Transcripts For CSPAN U.S. House Of Representatives U.S. House Of Representatives 20180109

Go to cspan. Org. Click the series tab. Take you live to the floor of the house gaveling in for legislative business in just a moment. 15 bills on the agenda, including a resolution of support for proteverts in iran. Most of the bills today dealing with Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs. The speaker the house will be in order. The prayer will be offered by our chaplain, father conroy. Chaplain conroy let us pray. Lord our god, we give you thanks for giving us another year. At the beginning of this new session, surround us with your holy spirit, encompass with your power all the walls and the dome of this building, truly a symbol to the world of inalienable rights and the free tom of people. Guide and protect your elected servants in government and all who work in this place. May all who visit here be treated with respect and kindness. May the comings and goings of your people be under the seal of your loving care and may all our work be done for your greater honor and glory, amen. The speaker the chair has examined the journal of the last days proceedings and announces to the house his approval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1, the journal stands approved. The pledge of allegiance allegiance will be led by the gentleman from texas, mr. Babin. Mr. Babin i pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The speaker pro tempore the chair lays before the house a communication. The clerk the honorable the speaker, house of representatives. Sir, i write to inform you that i will resign from the office of u. S. Representative effective 5 00 p. M. Eastern standard time monday, january 15, 20. For the past 17 years it has been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve the people of ohio as a member of congress. I thank you for your leadership as speaker and wish youall the best in future success. Signed, sincerely, patrick j. Tiberi, representative. The speaker the chair will entertain up to 15 requests for oneminute speeches on each side of the aisle. For what purpose does the gentleman from South Carolina seek recognition . Mr. Wilson i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker without objection, the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Wilson last week hi the opportunity to visit every county in the district i represent on an annual agenda today tour. I shared with local media and constituents the legislative agenda for 2018 as well as my appreciation for the republican tax reform which has already created jobs. While walking through walgreens two weeks ago, the owner of the auto service told me that as a direct result of republican tax cuts, he is adding a new bay to his shop. The Pharmaceuticals Company led by lou and bill, announced an annual 5,000 pay increase and adding 125 jobs in lexington county. American airlines and aflac are adding jobs while countless other businesses are providing pay increases and bonuses for their employees. Im grateful for the leadership of president trump, speaker paul d. Ryan, majority leader kevin mccarthy, republican whip Steve Scalise and chairman kevin braidy. Thank you for providing much needed tax relief to citizens to create jobs. In conclusion, god bless our troops and well never forget september 11 and the global war on terrorism. Best wishes to Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman ed and marie royce on their decision to conclude service in congress. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. For what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Quigley thank you. Mr. Speaker, each year were reminded of the day that continental flight 3427 crashed in western new york. This tragedy forever changed our community and stole the lives of husbands, wives, sons, mr. Quigley daughters, sisters and brothers n their grief the families of flight 340 bravely turned their loss into a powerful force for change. And their leadership with their Leadership Congress enacted strong and Landmark Aviation safety reform legislation that. Reform exactly aligned with what the National Transportation safety board concluded that the crash was avoidable and that pilot error and failed training procedures was the cause. We have new leadership at the federal Aviation Administration and i strongly urge him to swiftly enforce the Flight Safety law. We the members of the western new york delegation, and the families of flight 3407, will be watching and closely. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the the gentlewoman from florida seek recognition . Ms. Roslehtinen unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized one inute. Ms. Roslehtinen thank you so much, mr. Speaker. This friday, january 12, marks he eighth anniversary of the devastating earthquake that devastating earthquake that took the lives of 250,000 haitians and left unimaginable destruction. Local south florida organizations led by haitian women of miami ms. Roslehtinen thank you wil silent march at 4 00 p. M. This friday to mark the occasion walking from northwest 62nd street to north miami avenue to the little haiti cultural certainty. These past eight years the people of haiti have shown incrediblele resolve, even after being hit by hurricanes matthew and irma recently, and sadly there is still much work to be done, mr. Speaker. Many haitians came to the United States after these natural disasters seeking safety and security. Sadly, the administration terminated the temporary protected status, t. P. S. , to these individuals. Forcing them to return to a devastated haiti that is still struggling to rebuild. As we mark the sad anniversary, we must reaffirm our commitment to helping haiti move forward. And that must start by caug upon calling upon the administration to reverse its decision to terminate t. P. S. For haiti. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what reason for other purposes the gentlelady from florida seek recognition . Ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. The gentlelady is recognized for one minute. Miss cassor ms. Castor thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week the Trump Administration proposed opening up all of the coast of the United States of america to offshore oil drilling. This is a very risky proposition for my home state of florida. Our economy depends on tourism, clean water, strong fishing economy, and we have a military mission line off of the west coast of florida that has to be protected from drilling. Were not that far removed from the b. P. Deep water horizon disaster that caused loss of life. Billions of dollars in economic damage. And significant environmental damage as well. Why would we put our economy, our environment, our military missions at risk for such a risky proposition . There may be appropriate places to drill for oil, but its not off of the coast of the state of florida. My republican colleague, francis rooney, and i have cosponsored a bipartisan bill, the Florida Coastal protection act, h. R. 2002. I urge the support of the congress in turning back this very risky proposal for offshore oil drilling by the Trump Administration. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . I request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Conaway mr. Speaker, some folks in washington are upset because we just passed the largest tax increase in american history. They think this money is washingtons money. And that politicians and bureaucrats to decide how to spend it. Coy not disagree more. You and i know this money belongs to the American People. Came right out of their wallets. Under our new law we put hardworking Families First by helping them cope with the cost of raising children by doubling the child tax credit. Also help Small Businesses by cutting their taxes so that they can compete with Foreign Companies and create jobs right here in america. For those folks who dont think they need an extra also help sm by cutting their taxes so that they can compete ,500 or so or who think politicians and bureaucrats can spend their money better, i have a solution. Mr. Babin go ahead and drop your new refund check in the mail. Send it to the i. R. S. They will be glad to take your money. Thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from illinois seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Madam speaker, i rise today in support of the Childrens Health Insurance Program that so many of our vulnerable young people depend on for their health care coverage. Across the country, eight million young people use chip. More than 300,000 people in illinois alone, but their coverage and consequently their health and future are now in jeopardy because this house has felt to failed to reauthorize the program for the first time in 20 years. Yesterday marked 100 days since the authorization lapsed. Mr. Schneider before the new Year Congress temporarily extended funding. But the Medicare Services is already warning some states wont have the money to make it through january. Its beyond shapeful this house can pass trillions of dollars in tax breaks for those with the most security. But not see it to provide its way see its way to provide Health Insurance for the children most in need. This is a vital program. This is a popular program. This is a program that traditionally enjoys bipartisan support. There is no reason to continue to extend the uncertainty. I urge my colleagues to act and to reauthorize the chip program as soon as possible and to offer much needed stability to families and their children depending on this coverage. With that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Thompson request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Thompson thank you, madam speaker. Madam speaker, i rise today on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day to commend Law Enforcement officers throughout our nation who answer the call to serve their communities. Law enforcement officers face increasingly difficult circumstances. While working to serve and protect the public. Its a dangerous job. And often its a thankless job. Our officers put on their uniforms each day knowing they can be in harms way at any moment. The answered the call in times of distress. They follow the rules and wear the badges proudly. This day is designated annually on january 9 to show support to our Law Enforcement leaders in every community. Including the Capitol Police who are with us here today. Madam speaker, we must remember that our officers are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, husbands and wives. They are human and they arguably have one of the most difficult jobs in america. So today and each day lets honor our brothers and sisters in blue. Lets thank them for the important work that they do to keep us all safe. Thank you, madam speaker. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from michigan seek recognition . Mr. Kildee i seek unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Kildee thank you, madam speaker. The republican majority spent the entire year of 2017 in this house essentially stacking the deck for the most powerful interests in this country. A tax bill, you look at it closely, it grants massive benefits to people at the very top of the economy. At the cost of over 1 trillion in debt that our children and grandchildren will have to pay back. Now with just 10 days to go before another potential government shut down, a shut down which would cost our economy billions of dollars, we still have not gotten a budget, despite the fact that republicans control the house, they control the senate, they control the white house, they consolidated power and cant keep the government opened for than a few weeks at a time. The way we have to do this is Work Together across the aisle. Were willing, but we cant be brought into the conversation 15 minutes before the government is going to be shut down. And we ought to deal with the big priorities that we were sent here to deal with. Where we agree, we agree on chip, at least the majority of the house does, to bring it to the floor for than a few weeks time. A house. E have to do this we agree on daca, a majority would vote for a dream bill. And lets just work on the things we can agree on and leave the partisan fights to those areas where we really disagree. This is long overdue. