 2016, field hearing in Staten Island,
New York ``Prepared Community is a Resilient Community.''
McGuire, Cheri Flynn, Vice President, Global Government Affairs
and Cybersecurity Policy, Symantec.
LCIPST & the Subcommittee on Information Security of the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Jan. 12, 2016,
``Wassenaar: Cybersecurity & Export Control.''
McGuire, Michael T., Maj. Gen, Adjutant General, Department of
Emergency and Military Affairs, State of Arizona.
LEPRC, Jun. 10, 2015, ``Defense Support of Civil
Authorities: A Vital Resource in the Nation's Homeland Security
Missions.''
McNeal, Gregory S., JD/PhD, Associate Professor, School of Law,
Pepperdine University.
LOME, Mar, 18, 2015, ``Unmanned Aerial System Threats:
Exploring Security Implications and Mitigation Technologies.''
Meckes, R. Douglas, D.V.M., State Veterinarian, Veterinary
Division, Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services, State of North Carolina.
LEPRC, Feb. 26, 2016, ``Food for Thought: Efforts to
Defend the Nation's Agriculture and Food.''
Miller, John, Deputy Commissioner, Intelligence and
Counterterrorism, New York City Police Department, New
York City, New York.
LFULL, Sep. 14, 2016, ``Stopping the Next Attack: How to
Keep Our City Streets from Becoming the Battleground.''
Mizell, Larry, TSA Representative, Transportation Security
Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LTS, May 17, 2016, ``Flying Blind: What are the security
risks of resuming U.S. Commercial Air Service to Cuba?''
Mollahan, Mike, Trustee, Port Authority Police Benevolent
Association.
LEPRC, Jun. 21, 2016, field hearing in Jersey City, New
Jersey ``Protecting our Passengers: Perspectives on Securing
Surface Transportation in New Jersey and New York.''
Moravick, Donna, Executive Director, Southside Hospital, Bay
Shore, New York.
LEPRC, Jul. 11, 2016, field hearing in Staten Island,
New York ``Prepared Community is a Resilient Community.''
Morgan, Mark, Chief, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security.
LBMS, Sep. 13, 2016, ``Moving the Line of Scrimmage: Re-
examining the Defense-in-Depth Strategy.''
Mudd, Philip, Senior Fellow, New America Foundation.
LFULL, Mar. 24, 2015, ``A Global Battleground: The Fight
Against Islamist Extremism at Home and Abroad.''
Mulholland, Iain, Vice President, Engineering Trust and
Assurance, VMware, Inc.
LCIPST & the Subcommittee on Information Security of the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Jan. 12, 2016,
``Wassenaar: Cybersecurity & Export Control.''
Mulligan, John J., Deputy Director, National Counterterrorism
Center.
LFULL, Jun. 3, 2015, ``Terrorism Gone Viral: The Attack
in Garland, Texas and Beyond.''
-- N --
Neffenger, Peter V., Administrator, Transportation Security
Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LTS, Oct. 8, 2015, ``Reform and Improvement: Assessing
the Path Forward for the Transportation Security
Administration.''
LTS, Mar. 2, 2016, ``The Transportation Security
Administration's FY2017 Budget Request.''
LFULL, May 25 2015, ``Long Lines, Short Patience: The
TSA Airport Screening Experience.''
Nelson, Rick ``Ozzie'', Senior Associate, Homeland Security and
Counterterrorism Program, Center for Strategic and
International Studies.
LCIPST & EPRC, Jul. 14, 2015 ``Weapons of Mass
Destruction: Bolstering DHS to Combat Persistent Threats to
America.''
Nigro, Mr. Daniel A. Nigro, Commissioner, Fire Department, City
of New York, New York.
LFULL, field hearing in New York City, New York,
``Beyond Bin Laden's Caves and Couriers to A New Generation of
Terrorists: Confronting the Challenges in a Post 9/11 World.''
Noonan, William, Deputy Special Agent in Charge, Criminal
Investigative Division, Cyber Operations Branch, United
States Secret Service, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security.
LCIPST, Feb. 12, 2015, ``Emerging Threats and
Technologies to Protect the Homeland.''
Nutkis, Daniel, Chief Executive Officer, Health Information
Trust Alliance.
LCIPST, Mar. 22, 2016, ``The Role of Cyber Insurance in
Risk Management.''
-- O --
Odom, Maria M., U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Ombudsman, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LFULL, Mar. 26, 2015, ``Leadership Challenges at the
Department of Homeland Security.''
Olivier, Jeanne M., A.A.E., Assistant Director, Aviation
Security and Technology, Security Operations and
Programs Department, The Port Authority of New York &
New Jersey, testifying on behalf of The American
Association of Airport Executives.
LTS, Apr. 30, 2015, ``A Review of Access Control
Measures at Our Nation's Airports, Part II.''
Olsen, Matthew G., Co-Founder and President, Business
Development and Strategy, IronNet Cybersecurity.
LFULL & Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nov. 18, 2015,
``The Rise of Radicalism: Growing Terrorist Sanctuaries and the
Threat to the U.S. Homeland.''
Oosterbaan, Andrew, Assistant Inspector General for
Investigations, Office of Inspector General, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security.
LOME and TS, Jul. 7, 2016, ``How Pervasive is Misconduct
at TSA: Examining Findings from a Joint Subcommittee
Investigation.''
Ortega, Danny, Mayor, Douglas, Arizona.
LBMS, May 9, 2016, field hearing in Sahuarita, Arizona,
``Life on the Border: Examining Border Security through the
Eyes of Local Residents and Law Enforcement.''
Owen, Todd C., Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field
Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security.
LBMS & the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, Jul. 7, 2016, ``An Examination of the Maritime
Nuclear Smuggling Threat.''
Ozment, Andy, Assistant Secretary, Office of Cybersecurity and
Communications, National Protection and Programs
Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LCIPST, Feb. 12, 2015, ``Emerging Threats and
Technologies to Protect the Homeland.''
LCIPST, Jun. 24, 2015, ``DHS' Efforts to Secure .Gov.''
LCIPST, Jun. 15, 2016, ``Value of DHS' Vulnerability
Assessments in Protecting our Nation's Critical
Infrastructure.''
-- P --
Painter, William, Analyst, Government and Finance Division,
Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
LCIPST, Feb. 12, 2015, ``Emerging Threats and
Technologies to Protect the Homeland.''
Pandith, Farah, Adjunct Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign
Relations.
LFull, Jul. 15, 2015, ``The Rise of Radicalization: Is
the U.S. Government Failing to Counter International and
Domestic Terrorism?''
Parfomak, Paul W., Specialist in Energy and Infrastructure
Policy, Congressional Research Service, Library of
Congress.
LTS, Apr. 19, 2016, ``Pipelines: Securing the Veins of
the American Economy.''
Parker, Jake, Director Government Relations, Security Industry
Association.
LCIPST, May 19, 2015, ``Examining DHS Science and
Technology Directorate's Engagement with Academia and
Industry.''
Parker, Tony C., Assistant Commissioner, Department of
Correction, State of Tennessee.
LCTI, Oct. 28, 2015, ``Terror Inmates: Countering
Violent Extremism in Prison and Beyond.''
Parsons, Randy D., Director, Security Services, Port of Long
Beach, California.
LBMS, Oct. 8, 2015, ``Protecting Maritime Facilities in
the 21st Century: Are our Nation's ports at risk for a cyber-
attack?''
Patterson, L. Eric, Director, Federal Protective Service, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security.
LOME, Dec. 3, 2015, ``Driving Away with Taxpayer
Dollars: DHS's Failure to Effectively Manage the FPS Vehicle
Fleet.''
Pearl, Marc A., President and Chief Executive Officer, Homeland
Security and Defense Business Council.
LCIPST, May 19, 2015, ``Examining DHS Science and
Technology Directorate's Engagement with Academia and
Industry.''
LOME, Sept. 18, 2015, ``Making DHS More Efficient:
Industry Recommendations to Improve Homeland Security.''
Perdue, Doug, Deputy Assistant Director, Counterterrorism
Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S.
Department of Justice.
LTS, Feb. 3, 2015, ``A Review of Access Control Measures
at Our Nation's Airports.''
Peter Neffenger, Administrator, Transportation Security
Administration, U.S. Department Homeland Security.
LFULL, Jul. 29, 2015, ``Aviation Security Challenges: Is
TSA ready for the threats of today?''
Pham, J. Peter, Director, Africa Center, Atlantic Council.
LCTI, Apr. 30, 2015, ``Terrorism in Africa: The Imminent
Threat to the United States.''
Philipovitch, Kerry, Senior Vice President, Customer
Experience, American Airlines.
LTS, May 26, 2016, ``Long Lines, Short Patience: Local
Perspectives.''
Pinkerton, Sharon L., Senior Vice President, Legislative and
Regulatory Policy, Airlines for America.
LTS, Feb. 3, 2015, ``A Review of Access Control Measures
at Our Nation's Airports.''
Porche, Isaac, Associate Director, Forces and Logistics
Program, The RAND Army Research Division, The RAND
Corporation.
LCIPST, Feb. 25, 2016, ``Emerging Cyber Threats to the
United States.''
Proctor, Sonya, Director, Surface Division, Office of Security
Policy and Industry Engagement, Transportation Security
Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LTS, Apr. 19, 2016, ``Pipelines: Securing the Veins of
the American Economy.''
LEPRC, Jun. 21, 2016, field hearing in Jersey City, New
Jersey ``Protecting our Passengers: Perspectives on Securing
Surface Transportation in New Jersey and New York.''
-- Q --
Qudosi, Shireen, Senior Contributor, CounterJihad.com.
LOME, Sep. 22, 2016, ``Identifying the Enemy: Radical
Islamist Terror.''
-- R --
Ragsdale, Daniel D., Deputy Director, U.S. Immigrations and
Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security.
LFULL, Sep. 14, 2016, ``Shutting Down Terrorist Pathways
into America.''
Ramirez, Christian, Director, Southern Border Communities
Coalition.
LBMS, Sep. 13, 2016, ``Moving the Line of Scrimmage: Re-
examining the Defense-in-Depth Strategy.''
Raphael, Marisa, MPH, Deputy Commissioner, Office of Emergency
Planning and Response, Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene, New York City, New York.
LEPRC, Apr. 22, 2015, ``Strategic Perspectives of the
Bioterrorism Threat.''
Rasmussen, Nicholas J., Director, National Counterterrorism
Center, Office of the Director of National
Intelligence.
LFULL, Feb. 11, 2015, ``Countering Violent Islamist
Extremism: The Urgent Threat of Foreign Fighters and Homegrown
Terror.''
LFULL, Oct. 21, 2015, ``Worldwide Threats and Homeland
Security Challenges.''
LFULL, Jul., 14, 2016, ``Worldwide Threats to the
Homeland: ISIS and the New Wave of Terror.''
Raymond, Mark, Vice President, National Association of State
Chief Information Officers.
LEPRC & CIPST, May 24, 2016, ``Enhancing Preparedness
and Response Capabilities to Address Cyber Threats.''
Reardon, Anthony, National President, National Treasury
Employees Union.
LBMS, Apr. 19, 2016, ``Keeping Pace with Trade, Travel,
and Security: How does CBP Prioritize and Improve Staffing and
Infrastructure?''
Ridge, Thomas J., Co-Chair, Blue Ribbon Study Panel on
Biodefense.
LFULL, Nov. 3, 2015, ``Defending Against Bioterrorism:
How Vulnerable is America?''
Rodriguez, Leon, Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations
Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LFULL, Feb. 3, 2016, ``Crisis of Confidence: Preventing
Terrorist Infiltration through U.S. Refugee and Visa
Programs.''
Rodriguez, Leon, Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LFULL, Sep. 14, 2016, ``Shutting Down Terrorist Pathways
into America.''
Roggero, Frederick F., (MG, USAF-Ret.), President and Chief
Executive Officer, Resilient Solutions, Ltd.
