Improving Federal Building Security Act of 2024

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3613) to require Facility Security Committees to respond to security recommendations issued by the Federal Protective Service relating to facility security, 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 include extraneous material on S. 3613.

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

Mr. Speaker, S. 3613, the Improving Federal Building Security Act of 2024, will strengthen security of Federal buildings by ensuring agencies are held accountable for the security decisions they make.

Specifically, the legislation would require Federal agencies to respond to security recommendations of the Federal Protective Service and provide a justification for recommendations that are not implemented.

Given the ongoing security challenges identified by the Government Accountability Office at a Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing in July, this bill will improve security for those who work in or visit Federal buildings across the Nation.

I thank the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Ezell) for his work on the House companion to this bill.

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

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

In closing, Federal agencies need to be held accountable for the security decisions they make at Federal office buildings. This bill will help achieve that. By creating safer, more secure workplaces, we can ensure Federal workers can easily return to work in person.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee favorably reported the House companion. I urge support of S. 3613, so this legislation can be signed into law and we can improve the safety of our Federal workers.

Mr. Speaker, I want to make note, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Ezell), a longtime law enforcement officer, was key in pushing the House bill and fully supports this. Again, I urge adoption, and yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

I rise in support of this bill, which will improve security for Federal employees and the members of the public who visit Federal buildings. Federal facilities face a wide range of threats, including active shooters, cyberattacks, hostile surveillance, and explosive devices.

While the Federal Protective Service, or FPS, currently makes safety recommendations for Federal offices and buildings, the tenant agencies in those buildings often disregard FPS recommendations.

The Government Accountability Office of the GAO reported that between fiscal years 2017 and 2021, tenant agencies ignored about 57 percent of these recommendations. S. 3613 will ensure Federal agencies are following the most up-to-date security recommendations to protect these facilities and the people in them.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, this bill will ensure that Federal agencies are following the most up-to-date security recommendations to protect their facilities and people in them.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 347, S. 3613.

I further ask that the committee-reported substitute amendment be withdrawn; that the Peters substitute amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.