More than a decade after the 9/11 Commission made recommendations regarding congressional oversight of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), The House Committee on Homeland Security today passed a series of bipartisan bills that will reform and improve key elements of DHS.
"Since the beginning of 2015, the Committee on Homeland Security has passed 27 bills on the Floor of the Houseto reform and improve DHS,” said chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas).
He said, “These 15 additional bills are a continuation of the committee’s work to address key department challenges. It is our responsibility to provide DHS with the direction to best focus on its core mission to protect the homeland and at the same time save taxpayers’ money and eliminate bureaucracy.”
McCaul said, “This has been a bipartisan, collaborative effort by members of the committee on homeland security and other committees,” noting that, “For far too long, key elements of DHS have operated without proper direction from Congress and we will continue to find a way DHS can operate more efficiently to safeguard our nation.”
The 15 bills would eliminate nine assistant secretary/director positions; abolish three offices; eliminate 10 unnecessary and costly reports; reign in bureaucracy; provide clear congressional direction; and, mandate efficiency reviews.
The legislation passed by the House Homeland Security Committee are:
- HR 3102, the Airport Access Control Security Improvement Act of 2015, introduced by Rep. John Katko (R-NY), reforms programs of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and streamlines transportation security regulations.
- HR 3144, the Partners for Aviation Security Act, introduced by Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ), requires TSA to consult with the Aviation Security Advisory Committee before modifying the prohibited items list and requires a report on the Transportation Security Oversight Board.
- HR 3350, the Know the CBRN Terrorism Threats to Transportation Act, introduced by Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY), requires a terrorism threat assessment on the transportation of chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological materials through United States land borders and within the United States.
- HR 3361, the Department of Homeland Security Insider Threat and Mitigation Act of 2015, introduced by Rep. Peter King (R-NY), establishes the Insider Threat Program.
- HR 3490, the Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act, introduced by Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas), authorizes the Computer Forensics Institute.
- HR 3493, the Securing the Cities Act of 2015, introduced by Rep. Dan Donovan (R-NY), establishes the Securing the Cities program which will 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.
- HR 3503, the Department of Homeland Security Support to Fusion Centers Act of 2015, introduced by Rep. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), requires an assessment of fusion center personnel needs.
- HR 3505, the Department of Homeland Security Clearance Management and Administration Act, introduced by Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), improves the management and administration of the security clearance processes throughout the Department of Homeland Security.
- HR 3510, the Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity Strategy Act of 2015, introduced by Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), requires the Secretary to develop a cybersecurity strategy for the Department of Homeland Security.
- HR 3572, the DHS Headquarters Reform and Improvement Act of 2015, introduced by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), reforms, streamlines, and makes improvements to the Department of Homeland Security and to support their efforts to implement better policy, planning, management and performance.
- HR 3578, the DHS Science and Technology Reform and Improvements Act of 2015, introduced by Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas), strengthens and makes improvements to the Directorate of Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security.
- HR 3583, the Promoting Resilience and Efficiency in Preparing for Attacks and Responding to Emergencies Act, introduced by Rep. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), reforms and improves the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Office of Emergency Communications, and the Office of Health Affairs of the Department of Homeland Security.
- HR 3584, the Transportation Security Administration Reform and Improvement Act of 2015, introduced by Rep. John Katko (R-NY), authorizes, streamlines, and identify efficiencies within the Transportation Security Administration.
- HR 3586, the Border and Maritime Coordination Improvement Act, introduced by Rep. Candice Miller (R-Mich.), improves border and maritime security coordination in the Department of Homeland Security.
- HR3598, the Fusion Center Enhancement Act of 2015, introduced by Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Penn.), enhances the partnership between the Department of Homeland Security and the National Network of Fusion Centers.