LOME, Mar, 18, 2015, ``Unmanned Aerial System Threats:
Exploring Security Implications and Mitigation Technologies.''
Rosen, Mordecai, General Manager, Security Business Unit, CA
Technologies.
LCIPST, Jun. 15, 2016, ``Oversight of the Cybersecurity
Act of 2015.''
Roth, John, Inspector General, Office of Inspector General,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LOME, Feb. 26, 2015, ``Assessing DHS's Performance:
Watchdog Recommendations to Improve Homeland Security.''
LTS, Mar. 25, 2015, ``Risk-Based Security: Assessing the
Path Forward for TSA PreTM.''
LFULL, Mar. 26, 2015, ``Leadership Challenges at the
Department of Homeland Security.''
LTS, Jun. 2, 2015, ``How TSA Can Improve Aviation Worker
Vetting.''
LBMS, Jul. 14, 2015 ``Securing the Maritime Border: The
future of the CBP Air and Marine.''
LTS, Oct. 8, 2015, ``Reform and Improvement: Assessing
the Path Forward for the Transportation Security
Administration.''
LOME & the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and
Federal Management of the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate, Nov. 17, 2015, ``Examining
Ongoing Challenges at the U.S. Secret Service and their
Government-wide Implications.''
LOME, Dec. 3, 2015, ``Driving Away with Taxpayer
Dollars: DHS's Failure to Effectively Manage the FPS Vehicle
Fleet.''
-- S --
Saab, Bilal Y., Senior Fellow for Middle East Security, Brent
Scowcroft Center on International Security, Atlantic
Council.
LCTI, Feb. 11, 2016, ``The Future of Iranian Terror and
Its Threat to the US Homeland.''
Sage, Ola, President and Chief Executive Officer, e-management.
LCIPST, Jun. 15, 2016, ``Oversight of the Cybersecurity
Act of 2015.''
Salesses, Robert G., Deputy Assistant Secretary, Homeland
Defense Integration and Defense Support of Civil
Authorities, U.S. Department of Defense.
LEPRC, Jun. 10, 2015, ``Defense Support of Civil
Authorities: A Vital Resource in the Nation's Homeland Security
Missions.''
Sawicki, Jonathan, Security Improvement Program Manager, Ports
of Brownsville and Harlingen, Texas.
LBMS, Oct. 8, 2015, ``Protecting Maritime Facilities in
the 21st Century: Are our Nation's ports at risk for a cyber-
attack?''
Schanzer, Jonathan, Vice President for Research, Foundation for
the Defense of Democracies.
LCTI, May 12, 2016, ``Following the Money: Examining
Current Terrorist Financing Trends and the Threat to the
Homeland.''
Schied, Eugene, Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office
of Enterprise Services, U.S. Customs and Border
Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LBMS, Apr. 19, 2016, ``Keeping Pace with Trade, Travel,
and Security: How does CBP Prioritize and Improve Staffing and
Infrastructure?''
Schneck, Phyllis, Deputy Under Secretary, Cybersecurity and
Communications, National Protections and Programs
Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LCIPST & the Subcommittee on Information Security of the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Jan. 12, 2016,
``Wassenaar: Cybersecurity & Export Control.''
LFULL, Feb. 25, 2015, ``Examining the President's
Cybersecurity Information Sharing Proposal.''
LCIPST, Oct. 7, 2015, ``Examining the Mission,
Structure, and Reorganization Effort of the National Protection
and Programs Directorate.''
Schulz, TJ, Executive Director, Security Manufacturers
Coalition.
LTS, Jan. 7, 2016, ``Transportation Security Acquisition
Reform Act: Examining Remaining Challenges.''
Selim, George, Director, Office of Community Partnerships, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security.
LOME, Sep. 22, 2016, ``Identifying the Enemy: Radical
Islamist Terror.''
Sena, Mike, Director, Northern California Regional Intelligence
Center, testifying on behalf of the National Fusion
Center Association.
LCTI, Feb. 26, 2015,``Addressing Remaining Gaps in
Federal, State, and Local Information Sharing.''
LEPRC, Mar. 15, 2016, ``State of Emergency: The Disaster
of Cutting Preparedness Grants.''
Sena, Mike, President, National Fusion Center Association.
LCTI, Sep. 8, 2016, ``State and Local Perspectives on
Federal Information Sharing.''
Shelley, Louise, Director, Terrorism, Transnational Crime and
Corruption Center, George Mason University.
LCTI, May 12, 2016, ``Following the Money: Examining
Current Terrorist Financing Trends and the Threat to the
Homeland.''
Sims, Cedric J., Partner, Evermay Consulting Group.
LOME, Apr. 22, 2015, ``Acquisition Oversight: How
Effectively Is DHS Safeguarding Taxpayer Dollars?''
Skinner, Patrick, Director of Special Projects, The Soufan
Group.
LCTI, Apr. 27, 2016, ``ISIS in the Pacific: Assessing
Terrorism in Southeast Asia and the Threat to the Homeland.''
Smith, Thomas P., Acting Assistant Secretary, Strategy,
Planning, Analysis, and Risk, Office of Policy, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security.
LOME, Jul. 8, 2015, ``Examining DHS's Misplaced Focus on
Climate Change.''
Southwell, Miguel, General Manager, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta
International Airport.
LTS, Feb. 3, 2015, ``A Review of Access Control Measures
at Our Nation's Airports.''
Spano, Steven, President and Chief Operating Officer, Center
for Internet Security.
LEPRC & CIPST, May 24, 2016, ``Enhancing Preparedness
and Response Capabilities to Address Cyber Threats.''
Spaulding, Suzanne, Under Secretary, National Protection and
Programs Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security.
LFULL, Feb. 25, 2015, ``Examining the President's
Cybersecurity Information Sharing Proposal.''
LCIPST, Oct. 7, 2015, ``Examining the Mission,
Structure, and Reorganization Effort of the National Protection
and Programs Directorate.''
Sposa, Rick, Operations Coordinator, Emergency Medical
Services, Jersey Medical Center.
LEPRC, Jun. 21, 2016, field hearing in Jersey City, New
Jersey ``Protecting our Passengers: Perspectives on Securing
Surface Transportation in New Jersey and New York.''
Steinbach, Michael B., Assistant Director, Counterterrorism
Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S.
Department of Justice.
LFULL, Feb. 11, 2015, ``Countering Violent Islamist
Extremism: The Urgent Threat of Foreign Fighters and Homegrown
Terror.''
LFULL, Jun. 3, 2015, ``Terrorism Gone Viral: The Attack
in Garland, Texas and Beyond.''
Stern, Warren, Former Director, Domestic Nuclear Detection
Office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LCIPST & EPRC, Jul. 14, 2015 ``Weapons of Mass
Destruction: Bolstering DHS to Combat Persistent Threats to
America.''
Stockholm-Walden, Nan, Vice President and Legal Counsel,
Farmers Investment Co. (FICO).
LBMS, May 9, 2016, field hearing in Sahuarita, Arizona,
``Life on the Border: Examining Border Security through the
Eyes of Local Residents and Law Enforcement.''
Stodder, Seth, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security,
Border, Immigration and Trade Policy, U.S. Department
of Homeland Security.
LTS, May 17, 2016, ``Flying Blind: What are the security
risks of resuming U.S. Commercial Air Service to Cuba?''
-- T --
Talent, Jim, Former Senator from the State of Missouri; and Co-
Chair, The Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of
Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism.
LEPRC, Apr. 22, 2015, ``Strategic Perspectives of the
Bioterrorism Threat.''
Taylor, Francis X., Under Secretary, Office of Intelligence and
Analysis, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LFULL, Feb. 3, 2016, ``Crisis of Confidence: Preventing
Terrorist Infiltration through U.S. Refugee and Visa
Programs.''
LFULL, Feb. 11, 2015, ``Countering Violent Islamist
Extremism: The Urgent Threat of Foreign Fighters and Homegrown
Terror.''
LFULL, Jun. 3, 2015, ``Terrorism Gone Viral: The Attack
in Garland, Texas and Beyond.''
LCTI, Jul. 13, 2016, ``Counterintelligence and Insider
Threats: How Prepared is the Department of Homeland Security?''
LFULL, Sep. 14, 2016, ``Shutting Down Terrorist Pathways
into America.''
Terrell, Joseph P., Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of
Global Strategies, Transportation Security
Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LTS, Dec. 8, 2015, ``Examining TSA's Global Efforts to
Protect the Homeland from Aviation Threats and Enhance Security
at Last Point of Departure Airports.''
Thomas, Gregory A., National President, National Organization
of Black Law Enforcement Executives.
LFULL, field hearing in New York City, New York,
``Beyond Bin Laden's Caves and Couriers to A New Generation of
Terrorists: Confronting the Challenges in a Post 9/11 World.''
Thomas, Paul F., RADAM, Assistant Commandant, Prevention
Policy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security.
LBMS, Oct. 8, 2015, ``Protecting Maritime Facilities in
the 21st Century: Are our Nation's ports at risk for a cyber-
attack?''
Thompson, Todd, County Attorney, Leavenworth County Attorney's
Office, Leavenworth County, Kansas.
LOME, Apr. 28, 2016, ``Transferring Guantanamo Bay
Detainees to the Homeland: Implications for States and Local
Communities.''
Tong, Kurt, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of
Economic and Business Affairs, U.S. Department of
State.
LTS, May 17, 2016, ``Flying Blind: What are the security
risks of resuming U.S. Commercial Air Service to Cuba?''
Totonis, Harry, Board Director, Business Executives for
National Security.
LOME, Sept. 18, 2015, ``Making DHS More Efficient:
Industry Recommendations to Improve Homeland Security.''
Trucillo, Christopher, Chief of Police, New Jersey Transit
Police Department.
LEPRC, Jun. 21, 2016, field hearing in Jersey City, New
Jersey ``Protecting our Passengers: Perspectives on Securing
Surface Transportation in New Jersey and New York.''
Turner, George, Chief of Police, Atlanta Police Department,
Atlanta, Georgia, testifying on behalf of the Major
Cities Chiefs.
LEPRC, Mar. 15, 2016, ``State of Emergency: The Disaster
of Cutting Preparedness Grants.''
-- U, V --
Vale, Sam F., President, Starr-Camargo Bridge Company.
Van Diepen, Vann H., Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation,
U.S. Department of State.
LCIPST & the Subcommittee on Information Security of the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Jan. 12, 2016,
``Wassenaar: Cybersecurity & Export Control.''
Vaughan, Jill, Assistant Administrator, Office of Security
Technologies, Transportation Security Administration,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LTS, Jan. 7, 2016, ``Transportation Security Acquisition
Reform Act: Examining Remaining Challenges.''
Vitiello, Ronald D., Acting Chief, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security.
LBMS, Mar. 1, 2016, ``Transparency, Trust and
Verification: Measuring Effectiveness and Situational Awareness
along the Border.''
LBMS, May 24, 2016, ``Border Security Gadgets, Gizmos,
and Information: Using Technology to Increase Situational
Awareness and Operational Control.''
-- W --
Waddle, Don, Detective (Ret.), Greenville Police Department,
Greenville, Texas.
LCIPST, Apr. 7, 2016, field hearing in Sherman, Texas,
``Cyber Preparedness and Response at the Local Level.''
Wagner, John P., Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field
Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S.
Department of Homeland Security.
LBMS, Jun. 2, 2015, ``The Outer Ring of Border Security:
DHS's International Security Programs.''
LBMS, Nov. 4, 2015, ``A New Approach to Increase Trade
and Security: An Examination of CBP's Public Private
Partnerships.''
LBMS, Apr. 19, 2016, ``Keeping Pace with Trade, Travel,
and Security: How does CBP Prioritize and Improve Staffing and
Infrastructure?''
LTS, May 17, 2016, ``Flying Blind: What are the security
risks of resuming U.S. Commercial Air Service to Cuba?''
LBMS, Jun. 14, 2016, ``Overstaying Their Welcome:
National Security Risks Posed by Visa Overstays.''
