Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 542) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 542, the Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act.

Terrorism poses a serious threat to our country, especially to the New York City metropolitan area. Recently, a man was arrested in New York for plotting to use guns, grenades, and a suicide vest to attack police officers and innocent people in Times Square.

Given the complexity of the current terrorism threat environment, it is critical that we prioritize the research and development of first responder technologies.

That is why I introduced the Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act. This bill would permanently authorize the New York City-based National Urban Security Technology Laboratory, commonly referred to as NUSTL.

H.R. 542 directly supports first responders in New York City and across the country by authorizing the testing and evaluation of new technologies and systems for counterterrorism work and emergency response.

NUSTL is constantly developing and testing new tools for our brave first responders to use in the event of a terrorist attack, industrial accident, or natural disaster and closely collaborates with law enforcement agencies like the FDNY, the NYPD, and the Nassau County Police Department in my district.

NUSTL organizes simulated scenarios with first responders to test new emergency systems, sponsors research for cutting-edge technology, and works with first responders in the field to evaluate and assist with new tools.

It is the only Federal lab in this country that is focused entirely on helping first responders carry out their mission, wherever it may be.

In each of the last two budgets, the Trump administration has proposed closing down NUSTL. Fortunately, Congress has rejected this shortsighted move, as it would make my community and so many others less safe and less prepared in the face of an emergency.

Looking ahead, in addition to enacting H.R. 542, Congress needs to prioritize funding for NUSTL so that it has the stability it needs to continue its critical work, not just for New York City but for urban areas in all 50 States.

I want to thank Congressman Peter King for co-leading this legislation, and I thank the chair and ranking member for their support in committee.

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

Committee on Homeland Security,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC, June 10, 2019.

Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson,

Chairwoman, Committee on Science, Space and Technology,

House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairwoman Johnson: Thank you for your letter

regarding H.R. 542, the ``Supporting Research and Development

for First

Responders Act.'' The Committee on Homeland Security

recognizes that the Committee on Science, Space and

Technology has a jurisdictional interest in H.R. 542, and I

appreciate your effort to allow this bill to be considered on

the House floor.

I concur with you that forgoing action on the bill does not

in any way prejudice the Committee on Science, Space and

Technology with respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives on

this bill or similar legislation in the future, and I would

support your effort to seek appointment of an appropriate

number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving

this legislation.

I will include our letters on H.R. 542 in the Congressional

Record during floor consideration of this bill. I look

forward to working with you on this legislation and other

matters of great importance to this nation.

Sincerely,

Bennie G. Thompson,

Chairman.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 542 represents a bipartisan effort to support the needs of State and local first responders. It is critical that the Federal Government have the capacity to develop, test, and transition the best new technologies to the first responder community.

It bears repeating that NUSTL is the only Federal lab in the country that is focused entirely on helping first responders carry out their mission.

As the tactics and weapons of terrorists evolve, NUSTL will continue to play a key role in ensuring that our first responders are not just prepared but that they remain one step ahead.

Mr. Speaker, before I close, I would note that a similar version of this bill passed the House in June 2018 by a voice vote. I would ask my colleagues to pass it again today and send it to the Senate, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 542, the ``Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act of 2019.''

H.R. 542 amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) within the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate.

The National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) is charged with testing and evaluating emerging technologies and conducting research and development (R&D) to assist emergency response providers in preparing for, and protecting against, threats of terrorism.

The National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) conducts nuclear and radiological R&D in support of response and recovery as well as providing technical advisory services to emergency response professionals.

It is critical that we better understand the technologies and research used to further develop and assist emergency response providers when dealing with threats of terrorism.

This bill will allow the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory to--

1. Conduct tests, evaluations, and assessments of current and emerging technologies.

2. Also, conduct tests regarding cybersecurity of such technologies that can connect to the internet, for emergency response providers;

3. conduct research and development on radiological and nuclear response and recovery;

4. carry out other such activities as the Secretary determines appropriate;

5. act as a technical advisor to emergency response providers.

When enacted, H.R. 542 will create a better understanding of the technical advisory services that are being used to help emergency response professionals.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 542 to further evaluate emerging technologies as well as research radiological and nuclear response and recovery for the emergency response providers.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 542. This bill authorizes the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory in New York City, a one-of-its-kind testing lab for first responders.

The NUSTL evaluates and validates emerging technologies for use by first responders. Their work provides valuable information to first responders to increase their ability to save lives and property as departments across the Nation respond to incidents.

H.R. 542 will ensure that the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory's work will continue.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation. I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained on June 10, 2019 during roll call no. 242, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 542, the Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' I was also unavoidably detained during roll call no. 243, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 2539, the Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' I was unavoidably detained during roll call no. 244, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 2590, the DHS Overseas Personnel Enhancement Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, I was unable to vote on June 10, 2019 because I had the privilege of attending a tour of the Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) in my Congressional District with the President of United States. This tour and visit prevented me from traveling to Washington, DC in order to vote Monday the 10th. Had I been present to vote, I would have voted yea on H.R. 542--Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act; yea on H.R. 2539--Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2019; and yea on H.R. 2590--DHS Overseas Personnel Enhancement Act of 2019.