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. For what purpose does the gentleman from iowa seek recognition . Unanimous consent toe address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, i rise today again to call my colleagues to quickly pass a fiveyear tension of the Childrens Health Insurance Program. Around 85,000 iowa children rely on chip for their health. If we dont act, families and children will suffer. This is not a republican issue or a democrat issue. And we must pass a solution together. Families should not be worried about losing coverage for their children. And the fact that this congress cannot muster the ability to pass a longterm extension of chip is confounding to say the least. We must quickly setaside any political games, come to the table and Work Together to pass a longterm chip funding bill. Mr. Speaker madam speaker, i urge my colleagues to setaside any political games or partisan brinksmanship and come together and fully fund chip. Mr. Young the health of our children is at stake. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the the gentlewoman from ohio seek recognition 1234 recognition . Unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. And include extraneous material. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Ms. Kaptur mr. Speaker, i rise today madam speaker, i rise today to honor sister katherine pingerton who journeyed from us during this past Christmas Season in cleveland. She had attained the age of 96. Sister katherine was a Roman Catholic sister of the st. Joseph order for 78 years. She rose to serve as president of her congregation and was also selected to lead the National Leadership conference of all religious women. And was awarded its outstanding Leadership Award in 2006. She worked as a founder of network, the social justice lobby, urging congress to care for the needy and sick. E became a tireless advocate for the poor and depressed. One of her greatest victories was pushing for passage of the Childrens Health Insurance Program, which insures nine million of americas children. In 2008 she was invited to deliver the benediction at the Democratic National convention and she urged american, and i to makeo call forth and leaders of our nation those of solid values who are open to not only what is but are discerning and welcoming of what is yet to be. Sister katherine, your sack official life was extraordinary and you were countercultural. You will be miss. May your passionate words and deeds guide us to care for our fellow human beings. The American People are grateful for your lifetime of service. I ask unanimous consent to include in the record eulogy and tribute to sister katherine by Sister Christine shank who spoke at her Memorial Service and whose first sentence about her reads, katherines life was all about bringing glad tidings to the poor and letting the oppressed go free. She was so powerfully passionate and so dedicated to her mission of justice, who can doubt that the spirit had indeed anointed her for this work. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleladys time has expired. For what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . I seek unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Panamase to congratulate city fire chief daly on his retirement he served the people of Panama City Beach for 30 years, taking the responsibility to run into the fire, putting his life on the line to save others count lets times. When he began his career in 1985 there were only seven career firefighters, today that number has grown to 35 as our city has grown and thrived. John was promoted to chief in 2002 and has remained an outstanding leader ever since. Mr. Dunn he considers the firefighters under his watch to be family and he knows theyll continue to do great thing under the leadership of the new fire chief, larry couch. Madam speaker, please join me in saying thank you to chief daley, his wife joan, and their daughters for their years of service and sacrifice and wish them luck as they enjoy a new chapter in life. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from washington seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Madam speaker, before i came to congress i spent 33 years as a cop. Today is national Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, a day to honor our dedicated Law Enforcement officers who selflessly put their lives on the line each and every day to protect our families. We not only honor those who protect and serve us today but we also remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Sadly, yesterday, in my community, we experienced the death of the murder of another police officer. Mr. Reichert his name, Deputy Daniel mccartney, of the Pierce County sheriffs office, shot and killed while responding to a burglary call. This brave man was also a navy veteran and leaves behind a wife and three sons. Four years 4 years old, 6 years old, and 9 years old. Without a father. I ask you to join me today in praying for his family and for his colleagues in the pearce county sheriffs office. Every day, Law Enforcement officers are asked to stand tall in the face of danger. Know. To paraphrase a quote from sheriff pastor yesterday after the death of his fallen officer, Deputy Mccartney ran toward trouble, ran to protect. With the n who served heart of a servant with spirit, with strength, and compassion. Please join me today in thanking our Law Enforcement officers across this nation for their dedicated service. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Smith the medias daily negative stories continues, they continue to ignore positive stories about the president. The media were not so biased, the American People would know the following. The 4. 1 Unemployment Rate for the entire country is the lowest its been in 17 years. Latino and africanamerican unemployment numbers are the lowest in decades. The stock market has broken numerous records, adding significant value to americans investment and retirement accounts. The economy is growing at 3. 3 , the fastest in years. Consumer confidence is at a 17year high. The lib the liberal media should report the facts even if they look the if they make the president look good. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from arizona from arkansas seek recognition . Ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Madam speaker, i rise today on this Law Enforcement Appreciation Day to recognize this years Little Rock Police Department Recruit Class and their efforts to fill dozens of sworn officer vacancies within the department. Mr. Hill little rocks police force has suffered a loss in numbers over the past few year, currently with 84 sworn officer vacancies. According to department data, this falls recruit class is tide for the largest number of strart regular crutes since 1993. Earlier this year, city manager bruce moore announced officers would work mandatory overtime due to the vacancy, soy thank city city manager moore, chief butler and others for their leadership an efforts to address these vacancies and return the to full strength. I appreciate the important work of oour police throughout the nation who are charged with the critical work of protecting us in our states and communities. I wish this recruit class the best of luck as they pursue their goal of joining the Little Rock Police department and ensuring the safety of our citizens our neighborhoods, and our property. Thank you, madam speaker, and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from virginia seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Madam speaker, i rise to claim that Climate Change is real that it is manmade, and that we have a responsibility to act bravely and constructively to minimize the damage it does to humanity and the flora and fauna of our planet. The reality of our warming atmosphere, oceans and continents has been established in thousands of peerreviewed articles. This is a fact. Science is always evolving. Scientists continue to work diligently to discover the fact the processes, than eimplications for all of us. Mostly what we learn is sad and destructive. Mr. Beyer last week the preer reviewed journal science published a peerreviewed article that coral bleaching is has affected so much that the coral cannot recover between episodes. Every member of Congress Must bear the burden of this responsibility. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Without objection, the gentleman s recognized for one minute. Madam speaker, it is with a heavy heart that i rise today to honor the memory of philadelphia irefighter lieutenant matt letournaeu, also a longtime member of the springfield fire company. He tragically died saturday evening giving his life protecting his community while battling a row house fire in subfreezing temperatures in the city of philadelphia. Mr. Meehan he graduated from Cardinal Ohara high school in 1983 and served 11 years as a member of the Philadelphia Fire Department he joined springfields fire company at the age of 16 and continued to serve as instructor as the Delaware Emergency Services center where he was praised by colleagues for his skill and the knowledge he passed on to them about how to keep themselves safe he served his community with dedication, commitment and his colleagues said we took a big loss in the fire service. J. J. Bonsall, one of his closest friends, said he was one of the greatest firefighters he we know. He was also a participant in something called red paw, making sure animals harmed in fires have a safe place. Thank Matt Letourneau for his service. The condolences and congratulations are wiz h his other, his extended family and with his fellow firefighters. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from arizona seek recognition . Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Madam speaker, i rise today to recognize the stop the bleed training courses offered by me American College of surgeons. Every year more than 180,000 americans die from injuries sustained in a myriad of ways. What many people may not know is a large number of number of these fatalities result in the from instantaneous trauma but from blood loss. Mr. Biggs uncontrolled bleeding can kill us in five to 10 minutes. Bleeding is a preventable cause of death thats why the stop the bleed effort is such a valuable program. The American College of surgeons working in partnership with many other organizations has made this training easily available to americans across this country. I had the opportunity to participate in stop the bleed training myself and as part of my course i learned how to properly apply bandages and tourniquets and you know what, it was actually kind of fun. We should do more to ensure more accidents dont become tragedies and this must include putting blood Loss Prevention in our preparedness tool kit. Lets all be prepared to come to the aid of our fellow citizens if the need arises. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from michigan seek recognition . Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, madam speaker. I rise today to honor the legacy of a constituent of mine in my district, dr. Richard alberta, Senior Pastor at Cornerstone Evangelical Church in brighton, michigan. On december 21, he stepped down from the pulpit after 40 years of service. Mr. Bishop originally from new york, he was raised in a nonreligious home. After marrying his high school sweetheart, don narc he embarked on a successful career. Until one day something changed. He attended a Church Service and realized the missing puzzle piece in his life. It was to do whatever he can to pursue and prayerfully consider the path felt by the love of his loffered lord and devotion to his ministry. Over the past four decades , he dedicated his time, wisdom, and leadership to the lord and the church. His friendship an faithful guidance has made a lasting impression on the lives of so many. As he begins his next chapter, i wish him all the best and commend him on his unwearing commitment to his congregation and our community as a whole. Madam speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, the chair will postpone further proceedings today on motions to suspend the rules on which a recorded vote or the yeas and nays ared or ord, or votes on thed to under clause 6 of rule 20. The house will resume proceedings on postponed questions at a later time. For what purpose does the gentleman from alabama seek reck anything . Madam speaker, i move the house suspend the rules and pass. R. 4577, the domestic explosive detection canine capability act of 2017 as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the titetholve bill. The clerk a bill to establish a working group to determine ways to develop a domestic canine breeding network to produce high quality explosives detection canines and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from alabama, mr. Rogers, and the gentleman from texas, mr. Ve la, each will mr. Vila each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from alabama. Mr. Rogers i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous information in the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection, so order. Mr. Rogers i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Rogers i rise in support of passage of my bile, the explosives detection canine capability act of 2017 this legislation creates a working group on behavioral, medical, and technical standards for explosive detection working and breeding and training. This group will consist of Transportation Security Administration, the office of science and technology, private sector canine vendors and breeders, industry associations, leading veterinarians and academics with firsthand knowledge of the subject matter. The final report on standards should reflect the latest in canine science and will be present to the t. S. A. Administrator for further Breeding Development as well as canine procurement. Canines are far more efficient than any machine and much more cost effective. The use of canine detection canines by t. S. A. Is critical in keeping american passengers safe. With this in mind, why, then, does t. S. A. Procure the majority of its canines from european vendors in conjunction with the department of defense . American canine breeders produce exceptional working dog lines but t. S. A. s arcane procurement rules and training requirements create barriers to entry for american breeders, especially private sector vendors. This passage of this bill the t. S. A. Will be required to incorporate findings and standards from the working group into the procurement process to create greater consistency and transparency for private sector vendors. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this commonsense bill and passing h. R. 4577. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Vela madam speaker, i rise in support of h. R. 4577, the domestic explosives detection canine Capacity Building act of 2017. And i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Vela thank you, madam speaker. In recent years the volume of air travel has steadily res. En with had 2 42 Million People traveling domestically in the last 19 days of 2017 alone. Last year the worldwide number of people flying rose to historic high of 4 billion passengers. The high visibility of the aviation sector makes it a persistent target for terrorists who wish to carry out attacks and inflict harm upon u. S. Citizens. As such, t. S. A. Must continue 20 to seek new ways to collaborate with stakeholders and better incorporate security tools into security operations. One of the tools we know to be effective is canine detection teams, particularly in detect and protecting against explosive threats. In a may, 2017 hearing before the committee on Homeland Security last year, the director of the Threat Assessment Division within the Transportation Security Administration attested to the of aviation screening canine teams, saying canines are incredibly effective, that can do things we cant even measure with machines. The legislation before us today, h. R. 4577, would require t. S. A. To establish a of workin group of stakeholders to determine ways to develop a domestic canine breeding network to deduce explosive detection canines and modernize canine training standards. Today the demand for train and certified dogs is huge with more and more stakeholders coming to understand the capability of our four legged friends. This demand has led a shortage presenting challenges for the u. S. Government in the procurement of suitable canines. In testimony before the committee, t. S. A. And various stakeholders have cited these challenges and expressed concern regarding how to best address this shortage. That is why this legislation is so important. The working group mandated in this legislation draws from authorities on explosives detection canines and Homeland Security missions, including the Transportation Security Administration, the department of Homeland Security science and Technology Direct rat, national necessaryic canine association, academic experts, and domestic canine breersd and vendors. The knowledge and expertise offered by this Diverse Group of representatives will ensure that d. H. S. Can implement an effective and impactful strategy to further the development of explosives detection canine teams. For these reasons i urge my house colleagues to support this legislation and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from alabama is recognized. Mr. Rogers thank you, madam speaker. Id like to yield three minutes to the chairman of the transportation and security subcommittee on the committee of Homeland Security, the gentleman from new york, mr. Katko. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york is recognized for three minutes. Mr. Katko madam speaker, i rise today in strong support of my colleagues bill, h. R. 4577, the domestic explosives detection canine Capacity Building act of 2017. This bill will help develop a Domestic Program through which d. H. S. And t. S. A. Can aguirre high quality explosives detection canines from the United States. Currently too much money is spent on too few canines because were forced to compete for dogs from other countries in this high demand threat environment. Mr. Rogers bill will help mitigate threats to Aviation Security by working to build our capacity here at home while proliferating the use of highly capable explosives detection canines. In a time where threats to Homeland Security are rapidly evolving, these dogs represent one of our greatest security tools in detecting explosives in surface and Aviation Transportation systems. I thank mr. Rogers for his leadership on this issue. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Thank you. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from alabama reserves. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Vela i reserve my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from alabama is recognized. Mr. Rogers thank you, madam speaker. I have no further speakers. Im prepared to close whenever my colleague is. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Vela madam speaker, im prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Vela madam speaker, h. R. 4577 will jumpstart conversations on how to increase the supply of canines and bert integrate them in t. S. A. s layered security at airports and surface transportation hubs. Canines have become an invaluable asset to d. H. S. In fulfilling its many Important Missions and goals. Even prior to the inception of the department, canines were utilized by Law Enforcement and First Responder agencies for decades, proving to be one of the most effective and versatile tools in detecting threats and protecting the homeland. Terrorists are working hard to exploit vulnerabilities in our Transportation System and the u. S. Must utilize all of our available resources to combat these threats. Canines are undoubtedly one such resource provide agrobust and reliable layer of security providing a robust and reliable layer of security. If enacted 4577 would be able to achieve and maintain a reliable supply of canines to deploy not only to airport terminals but mass transit systems. I encourage my colleagues to support h. R. 4577. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from alabama is recognized. Mr. Rogers thank you, madam speaker. This is an area that we have spent a lot of time on in the committee on Homeland Security over several years. And i can state without equivocation there is no technology that is more effective at detecting explosives in our Transportation Systems than these canines. It is a shame that we have allowed ourselves to become so heavily dependent on european providers for this very essential asset. This bill will go a long way to helping our country establish its own production of these essential assets for our use in keeping our country safe and secure. I urge my colleagues to vote yes. With that i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 4577, as amended. So many as are in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition . Madam speaker, i move the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 4567, the department of Homeland Security overseas personnel enhancement act of 2017, as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 4567, a bill to require a department of Homeland Security overseas personnel enhancement plan, and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from new york, mr. Katko, and the gentleman from texas, mr. Vela, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from new york. Mr. Katko madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and and their remarks include extraneous material on the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection, so ordered. Mr. Katko madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Katko madam speaker, i rise in strong support of h. R. 4567, the d. H. S. Overseas personnel enhancement act of 2017. As chairman of the Homeland Security committees subcommittee on transportation and protective security, i recently led a bipartisan congressional delegation to europe and the middle east to Exam International Aviation Security and counterterrorism operations. The efforts of d. H. S. Personnel stationed overseas to build relationships with foreign partners, coordinate with other federal agencies, and secure our homeland from threats before they arrive on our shores, are truly a testament to the vital Counter Terror mission of Homeland Security. Additionally, the trip underscored the need to assure the effectiveness and efficiency of our overseas programs in a manner that is risk based. Unfortunately, however, i also observe that even today more than 15 years after 9 11, the United States government still struggles to avoid stovepiping and effectively participate in information sharing and collaboration on Homeland Security matters. It is imperative that Homeland Security personnel serve as a force multiplier with their federal counterparts to act in Genuine Partnership when mitigating threats to the homeland both here and abroad. My legislation takes observations from our delegation and codifies requirements to make overseas Homeland Security personnel more effective and better equipped. This bill provide critical transparency to the Training Provided to overseas Homeland Security employees, as well as how their positions and roles measurably contribute to the Counterterrorism Mission of the department of Homeland Security. Additionally, my bill will allow congress to understand what Organizational Culture or bureaucratic hindrances exist to effect information sharing among d. H. S. Personnel and how we can break down barriers to better address evolving threats to the United States. The first role of government is to protect its citizens. And is it incumbent upon those of us in congress to ensure that the United States government is doing all it can to respond to the changing threats . Sharing information effectively and build counterterrorism capacity among our foreign partners. I appreciate the bipartisan support of Ranking Member Watson Coleman, congressman vela, and congresswoman message of this bill and meng of this bill and look forward to continuing our Work Together on these own other issues. I also wish to thank the chairman of the full committee for his unwavering support of our efforts. Thank you, madam speaker. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Vela madam speaker, i rise in support of h. R. 4567, the d. H. S. Overseas personnel enhancement act of 2017. And i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Vela thank you, madam speaker. Madam speaker, the d. H. S. Overseas personnel enhancement act of 2017 would require the department of Homeland Security to submit to congress an overseas Personnel Assessment and enhancement plan. Today roughly 2,000 Homeland Security personnel have been deployed to more than 70 countries around the world. These d. H. S. Employees are involved in a diverse range of overseas operations, targeted at terrorism, prevention, counter narcotics, and preventing human smuggling. I am particularly interested in the efforts of the national targeting certainty which is housed within u. S. Customs and Border Protection, to embed intelligence analysts in overseas information sharing operations with International Partners to prevent terrorists and other criminal networks from carrying out attacks and criminal operations with immunity. In fact, in a short while the house will be debating h. R. 4578, the Counter Terror network act which among other things authorizes overseas eployments from c. B. P. About half of personnel are from c. B. P. And involved among other things in reason screening u. S. Bound passengers at airports, inspecting cargo being loaded on ships bound for the u. S. And training other nations customs and border force. It assigns special agents, secret Service Special agents, and Transportation Security Administration officials to oversea posts to engage with International Partners on counterterrorism, counter narcotics, information sharing, and criminal investigations, as well as security screening and vetting programs. Just last month c. B. Personnel were veditted with helping ecuadorian authorities in and getting 8le ,000 pounds of cocaine. In south america they tracked a lowflying aircraft that intelligence reports indicate hd not filed a flight plan and with a long lens camera snapped images of the planes tail number and other details and radioed information to authorities in ecuador who were waiting when the plane landed to arrest the smugglers. According to c. B. P. , its p3 Plane Program 35 trolls more than 42 million square miles in the gulf of mexico, caribbean sea, and Pacific Ocean and last year contributed to 145 drug seizures, helping american and foreign authorities capture a combined 34,108 pounds of mare kwana, 193,197 pounds of cocaine, according to customs and Border Protection records. More broadly, d. H. S. Personnel stationed overseas make important contributions to the departments efforts in securing the homeland and keeping the American People safe. As such, it is imperative that these individuals are utilized efficiently and effectively. This bill seeks to ensure just that. In 2016, congress enacted legislation that the committee on Homeland Security approved to direct the director of Homeland Security for the international programs. The law required d. H. S. To provide the committee with an inventory of personnel deployed abroad in a riskbased strategy to deploy personnel. The deadline was seven months ago this critical strategy has not been submitted to congress as mandated. H. R. 4567 incorporates an amendment from Ranking Member thompson that expands the bills requirement to include information on efforts to implement the strategy. Enactment of this Bipartisan Legislation should help enhance the effectiveness of d. H. S. Personnel in foreign locations. With that i urge my house colleagues to support this legislation and reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserve the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Rogers i have no more speakers and am prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserve the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Vela i yield three minutes to the gentleman from new jersey, mr. Payne. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for three minutes. Mr. Payne thank you, madam speaker. Madam speaker, i represent newark, new jersey, home of the port of newark and Liberty National airport. Port newark is the busiest container port on the east coast, handling over 700,000 Cargo Containers annually. In 2015, over 37 million passengers traveled through Newark Liberty International Airport include manage traveling into the United States from abroad. As a member of congress representing the largest port on the eastern seaboard and one of the busiest International Airports in the country, it is important to me that the federal government do everything in its power to push to protect our borders, to prevent dangerous cargo and dangerous people from coming into our country. D. H. S. Overseas personnel enhancement act of 2017 would do just that by directing the department to develop and execute an overseas Personnel Assessment and enhancement plan. As we speak, nearly 2,000 d. H. S. Employees stationed around the globe engaging in terrorism prevention, counternarcotics, and antihuman smuggling activities is more than is in more than 70 countries. About half of d. H. S. Personnel deployed overseas are from customs and Border Protection. Who are responsible for screening the u. S. Bound passengers at airports and inspecting cargo being loaded on the ships bound for the u. S. And training other nations customs and border forces. The Department Also sends immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, secret Service Special agents, and Transportation Security Administration officials abroad to help prevent International Criminal and terrorist activity from spreading into the United States. These activities have a direct impact on to the security of my district. Over the course of the past year, multiple people have been caught attempting to smuggle drugs into the country through Newark Liberty International Airport, including a man who tried to bring over one kilogram of heroin this the country by disguising it as a sixlayer cake. While i applaud the c. B. P. For apprehending bad actors as they attempt to enter the United States, i would prefer to keep the bad people and the bad cargo outside of our borders. Particularly in light of the drug epidemic affecting many of our communities. Accordingly, im committed to ensuring that the department has optimized the deployment of its international personnel. Therefore, i urge my colleagues to support h. R. 4557. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas reserves. The gentleman from new york. Madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. I reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves, the gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Vela im prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Vela h. R. 4567 seeks to enhance d. H. S. Efforts to push out our borders. The men and women of d. H. S. Face increasing challenges in responding to the Threat Landscape. Its imperative that d. H. S. Personnel overseas serve as part of this mission. Enactment of this legislation would be an porn step toward this goal. In fiscal year 2016, c. B. P. Officers inspected over 390 ports travelers at 328 of entry, at which over 119 flew into air ports of entry. Cbp officer through programs such as preclearance and others utilize a riskbased strategy to extend our Border Security efforts outward to detect, assess, and mitigate at the earliest possible point in the continuum any risk posed by travelers before they reach the United States. Today they work with their swrover seas counterparts to detect, disrupt, and dismantle transnational criminal groups and those who seek to arm to harm our country and people. They target the Illegal Movement of people, merchandise and monetary instruments into, within, and out of the United States. Maintaining an overseas footprint is costly. The annual cost of deploying an i. C. E. Agent overseas can be four times of deploying the agent domestically. As such it is critical that d. H. S. Have a strategy for its overseas program and execute it. Congress has an important oversight role to play to ensure they carry out these programs in a riskbased, strategic manner. I encourage my colleagues to support h. R. 4567 and yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Now, madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. The starkness of the challenges facing the men and women of d. H. S. To accomplish their mission was made clear to me and my Committee Colleagues on a recent trip to the middle east and western europe. Mr. Katko i hope they know how much we appreciate all their tireless efforts to protect the homeland and i want to take a moment before aclose and note the last three years on my committee ive had more of my colleagues, the Main Committee staff person, krista harvey, has worked on all these bills, worked on all these trips we have taken and played a key role in things we do to keep our country safe. In fact, i was just checking and 21 bills that she helped author were passed the house and many were signed into law. Ms. Harvey, regrettably is leaving to go leaving our service but will continue serving the government working at the Homeland Security in a senior capacity in the Transportation Security Administration. Thank you for your work and thank you for doing all you do as a Public Servant and thank you for helping us keep our country safe. With that, i urge my colleagues to support this important legislation. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 4567 as amended . Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 being in the affirmative mr. Katko i ask for the yeas and nays, please. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. All those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having risen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this uestion will be postponed. For what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition . Mr. Katko i rise and move the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 4561, the safe tech act, as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 4561, a bill to provide for Third Party Testing of transportation security Screening Technology and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from new york, mr. Katko, and the gentleman from texas, mr. Vela, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from new york. Mr. Katko i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Katko i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Katko i rise in support of h. R. 4561, the safe tech act, sponsored by my good friend and colleague and knowledgeable alumnus of the Homeland Security committee, mr. Bill law kiss. He recently committed tissue participated in my subcommittees overseas delegation to examine airport Screening Technology in last point of departure airports. As part of our delegation, we visited the airport in amsterdam where we saw the effective deployment of new and advanced computed tomography Screening Technology as well as other Screening Technology aimed at making the passenger and employee screening check points more effective and more efficient. Upon returning to the United States, the Committee Conducted rigorous oversight and found the existing testing and evaluation processes in place at the department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration are riddled with bureaucratic bottlenecks that serve to stall new technologies for years. The technology in place at the airport in amsterdam was made in the United States but we are not taking advantage of this technology due to bottlenecks. Additionally, Small Businesses as well as Technology Start up ins are often prevented from participating in the acquisitions and procurement processes. As a result, our Aviation System is left with antiquated Security Technology that is incapable of adequately responding to new and everevolving threats. Madam speaker, this is simply unacceptable and we must act to reform the Homeland Security and t. S. A. Acquisition processes. Homeland h. R. 4561 takes significant steps toward making these reforms by allowing new technologies to receive Third Party Testing and evaluation while maintaining existing laws of authority for the t. S. A. Administrator to ensure such testing remains held to the highest standards of security and