Wales, Brandon, Director, Office of Cyber and Infrastructure
Analysis, National Protection and Programs Directorate,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
LOME, May 17, 2016, ``Oversight of Federal Efforts to
Address Electromagnetic Risks.''
Wallen, Steven, Director, Explosives Division, Homeland
Security Advanced Research Projects Agency, Science and
Technology Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security.
LTS, Jan. 7, 2016, ``Transportation Security Acquisition
Reform Act: Examining Remaining Challenges.''
Watts, John, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brent Scowcroft Center
on International Security, Atlantic Council.
LCTI, Apr. 27, 2016, ``ISIS in the Pacific: Assessing
Terrorism in Southeast Asia and the Threat to the Homeland.''
Weakley, James H.I., President, Lake Carriers' Association.
LBMS & the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, Jul. 7, 2016, ``An Examination of the Maritime
Nuclear Smuggling Threat.''
Whitlock, Joseph E., Brig. Gen, Deputy Director, Western
Hemisphere, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate
(J5), Joint Staff, U.S. Department of Defense.
LEPRC, Jun. 10, 2015, ``Defense Support of Civil
Authorities: A Vital Resource in the Nation's Homeland Security
Missions.''
Willemssen, Joel C., Managing Director, Information Technology
Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
LOME & the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and
Federal Management of the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate, Nov. 17, 2015, ``Examining
Ongoing Challenges at the U.S. Secret Service and their
Government-wide Implications.''
Williams, Brian, Assistant Extension Professor, Mississippi
State University.
LEPRC, Feb. 26, 2016, ``Food for Thought: Efforts to
Defend the Nation's Agriculture and Food.''
Wilshusen, Gregory C., Director, Information Security Issues,
Government Accountability Office.
LCIPST, Jun. 24, 2015, ``DHS' Efforts to Secure .Gov.''
LBMS, Oct. 8, 2015, ``Protecting Maritime Facilities in
the 21st Century: Are our Nation's ports at risk for a cyber-
attack?''
Wilson, Richard F., Lieutenant, Dallas Police Department,
Dallas, Texas.
LCIPST, Apr. 7, 2016, field hearing in Sherman, Texas,
``Cyber Preparedness and Response at the Local Level.''
Wolf, Kevin J., Assistant Secretary for Export Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce.
LCIPST & the Subcommittee on Information Security of the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Jan. 12, 2016,
``Wassenaar: Cybersecurity & Export Control.''
Wright, Roy, Deputy Associate Administrator, Federal Insurance
and Mitigation Administration, Federal Emergency
Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security.
LOME, Jul. 8, 2015, ``Examining DHS's Misplaced Focus on
Climate Change.''
-- X, Y, Z --
Zaidi Peery, Supna, Research Analyst, Counter Extremism
Project.
LCTI, Apr. 27, 2016, ``ISIS in the Pacific: Assessing
Terrorism in Southeast Asia and the Threat to the Homeland.''
Zarrilli, Daniel A., Chief Resilience Officer, Office of the
Mayor, City of New York, New York.
LEPRC, Jul. 11, 2016, field hearing in Staten Island,
New York ``Prepared Community is a Resilient Community.''
APPENDIX IX
Printed Hearings\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ FULL--Full Committee; BMS--Subcommittee on Border and
Maritime Security; CIPST--Subcommittee on Cybersecurity,
Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies; CTI--
Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence; EPRC--
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications;
OME--Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency; and
TS--Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
Number Title Date
114-1 ``A Review of Access Control February 3, 2015
Measures at Our Nation's April 30, 2015
Airports.''
TS
114-2 ``Countering Violent Islamist February 11, 2015
Extremism: The Urgent Threat
of Foreign Fighters and
Homegrown Terror.''
FULL
114-3 ``Emerging Threats and February 12, 2015
Technologies to Protect the
Homeland.''
CIPST
114-4 ``Examining the President's February 25, 2015
Cybersecurity Information
Sharing Proposal.''
FULL
114-5 ``Assessing DHS's Performance: February 26, 2015
Watchdog Recommendations to
Improve Homeland Security.''
OME
114-6 ``Addressing Remaining Gaps in February 26, 2015
Federal, State, and Local
Information Sharing.''
CTI
114-7 ``Industry Perspectives on the March 4, 2015
President's Cybersecurity
Information Sharing
Proposal.''
CIPST
114-8 ``Combating Terrorist Travel: March 17, 2015
Does the Visa Waiver Program
Keep Our Nation Safe?''
BMS
114-9 ``Unmanned Aerial System March 18, 2015
Threats: Exploring Security
Implications and Mitigation
Technologies.''
OME
114-10 ``Agents of Opportunity: March 19, 2015
Responding to the Threat of
Chemical Terrorism.''
EPRC
114-11 ``A Global Battleground: The March 24, 2015
Fight Against Islamist
Extremism at Home and
Abroad.''
FULL
114-12 ``Risk-Based Security: March 25, 2015
Assessing the Path Forward for
TSA Pre.''
TS
114-13 DHS Leadership Challenges ...................
``Leadership Challenges at the March 26, 2015
Department of Homeland ...................
Security.'' April 30, 2015
``Allegations of Special Access
and Political Influence at the
Department of Homeland
Security.''
FULL
114-14 ``Strategic Perspectives of the April 22, 2015
Bioterrorism Threat.''
EPRC
114-15 ``Acquisition Oversight: How April 22, 2015
Effectively Is DHS
Safeguarding Taxpayer
Dollars?''
OME
114-16 ``Terrorism in Africa: The April 29, 2015
Imminent Threat to the United
States.''
CTI
114-17 ``Examining DHS Science and May 19, 2015
Technology Directorate's
Engagement with Academia and
Industry.''
CIPST
114-18 ``The Outer Ring of Border June 2, 2015
Security: DHS's International
Security Programs.''
BMS
114-19 ``Terrorism Gone Viral: The June 3, 2015
Attack in Garland, Texas and
Beyond.''
FULL
114-20 ``Defense Support of Civil June 10, 2015
Authorities: A Vital Resource
in the Nation's Homeland
Security Missions.''
EPRC
114-21 ``How TSA Can Improve Aviation June 16, 2015
Worker Vetting.''
TS
114-22 ``Admitting Syrian Refugees: June 24, 2015
The Intelligence Void and the
Emerging Homeland Security
Threat.''
CTI
114-23 ``DHS' Efforts to Secure June 24, 2015
.Gov.''
CIPST
114-24 ``Examining DHS' Misplaced July 8, 2015
Focus on Climate Change.''
OME
114-25 ``Securing the Maritime Border: July 14, 2015
The Future of CBP Air and
Marine.''
BMS
114-26 ``Weapons of Mass Destruction: July 14, 2015
Bolstering DHS to Combat
Persistent Threats to
America.''
EPRC & CIPST
114-27 ``The Rise of Radicalization: July 15, 2015
Is the U.S. Government Failing
to Counter International and
Domestic Terrorism?''
FULL
114-28 ``Examining the Federal Air July 16, 2015
Marshal Service and Its
Readiness to Meet the Evolving
Threat.''
TS
114-29 ``Promoting and Incentivizing July 28, 2015
Cybersecurity Best
Practices.''
CIPST
114-30 ``Aviation Security Challenges: July 29, 2015
Is TSA ready for the threats
of today?''
FULL
114-31 ``Beyond Bin Laden's Caves and September 8, 2015
Couriers to a New Generation New York City, New
of Terrorists: Confronting the York
Challenges in a post 9/11
World.''
FULL
114-32 ``Safeguarding Our Nation's September 17, 2015
Surface Transportation Systems
Against Evolving Terrorist
Threats.''
TS and CTI
114-33 ``Making DHS More Efficient: September 18, 2015
Industry Recommendations to
Improve Homeland Security.''
OME
114-34 ``Examining the Mission, October 7, 2015
Structure, and Reorganization
Effort of the National
Protection and Programs
Directorate.''
CIPST
114-35 ``Protecting Maritime October 8, 2015
Facilities in the 21st
Century: Are our Nation's
ports at risk for a cyber-
attack?''
BMS
114-36 ``Reform and Improvement: October 8, 2015
Assessing the Path Forward for
the Transportation Security
Administration.''
TS
114-37 ``Worldwide Threats and October 21, 2015
Homeland Security
Challenges.''
FULL
114-38 ``Ready and Resilient?: October 22, 2015
Examining Federal Emergency
Preparedness and Response
Capabilities.''
EPRC
114-39 ``Examining Critical Security October 26, 2015
Measures, Communications, and Syracuse, New York
Response at our Nation's
Airports.''
TS
114-40 ``Terror Inmates: Countering October 28, 2015
Violent Extremism in Prison
and Beyond.''
CTI
114-41 ``Defending Against November 3, 2015
Bioterrorism: How Vulnerable
is America?''
FULL
114-42 ``A New Approach to Increase November 4, 2015
Trade and Security: An
Examination of CBP's Public
Private Partnerships.''
BMS
114-43 ``Examining Ongoing Challenges November 17, 2015
at the U.S. Secret Service and
their Government-wide
Implications.''
OME joint with the Senate
Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs,
Subcommittee on Subcommittee
on Regulatory Affairs and
Federal Management
114-44 ``Assessing TSA's Management November 17, 2015
and Implementation of the
Screening Partnership
Program.''
TS
114-45 ``The Rise of Radicalism: November 18, 2015
Growing Terrorist Sanctuaries
and the Threat to the U.S.
Homeland.''
FULL joint with the Committee
on Foreign Affairs
114-46 ``Driving Away with Taxpayer December 3, 2015
Dollars: DHS's Failure to
Effectively Manage the FPS
Vehicle Fleet.''
OME
114-47 ``Examining TSA's Global December 8, 2015
Efforts to Protect the
Homeland from Aviation Threats
and Enhance Security at Last
Point of Departure Airports.''
TS
114-48 ``Transportation Security January 7, 2016
Acquisition Reform Act:
Examining Remaining
Challenges.''
TS
114-49 ``Wassenaar: Cybersecurity & January 12, 2016
Export Control.''
CIPST and Subcommittee on
Information Security of the
Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform
114-50 ``Crisis of Confidence: February 3, 2016
Preventing Terrorist
Infiltration through U.S.
Refugee and Visa Programs.''
FULL
114-51 ``National Security and Law February 10, 2016
Enforcement: Breaking the New
Visa Waiver Law to Appease
Iran.''
FULL
114-52 ``Improving the Department of February 11, 2016
Homeland Security's Biological
Detection and Surveillance
Programs.''
EPRC
114-53 ``The Future of Iranian Terror February 11, 2016
and Its Threat to the US
Homeland.''
CTI
114-54 ``Probing DHS's Botched February 25, 2016
Management of the Human
Resources Information
Technology Program.''
OME
114-55 ``Emerging Cyber Threats to the February 25, 2016
United States.''
CIPST
114-56 ``Food for Thought: Efforts to February 26, 2016
Defend the Nation's
Agriculture and Food.''
EPRC
114-57 ``Transparency, Trust and March 1, 2016
Verification: Measuring
Effectiveness and Situational
Awareness along the Border.''
BMS
114-58 ``The Transportation Security March 2, 2016
Administration's FY2017 Budget
Request.''
TS
114-59 ``State of Emergency: The March 15, 2016
Disaster of Cutting
Preparedness Grants.''
EPRS
114-60 ``DHS in Today's Dangerous March 16, 2016
World: Examining the
Department's Budget and
Readiness to Counter Homeland
Threats.''
FULL
114-61 ``The Role of Cyber Insurance March 22, 2016
in Risk Management.''
CIPST
114-62 ``How Local First Responders April 7, 2016
and Law Enforcement Prepare Sherman, Texas
For, Respond to and
Investigate Cyber Incidents.''
CIPST
114-63 ``Keeping Pace with Trade, April 19, 2016
Travel, and Security: How does
CBP Prioritize and Improve
Staffing and Infrastructure?''
BMS
114-64 ``Pipelines: Securing the Veins April 19, 2016
of the American Economy.''
