Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2169) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance information sharing in the Department of Homeland Security State, Local,…
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2169) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance information sharing in the Department of Homeland Security State, Local, and Regional Fusion Center Initiative, and for other purposes, as amended.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2169, the Improving Fusion Centers' Access to Information Act.
In the years since 9/11, Congress and the executive branch have taken many steps to address information shortfalls and information-sharing shortfalls. However, we know that silos remain.
The purpose of H.R. 2169 is to ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is truly serving as a State and local information-sharing advocate, as originally intended by the Homeland Security Act.
This bill requires the DHS to regularly review information-sharing efforts with the National Network of Fusion Centers and then work with other Federal agencies to close any identified gaps.
State and local fusion centers have grown in maturity and number during the last 16 years since 9/11. There are now 78 fusion centers within the national network. As the network has matured, fusion centers have established themselves as a critical conduit
for sharing terrorism, homeland security, and criminal information with Federal, State, local, tribal, and territorial partners. As the threat environment continues to evolve, it is vital they have access to the tools and information systems to stay ahead of threats to the homeland.
Despite existing requirements for DHS to share intelligence and information with State and local entities, I have found that the Department does not regularly assess if fusion centers have access to necessary information or databases held by other Federal agencies. H.R. 2169 addresses this deficiency by requiring the Secretary to conduct outreach to the fusion centers to identify information-sharing gaps and work with the appropriate Federal agencies to address these gaps.
Additionally, the Secretary is required to identify Federal databases and datasets that should be included in the information-sharing environment and coordinate with the appropriate Federal agency to deploy such systems.
H.R. 2169 includes input from the fusion centers, Department of Homeland Security, and other Federal agencies.
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the National Fusion Center Association, and I am pleased they have endorsed the bill.
National Fusion
Center Association,
April 28, 2017.
Re Support for H.R. 2169--Improving Fusion Centers' Access to
Information Act.
Hon. John Katko,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Katko: On behalf of the National Fusion
Center Association (NFCA), I write in support of your
legislation--H.R. 2169--to enhance information sharing and
analysis among fusion centers and federal agencies by
encouraging appropriate fusion center access to federally
managed information systems. As you know, the National
Network of Fusion Centers (NNFC) is a focal point for
analytical collaboration and information sharing on threats
to public safety among federal, local, state, territorial,
and tribal public safety agencies.
The NFCA has worked closely with DHS, the FBI, and other
partners to develop strong information sharing pathways. We
have made significant strides to improve daily working
relationships with our federal partners. The flow of
information from state and local public safety agencies to
appropriate federal agencies continues to improve, and the
same is true with information coming from federal agencies to
local and state jurisdictions. We are also seeing enhanced
analytical collaboration.
Still, challenges remain that should be addressed. Your
legislation will provide important support in this effort by
encouraging improved access to data from federally managed
information systems that our analysts need to do their jobs
in the most effective manner possible. It is crucial for
Congress to consistently support a strong information sharing
environment, and this legislation would assist in that
effort.
We appreciate your dedication to effective information
sharing and analysis and look forward to working with you to
move your legislation forward and accomplish our shared
mission of protecting America.
Sincerely,
Mike Sena,
President.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to report that H.R. 2169 is a very bipartisan bill that passed the Committee on Homeland Security unanimously.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I once again urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2169.
Before I close, I want to note that I routinely engage in bipartisan efforts on behalf of Homeland Security with Congressman Vela and others. The committee works in a very bipartisan manner to do what is best for this country to keep it safe, and this bill is one of those bills that helps keep our country safe.
It is critical that we ensure the proper flow of information to all law enforcement agencies, that they properly use that information, and that they have access to it on a regular basis no matter whether they are a local police officer who is working at a fusion center or whether it is an FBI agent. Everyone should have access to that information because we are all on the same team to keep this country safe.
I think our bipartisan efforts that we engage in with Homeland Security on a regular basis are a good example of the good things that happen in Congress. I am proud to be a part it, and I am proud to have Mr. Vela as my colleague on that as well.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