integrity. This bill will not only drive innovation, but will also save taxpayer dollars at Homeland Security and t. S. A. While reducing costs to exeans introducing new screening technologies. Thats why we received broad support only in a bipartisan manner here in congress but also in the private sector. Madam speaker, i commend the dedication of congressman bilirakis to performing and reforming the broken acquisition process currently in place and for working with me and the on developing this bill. I wish to thank chairman mccaul for supporting this legislation and moving it quickly through the committee to address the serious concerns we found through oversight efforts. I want to thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who routinely support bills of ours and we routinely support bills of theirs because we understand Homeland Security is a bipartisan issue. With that, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Vela i rise in support of h. R. 4561, the security assess ment the safe tech act and yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore without objection the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Vela thank you, madam speaker. I rise to encourage my colleagues to support passage of h. R. 4561 which would require the department of Homeland Security to develop a new Third Party Testing program for transportation security Screening Technology. We have heard time and time again from vendors that it takes far too long to get their technologies through t. S. A. Testing processes. T. S. A. s testing and evaluation must be improved, not simply to improve Management Efficiency but to address the constantly evolving Threat Landscape in an effective manner. In november, the t. S. A. Administrator testified before the committee on Homeland Security about the need to accelerate deployment of innovative security enhancements as terrorist groups are become manager sophisticated. These bad oklahoma cityor actors are learning about our Aviation Security countermeasures and have gone so far as to post instructions to evade security devices on the internet. As terrorists and criminal organizations become more sophisticated we must remain a step ahead. H. R. 4561 seeks to do just that and move t. S. A. Forward in overcoming technology stovepipe that was hindered state of the art Security Technology from being i want grailted into our nations infrastructure in a timely manner. We have alternative avenues to test screening technologies, t. S. Ample will be positioned to introduce Technology Enhancements sooner and businesses will be better positioned to compete. The committee has repeatedly heard from small security manufacturers about how financially draining it is to wait out t. S. A. Testing in the hopes of a contract. R. 4561 if implemented effectively has the potential to get Innovative Technology produced by Small Businesses in Airport Security check points and enhance the effect i haveness of t. S. A. s screening operations. Hearing consideration of this measure in committee the majority accepted amendments offered by Committee Democrats to the bill to ensure that the Third Party Testing received scrutiny from the Government Accountability office and to build integrity into this new program. Given the changes that are made to the legislation in committee, and the potential positive impact this legislation could have on ensuring Innovative Technologies are integrated into t. S. A. Security operations i urge my colleagues to support h. R. 4561 and reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Mr. Katko i yield to the gentleman from florida, mr. Bilirakis. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Bilirakis i want to thank john katko and the ranking mber, my good friend, filo vela and the chairman of the full committee, mr. Mccaul. Thank you for your good work. I appreciate it. I rise today in support of my bill, h. R. 4561, the security assessment feasibility for equipment testing and evaluation of capabilities for , or the safe tech act. My legislation seeks to strengthen the safety of International Air travel. Specifically, this bill provides an avenue for thirdparty testing of Innovative Technology, screening, capabilities to enhance Airport Security. The Testing Program authorized under this act shall include evaluating the performance of detecting explosives and other prohibited items. Additionally, the safe tech act will look into alternative testing for other factors, including health and safety concerns, operator interference, human error, environmental dynamics, reliability, and interoperability. The bill also assesses the feasibility of linking compatible Security Technology utilized by the United States and International Allies in order to augment screening checkpoints. The coordinated collaboration is an essential element of strengthening global security. Currently, technical standards for safety and operating procedures at the International Airports are set by international agreements. However, the standards in place are generally broad, leaving potential vulnerabilities through inconsistencies with International Partners. Under recent congressional delegation i appreciate you including me, mr. Chairman under recent congressional delegation trip to review screening procedures for istaards and gaps in technology that support precautionary measures to ensure passenger safety. Todays bill and i appreciate the work of the committee, and thank you for making it an Even Stronger bill todays bill will address this concern and improve the safety of our air travel for all passengers. Ive always contended that if were not safe, then nothing else matters. The protection and security of our homeland and its citizens is our responsibility, mr. Speaker, which is why i introduced the safe tech act. We must ensure those entrusted with the care of our citizens have the best resources and Technology Available to combat the growing threat of terrorism. Passage of this bill today makes air travel safer for everyone entering the United States, and for our citizens and represents a step forward in ensuring the cooperation needed to improve global security. I urge my colleagues to support this good bill and its passage in the house. Thank you very much and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from the great state of texas is recognized. Mr. Vela i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Katharine graham mr. Speaker, im prepared to close once my colleague does. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas mr. Katko mr. Speaker, im prepared to close once my colleague does. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas. Mr. Vela id like to thank chairman katko and Ranking Member Watson Coleman for their strong leadership on this subcommittee. Mr. Bilirakis for his hard work and of course chairman mccaul and Ranking Member thompson for their leadership on the Homeland Security committee. On behalf of both members and staff on this side of the aisle, we also wish crystal harvey the best of luck in her future endeavors. Mr. Speaker, h. R. 4561 is commonsense legislation. This bill promotes the incorporation of Innovative Technology and airport screening capabilities. It does by requiring d. H. S. To start a thirdparty acceleration bram, including 3d technology. C. T. Scan Technology Holds great promise in enhancing the effectiveness of t. S. A. Screening operations insofar as transportation Security Officers would have the benefit of seeing a full 347b d multicolor 3d multicolor screening. Presently, t. S. A. Is testing a number of systems in the lab and in the field and said it expects to be able to begin deployment of this new tool to airports by early 2019. Given the known ongoing terrorist threat posed by Electronic Devices, c. T. Technology should be introduced in the airport environment in an expedited fashion. In done right, the establishment of a thirdparty Testing Program within t. S. A. Has the potential of getting Innovative Technologies into our transportation Security Systems quicker and improving the overall effectiveness of security screening. As such, i encourage my colleagues to support h. R. 4561, and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Katko mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Katko mr. Speaker, the time is long overdue to apply strong oversight and reform to the manner which t. S. A. Develops and deploys new screening technologies across our Aviation System. With persistent threats facing the aviation sector, h. R. 4561 makes muchneeded improvements to the innovation and procurement process at t. S. A. I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The question is will the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 4561, as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 1486, as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 1486, a bill to amend the Homeland Security act of 2002 to provide funding to secure nonprofit facilities from terrorist attacks, and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from new york, mr. Donovan, and the gentleman from new jersey, mr. Payne, each will control 20 minutes. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from new york. Mr. Donovan thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and tend their remarks and include any extraneous materials on the bill thats under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection, so ordered. Mr. Donovan mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Donovan thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise in support of h. R. 1486, the securing american nonprofit organizations against terrorism act of 2017. This bill authorizes the nonprofit security grant Program Within the department of Homeland Security. Administered by the federal Emergency Management agency, this Program Provides critical support to help protect atrisk nonprofit institutions, including Jewish Community centers, houses of worship, and other cultural and Community Institutions against threats and attacks. Security enhancements covered by the program include the installation of cameras, physical barriers, or controlled entry systems, along with training for active shooter scenarios. Nonprofit organizations in my district have told me about the positive impact this program has had on their security. In fact, the Jewish Community center of Staten Island recently received a 75,000 grant through this program for in my acility locate district in order to respond to an increase in threats. I have also led letters to appropriators advocating for 50 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program and was so glad to see that funding level was that the funding level was in the appropriations act which passed the house last september. The bill were considering today further demonstrates our commitment to the program by authorizing it for the first time. I was pleased to work with the Ranking Member on this language as part of the d. H. S. Auization act that we proved this summer and am pleased to once again support it today. Nonprofit organizations provide Vital Services to our communities every day. The Program Authorizes authorized by the bill we are considering here today will help provide peace of mind that they will secure they will be secure and they will continue to serve our neighbors. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in support of this bill, and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Payne thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i rise in support of h. R. 1486, the securing american nonprofit organizations against terrorism act of 2017, and i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Payne thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, h. R. 1486 would authorize the department of Homeland Securitys Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which awards grants to nonprofit organizations at risk of a terrorist attack in statute. Since early last year, nonprofit organizations throughout the United States have experienced an uptick in threats, vandalism and violent acts. According to the antidefamation league, antisemitic incidents jumped 67 from 2016 to the first three quarters of 2017. Many nonprofit organizations, however, do not have the resources to make their facilities more secure by installing proper surveillance, hardening their facilities, and undergoing general preparedness activities. Nonprofit organizations to have access to the Homeland Security grants to bolster security is substantial. Given the security challenges associated with the current terrorist threat environment, it is important that this critical Homeland Security Grant Program be codified in law. This bill goes further than just codifying the existing program. It expands it to include jurisdictions that are located uasis but are ed still at risk for terrorism. R. 1486 authorizes the nonprofit security grant rogram at 50 million, a 25 million increase over its current funding level. Language similar to this measure was included in the department of Homeland Securitys authorization act of 2017, which passed the house earlier this congress. I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and with that i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Donovan mr. Speaker, i have no other speakers. If the gentleman from new jersey has no speakers, i am prepared to close once the gentleman does. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Payne mr. Speaker, im prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Payne mr. Speaker, with the emergence of lone wolves and small terror cells, we have seen acts of terror are not just limited to urban areas. As threats to our homeland continue to evolve and as violent extremists continue to exploit soft targets, the risk to nonprofit organizations grows. We need to make sure that we do our part to ensure that places of worship and other nonprofit organizations throughout the country have access to resources necessary to keep themselves safe and secure. H. R. 1486 was endorsed by the Jewish Federation of north america. I appreciate its support and i ask unanimous consent to include the letter of support in the record. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Payne i strongly encourage my colleagues to sport h. R. 1486 and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Katko i urge my colleagues to support i urge my colleagues to support h. R. 1486 and i yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore the question is on h. R. 1486. The those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. The ayes have it. The bill is passed and the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from kansas seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 4578, the counterterrorist network act. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 4578 a bill to authorize certain couldnt terrorist Network Activities of u. S. Customs and Border Protection and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from kansas, mr. Estes, and the gentleman from texas, mr. Vela, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from kansas. Mr. Estes i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection, so ordered. Mr. Estes i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Estes i rise in support of h. R. 4578, the Counterterrorism Network act. The fine men and women in uniform at u. S. Customs and Border Protection are tasked with an incredibly important mission. Every day they protect our nation from Transnational Criminal Organizations, human traffickers and terrorists who wish to exploit vulnerabilities ats our nations borders. To execute this critical mission, c. B. P. Developed a cadre of subject Matter Experts well vorsed in counternetwork operations. These experts work tirelessly at our nations sea ports, airports and land border crossings, honing their skills, stopping the flow of ill list goods and people and creating actionable intelligence. Given the fact that c. B. P. Is uniquely positioned in our nations frontline, it would seem expected that members of c. B. P. Would have the authority to participate in counterNetwork Activities that target terrorists and transnational threats. Both domestically and internationally. Owever this is not the case. Currently c. B. P. Lacks the authority to assign c. B. P. Personnel to details an liaison assignments with National Security forces. H. R. 4578 seeks to mitigate this deficiency by giving the commissioner osm c. B. P. The Statutory Authority to assign personnel to these Specialized Task forces and collaborate with appropriate federal, state, local, and tribal entities to enhance Border Security operations that focus on disrupting and dismantling Transnational Criminal Organizations and foreign terrorist networks. By granting authority to the commissioner, c. B. P. s collaborative effort will result in enhanced information sharing and an increase in intelligencedriven enforcement operations. Lastly, h. R. 4578 requires the commissioner to provide a report to congress within six months of enactment substantially describing the ongoing efforts to defeat threats posed by transnational criminal and foreign terrorist groups. I would like to thank Border Security subcommittee Ranking Member vela for introducing this bill and i urge my colleagues to support the Law Enforcement community and vote in favor of this important legislation. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Vela i rise in support of h. R. 4578 and yield myself such time as may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Vela thank you, mr. Speaker. I introduced h. R. 4578, the counterterrorist network act, to support u. S. Customs and board brother texts ongoing efforts to prevent individuals who pose a known threat to the country from entering the United States. Over the year, c. B. P. Pushed out our borders through various programs, including International Partnership where officers are posted overseas. C. B. P. s national targeting center, n. T. C. , uses the latest technology and analytical tools to identify threats and share that information with domestic and international lew enforcement partners. C. B. P. Vets foreign nationals arriving in the United States prior to arrival through the use of various screening attacks. Time and again we see terrorist attacks carried out by individuals not on the radar of intention. In the years since the 9 11 ttacks, we have made improvements to connect the dots. Y bill will embed Intelligence Officers overseas. H. R. 45 8 authorizes the n. T. C. To continue building its collaborative intelligence and Law Enforcement partnerships to stay one step ahead of the individuals who wish to do us harm or commit other criminal acts. The bill also authorizes c. B. P. Personnel to be post aid broad to perform critical preemptive operations to make sure that travelers and visa petitioners coming to our country are thoroughly screened and vetted. Mr. Speaker, it is imperative for d. H. S. And its Law Enforcement partners to do everything practical to screen and vet individuals before they arrive at our border. H. R. 4578 underscore this is imperative by authorizing c. B. P. To enCounter Terrorist and a minal net works effort in way that is proved effective and adaptive. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman is recognized. Mr. Estes i have no more speakers. If the gentleman has no further speakers im prepared to close once the gentleman does. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Vela im prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Vela this is a bipartisan bill that was unanimously aprivated abride the committee on Homeland Security late last year. The partnerships that c. B. P. Established to disrupt and dismantle terrorists and other criminal networks are value usual valuable and merit congressional support. The 4578 provides c. B. P. Statutory authority to continue these partnerships allows them to be posted within different federal and International Entities in furtherance of Homeland Security and antiterrorism movements. Congress must continue to support this effort and we can so today by passing this bill. I thank my colleagues on the committee on Homeland Security for their support. I urge my house colleagues to pass h. R. 4578. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from kansas is recognized. Mr. Estes i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Estes i urge my colleagues to support h. R. 4578 and yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 4578. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 being in the affirmative the gentleman from kansas. Mr. Estes i request the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. Those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays rill rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having risen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this uestion will be postponed. For what purpose does the gentleman from kansas seek recognition . Mr. Estes i move the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 4559, the global Aviation System security act of 2017 as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 4559 a bill to conduct a global ave vation security review and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from kansas, mr. Estes, and the gentlewoman from texas, ms. Jackson lee, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognize this is gentleman from kansas. Mr. Estes i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extrainus material on the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Estes i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Estes id like to thank chairman katko for his leadership on this important piece of legislation. Its essential we continue to improve i have auation security in order to stay ahead of the evolving threat posed by islamic terrorists. Terrorists around the world remain intent on attacking aircraft. Thats why over the past year the department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration have worked to raise the global level of Aviation Security. One area of potential improvement is through working to increase security overseas last point of departure airports. In october, i joined a bipartisan delegation of congressional members from the house Homeland Security committee to address several of the largest last point of departure airports, including jordan and frankfurt, germany. We got to look at how our partners worked to stay ahead of potential threats this legislation seeks to improve global Aviation Security andards by directing the director of security method ation to study ts around the world. It makes sense for our security agencies to work with our foreign allies who are facing the same Security Threat we face this legislation will help d. H. S. Locate and implement best practices being used overseas. The fight to protect travelers isnt one we face alone in america and this threat isnt going to disdissipate any time soon. Thats why this is based on ensuring our intelligence agencies build partnership and rely on foreign partners. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves, the gentlelady from texas is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee i rise in support of h. R. 4559, the global Aviation System security reform act of 2017 and yield myself such time as may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee i want to thank my colleague for his leadership on this legislation. This would require t. S. A. To conduct a global Aviation Security review in order to improve aviation standards across the global Aviation System within 180 days of enactment. The security review within this bill is required to include input from t. S. A. s office of tpwhrobal strategies, office of intelligence and analysis, and the office of Security Policy and industry engagement and must identify best practices for foreign partners. While t. S. A. Has taken tremendous steps to improve Aviation Security at airports with direct service to the u. S. , theres more that can be done. In the last 12 months we have seen the global aviation Threat Landscape evolve to include an increased threat to cargo security and passenger planes being targeted with bombs hidden in large Electronic Devices. T. S. A. Is continually working with Global Partners and stake holders to ensure that aviation standards are being maintained and elevated as needed. Under this legislation, improvements that should be made to Aviation Security will be highlighted for congress this legislation has potential for providing a good road map for congress to address areas of improvement for global Aviation Security and ensure we constantly strive toward the safest and most secure aviation community. Now mr. Speaker, i know that in the last couple of days through the Holiday Season those people who were either stuck in airports, bags that were stacked and people couldnt find bags, are not considered a security issue, it was a weather issue but we understand how crucial he traveling public has need and the free flowing and secure flowing of aviation giving the congress, a road map, i believe, is an important step. With that, i urge my colleagues to support this legislation and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. The gentleman from kansas is recognized. Mr. Estes i have no more speakers and am prepared to close once the gentlelady does. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee let me again emphasize the importance of identifying best practices to be utilized by our system and to utilize these best practices to improve the security for the traveling public. H. R. 4559 will give this bdy a strong sense of direction for global Aviation Security improvement as threats to auation security grow more sophisticated, this bill seeks to ensure that t. S. A. Is keeping pace with the Threat Landscape. Since i have no further speakers, i am closing by saying with that i encourage my colleagues to support h. R. Ha 59 and i yield back the balance of h. R. 4559 and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The gentleman from kansas is recognized. Mr. Estes i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Estes one thing were seeing is how do we face these threats and Work Together . This bill will help work with our allies and making our aviation travel more safe and secure. With that i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 4559, as amended. Hose in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 having responded in the firmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from kansas seek recognition . Mr. Estes mr. Speaker, i move that the house suspend the ules and pass h. R. 3202, the cyber vulnerability disclosure reporting act. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill the clerk ukkopekka number 203, h. R. 3202, a bill to require the secretary of Homeland Security to submit a report on cyber vulnerability disclosures, and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from kansas, mr. Estes, and the gentlewoman from texas, ms. Jackson lee, will each control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from kansas. Mr. Estes mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection, so ordered. Mr. Estes mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Estes thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise in support of h. R. 3202, the cyber vulnerability disclosure reporting act. Its hard to find Electronic Device today that doesnt connect to the internet. From smartphones to alarm clocks, everything is part of the internet of things. Americans can do everything, from personal banking to unlocking the front door with the palm of their hand. As the world has become increasingly interconnected, vulnerabilities in computer code underline these devices and the applications they run can often expose the average american to exploitations to hackers, criminals and even bad actors from nation states. As more and more critical and personal information is being stored on the internet, and more Industrial Systems are being operated autonomously, its vital we are able to plug the holes in vulnerable technology. It seems like every day we read about another data breach that could have been prevented if only the company had known about a vulnerability in the product or network. Occurrences such as the one that affected hundreds of thousands of computers and more than 150 countries and the recently reported meltdown that could affect millions of personal computers throughout the world. That is why in this world of ever increasing intrusions we must do our best to make sure our Computer Systems are as invulnerable to attack as possible. The department of Homeland Security was given the goahead to improve vulnerability. The Homeland Security act of 2002 allows the secretary to coordinate with industry to develop developmental policies and procedures for coordinating disclosure of cyber vulnerabilities as described in the vulnerabilities equities policy and process, published by the white house on november 15, 2016. This disclosure is important as it highlights vulnerabilities and allows the public and private sector to work to prevent and mitigate cyber threats. H. R. 3202 is an important tool in that it requires the secretary of Homeland Security to submit a report to congress on their policies and procedures for disclosing vulnerabilities. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlelady from texas is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I thank the manager as well for his kind works. Mr. Speaker, i rise in support of 3202, the cyber vulnerability disclosure reporting act and i yield myself such time as i may consume. I very much want to thank the committee for bringing the jackson lee Amendment Bill to the floor, and the work that we did on it in committee. I wish to speak specifically to the work that is done on the Homeland Security as i discuss this legislation and i think it is very important to take note of the fact that Ranking Member works very hard to generate very positive legislation in that weve been able to see a large number of bills, some that ive been able to sponsor, come to the floor of the house and so we thank the chairman, mr. Mccaul, and the Ranking Member for making the Homeland Security committee so productive in generating important legislation to ensure the security of this nation. We thank them for their leadership on putting the security of our nations cyber assets first, whether they are Computing Resources used in Voting Technology or Industrial Control Systems that support the delivery of electricity, oil and gas, or management of Transportation Systems that are vital to our nations economic health. Mr. Speaker, i was chairman of the transportation, security, and Infrastructure Committee some few sessions ago. This was when infrastructure was included in the transportation, security domain. I can tell you even then we began to acknowledge the crucialness of protecting the cyber system and how far reaching Cyber Systems can go, as far away as Water Systems to bridges to dams and in between, and to note a lot of our cyber system was in 80 of it is in the private sector. Probably more at this point. Therefore, h. R. 3202, the cyber vulnerability disclosure reporting act, which i introduced, requires the secretary of Homeland Security to submit a report on the policies and procedures developed for coordinating cyber vulnerability disclosures. The report will include an annex with information on instances which Cyber Security vulnerability disclosure policies and procedures were used to disclose details on identified weaknesses in computing systems that are digital or digital devices at risk. The report will provide information on the degree to which the information provided by the d. H. S. Was used by industry and other stakeholders. The report may also contain a description of how the secretary of Homeland Security is working with other federal entities and Critical Infrastructure owners and operators to mitigate cyber vulnerabilities. Its important to restate that our cyber system is largely in the private sector. It does not alleviate or eliminate the role that federal government should play. This legislation squarely places with the federal government the responsibilities of dealing with those Critical Infrastructure owners and operators to prevent, detect, and mitigate cyber vulnerabilities. The reason that i work to bring this bill before the full house for consideration is the problem often referred to as zero day event. A zero day event describes a situation that Network Security professionals may find themselves when a previously unknown error or floor in computing code is exploited by cyber criminal or terrorist. The term zero day event simply means there is zero time to prepare a defense against a cyber attack. That is not the place that wed like to find ourselves. When a defect in software is discovered, the Network Engineers and Software Companies can work to develop a patch to fix the problem before it can be exploited by those who may seek to do us harm. We have evidence that the cyber world is a good world, but it can be a dangerous world and impact the life and quality and democracy and freedom of americans. We want to be prepared and never have to face in this most powerful country in the world something called a zero day event. H. R. 3202 seeks a report on the Ongoing Department of Homeland Securitys policies and procedures for coordinating cyber vulnerability disclosures such as zero day events with private sector partners. Because vulnerabilities can be used by adversaries, its important this Sensitive Information be managed securely so details are not routinely made available neither to the public nor to congress. H. R. 3202 provides the congress with the opportunity to understand the process and procedures used by the department of Homeland Security and the benefit these disclosures may have for private sector entities participating in programs in support of Cyber Security. I am delighted to thank lilly coney of my district and eugene, a fellow on the committee on Homeland Security, for their work on this important legislation. I urge members of the house to the in favor of h. R. 3202, cyber vulnerability disclosure reporting act, and reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from kansas is recognized. Mr. Estes mr. Speaker, i have no more speakers and i am prepared to close when the gentlelady does. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from texas is recognized. I am mr. E speaker, i am prepared to close as well. I have no further speakers. And i am prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee i want to emphasize again the point that i made earlier. Because vulnerabilities can be used by adversaries, it is important that this Sensitive Information be managed securely so details are not routinely made available, neither to the public nor to congress. It is important to take note of the fact that the work we have to do is ongoing and continuing. So h. R. 3202 will give this body Important Information on how our governmentwide efforts to secure civilian Agency Networks and the collaborative ongoing work to provide information to private sector partners on computing vulnerabilities. Theres no security in keeping zero day events secure from disclosure and not working on solutions. Cyber security is found in finding zero day events, creating solutions to defend against them and sharing the solutions broadly so they can be deployed. Once solutions are in place, the zero day event should be disclosed to the public so that scholars and researchers can learn from the experience. In essence, what we are saying is that we want to make sure that we are in the driver seat, that we know the vulnerabilities, that we can confront the zero day events, and that we can do that, meaning the federal government in working with the private sector, to ensure we do protect this nation. Let me also, before i close, since we are dealing with Homeland Security committee issues, i think it is important to take note of the fact of the crucialness and the importance of having a daca fix and working together as we have been doing to ensure that the thousands and thousands of young people located across the nation who came here through no fault of their own have a serious pathway of protection. In particular, 140,000 that are in the state of texas. If we can stand here as bipartisan members, i know we can continue to work on that crucial and important issue which i stand with those young people to ensure to get that done. Mr. Speaker, i want to introduce and ask unanimous consent to put into the record an article by morgan, lawmakers approve cyber vulnerability bill, written in the hill, ask unanimous consent to put it in the record. The speaker pro tempore without objection, so ordered. Ms. Jackson lee thank you. With that i encourage my colleagues to support h. R. 3202. I thank my manager as well, and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from texas yields back. The gentleman from kansas is recognized. Mr. Estes mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Estes mr. Speaker, i once again urge my colleagues to support this bill. With an everincreasing reliance on technology today, we make sure its safe and secure for us to use and maintains the vulnerabilities are addressed so we can maintain a safe and secure environment. With that i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The question is will the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 3202. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . Mr. Rutherford mr. Speaker, i move the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 4555, the h. S. Interagency Counterterrorism Task force act, as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 4555, a bill to authorize the participation in overseas interagency Counterterrorism Task forces of personnel of the department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from florida, mr. Rutherford, and the gentlewoman from texas, ms. Jackson lee, each will control 20 minutes. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from florida. Mr. Rutherford mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Rutherford mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Rutherford as terrorists and foreign fighters in iraq and syria seek to return home or travel to other regions in the wake of the defeat of isis on the battlefield, Cooperation Among u. S. Military, National Security, and Law Enforcement agencies a vital. When these fighters move from the middle east to the west or other regions, information and tracking becomes extremely difficult, especially when ensuring that all relevant federal agencies have access to the same critical information. An enhanced whole of government effort to share information and intention related to these fighters and their movements would improve security of the homeland. In order to achieve this, h. R. 4555 authorizes the department of Homeland Security secretary to assign d. H. S. Personnel to overseas interagencies Counterterrorism Task forces to facilitate the sharing of counterterrorism information and combat threats from overseas sources of conflict or terrorism. This will enable d. H. S. To build on existing initiatives to colocate d. H. S. Personnel with other federal departments and agencies that pay a crucial role in the fight against terrorism. For example, d. H. S. Personnel to the department of defense locations would facilitate better collection and sharing of information recovered from those conflict zones which significantly improvements improves the ability to interdict terrorists before they enter our country. Mr. Speaker, i urge my colleagues to support this commonsense bill and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore does the gentleman reserve . Mr. Rutherford i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlelady from texas is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee i rise in 4555 and h. R. 5 yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee thank you, mr. Speaker. H. R. 4555 authorizes d. H. S. Pers noel participate in overseas interagency Counterterrorism Task forces. Since the attacks of september 11 and the demise of central al qaeda, theres been an upsurge in the number of terrorist organizations. This demands that our d. H. S. Push our borders out and as such its essential that d. H. S. Deploy personnel overseas to engage in information sharing with International Partners. Our Close Partnership with countries around the world, especially in europe, is sential to ensure we track errorist fighters. Authorizing the participation of d. H. S. Personnel in overseas interagency Counterterrorism Task forces will facilitate better counterterrorism information sharing which will help protect the homeland and u. S. Interests abroad. As such, i support this legislation and i reserve the alance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. The gentleman is recognized. Mr. Rutherford im prepared to close when the gentlelady does. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves, the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee im prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized to is recognized to the close on behalf of the minority. Ms. Jackson lee h. R. 4555 authorizes deform h. S. Personnel participation in Interagency Task forces. This fosters d. H. S. Overseas partnerships and facilitating counterterrorism information sharing. I want to thank the gentleman from florida, mr. Rutherford, for sponsoring this legislation and for working with med on my amendment which added reporting language on the activities authorized by this measure. This is an important step forward and again i might emphasize the work thats being done between the Ranking Member, mr. Thompson, and the full committee chair, mr. Mccaul , in bringing our committee together in producing a myriad of constructive legislation all geared to our task. Because when all is said and done we are the Homeland Security committee with the Homeland Security department created in the aftermath of the most may heys now, horrific tragedy in the history of the United States of recent recollection that was in the an incident of war. Therefore i think the American People and i know the American People owe our diligence and owe our commitment and are owed our studiousness and i am pleased to say that on this committee the production of legislation that comes to the floor all is geared to securing the homeland. So i ask my colleagues, mr. Speaker, to and i urge passage of h. R. 4555 and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Rutherford i yield myself such time as i may consume. Id like to thank the gentlelady from texas, ms. Lee for her commonsense amendment to this bill which made it stronger and better and i do appreciate the bipartisan work on that. And now, mr. Speaker, id like to urge my colleagues to support this bill and now i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 4555 as amended . Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair 2 3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from louisiana seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and pass. R. 4569, the postcaliphate threat assessment act of 2017. The speaker pro tempore does the gentleman mean bill h. R. 4564. Mr. Higgins thats correct. Does the speaker pro tempore does the gentleman need my reading glasses . The clerk will report the bill. The clerk h. R. 4564 a bill to fight terrorist activities and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from louisiana, mr. Higgins and the gentleman, mr. Correa, each will control 20 minutes. Mr. Higgins i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection, so ordered. Mr. Higgins mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Higgins mr. Speaker, today i rise to offer for consideration h. R. 4564, the postcaliphate threat assessment act of 2017, for house consideration. The Homeland Security committees task force on denying terrorist entry into the United States, which im a member of, spent the last year taking a deeper look at our terrorist organizations and lone wolf and how terrorist ornyizations and lone wolf attackers are entering the nations theyre targeting. One of the most concerning issues the task force learned is an estimated 40,000 foreign fighters travel to isisoccupied territories to join a force of over 100,000 radical islamic terrorists. Through major victories by antiisis forces, the islamic states selfdeclared caliphate in iraq and syria has been mostly defeated as a whole, driving these terrorists into hiding. Many thousands of these battletrained jihadists are now unidentified and their location is unknown. The United States is a primary target. Of particular concern for the United States are those fighters seeking to return to europe or the u. S. These fighters may seek to exploit direct flights to the United States as well as the visa waiver program. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is about ensuring that we have the best possible data to defeat this threat. Specifically, my bill would direct the secretary of d. L. S. , in coordination with the secretary of state and director of National Intelligence, to conduct a threat assessment of current foreign terrorist fighter activity and report their findings to congress. It would also ensure that congress and the executive gain better clarity on foreign terrorist travel and trends, postcaliphate, which will as the n our defenses diaspora unfolds. I would like to thank representative gallagher, representative katko, representative mccaul, bipartisan members of the Homeland Security committee and other members of the task force and their staffs for the hard work put in over the last year to make the report we issued this past december a reality. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in favor of this commonsense legislation and i yield back. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore does the gentleman reserve . Mr. Higgins yes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from california is recognized. Mr. Correa i rise in support of h. R. 4564, the postcaliphate threat assessment act of 2017 and yield myself such time as may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Correa the postcaliphate threat assessment act requires the d. H. S. To conduct an assessment of foreign fighter activities. With the military defeat of isil we are concerned about the threat of Foreign Terrorists returning to the west. While the vast majority of fortune fighters originated from russia, central asia, and the middle east, about 20,000 foreign fighters traveled to iraq and syria from at least 110 counties. We must address foreign fighters that are ready to return home. We must stay abreast of their movements and stop them from coming to the United States. Requiring d. H. S. To conduct a threat assessment of current foreign fighter activities will help d. H. S. To continue to focus on travel screening on the risk based dangers that we face. Lets focus policies on preventing terrorism by keeping dangerous individuals from coming to this country. I support this measure and reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from louisiana is recognized. Mr. Higgins i have no more speakers and am prepared to close. Mr. Correa im prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Correa h. R. 4564 requires a detailed report by the secretary of Homeland Security, the secretary of state and the director of National Intelligence on foreign fighter movements to help d. H. S. Focus on preventing their activities. With that i urge passage of this measure and i want to thank mr. Higgins for this legislation, and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from louisiana is recognized. Mr. Higgins mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Higgins i urge my colleagues to support the bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back this equestion is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 4564 . Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair 2 3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended this ebill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Mr. Higgins i request the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman requests the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays are requested. All those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having risen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this uestion will be postponed. For what purpose does the gentleman from wisconsin seek recognition . I move that the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 4569, the counterterrorism information sharing improvement act of 2017. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. Clmplet h. R. 4569, a bill to require counterterrorism information sharing and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from wisconsin, mr. Gallagher,