TS
114-65 ``ISIS in the Pacific: April 27, 2016
Assessing Terrorism in
Southeast Asia and the Threat
to the Homeland.''
CTI
114-66 ``Transferring Guantanamo Bay April 28, 2016
Detainees to the Homeland:
Implications for States and
Local Communities.''
OME
114-67 ``Life on the Border: Examining May 9, 2016
Border Security through the Sahurarita,
Eyes of Local Residents and Arizona
Law Enforcement.''
BMS
114-68 ``Following the Money: May 12, 2016
Examining Current Terrorist
Financing Trends and the
Threat to the Homeland.''
CTI
114-69 ``Oversight of Federal Efforts May 17, 2016
to Address Electromagnetic
Risks.''
OME
114-70 ``Flying Blind: What are the May 17, 2016
security risks of resuming
U.S. Commercial Air Service to
Cuba?''
TS
114-71 ``Enhancing Preparedness and May 24, 2016
Response Capabilities to
Address Cyber Threats.''
EPRC and CIPST
114-72 ``Border Security Gadgets, May 24, 2016
Gizmos, and Information: Using
Technology to Increase
Situational Awareness and
Operational Control.''
BMS
114-73 ``Long Lines, Short Patience: May 25, 2016
The TSA Airport Screening
Experience.''
FULL
114-74 ``Long Lines, Short Patience: May 26, 2016
Local Perspectives.''
TS
114-75 ``Overstaying Their Welcome: June 14, 2016
National Security Risks Posed
by Visa Overstays.''
BMS
114-76 ``The Cybersecurity Act of June, 15, 2016
2015: Industry Perspectives.''
CIPST
114-77 ``Protecting our Passengers: June 21, 2016
Perspectives on Securing Jersey City, New
Surface Transportation in New Jersey
Jersey and New York.''
EPRC
114-78 ``How Pervasive is Misconduct July 7, 2016
at TSA: Examining Findings
from a Joint Subcommittee
Investigation.''
OME and TS
114-79 ``An Examination of the July 7, 2016
Maritime Nuclear Smuggling
Threat.''
BMS and the Committee on
Transportation and
Infrastructure, Subcommittee
on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation
114-80 ``A Prepared Community is a July 11, 2016
Resilient Community.'' Staten Island, New
EPRC York
114-81 ``Value of DHS' Vulnerability July 12, 2016
Assessments in Protecting our
Nation's Critical
Infrastructure.''
CIPST
114-82 ``Counterintelligence and July 13, 2016
Insider Threats: How Prepared
is the Department of Homeland
Security?''
CTI
114-83 ``Worldwide Threats to the July 14, 2016
Homeland: ISIS and the New
Wave of Terror.''
FULL
114-84 ``State and Local Perspectives September 8, 2016
on Federal Information
Sharing.''
CTI
114-85 ``Moving the Line of Scrimmage: September 13, 2016
Re-examining the Defense-in-
Depth Strategy.''
BMS
114-86 ``Shutting Down Terrorist September 14, 2016
Pathways into America.''
FULL
114-87 ``Stopping the Next Attack: How September 21, 2016
to Keep Our City Streets from
Becoming the Battleground.''
FULL
114-88 ``Identifying the Enemy: September 22, 2016
Radical Islamist Terror.''
OME
APPENDIX X
Committee Prints
Number Title
114-A Rules of the Committee on Homeland
Security for the 114th Congress.
114-B Final Report of the Task Force on
Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter
Travel.
October 2015
114-C Compilation of the Homeland Security Act
of 2002 (Updated through Pub. L. 114-125
(February 24, 2016))
April 2016
APPENDIX XI
Summary of Committee Activities
COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY
Total Bills Referred to Committee................................ 198
Public Laws...................................................... 24
Measures Signed Into Law......................................... 40
Bills Reported to the House...................................... 78
Hearings Held:
Days of Hearings 90
Full Committee.............................................. 19
Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence........... 10
Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency......... 12
Subcommittee on Transportation Security..................... 16
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security................ 12
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection,
and Security Technologies.................................. 14
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications............................................. 11
Witnesses:
Full Committee.............................................. 51
Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence........... 32
Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency......... 41
Subcommittee on Transportation Security..................... 58
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security................ 54
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection,
and Security Technologies.................................. 62
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications............................................. 58
Total Persons Testifying 271
Markups and Business Meetings Held (Days) / Measures Considered:
Full Committee.............................................. 12/79
Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence........... 1/5
Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency......... 1/5
Subcommittee on Transportation Security..................... 2/5
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security................ 0
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection,
and Security Technologies.................................. 1/4
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and
Communications............................................. 3/7
ADDITIONAL VIEWS OF BENNIE G. THOMPSON
Introduction
The Democratic Members of the Committee on Homeland
Security are committed to protecting the Homeland and to
ensuring in the event of a terrorist attack or man made
disaster, the welfare of the American public is prioritized.
The Democratic Members have worked tireslessly to assure that
the programs, policies, and practices of the Department of
Homeland Security are effective. During the 114th Congress,
there were several collaborative efforts by the Majority and
Minority to advance measures to make meaningful, significant
improvements at the Department of Homeland Security.
However, the Committee Democrats would be remiss not to
recognize that throughout the 114th Congress, notably during
the times when our nation's homeland security was most
challenged, the Majority pursued politics over policy and
embraced fear over facts. Consequently, the Ranking Member of
the Committee on Homeland Security has chosen to file
Additional Views on behalf of the Committee Democrats.
These Additional Views both highlight the accomplishments
of the Committee Democrats and expose issue areas overlooked by
the Majority. The Additional Views also detail the instances
where the Majority pursued a partisan agenda during our
nation's most critical moments.
Democratic Views on Legislation
The Ranking Member of the Full Committee takes pride in the
legislative contributions of the Democratic Members of
Committee on Homeland Security during the 114th Congress. Each
major bill advanced to the Full House benefitted greatly from
thoughtful and robust bipartisan collaboration during the
Committee process. Democrats serving on this Committee
contributed in meaningful ways to measures authorizing major
components and programs of the Department of Homeland Security,
some of which had never been authorized in law. Committee
Democrats also worked constructively to reform programs and
offices that have documented weaknesses that warrant
legislative action.
Of particular note, are the contributions that Committee
Democrats made to Republican-sponsored bills to: (1) authorize
U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the first time since, in
2002, then-U.S. Customs was transferred to the newly-
established Department of Homeland Security (H.R. 878;
incorporated into P.L. 114-125); (2) establish the National
Cybersecurity Communications Integration Center in law to
foster the timely sharing of cyber threat information between
the Federal government and the private sector (H.R. 1731;
incorporated into P.L. 114-113); (3) codify critical reforms in
how the Department manages its acquisitions and resources (H.R.
3572; H.R. 4785); (4) enhance the role of the Science and
Technology Directorate in the execution of research,
development, testing and evaluation throughout the Department
(H.R. 3578); (5) bolster the security of the Visa Waiver
Program (H.R. 158; incorporated into P.L. 114-113); (6) address
impediments to the effective utilization of homeland security
grant program funds (H.R. 3583, H.R. 5943); (7) reform and
improving the Transportation Security Administration (H.R.
3584); (8) authorize what is now known as the National Programs
and Protection Directorate as a new DHS operational component
and renaming that component the ``Cybersecurity and Critical
Infrastructure Protection Agency'' (H.R. 5390); (9) enhance
information sharing between the Department and the National
Network of Fusion Centers, bolster the effectiveness of these
State, local, and regional fusion centers by authorizing DHS to
sponsor security clearances for certain State and local
personnel, and improve the sharing of Chemical, Biological,
Radiological, and Nuclear threat information with these fusion
centers (H.R. 2200, H.R. 3598, H.R. 3503); and (10) authorizing
the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (H.R. 3842; P.L.
114-285).
In addition to collaborating on Republican-sponsored
measures, Committee Democrats applied their knowledge and
experience to authoring bills to make the Nation more secure
by, among other things, reforming troubled DHS programs,
tackling vexing homeland security challenges, and codifying
programs that have been effective at the Department. During the
114th Congress, the Committee approved bills introduced by each
Democratic Member of the panel. A full list of the 24 measures,
five of which were enacted into law, is provided here:
LH.R. 615, the ``DHS Interoperable Communications Act,''
as introduced by Ranking MemberDonald M. Payne, Jr.\1\;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\P.L. 114-29 (July 6, 2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
LH.R. 710, the ``Essential Transportation Worker
Identification Credential Assessment Act,'' as
introduced by Representative Sheila Jackson Lee\2\;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\P.L. 114-278 (December 16, 2016).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
LH.R. 1646, the ``Homeland Security Drone Assessment and
Analysis Act,'' as introduced by Ranking Member Bonnie
Watson Coleman;
LH.R. 2127, the ``Securing Expedited Screening Act,'' as
introduced by Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson;
LH.R. 2206, the ``SWIC Enhancement Act,'' as introduced
by Ranking Member Payne, Jr.;
LH.R. 2285, the ``Preventing Trafficking in Cultural
Property Act,'' as introduced by Representative William
R. Keating;
LH.R. 2390, the ``Homeland Security University-based
Centers Review Act,'' as introduced by Ranking Member
Bennie G. Thompson;
LH.R. 2770, the ``Keeping our Travelers Safe and Secure
Act,'' as introduced by Representative Kathleen M.
Rice;
LH.R. 2786, the ``Cross-Border Rail Security Act of
2015,'' as introduced by Representative Filemon Vela;
LH.R. 2795, the ``First Responder Identification of
Emergency Needs in Disaster Situations (FRIENDS) Act,''
as introduced by Rep. Jackson Lee;
LH.R. 3144, the ``Partners for Aviation Security Act,''
as introduced by Ranking Member Payne, Jr.;
LH.R. 3350, the ``Know the CBRN Terrorism Threats to
Transportation Act,'' as introduced by Ranking Member
Brian Higgins;
LH.R. 3505, the ``DHS Clearance Management and
Administration Act,'' as introduced by Ranking Member
Bennie G. Thompson;
LH.R. 3510, the ``DHS Cybersecurity Strategy Act of
2015,'' as introduced by Ranking Member Cedric L.
Richmond\3\;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\Incorporated in S.2943, the National Defense Authorization Act
for 2017, as presented to the President on 12-14-16.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
LH.R. 3878, the ``Strengthening Cybersecurity
Information Sharing and Coordination in Our Ports Act
of 2015,'' as introduced by Representative Norma J.
Torres;
LH.R. 4383, the ``DHS Human Trafficking Prevention Act
of 2016,'' as introduced by Representative Loretta
Sanchez;
LH.R. 4398, the ``DHS Acquisition Documentation
Integrity Act of 2016,'' as introduced by Ranking
Member Watson Coleman;
LH.R. 4509, the ``State and High-Risk Urban Area Working
Group Act,'' as introduced by Ranking Member Payne,
Jr.\4\;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\Incorporated in S.2943, the National Defense Authorization Act
for 2017, as presented to the President on 12-14-16.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
LH.R. 4780, the ``Department of Homeland Security
Strategy for International Programs Act,'' as
introduced by Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson\5\;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\Incorporated in S. 2943, the National Defense Authoritzation Act
for 2017, as presented to the President on 12-14-16.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
LH.R. 5056, the ``Airport Perimeter and Access Control
Security Act of 2016,'' as introduced by Rep. Keating;
LH.R. 5356, the ``Quadrennial Homeland Security Review
Technical Corrections Act of 2016,'' as introduced by
Ranking Member Watson Coleman;
LH.R. 5391, the ``Gains in Global Nuclear Detection
Architecture Act,'' as introduced by Ranking Member
Richmond;
LH.R. 5460, the ``First Responder Access to Innovative
Technologies Act,'' as introduced by Ranking Member
Payne, Jr.; and
LH.R. 5843, the ``US-Israel Cybersecurity Cooperation
Enhancement Act of 2016,'' as introduced by
Representative James R. Langevin.
