DHS Interoperable Communications Act

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 615, the Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act for three reasons. The bill would address interoperability among information technology systems and radio communications systems to exchange voice, data, and video in real time.

First, the bill will save lives of first responders and those they seek to help. Second, the legislation is necessary to create a seamless level of communication among Department of Homeland Security components that are first responders to a terrorist attack, natural

or manmade disaster; and finally to meet the technological challenges of bridging the communication divide between different communications systems used by first responders within the Department of Homeland Security.

As a senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I am well aware, as are many of my colleagues, of the essential and lifesaving role of communications during a crisis.

Because the tragedy of September 11, 2001, was compounded by communication failures among the brave first responders who entered the burning towers that comprised the World Trade Center it has been an imperative of the Homeland Security Committee to address first responder communication interoperability challenges.

The number of first responders lost on that single day was the greatest loss of first responders at any single event in U.S. History:

343 New York City Fire Department firefighters;

23 New York City Police Department officers;

37 Port Authority Police Department officers;

15 EMTs; and

3 court officers were casualties of the attacks.

The need for this bill authored by Congressman Payne is evident.

The City of Houston covers over a 1000 square mile region in Southeast Texas. It has a night-time population of nearly two million people, which peaks with over three million daytime inhabitants.

The city of Houston's 9-1-1 Emergency Center manages nearly 9,000 emergency calls per day. The volume of emergency calls can easily double during times of inclement weather or special City social/ sporting events like Hurricanes Ike in September 2008; and Katrina as well as Rita, which occurred in September and October of 2005).

Annually, one out of every ten citizens uses EMS.

There are over 200,000 EMS incidents involving over 225,000 patients or potential patients annually. On the average, EMS responds to a citizen every 3 minutes. Each EMS response is made by one of 88 City of Houston EMS vehicles.

In 2013, the City of Houston's fire Department lost Captain EMT Matthew Renaud, Engineer Operator EMT Robert Bebee, Firefighter EMT Robert Garner and Probationary Firefighter Anne Sullivan when they responded to a hotel fire.

Throughout the history of the Houston Police Department over 110 officers have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Each member of the House of Representatives knows of the loss of a first responder who was going to the aid of those in harm's way. This bill will offer additional resources to the first responders of the Department of Homeland Security.

The bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to include among the responsibilities of the Under Secretary for Management responsibilities with respect to policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The Under Secretary of Homeland Security would submit to the House and Senate Homeland Security Committees a strategy, which shall be updated as necessary, for achieving and maintaining interoperable communications, including for daily operations, planned events, and emergencies, with corresponding milestones, that includes:

an assessment of interoperability gaps in radio communications DHS components, as of this Act's enactment date;

information on DHS efforts and activities, including current and planned policies, directives, and training, since November 1, 2012, to achieve and maintain interoperable communications, and planned efforts and activities to achieve and maintain interoperable communications;

an assessment of obstacles and challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications;

information on, and an assessment of, the adequacy of mechanisms available to the Under Secretary to enforce and compel compliance with interoperable communications policies and directives of DHS;

guidance provided to DHS components to implement interoperable communications policies and directives;

the total amount of funds expended by DHS since November 1, 2012, and projected future expenditures, to achieve interoperable communications; and

dates upon which DHS-wide interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications, respectively, and interim milestones.

The bill ensures that the Department of Homeland Security would conduct a survey of intra-agency efforts or task forces that have been delegated responsibilities for achieving and maintaining interoperable communications, and report on the status of these efforts, including:

progress on each interim milestone;

information on any policies, directives, guidance, and training established by the Under Secretary of Homeland Security;

an assessment of the level of compliance, adoption, and participation among the DHS components with the policies, directives, guidance, and training established by the Under Secretary; and

information on any additional resources or authorities needed by the Under Secretary.

This bill will ensure that the Department of Homeland Security's first responders are prepared to meet the challenges of manmade or natural disasters.

I ask my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of H.R. 615.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 615, the Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act. My goal today is to put the Department of Homeland Security on the path to achieving agencywide interoperable communications.

Almost 15 years ago, courageous first responders raced to Lower Manhattan, to an area that came to be known as Ground Zero. In the days that followed, first responders from neighboring jurisdictions, including Jersey City, responded to help with response and recovery efforts.

