Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4991) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory, and for other…
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4991) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory, 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. 4991, the Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act. H.R. 4991 authorizes the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory, NUSTL, within the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate.
Located in New York City, NUSTL has been a critical resource in protecting our homeland since 1947. Today, NUSTL is a one-of-its-kind test and evaluation laboratory for the first responder community.
I had the opportunity to visit NUSTL last year and saw firsthand the impressive work being done there on a daily basis. During my visit, I witnessed NUSTL's work to test and validate equipment used by our first responders to protect our communities. NUSTL has conducted more than 1,000 assessments on current and emergency first responder equipment.
I also learned about NUSTL's radiological and nuclear research and development, which focuses on response and recovery efforts.
Additionally, last November, Chief Timothy Rice from the New York City Fire Department testified before the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, which I chair, on the importance of NUSTL to FDNY's daily operations. Chief Rice highlighted that the fire department's relationship with NUSTL has ``strengthened the department's ability to save life and property, and ultimately, make the people of New York and millions of visitors to the region safer each day.''
Simply put, this bill will authorize the test and evaluation and research and development activities currently being conducted at NUSTL. Given the current threat environment, we need to ensure that DHS continues to support our first responders, and this bill will do just that. H.R. 4991 will ensure that the valuable work being done at NUSTL will continue for years to come.
I want to recognize the tireless efforts of the staff at NUSTL to support first responders and secure our homeland.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that this bill is supported by the American Federation of Government Employees, and I include in the Record their letter dated June 15, 2018.
American Federation of
Government Employees, AFL-CIO,
Washington, DC, June 15, 2018.
Dear Representative, On behalf of the American Federation
of Government Employees, AFL-CIO (AFGE), which represents
more than 700,000 federal and DC government workers who serve
the American people in 70 different agencies, including 20
employees at the National Urban Security Technology
Laboratory (NUSTL), I am writing to indicate our support of
H.R. 4991, the Supporting Research and Development for First
Responders Act. This bill would provide for the authorization
of this important program.
The National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL)
works primarily on testing technologies used by first
responders. The scientists and engineers at NUSTL ensure
first responders are safe and equipped to perform their
duties. They support the training of first responders to use
radiation detection equipment to interdict a terrorist act
involving radiological dispersion devices (RDDs) or
improvised nuclear devices (INDs). They also publish reports
that allow first responders to purchase radiation and
explosives detection equipment best suited for their needs.
They ensure unmanned aerial vehicles or drones are not used
as weapons.
NUSTL labs give police officers, fire fighters and other
first responders the opportunity to test drive technological
equipment and offer feedback for how to make it safer and
more effective. NUSTL allows first responders to test
prototypes of products in the pipeline at DHS to help improve
them. They also offer training about how to respond to
emergencies and natural disasters. NUSTL employees' work
keeps first responders safe and up to date with the latest
technologies. NUSTL ensures our communities are safe and
thriving.
AFGE strongly supports H.R. 4991, the Supporting Research
and Development for First Responders Act.
Thank you,
Thomas S. Kahn,
Director, Legislative Affairs Department.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in voting for the Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology,
Washington, DC, June 14, 2018.
Hon. Michael T. McCaul,
Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning H.R. 4991, the
``Supporting Research and Development for First Responders
Act,'' which your Committee ordered reported on June 6, 2018.
H.R. 4991 contains provisions within the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology's Rule X jurisdiction. As a
result of
you having consulted with the Committee regarding revisions
to the bill, and in order to expedite this bill for floor
consideration, the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology will forego action on the bill. This is being done
on the basis of our mutual understanding that doing so will
in no way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology with respect to the
appointment of conferees, or to any future jurisdictional
claim over the subject matters contained in the bill or
similar legislation.
I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming
this understanding, and would request that you include a copy
of this letter and your response in the Congressional Record
during the floor consideration of this bill. Thank you in
advance for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Lamar Smith,
Chairman.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Langevin from Rhode Island, for his help in this matter. And I once again urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 4991, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.