While it is disappointing, as is the case with most House-
passed measures forwarded to the Senate, many of the measures
authored by Committee Democrats were not acted upon, a number
of these bills have already made a meaningful impact on
homeland security. For example, to foster interoperability
between Departmental components, the ``DHS Interoperable
Communications Act,'' directed the Department's Under Secretary
for Management (USM) to establish and maintain interoperable
communications among Departmental components of the Department
(P.L. 114-29). To implement this law, the USM delegated to the
Joint Wireless Program Management Office certain
responsibilities which have been carried out. Since the measure
was enacted in July 2015, the Department has produced and
submitted to the Committee its first ever DHS Interoperable
Communications Act Strategic Plan and its DHS Interoperable
Communications Act Strategic Plan--100 Day Implementation
Report.
One bill that was not enacted into law but had a meaningful
impact on homeland security is a measure introduced by Ranking
Member Thompson, the H.R. 2127, ``Securing Expedited Screening
Act.'' That bill was introduced in response to Comptroller
General and DHS Inspector General findings about significant
security vulnerability in the Transportation Security
Administration's (TSA) Managed Inclusion program. Under the
Managed Inclusion program, air passengers were allowed to
receive PreCheck expedited screening at airport security
checkpoints based on random or case-by-case, basis. Within days
of the House approving H.R. 2127 in July 2015, the TSA
Administrator announced that the Managed Inclusion program
would be ended, as the legislation directed.
Another timely example of Committee Democrats effectuating
progress on homeland security through the legislative process
is our success in prevailing upon the Department to develop a
strategy for its efforts to counter violent extremism. Starting
in July 2015, when the Committee considered H.R. 2899, the
``Countering Violent Extremism Act (CVE) of 2015,'' Ranking
Member Thompson joined with many fellow Committee Democrats to
offer an amendment in the nature of a substitute to require the
Department to undertake comprehensive strategic planning before
the establishment of a standing office with a new Assistant
Secretary and a budget of $40 million to, among other things,
establish a new grant program. Repeatedly, in the year that
followed, Ranking Member Thompson renewed the call for a
strategy, particularly in light of comments by DHS Secretary
Jeh Johnson about the need for additional CVE grant resources.
This fall, on October 28, 2016, the Department issued the long-
awaited Department of Homeland Security Strategy for Countering
Violent Extremism which laid out four essential goals for CVE
activities and provided an implementation plan to carry out
these goals.
There were a number of important measures that the House
never got to consider because the Committee lacks the necessary
legislative jurisdiction to effectuate oversight findings into
law. It is troubling that other House Committees were able to
impede advancement of H.R. 4383, the ``DHS Human Trafficking
Prevention Act of 2016,'' which the Committee approved in
February 2016 to ensure that two DHS components share
information to identify human traffickers and H.R. 5390, the
``Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Agency Act of
2016,'' which the Committee approved in June 2016 to authorize
and rebrand what is now known at the National Programs and
Protection Directorate, a major component of the Department. It
has been eleven years since this Committee was established as a
standing Committee of the House of Representatives. In that
time, DHS has matured but continues to struggle to overcome
some of its legacy challenges that date back to when 22
agencies were merged into one Federal Department, the third
largest federal agency after the Departments of Veterans
Affairs and Defense. Unfortunately, congressional jurisdiction
has not kept pace with the Department's needs and, as a result,
DHS has never been reauthorized, since it was established in
2002. As we enter into the 115th, it is essential that
jurisdiction be consolidated in this Committee-DHS' Authorizing
Committee-and that this Committee be conferred the legislative
jurisdiction to advance legislation to make the Nation more
secure and the Department more effective.
While, by and large, the legislative work of this Committee
enjoyed broad bipartisan support both in the Committee and the
House, there were three occasions where the Majority hastily
advanced bills opposed by Ranking Member Thompson. Notably,
each of these problematic measures--that bypassed regular
order--has floundered. First, there was H.R. 399, the ``Secure
Our Border First Act of 2015,'' a partisan bill which bypassed
regular order to be marked up by the Full Committee on the
first day of legislative business within the Committee. After a
lengthy, contentious markup, the measure floundered and never
made it to the House floor. A second rushed measure was H.R.
2899, the ``Countering Violent Extremism Act (CVE) of 2015,''
which was marked up by the Full Committee in July 2015. Prior
to that markup, Ranking Member Thompson argued that there was
no justification for short-circuiting the legislative process
and expediting the consideration of this bill to create an
Office for Countering Violent Extremism within DHS,
particularly given the serious concerns expressed by 42 civil
rights and religious groups about the measure and the absence
of a legislative proposal from the Department to establish such
an office. H.R. 2899 never got considered by the Full House.
The third hastily-advanced measure was H.R. 4820, the
``Combating Terrorist Recruitment Act of 2016,'' which, like
H.R. 2899, related to the Department's CVE activities. 78 House
Democrats opposed H.R. 4820, a bill that was misleadingly
characterized as enhancing the Department's efforts against
terrorist propaganda but actually willfully-ignored the
totality of the terrorist threats we face, when it was
considered under suspension of the rules of the House just five
days after it was initially introduced. There has been no
further action on H.R. 4820 since it passed the House on
suspension on April 26, 2016.
Oversight Activities of the Committee
BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS CHALLENGES
The Republican Majority ushered in the 114th Congress with
the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) funding in limbo.
At the end of the 113th Congress, Congress passed the
``Consolidated and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015,''
(P.L. 113-235) a gimmick that provided full year funding for
every Federal agency except DHS in order to buy time to pick a
fight with President Obama over immigration policy. The measure
provided funding for DHS through the end of February 2015, and
was signed into law to avert another government shutdown. In
early January 2015, the House Republican Leadership put
politics ahead of national security by attaching controversial,
divisive immigration riders on legislation to provide fullyear
funding for DHS (H.R. 240). The President threatened a veto,
and the Senate had little appetite to consider it. Despite
deadly terrorist attacks in Sydney and Paris, the Republican
leadership continued its game of chicken with the President, to
the detriment of DHS. Full year appropriations were not passed
until March 3, 2015, nearly half-way through the fiscal year.
As a result of the Republican Majority's refusal to put
policy ahead of politics and adhere to the regular budget and
appropriations process, critical State and local grant programs
were delayed, border security was undermined, order and
immigration enforcement was weakened, funding for critical
security enhancements at the White House was delayed, and our
cybersecurity efforts were on autopilot.
Regrettably, the 115th Congress will start in a fashion
similar to the 114th. Full year funding for most Federal
agencies, including DHS, is in limbo, and it is unlikely there
will be any certainty until April 2017. More disturbing,
Committee Democrats understand that President Elect may not
provide a budget to Congress. This is no way to run a
government. In order to adequately plan future investments and
keep pace with the rapidly evolving threats like the December
2016 truck attack at the Berlin Christmas Market or the Russian
interference with the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election, the
Department needs to have clearly defined priorities and
adequate funding, that is appropriated on a predictable,
reliable schedule, to carry out its mission. In the 115th
Congress, Committee Democrats will work to ensure that the
budget and appropriations processes are adhered so that the
Department is able to effectively carry out its mission for the
American people.
MANAGEMENT OF DHS
During the 114th Congress, the Majority continued to convey
that the management, workforce, and operations of the
Department of Homeland Security were not priorities. Despite
requests from Ranking Member Thompson, during the first term of
the 114th Congress, the Majority refused to hold an oversight
hearing at the Full Committee level on the management
challenges at the Department of Homeland Security. The Majority
ignored this responsibility while two zero fail components of
DHS--the Transportation Security Administration and the United
States Secret Service--were undergoing much needed reform. Even
though DHS presented reorganization proposals to Congress, the
Majority failed to invite the Secretary DHS to testify about
these proposals and the many other challenges that DHS was
facing. The Department of Homeland Security Secretary did not
appear before the Committee for testimony and questioning until
ten months into the Congress. At that hearing, the Secretary
testified alongside the Director of the National
Counterterrorism Center and the Director of the Federal Bureau
of Investigation on counter terrorism and countering violent
extremism. Committee Democrats are hopeful that the next
Secretary of Homeland Security will be present early on in his
tenure to present his agenda to the Committee. The Ranking
Member would like to work with the Chairman to ensure that the
Secretary's first testimony subsequent to his confirmation be
to the Full Committee.
COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM
On the Homeland Security Committee, a long-standing concern
has been the prospect of an attack being carried out on
American soil by an individual inspired by violent extremist
propaganda generated by a domestic or foreign terrorist group.
As a result and in response to the Islamic State of Iraq and
the Levant's (ISIL) sophisticated online propaganda and
recruitment machine, interest in countering violent extremism
(CVE) programs has greatly intensified. On a daily basis, ISIL
dispatches thousands and thousands of Internet messages to
promote its violent, terrorist ideology. The volume of this
terrorist chatter is concerning. However, ISIL is not alone
when it comes to spreading violent extremist ideology over the
Internet and social media. Sovereign citizen groups and other
anti-government groups have, over the past few years,
successfully recruited new members through the use of
mainstream social media sites and chatrooms.
Thus, it is important to acknowledge that there is a wide
range of political and ideological goals behind calls for
violence in the U.S. However, the Committee Majority has
continued to ignore and advance CVE activities and legislation
without fully addressing all forms of violent extremism.
Democrats remain disappointed with this Committee's refusal to
acknowledge domestic terrorism in any of our CVE activities.
The Majority's method of oversight in this area is a rejection
of a comprehensive approach to countering violent extremism.
DOMESTIC TERRORISM
Pursuant to the bipartisan oversight plan adopted by this
Committee on January 21, 2015, the Committee was to examine
emerging and existing threats inspired by domestic terrorists.
Committee Democrats are disappointed in the Majority's failure
to pursue this topic, despite a horrific domestic terrorist
attack taking place during the first term of the 114th
Congress.
On June 16, 2015, a lone actor entered Emanuel Baptist
Church in Charleston, South Carolina. The gunman used an
assault weapon to kill nine parishioners and injured. In the
wake of the incident, details emerged that the gunman was
radicalized online by members of domestic terrorist movements.
On June 24, 2015, Ranking Member Thompson wrote the Chairman of
the Full Committee asking for a hearing on the threat of
domestic terrorism. The hearing request letter stated that the
Committee would benefit from hearing what the Federal
government is doing to identify, mitigate, and respond to such
threats and the degree to which Federal efforts to counter
violent extremism are focused on domestic terrorist threats.
The Ranking Member renewed this request in June 2016. Again,
this request was ignored.
Committee Democrats also responded to another domestic
terrorist threat by exploring the dangers of anti-government
extremism on public lands. In January 2016, armed militia and
anti government extremists seized the Malheur Wildlife Refuge
in Oregon. This occupation was fueled by and documented through
social media. Further, the notoriety it gained online also
inspired other movements. Given that this occupation took place
on American soil and endangered the lives of public servants,
the Majority gave no attention to the matter.
Even though the Majority touted the slogan, ``terrorism
gone viral,'' it refused to explore comprehensive oversight of
online radicalization. Once again, the Majority kept its view
of online radicalization confined to foreign terrorist
organizations, while having evidence that anti government
movements, such as the one in Oregon, pose a dangerous threat
to this nation.
Committee Democrats did not turn a blind eye to this
troubling form of extremism. Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson
and House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raul M.
Grijalva held a forum on the dangers of domestic terrorist
extremism on public lands on June 15, 2016. Academic and think
tank analyses illustrated that attacks on federal land
management officials and events like the armed takeover of
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge are become increasingly
common. Thompson, Grijalva, and other Democratic Members of
Congress, including House Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio; Congressman Alan
Lowenthal; Congresswoman Niki Tsongas; Congressman Jared
Huffman; Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee; Congresswoman Bonnie
Watson Coleman; and Congressman Bill Pascrell heard from a
group of experts about how public land takeovers threaten
homeland security, public lands, local communities and public
servants. The forum was one of the first in a Democratic effort
to increase federal agencies' capacity to prevent and to
respond to domestic extremist threats.