Not long after these devastating attacks, concerns were raised about the interoperability gaps that existed between responders on that deadly September day. The 9/11 Commission identified improving interoperable communications at all levels of government as a pressing recommendation. They emphasized that both technology and governance are critical components of interoperable solutions and recognized DHS as the Federal agency responsible for spearheading such an effort.

Though nationwide over $13 billion has been invested in achieving interoperable communications at the State and local level, we are still not there. At DHS, over $430 million has been invested into communication capabilities for its 123,000 radio users since 2003. However, in 2012, the Department's own top watchdog, the Office of Inspector General, found that DHS ``personnel do not have reliable interoperable communications for daily operations, planned events, and emergencies.''

In May of 2014, the inspector general testified before the Homeland Security Subcommittee that, out of 479 field radios that attempted to communicate on a specific channel, only one user could do so. That is a 99.8 percent failure rate.

Too often, communication failures are attributed to technology or a lack of resources. But here, technology is not the culprit; it is the scapegoat. Indeed, the inspector general found that DHS had not established protocols to ensure that practices are in place to achieve interoperability throughout the Department.

H.R. 615, the DHS Interoperable Communications Act, which I introduced with the gentlewoman from Indiana, Congresswoman Susan Brooks, the former chair of the Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee, would direct the Under Secretary for Management to issue policies and directives related to interoperability, develop a strategy to achieve DHS-wide interoperability, and report to Congress biannually on the Department's progress.

Interoperable communications are essential to emergency response and Homeland Security operations. The men and women in uniform that serve and protect the 10th Congressional District of New Jersey never miss an opportunity to remind me of something we already know: interoperable communications save lives during disasters.

Interoperable communications challenges must be addressed in a timely and thoughtful manner. Last Congress,

this Chamber unanimously approved legislation identical to the measure before you today. Enactment of H.R. 615 into law would put DHS on the path to achieving interoperability.

I would like to thank the former subcommittee chairwoman, Susan Brooks, for her dedicated efforts to work with me on this measure. I will miss working with her on this panel.

I would also like to thank Ranking Member Thompson, Chairman McCaul, and the new chairwoman of the subcommittee, Ms. McSally, for their continued support in addressing this important issue.

I urge my colleagues to support improving interoperable communications at DHS by voting.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson Coleman), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency.

I am glad to have her join us here in Congress for her great ability in the State legislature, and she has removed me from being the lowest member in the delegation, off the bottom.

Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, TSA must be able to talk to FEMA and the Coast Guard during an emergency, be it a terrorist incident or natural disaster. For that reason, the achievement of cross-component interoperable communications is essential to DHS' being able to carry out its mission.

H.R. 615 takes a responsible approach to addressing the oversight findings of the inspector general and the Committee on Homeland Security about a serious operational gap at the Department of Homeland Security: interoperability.

Moreover, an earlier version of this bipartisan measure passed the House unanimously last Congress. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 615.

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

Mr. Speaker, on February 2, 2015, on Roll Call #51 on the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 361--Medical Preparedness Allowable Use Act, I am not recorded because I was absent for medical reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA.

On February 2, 2015, on Roll Call #52 on the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 615--Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act, I am not recorded because I was absent for medical reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA.

On February 2, 2015, on Roll Call #53 on the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 623--Social Media Working Group Act, I am not recorded because I was absent for medical reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA.

On February 3, 2015, on Roll Call #54 on Ordering the Previous Question for H. Res. 70, I am not recorded because I was absent for medical reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY.

On February 3, 2015, on Roll Call #55 on H. Res. 70, Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 596) to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, and for other purposes, I am not recorded because I was absent for medical reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY.

On February 3, 2015, on Roll Call #57 on the Democratic Motion to Recommit H.R. 596, I am not recorded because I was absent for medical reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA.

On February 3, 2015, on Roll Call #58 on Passage of H.R. 596--To repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and health care- related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, and for other purposes, I am not recorded because I was absent for medical reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY.

On February 4, 2015, on Roll Call #59 on Ordering the Previous Question for H. Res. 78, I am not recorded because I was absent for medical reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY.

On February 4, 2015, on Roll Call #60 on H. Res. 78, Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 527) Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2015 and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 50) Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act of 2015, I am not recorded because I was absent for medical reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY.

