Pathways to Improving Homeland Security At the Local Level Act

Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I rise in support of H.R. 2427, Pathways to Improving Homeland Security At the Local Level Act.

This bipartisan bill would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002, to direct the Assistant Secretary for State and Local Law Enforcement to produce and disseminate an annual catalog on Department of Homeland Security training, publications, programs, and services for State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, and for other purposes.

The coordination program under the measure would include:

1. Producing an annual catalog that summarizes opportunities for training, publications, programs, and services available to State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies from the Department and from each component and office within the Department;

2. Making such catalog available to State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, including by posting the catalog on the website of the Department and cooperating with national organizations that represent such agencies;

3. Making such catalog available through the Homeland Security Information Network; and

4. Submitting such catalog to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.

It is important to ensure our first responders and local law enforcement agencies are trained in homeland security programs, especially in times of natural disasters such as Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.

During relief efforts after Hurricane Harvey and the widespread flooding in Houston, Sgt. Steve Perez of the Houston Police Department drowned after his patrol car got stuck on a flooded road. His death could have been prevented if first responders were given proper materials and training on how to manage crisis situations in rising flood water.

Currently, we fail to provide proper training for catastrophic flood events that would ensure greater safety of both citizens and first responders.

Programs and materials need to be created in order to train our responders in handling wide-spread flooding that simulate dangerous situations that could be encountered in their day-to-day life.

Over the past three years, Houston has experienced record-breaking flooding. If first responders were provided with proper tools and trainings in handling rescues in these conditions, we would see less of loss of life among both citizens and responders.

The most chaotic times for first responders are in response to natural disasters, and it is important to ensure that our nation is protected when we are the most vulnerable.

During Hurricane Harvey and the flooding that followed, if there were to have been a homeland security incident, Texas would have been left susceptible due to the chaos surrounding our first responders.

It is important to equip our first responders with every opportunity for training in homeland security to ensure that in times of natural disaster such as Hurricane Harvey and the flooding across Southeast Texas, they are prepared to handle any situation they may face, with the smallest amount of lives lost as possible.

The bill would produce an annual catalog with training opportunities and other services available to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, which I wish to ensure address catastrophic flood events.

The department's Office for State and Local Law Enforcement would have to publish the catalogs on the DHS website within 30 days of production and distribute them through the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN).

Sharing the catalog on the HSIN would allow the office to reach as many stakeholders as possible.

Through this catalog, local law enforcement agencies would be able to ensure their first responders are aware of training programs over counterterrorism and homeland security.

It is vital to provide these resources to local law enforcement agencies in order to ensure they are aware of opportunities for their first responders, so they are trained to protect the United States and its citizens when it is most vulnerable.

I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2427.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2427) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002, to direct the Assistant Secretary for State and Local Law Enforcement to produce and disseminate an annual catalog on Department of Homeland Security training, publications, programs, and services for State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, 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 extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, the Pathways to Improving Homeland Security at the Local Level Act, sponsored by the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Demings), ensures that State and local law enforcement will continue to receive valuable information on DHS resources and programs available to law enforcement.

The bill requires the Office for State and Local Law Enforcement to produce and disseminate an annual catalog that summarizes opportunities for training, publications, programs, and services available to non- Federal law enforcement agencies from the Department of Homeland Security, and to disseminate the catalog to State and local law enforcement entities within 30 days of production.

This also requires DHS to share the catalog through the Homeland Security Information Network. By requiring the Office to share this catalog through this existing information sharing platform, it will expand the number of State and local law enforcement partners who receive it.

This bill is a commonsense measure focused on increasing transparency on DHS tools and resources available to State and local law enforcement.

I commend the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Demings) for her work on this measure. She is unable to be present today because of Hurricane Irma. Our thoughts and prayers are with her, her district, and the State of Florida as recovery efforts continue.

On behalf of the Committee on Homeland Security, I want to express our appreciation to the Judiciary Committee for working with us to move this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on the Judiciary,

Washington, DC, September 5, 2017.

Hon. Michael T. McCaul,

Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman McCaul: I write with respect to H.R. 2427,

the ``Pathways to Improving Homeland Security at the Local

Level Act.'' As a result of your having consulted with us on

provisions within H.R. 2427 that fall within the Rule X

jurisdiction of the Committee on the Judiciary, I forego any

further consideration of this bill so that it may proceed

expeditiously to the House floor for consideration.

The Judiciary Committee takes this action with our mutual

understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 2427 at

this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject

matter contained in this or similar legislation and that our

committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as

this bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may

address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction. Our

committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of an

appropriate number of conferees to any (House-Senate

conference involving this or similar legislation and asks

that you support any such request.

I would appreciate a response to this letter confirming

this understanding with respect to H.R. 2427 and would ask

that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be

included in the Congressional Record during floor

consideration of this bill.

Sincerely,

Bob Goodlatte,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Once again, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2427 to ensure that State and local law enforcement continue to receive valuable information on the Department of Homeland Security's services and resources.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2427, Pathways to Improving Homeland Security at the Local Level Act.

Sixteen years ago, the terrorist attacks of September 11 brought home the reality that terrorism prevention and preparedness is a shared Federal, State, and local responsibility.

Today, the Department of Homeland Security's training catalog is a primary resource for State and local jurisdictions to find opportunities to enhance their counterterrorism and preparedness capabilities. H.R. 2427 seeks to ensure that, going forward, this vital resource remains available to the first responder community.

Specifically, H.R. 2427 directs DHS' Office for State and Local Law Enforcement to produce and distribute an annual catalog of DHS' training, programs, and services for State, local, and tribal law enforcement.

Further, to ensure that this information is shared throughout the law enforcement community, the Pathways to Improving Homeland Security at the Local Level Act requires this comprehensive catalog be posted on the DHS website, as well as on the Homeland Security Information Network.

My district is home to the Coast Guard, DHS personnel, and officials from the Port of Los Angeles, who all have to work together to prepare and respond to threats. This bill would provide the information they need to work together and get the necessary training.

This measure, which was introduced by my Democratic colleague on the Homeland Security Committee, Representative Val Demings, highlights the importance of equipping law enforcement with necessary tools so that they can quickly adapt and discover new ways to evolve with the current terrorist threat landscape.

Enactment of this bill will further strengthen the Department's partnership with State and local law enforcement to help protect the homeland.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2427 is an important piece of legislation that has strong support on both sides of the aisle.

Consideration of this measure today is particularly timely, as this week we remember those who sacrificed their lives and ran toward danger during the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil. We owe it to their memory and to the men and women that today stand on the front lines to ensure that they have access to the training and tools they need to keep their communities secure.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 2427, and I yield back the balance of my time.