It is the Ranking Member's hope that the Chairman will turn
the page on looking at terrorism through a narrow view and
address the ongoing threat from domestic terrorist movements in
the 115th Congress.
A HOMELAND SECURITY CHALLENGE
During the 114th Congress, terrorist attacks in Orlando,
San Bernardino, and Charleston exposed a true challenge to our
nation's homeland security--the need for sensible gun control
laws. Even in the midst of bloodshed and a grieving nation, the
Republican Majority chose politics over reform.
On July 14, 2016, the Secretary of Homeland Security
testified before the Committee that given the current threat
picture, sensible gun control laws were essential to homeland
security. The Committee Majority, and House Republicans as a
whole, were dismissive of this statement.
On September 13, 2016, the Committee heard on the record
from law enforcement officers, including the Sheriff of Orange
County, Florida, one of the key first responders in the Orlando
terrorist attack, that without gun reform, an attack similar to
what happened in his community could happen in another area of
the United States. The Chief of Police of Austin, Texas,
testified that the widespread availability of guns to people
inspired by either foreign or domestic terrorist organizations
is a threat that exists and haunts law enforcement officers. At
the hearing, both Committee Democrats and the Republican
Majority were furnished with published statement from a former
member of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). This
statement explained from ISIL's point of view that United
States's open gun policies makes this country more attractive
to radicalization and recruitment by foreign terrorist
organizations.
Despite this information, the House Republicans refused to
take a vote on gun reform. Unfortunately, the Committee
Majority and the Republican Conference as a whole, proved to
the nation and the world, that when it comes to preventing
terrorist activities conducted by mass shootings, the American
public should expect very little.
THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
The Ranking Member of the Full Committee was active and
engaged on issues surrounding the 2016 Presidential election.
From campaign security to the integrity of the elections,
Ranking Member Thompson was at the forefront of inquiry to the
Executive Branch.
Given the inflammatory and incendiary rhetoric and violence
at campaign events across the nation, the Ranking Member of the
Full Committee along with the Ranking Member of the
Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, and Efficiency sent a
letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security on March 11, 2016,
to inquire about the Department of Homeland Security's role in
providing situational awareness to state and local authorities
at campaign events..
The inflammatory rhetoric spewed throughout the
Presidential campaign was also extended to the presidential
candidates. On August 10, 2016, after the Republican
presidential candidate implied that violence should be directed
to the Democratic presidential candidate, Ranking Member
Thompson wrote the Director of the Secret Service Joseph Clancy
indicating his expectation for the Secret Service to properly
investigate all threats made towards presidential candidates.
As the campaign season continued, the dangerous rhetoric
emboldened and empowered antigovernment militia, white
supremacists, and anti-Semitic groups. For this reason, Ranking
Member Thompson wrote a letter on October 20, 2016 to the
Secretary of Homeland Security urging the Department to be
vigilant in monitoring, reporting, and responding to all
threats impacting the nation, as well as ensuring that
information was widely shared with all Federal, State and local
partners.
On July 25, 2016, following reports of Russia's
interference with the election, Ranking Member Thompson along
with the Ranking Members of the Committees on Foreign Affairs
and Judiciary wrote a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation
Director James Comey, Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary
of Defense Ash Carter, and Director of National Intelligence
James Clapper requesting a briefing on this matter. In this
letter, the senior Minority Members encouraged the FBI to
collaborate with the Departments of State and Defense and the
Intelligence Community to identify who was responsible forthe
hack and the actor's intentions.
As further information surfaced regarding the connection
between Russian interests' interference with our nation's
election system and their connection to the Republican
presidential candidate's campaign, Ranking Member Thompson
along with the Ranking Members of the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, Judiciary, and Oversight and Government Reform sent a
letter to FBI Director Comey requesting that the FBI further
investigate the Russia-supported cyber-attacks and the possible
connections between them and the Republican presidential
candidate's campaign.
The spate of hacking incidents against national political
institutions prompted Ranking Member Thompson to write the
Secretary of Homeland Security on August 8, 2016, to urge the
Department of Homeland Security to act swiftly in addressing
the cyber vulnerabilities of election equipment and to restore
public confidence in the validity and integrity of our
elections.
Members of the Committee were briefed by the Department of
Homeland Security on September 21, 2016 regarding the
cybersecurity concerns for the 2016 election.
With more evidence brewing about Russia's interference with
the Presidential election, on December 6, 2016, Ranking Member
Thompson along with the Democratic Whip, and the Ranking
Members of the House Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence, House Committees on Foreign Affairs, Oversight
and Government Reform, Judiciary, and Armed Services wrote
President Barack Obama to request a classified briefing by the
U.S. Intelligence Community for all Members of Congress
regarding Russia's interference with the election.
After it was publicly reported by the Central Intelligence
Agency that Russia interfered with the 2016 Presidential
election with the goal of influencing the election in favor of
the Republican Presidential candidate, on December 13, 2016,
Ranking Member Thompson, along with the Democratic Whip, and
the Ranking Members of the House Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Oversight and
Government Reform, Judiciary, and Armed Services called for a
comprehensive, bipartisan investigation into Russia's
interference with the election. The Full Committee Ranking
Member hopes that House Leadership and the Republican
Conference recognize the need for this investigation and makes
it a priority for the 115th Congress
Ranking Member Thompson also had concerns about the
Republican Presidential Candidate's potential commercialization
of the Presidential campaign. On October 28, 2016, Ranking
Member Thompson wrote the Comptroller General of the United
States, Gene Dodaro, requesting that the U.S. Government
Accountability Office (GAO) conduct an audit of taxpayer funds
reimbursed to the Republican Presidential Candidate's Campaign.
The request specifically focused on candidate's ownership of
many of the campaign's equities, including aircraft, lodging,
and meeting spaces. The GAO agreed to the request on November
17, 2016.
Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence
Throughout the 114th Congress the Ranking Members of the
Full Committee and Subcommittee both recognized the many
challenges that law enforcement officials face in their duties
of community policing and ensuring officer safety today. In a
Subcommittee hearing on September 8, 2016, Ranking Member
Higgins made a passionate plea that allowing terrorists and
people with mental health issues to outgun the very police
officers that take an oath to protect us is a troubling
concern. Ranking Member Higgins also expressed his
disappointment. Ranking Member Higgins stated on the record
that there should be an obligation to law enforcement officers
ensuring that they at least have a fighting chance in a
situation where there's going to be a confrontation with some
lunatic that legally buys a gun in this country. During the
hearing, Ranking Member Higgins also argued for common sense
gun control and gun safety measures. Democratic Members of this
committee believe it is imperative to better prepare and
protect our first responders as they respond to terrorist and
mass shooting incidents to prevent additional lost of life in
the line of duty.
Ranking Member Higgins has also acknowledged in the
Subcommittee hearing on September 8, 2016, ``Recent and ongoing
attacks against law enforcement also highlight the fact that
the true value of information sharing will never be realized if
state and local law enforcement cannot respond and protect
their own communities". Over the past Congress, Ranking Member
Higgins has continued to believe that intelligence and law
enforcement officers must also continue to integrate themselves
into jurisdictions and communities that they are assigned, and
in order to know and understand geographical and cultural
sensitivities. Law enforcement agencies serving in small cities
and rural areas must be able to improve their own capabilities
in order to deal with the various terrorist threats that may or
may not present in the same ways as those in large, urban
areas. Ranking Member Thompson has stated, ``There has been
progress made in both Congress and the Executive Branch that
have strategically addressed systematic problems caused by both
the failure to analyze and the failure to share information
between law enforcement officials and first responders.'' Some
of those failures have been remedied by simply requiring
agencies to talkto each other and their colleagues within
state, local and tribal governments.
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security
With respect to border and maritime security legislation,
Democratic Members remain greatly concerned about H.R. 399, the
so-called Secure Our Borders First Act, and the manner in which
it was considered by the Committee. Procedurally, the Majority
bypassed regular order, considering the bill only at Full
Committee, rather than first marking up the bill in the
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security. Moreover, the
measure was considered the very day the Committee organized for
the 114th Congress and without the appropriate notice under the
Rules, leaving Members of the Subcommittee on Border and
Maritime Security little if any time to review or offer
amendments to the legislation, even at the Full Committee.
Substantively, the bill would have required DHS to achieve
100% operational control of the southwest border within five
years--a standard that Chairman McCaul, himself, has deemed
unrealistic. Also, the bill would have directed $10 billion
over ten years towards projects that have never been requested
or shown they would protect our borders or thwart potential
terrorists from entering the country.
With respect to oversight activities, Democratic Members
supported consideration of the issues examined by the
Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, but wanted to see
a broader range of oversight on key issues to include the
Department's management of immigration detention facilities,
hiring and staffing levels for CBP officers and agents,
professionalism and use of force concerns within CBP,
infrastructure needs at ports of entry, and completion of the
biometric entry-exit system mandated by Congress. Democrats
strongly believe that the Subcommittee must conduct vigorous
oversight of these issues in order to help the Department
achieve true security of all of our Nation's borders--northern,
southern, sea, and air.
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security
Technologies
Throughout the 114th Congress, Democratic Members of the
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and
Security Technologies (CIPST) have diligently monitored the
progress of programs and activities within the Department
related to cybersecurity and critical infrastructure
protection. Despite the achievements detailed below, Majority
on the Subcommittee pursued an agenda that falls short of the
Oversight Plan adopted at the beginning of the 114th Congress.
Democrats agree that, consistent with the 114th Congress
Oversight Plan, cyber attacks pose a serious threat to U.S.
institutions and critical infrastructure. Democrats worked to
ensure the Department has a strategy in place and the resources
necessary to carry out this important mission, and consistently
urged DHS through both oversight and legislation to strengthen
its relationships with key public and private sector
stakeholders to increase its own situational awareness,
encourage the adoption of best practices, and show that it
stands ready to assist in the aftermath of an incident.
At the same time, Democrats understand that cybersecurity
is not the only threat the nation faces. Throughout the 114th
Congress, Committee Majority consistently focused a
disproportionate share of the Committee's time and resources on
cybersecurity--particularly private sector advancements--to the
detriment of other national security issues. Roughly two-thirds
of the Subcommittee's noticed activity was devoted exclusively
to cybersecurity. Even when the Subcommittee was given an
opportunity to examine broader issues--such as emerging
threats, innovative security technologies, or the veracity and
effectiveness of the vulnerability assessments National
Programs and Protection Directorate (NPPD) performs on critical
infrastructure--cybersecurity remained a significant driver of
the discussion.
Alternatively, CIPST Majority ignored subjects that fall
within the spectrum of traditional notions of critical
infrastructure protection. For instance, neither the Full
Committee Chair nor CIPST Subcommittee Chair called for a
single hearing or Member-level briefing on NPPD's
implementation of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism
Standards (CFATS) program. For more than a decade, security
experts and intelligence officials have warned that chemical
facilities with large quantities of toxic, flammable, or
explosive substances could be exploited by terrorists. The
CFATS program, initially authorized by Congress in 2007 and
codified in 2014, was intended to guard against this risk by
requiring high risk chemical facilities to adopt risk-based
performance standards to address security vulnerabilities
onsite. Unfortunately, the NPPD Infrastructure Security
Compliance Division (ISCD) struggled to develop several aspects
of the program and as a result, its implementation was delayed
for many years. Although CFATS has improved since 2013, it is
far too soon to turn attention away from the program. ISCD is
currently modifying a number of foundational aspects of the
program and plans to pursue an ambitious rulemaking agenda in
2017--suggesting more robust oversight is needed, not less.
CIPST Democrats have remained vigilant in overseeing CFATS
implementation. On May 2, 2016, Ranking Member Thompson sent a
letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security inquiring about
enrollment in the statutorily-required Expedited Approval
Program (EAP) prompted by Majority in an effort to accommodate
regulated industry sectors. In its June 2, 2016, response, the
Department noted that the EAP was ill-conceived and did not
address the realities of the regulated community, and as such
NPPD had been forced to devote significant time and resources
to standing up a program that only one facility had utilized.