On February 4, 2015, on Roll Call #61 on Agreeing to the Cummings of Maryland Amendment to H.R. 50, I am not recorded because I was absent for medical reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA.

On February 4, 2015, on Roll Call #62 on Agreeing to the Connolly of Virginia Amendment to H.R. 50, I am not recorded because I was absent for medical reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA.

On February 4, 2015, on Roll Call #63 on the Democratic Motion to Recommit H.R. 50, I am not recorded because I was absent for medical reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA.

On February 4, 2015, on Roll Call #64 on Passage of H.R. 50--Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act of 2015, I am not recorded because I was absent for medical reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY.

On February 5, 2015, on Roll Call #65 on Agreeing to the Schrader of Oregon Amendment to H.R. 527, I am not recorded because I was absent for medical reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA.

On February 5, 2015, on Roll Call #66 on Agreeing to the Jackson-Lee of Texas Amendment to H.R. 527, I am not recorded because I was absent for medical reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA.

On February 5, 2015, on Roll Call #67 on the Democratic Motion to Recommit H.R. 527, I am not recorded because I was absent for medical reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA.

On February 5, 2015, on Roll Call #68 on Passage of H.R. 527--Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2015, I am not recorded because I was absent for medical reasons. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 615) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security to take administrative action to achieve and maintain interoperable communications capabilities among the components of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 615, the Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act, introduced by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), the ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications.

This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to include, among the responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security's Under Secretary for Management, achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the Department's components.

H.R. 615 addresses the findings and recommendations of a November 2012 DHS Office of Inspector General report, which stated that the Department does not have the appropriate oversight or governance structure to ensure communications interoperability among its components.

The Department has been in the forefront on working with stakeholders to provide our Nation's first responders with the resources and tools needed to have effective interoperable communications. Now the Department needs to practice what they preach. It is vital that the Department's components are able to effectively communicate day to day and, most importantly, during emergencies.

Mr. Speaker, I recently visited our southwest border and met with men and women from the Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection, and the Coast Guard who are on the front lines of our efforts to secure the border. It is vital that they have the ability to communicate with one another and personnel from other DHS components as they work to achieve their vital missions.

In order to ensure the Department is taking the necessary steps to achieve and maintain interoperable communications capabilities, H.R. 615 requires the Department's Under Secretary for Management to submit an interoperable communications strategy to the Committee on Homeland Security no later than 120 days after enactment.

I urge all Members to join me in supporting this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the distinguished gentlelady from Indiana (Mrs. Brooks), the former chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications.

Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers. If the gentleman from New Jersey has no further speakers, I am prepared to close once the gentleman does.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is vital that the various component agencies at the Department of Homeland Security be able to communicate on a daily basis and particularly in times of crisis. This bill will help to ensure these capabilities are implemented and maintained.

I urge all Members to join me in supporting this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 615, the Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act.

I did have the opportunity to work on this bill with the fine gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications last Congress when I chaired the subcommittee.

I am very pleased to see this bill on the floor today, and I want to thank Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Thompson for bringing it back to the floor.

The need for interoperable communications was highlighted, as the Congressman from New Jersey noted, by the 9/11 Commission after the September 11 terrorist attacks. We know that much progress has been made by first responders across the country in gaining interoperability, and the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network that is being developed by the First Responder Network Authority will further contribute to these capabilities.

However, as the Department of Homeland Security inspector general's November 2012 report illustrated, the Department, itself, has not made sufficient progress in addressing its own interoperable communications capabilities.

H.R. 615 works to address this serious issue by requiring the Department's Under Secretary for Management to develop a strategy for achieving and maintaining interoperable communications between the DHS components. It requires DHS, as you have learned, to report to Congress on the progress it is making toward achieving milestones.

As a former U.S. attorney who helped set up Indiana's Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council after 9/11 and Indiana's first fusion center, I know firsthand the importance of seamless communication between first responders, especially in times of crisis, including those in the Department of Homeland Security.

Continued inability to make progress on interoperability can have serious consequences for public safety across our country. That is why Congress must hold our various law enforcement agencies, particularly those in Federal Government, accountable for communicating clearly with one another to ensure we eliminate confusion, duplication, and discord among those most necessary when lives are on the line.

That is exactly what the gentleman from New Jersey's bill does, and that is why I encourage my colleagues to support, once again, this very important piece of legislation, and I thank him for his leadership.