Further, on December 6, 2016, Ranking Member Thompson wrote to
the Department to request more information about the
overarching state of CFATS implementation as well as ongoing
modifications to ISCD's risk assessment methodology, the
cornerstone of the program. The new methodology comes on the
heels of a number of reports from the Government Accountability
Office, the DHS Inspector General, and even ISCD itself
describing errors and design flaws in the way ISCD determines
facility risk.
The Majority also neglected to pay proper attention to the
Department's complete failure to implement the Secure Handling
of Ammonium Nitrate Act of 2007 (Sec. 563 of Pub. L. 110-161),
which required the Department to create a secure registration
program for sales and transfers of ammonium nitrate, the single
most common base compound for homegrown explosives in the
world. Despite its susceptibility to misuse, individuals can
purchase ammonium nitrate online from vendors like eBay and
Amazon without restriction. On November 20, 2015, after roughly
eight years of deliberation, ISCD held a briefing to inform
Committee staff that it considered the proposed Ammonium
Nitrate Security Program (ANSP) to be unworkable from a cost-
benefit perspective, that a final rule would not be
forthcoming, and that it was examining different regulatory
approaches incorporating a broader list of explosive precursor
chemicals. Despite DHS' clear abrogation of its statutory
responsibility, Subcommittee Majority have held no Member-level
briefings or hearings on ammonium nitrate.
Nonetheless, Ranking Member Thompson is engaged on this
issue and has written to DHS and other federal agencies
demanding more clarity about the study DHS is commissioning
through the National Academy of Sciences evaluating alternative
approaches to control the flow of explosive precursor
chemicals, the economic impact of the proposed ANSP and why it
was determined to be untenable from a cost-benefit perspective,
and the recent ruling from the Director of the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms finding that the April 2013 West
Fertilizer Plant explosion in West, TX was the result of an
intentional act, among other issues.
In the Oversight Plan adopted at the beginning of the 114th
Congress, the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure
Protection, and Security Technologies made a commitment to
``conduct oversight of the implementation of recently-passed
legislation authorizing the Department's [CFATS] program'' and
to ``continue to monitor the Department's efforts at
establishing an [ANSP], which has been delayed for several
years.'' Instead, Subcommittee Majority focused the
overwhelming majority of their efforts on cybersecurity while
maintaining an unjustifiably deferential posture toward DHS on
chemical security and traditional notions of critical
infrastructure protection.
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
Democratic Members are disturbed that the only official
oversight [event] held on the record on the subject of
emergency communications was an introductory Member Brief on
the activities of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS)
Office of Emergency Communications. As the Activity Report
prepared by the Majority reflects, Members engaged with the
Government Accountability Office to request audits of emergency
communications programs and held private meetings with relevant
principles and Committee Staff engaged in multiple meetings
related to emergency communications with stakeholder groups.
None of these activities, however, can take the place of
oversight hearings, which are open to the public and on the
record.
As the Majority rightly acknowledges, the September 11th
attacks revealed that communications failures can have
``catastrophic implications,'' and ``recent disasters have
demonstrated that communications challenges remain.'' In light
of the great import of operable and interoperable
communications, Subcommittee Ranking Member Payne, Jr.
introduced H.R. 615, the Department of Homeland Security
Interoperable Communications Act, which was enacted into law in
July 2015 [Public Law 114-29], to ensure that components of
DHS--the agency charged with helping the nation achieve
interoperable communications capabilities on the State and
local level--are able to communicate during routine, planned,
and unplanned events. Ranking Member Payne, Jr. also introduced
H.R. 2206, the Statewide Interoperable Communications
Enhancement Act, which would ensure that States maintain the
advances in interoperability achieved since September 11, 2001,
by requiring State Homeland Security Grant Program grantees to
certify that they have a Statewide Interoperability Coordinator
(SWIC) or that the functions of a SWIC are being carried out in
some other fashion. Although the bill passed the House by voice
vote, it was not considered in the Senate. Additionally,
Ranking Member Thompson and Subcommittee Ranking Member Payne,
Jr. worked with the Government Accountability Office to
evaluate the state of emergency communications capabilities in
the National Capital Region after reports of communications
challenges during various multi-agency responses to the area
(see GAO-16-249).
Democratic Members look forward to continuing their efforts
to improve emergency communications capabilities at the
Federal, State, and local level, and appreciate the Majority's
support of their previous legislative efforts toward that end.
In the 115th Congress, Democratic Members are hopeful that
there will be more opportunities to conduct bipartisan
oversight at public hearings on the record.
CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, NUCLEAR, AND EXPLOSIVE (CBRNE)
DEFENSE RE-ORGANIZATION
On November 4, 2015, the Committee on Homeland Security
approved, H.R. 3875, the ``Department of Homeland Security
CBRNE Defense Act of 2015,'' as amended. H.R. 3875 would
consolidate the activities of the Office of Health Affairs, the
Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, and the Office of Bombing
Prevention, as well as CBRNE-related activities from other DHS
offices into a new CBRNE Office. At the Full Committee mark-up
Ranking Member Thompson expressed skepticism about the
reorganization scheme advanced by the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) and H.R. 3875, particularly because the
Government Accountability Office's (GAO) review of the
reorganization plan requested by Ranking Member Thompson was
pending. Although Ranking Member Thompson was pleased that the
Majority accepted an amendment he offered to make key
refinements to the legislation to address some of his concerns,
Ranking Member Thompson was disappointed that the Committee
moved forward with consideration of the legislation without
waiting for the GAO to complete its review and only one day
after the Full Committee received testimony from the Blue
Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense, which made recommendations
regarding programs that would be affected by H.R. 3875.
Ultimately, the GAO released its review of DHS's proposed
reorganization after the House passed H.R. 3875, but before the
Senate acted on the bill. GAO found that ``DHS: [d]id not fully
assess and document potential problems that could result from
consolidation, [d]id not include a comparison of benefits and
costs, and [c]onducted limited external stakeholder outreach in
developing the consolidation proposal and thus the proposal may
not sufficiently account for stakeholder concerns.'' [GAO-16-
603] GAO recommended that DHS postpone the reorganization until
it had address the problems GAO identified. Given the
importance of the Federal government's CBRNE mission, and the
role DHS plays in Federal efforts, Ranking Member Thompson
agrees that the issues raised by the GAO ought to be addressed
before implementing the reorganization proposal. Ranking Member
Thompson is hopeful that, should the Committee consider a
similar reorganization proposal during the 115th Congress, it
will be more thoughtful and deliberate.
AMERICAN RED CROSS
Since Hurricane Katrina, Ranking Member Thompson has been
troubled by the manner in which the American Red Cross (ARC)
performs its response and recovery mission, as well as the
manner in which it is managed. Since Hurricane Katrina, Ranking
Member Thompson has worked aggressively to help make ARC a
better managed, more reliable disaster response partner.
This Congress, Ranking Member Thompson worked with the
Government Accountability Office on an audit that reviewed the
factors that affect the scope and extent of ARC's disaster
services, how ARC coordinates with the Federal government on
disaster response, and what external oversight exists for ARC
(GAO-15-565). The GAO ultimately recommended that Congress
``consider establishing a federal mechanism for regular,
external evaluations of the Red Cross's performance in domestic
disasters.'' Accordingly, Ranking Member Thompson introduced
H.R. 3517, the American Red Cross Sunshine Act, which would
require the Inspectors General of the Department of Homeland
Security, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to perform
periodic audits of ARC. Additionally, in response to ARC's
efforts to stonewall the GAO as it performed its investigation,
H.R. 3517 would clarify GAO's authority to perform audits of
ARC. Although the bill was not enacted, Ranking Member Thompson
will introduce legislation next Congress to provide the
regular, ongoing oversight GAO recommended.
Additionally, Ranking Member Thompson sent a number of
letters to ARC to monitor: the status of the implementation of
ARCs plan for diversity in the areas of executive recruitment,
disaster relief services, delivery partners, workforce, and
suppliers; workforce re-engineering and staffing cuts,
inadequate community outreach, and poor communication and
coordination with State and local emergency managers; and
disaster response activities, including disturbing reports of
racial slurs being used and other inappropriate behavior at ARC
shelters during the response phase of this disaster. Ranking
Member Thompson will continue his aggressive oversight of ARC
in the 115th Congress.
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) WORKFORCE
Ranking Member Thompson is committed to ensuring that
FEMA's disaster workforce is prepared and able to meet its
disaster response and recovery responsibilities. In the past,
Ranking Member Thompson has requested the GAO perform reviews
of the Disaster Assistance Workforce (now Reservist) program
(GAO-12-538) and Reservist training program (GAO-13-250R).
Ranking Member Thompson has worked with FEMA during previous
Congress' to ensure that GAO's recommendations are implemented.
Building upon that work, and in response to testimony by
FEMA Administrator W.Craig Fugate testified that the disaster
workforce is not as robust as it needs to be, Ranking Member
Thompson has written to FEMA to track both workforce staffing
levels as well as training. Ranking Member Thompson will
continue this oversight in the 115th Congress.
Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency
DHS WORKFORCE MISCONDUCT
On July 7, 2016, the Subcommittee held a joint hearing with
the Subcommittee on Transportation Security entitled ``How
Pervasive is Misconduct at TSA: Examining Findings from a Joint
Subcommittee Investigation.'' Unfortunately, Democratic Members
were not aware of nor did they receive a Majority staff report
issued in conjunction with the hearing. Despite this omission,
throughout the hearing Democratic Members emphasized that the
performance and morale of TSA personnel should be of utmost
importance. Many of the frontline employees, the Transportation
Security Officers (TSOs), are short staffed and are often asked
to work multiple shifts. In addition, although TSOs are federal
government employees, they are not subject to general civil
service provisions that include collective bargaining rights,
the ability to appeal adverse actions to the Independent Merit
Systems Protection Board, and whistleblower protections.
Allegations of misconduct amongst TSA personnel saw a rise
in 2015, with the DHS Office of the Inspector General receiving
1,000 complaints either from or regarding a TSA employee.
Specific instances of misconduct within TSA include matters
related to retaliation against whistleblowers, mismanagement,
and security failures. During the hearing, Democratic Members
emphasized that TSA personnel have stated they are afraid to
speak up about problems at the agency in fear of being unfairly
punished or reassigned to lower positions. It further appears
that rank and file personnel were disciplined at a much higher
rate than management. Majority Members continue to fail to
consider how low workforce morale and a lack of trust in
management impacts the performance of these frontline
personnel.
In order to improve the TSA workforce, Ranking Member
Thompson and Ranking Member Nita Lowey of the House Committee
on Appropriations introduced H.R. 4488 entitled the ``Rights
for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2016.'' The measure
provides necessary protections to TSA personnel under Title 5.
Specifically, under H.R. 4488, authority granted to TSA to
establish or modify a TSA personnel management system would be
terminated and the Secretary of Homeland Security would be
directed to suspend TSA personnel policies, directives, letters
and guidelines and move toward conversion of the TSO workforce
to the Title 5 personnel system in a manner that is mindful of
tenure and status, particularly with respect to leave, pay,
group life, health insurance, and severance pay. Additionally,
H.R. 4488 includes protections to ensure that pay for TSOs is
not reduced due to the transition to the Title 5 personnel
system.
QUADRENNIAL HOMELAND SECURITY REVIEW
The Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act
(9/11 Act), requires DHS to produce every four years a unified,
strategic framework for homeland security missions and goals,
known as the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR). The
goal of the QHSR is to provide a comprehensive assessment on
the strategic vision and priorities of the Department for the
proceeding four years. The QHSR should outline specific threats
to the homeland and offer tactical strategies for handling
those risks based on insight from the Department and the
Homeland Security Enterprise, which is comprised of various
Federal, State, local, and nongovernmental stakeholders.
Democratic staff of the Subcommittee conducted rigorous
oversight into the findings of the 2010 and 2014 QHSRs and also
analyzed various mechanisms that could improve the QHSR moving
forward. On July 8, 2015, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``Examining DHS's Misplaced Focus on Climate Change.''
DHS characterized climate change as a risk area in the 2014
QHSR. During the hearing, Democratic Members emphasized that
reports released by DHS, the Government Accountability Office
(GAO), and the White House describe climate change as an
urgent, growing threat to homeland security, based on its
ability to cripple critical infrastructure, deplete military
resources, and encourage terrorism due to famine and poverty.
The QHSR highlights that changes in climate not only cause
fatalities and economic loss but also overwhelm critical
infrastructure and enable terrorism and violence. Throughout
the hearing, Majority Members failed to consider that the costs
associated with weather disasters are expected to increase, as
once rare weather events become more common and intense due to
climate change.
After the hearing, Democratic Subcommittee staff continued
to analyze and assess the QHSR to determine ways in which the
review can continue to properly and effectively inform the DHS
mission. GAO completed an extensive review of the first and
second QHSR and recommended that for future reviews, DHS should
allocate the time needed for stakeholder consultations, explore
options for consulting with nonfederal stakeholders, and
examine how risk information could be considered in
prioritizing QHSR initiatives. GAO also recommended that DHS
improve its risk assessment documentation, prioritize risks,
and ensure stakeholder meetings are interactive.
H.R. 5385, the Quadrennial Homeland Security Technical
Corrections Act of 2016, was introduced in the House on June 7,
2016, by Subcommittee Ranking Member Watson Coleman and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security. Building off
recommendations for improvement on both the 2010 and 2014
QHSRs, H.R. 5385 provides more specific direction to the
Department on the production of the QHSR. H.R. 5385 makes
tailored improvements to the manner in which DHS collects data,
analyzes the gathered information, and produces the final QHSR.
Among the key provisions of H.R. 5385 are refinements to the
production deadline, requirements for more robust stakeholder
engagement, and better documentation of the factors that inform
the QHSR's findings.
H.R. 5385 was received in the Senate on July 12, 2016, read
twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Government Affairs.
GUANTANAMO BAY
On April 28, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Transferring Guantanamo Bay Detainees to the Homeland:
Implications for States and Local Communities.'' On January 11,
2002, the first twenty detainees arrived at the Guantanamo Bay
prison. Since that time, Guantanamo Bay has served as a prison
camp to detain dangerous individuals, to interrogate those
individuals on suspected acts of terrorism, and to prosecute
those individuals for war crimes. During the hearing,
Democratic Members emphasized that closing Guantanamo Bay is a
national security imperative, and its continued operation
weakens our national security by furthering the recruiting
propaganda of violent extremists, hindering relations with key
allies and partners, and draining Department of Defense
resources. Throughout the hearing, the Majority members refused
to focus on facts. Rather, the members embraced and perpetuated
baseless fear. Democratic Members were extremely disappointed
Majority Members falsely asserted that bringing detainees to
the United States invites terrorism into the country and causes
economic devastation to the areas surrounding the federal
prisons which terrorists are housed. Years of research and
analysis by the Departments of Defense, State, and Homeland
Security simply do not support this belief. There is no
evidence that suggests housing Guantanamo detainees will bring
additional attacks, attention, or danger to the United States.
America has a long track record of incarcerating dangerous
terrorists, and a federal prison housing terrorists is located
15 miles away from the United States Capitol. Further, the
United States houses dangerous domestic actors and terrorists
in prisons around the country, such as the person convicted of
a murdering nine people in a domestic terrorist attack in
Charleston, South Carolina.
ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE EVENTS
On May 17, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing entitled
``Oversight of Federal Efforts to Address Electromagnetic
Risks.'' An Electromagnetic Pulse, or EMP, is a burst of
electromagnetic radiation that results from suddenly
fluctuating magnetic fields. An EMP can be either man-made or
natural and has the potential to damage high voltage
transformers and possibly contribute to grid failure and
electric power blackouts. During the hearing, Democratic
Members emphasized that EMPs are considered a high impact, but
low probability risk occurrence. Further, as DHS prioritizes
its efforts across a wide spectrum of potential dangers to the
Nation, it should take seriously all risks impacting the
homeland, not only EMPs but also climate change impacts, solar
storms, and a wide range of natural disasters, all of which
were highlighted in the July 8, 2015 hearing entitled
``Examining DHS's Misplaced Focus on Climate Change.''
DOMESTIC TERRORISM
On September 22, 2016, the Subcommittee held a hearing
entitled ``Identifying the Enemy: Radical Islamist Terror.''
Despite objections from Democratic Members, Majority Members
elected to use an incidenary and, at the time, politically
charged title. As stated by Subcommittee Ranking Member Watson
Coleman during the hearing, propaganda, including political
discussions such as the name of the hearing, provides a
misnomer to the threat and adds to the rhetoric that inspires
lone actors and terrorist organizations. Throughout the
hearing, Democratic Members emphasized that inflammatory
rhetoric such as the suggestion that the United States should
ban or surveil certain populations also fuel terrorist groups.
Majority Members failed to understand that their approach is
troubling because they choose to ignore the growing threat from
right wing extremism.
UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE
The United States Secret Service's (USSS) paramount mission
of protecting the President, First Family, and other high-
ranking officials allows no tolerance for error. A single
miscue, or even a split-second delay, could have disastrous
consequences for the nation. As a result, Democratic Members of
the Subcommittee have placed a great deal of focus and
attention to the oversight of this component. Democratic
Members have also stressed the importance of a diverse
workforce and effective management.
On November 17, 2016, the Subcommittee held a joint hearing
with the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal
Management entitled ``Examining Ongoing Challenges at the U.S.
Secret Service and their Government-wide Implications.''
Throughout the hearing, Democratic Members examined the
findings of the Protective Mission Panel, assembled to not only
examine security at the White House, but also evaluate broader
issues within the Secret Service. The Panel found a systematic
problem exists within the Agency, one that requires changes in
leadership, policy, and overall accountability.
Throughout the hearing, Democratic Members asserted that an
evaluation of singular, isolated incidents involving USSS is
important, but even more importantly, Congress must determine
the sources of such incidents in the overall culture of the
Secret Service, in particular the Service's lack of diversity,
accountability, and overall trust. As observed by the
Protective Mission Panel, it is clear that Secret Service
officers from multiple generations and ranks do not have
confidence that USSS leaders impose discipline in a fair and
consistent manner. A lack of confidence has led to a decline in
morale, which could further lead to very dangerous operational
miscues. Major changes must occur on the inside of the Secret
Service to ensure the level of performance demanded by the
Service's missions and expected by the American people.
On September 25, 2015, the DHS OIG released a management
alert entitled ``Investigation into the Improper Access and
Distribution of Information Contained Within a Secret Service
Data System.'' On October 19, 2015 and June 17, 2016,
Subcommittee staff was briefed by the Secret Service on the
investigation and the disciplinary actions prescribed to
employees. On August 18, 2016, Chairman McCaul and Ranking
Member Thompson sent a letter to DHS regarding thevarious
punishments, particularly calling into question why rank and
file Secret Service employees were penalized to a higher degree
than SES personnel. The Subcommittee received a response to the
letter on October 24, 2016.
Subcommittee on Transportation Security
TITLE V RIGHTS
H.R. 4488, ``Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2016''
Since its inception, the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) was granted the authority to design and
implement its own personnel system. Transportation Security
Officers (TSOs), who compose the frontline of protecting the
commercial aviation sector, are subject to this personnel
system, while those who work at headquarters are covered under
Title V protections. While TSOs are allowed to bargain over a
narrow range of issues through their representative, the issues
of high importance, including but not limited to workplace
rights, health, leave, appeals processes and wages- are all
determined by TSA's personnel system.
TSOs have historically fought for higher wages, as their
positions are not categorized under the General Schedule system
which many other workforces are subject to, and those who work
in TSA headquarters are often categorized under. TSOs have also
been subject to a dispute resolution system that leaves the
Administrator of TSA as the last and final arbiter for any
appeals processes related to disciplinary actions against a
TSO, originating from the TSA itself. These issues contribute
to high turnover within a frontline workforce that plays a
vital role in commercial aviation security, as evidenced by
TSA's consistent near-bottom ranking in best places to work in
the federal government surveys.
Though these issues have been pressing for the ranks of
more than 40,000 TSOs, and conceivably are linked to morale
issues and high turnover rates, it is disappointing that the
majority has not held one oversight activity that specifically
focuses on the disparate treatment that TSOs receive in
comparison to other federal employees.
Furthermore, it is disappointing and concerning that
legislation intended to address these disparities by placing
protections on pay rates and other rights of TSOs while
bringing them under general civil service provisions was not
considered for markup by the Committee.
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION
According to the bipartisan Committee Oversight Plan for
the 114th Congress, the Committee would examine the efforts
used by TSA to secure modes within the surface transportation
sector, including mass transit and rail systems. Fifteen years
after the 9/11 attacks, TSA has dedicated the overwhelming
majority or their resources to aviation security on a recurring
basis, nearly neglecting the needs of modes within the surface
transportation sector. Out of the 16 hearings held by the
Subcommittee in the 114th Congress, only two of them focused
directly on surface transportation. Furthermore, the small
amount of Subcommittee activity on surface transportation has
been limited to mass transit, freight and rail passenger, and
pipelines. No oversight was done regarding highway and motor
carrier security, which are areas that TSA is also responsible
for safeguarding. Democratic Members remain concerned about the
Majority's neglect in pursuing oversight in these areas.
In March 2016, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL) claimed responsibility for three coordinated attacks in
Belgium: two at Brussels airport and one at the Maalbeek metro
station in Brussels. The bomb at the Maalbeek station exploded
from the second carriage of a four carriage train. Subsequent
to this attack, the Subcommittee failed to hold hearings. Also,
two months after the terrorist attack in Brussels, the DHS OIG
reported that TSA failed to to implement passenger rail
requirements from the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11
Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-53). Neither a terrorist
attack abroad nor concerns from the OIG prompted the Majority
to hold Congressional hearings. Instead, the Committee chose to
put surface transportation on the backburner and shifted its
focus to having a political debates on the resumption of
commercial aviation service to Cuba.
RESUMPTION OF SCHEDULED COMMERCIAL AVIATION SERVICE TO CUBA
In February 2016, the Obama Administration released a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Cuba and the U.S.,
setting terms ``for the conduct of international air
transportation by airlines of either Country holding all
necessary authorizations and licenses". In addition, the MoU
affirms both U.S. and Cuban governments' ``commitment to
protect the security of civil aviation against acts of unlawful
interference,'' citing several international conventions signed
by both governments, and the governments' shared intent ``to
observe the security provisions required by the other
country.''\6\ The MoU also states that both ``countries should
cooperate by facilitating communications and other appropriate
measures'' in cases of ``unlawful acts against the security of
passengers, crew, aircraft, airports, or navigation
facilities.''\7\
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\6\U.S.-Cuba Memorandum of Understanding of February 16, 2016,
Department of State, .
\7\IBID.
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The Subcommittee conducted multiple hearings, oversight
letters, staff and Member briefings regarding the conducted
resumption of scheduled commercial air service to Cuba. Though
TSA, the Department of Homeland Security, Department of State,
and Department of Transportation either testified before
Congress or briefed the committee on numerous occasions and in
correspondence that the process for evaluating the security
effectiveness of Cuban last-point-of-departure airports was no
different from the evaluations from any other last-point-of-
departure evaluations, the Majority continued to conduct
oversight on the topic.
While the Democratic Members share serious concern with the
security of airports that have direct flights to the United
States, it is the Democratic Members' belief that this concern
should extend to all last point of departure airport, and that
valuable resources during the 114th Congress could have been
allocated to address less explored oversight topics, such as
surface security.
Bennie G. Thompson
Ranking Member
Committee on Homeland Security