Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the State of Israel.

Hamas, a terrorist organization, is firing hundreds of rockets and missiles indiscriminately at Israeli civilians. There is no moral justification for these despicable attacks on innocent life.

Israel has every right to defend itself and keep its citizens safe from these attacks

I want to assure my constituents on Long Island, and all friends of Israel, that the United States stands in staunch support of Israel and unequivocally condemns this Hamas terrorism.

I pray for the innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians affected by this crisis. And I pray that a cease-fire can be reached.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1448, the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act. No group in America is more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress and other mental health conditions than our veterans.

Tragically, as my friend Congressman Stivers just said, this means that 22 veterans are dying every single day by suicide. This is a crisis. We cannot look the other way. We must make sure that our veterans have access to every available mental health resource out there.

The research on this issue is clear. Service dogs are proven to help people suffering from a wide array of mental health conditions, including PTSD. I have seen the evidence of this with my own eyes. Veterans have told me that they would not be here today if it weren't for their service dog. That is how much these dogs mean and that is why this bill is so critical.

By creating a pilot program on dog training therapy at the VA and providing service dogs to veterans, this bill won't just improve lives; it will save them.

I am incredibly proud to co-lead this bipartisan bill, and I thank my friend, Representative Steve Stivers, who is a great American and a true gentleman, for introducing it.

I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this bill today. Madam Speaker, I also thank the great chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Congressman Takano.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I was pleased to see that my bill, the Stop Terrorist Use of Virtual Currencies Act, was included in the base text of the Intelligence Authorization Act. This bill requires the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of the Treasury to develop and submit a threat assessment report on the use of virtual currencies by terrorist organizations.

My amendment would simply include the DHS Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis into this report and require that this report be disseminated to State and local law enforcement officials.

In the 18 years since the deadliest terrorist attack in American history, the United States has led the global campaign to combat terrorism, thwarting plots and preventing attacks on American soil, identifying and disrupting terrorist networks around the world, hunting down terrorists wherever they hide, and proving that they can and will be brought to justice.

But we also know that the threat of terrorism is not the same as it was 18 years ago; it is a threat that constantly evolves, and we need to evolve with it. We need to evolve ahead of it. That is why I have offered this amendment.

In recent years, we have seen instances in which members of terrorist groups have turned to virtual currencies to finance and support their operations.

For example, in December of 2017, a woman in New York was arrested and pled guilty after she obtained $62,000 in bitcoin and other virtual currencies to send to ISIS.

Using those virtual funds, she was able to send the money via shell entities in Pakistan, China, and Turkey that were fronts for ISIS.

In early 2017, Indonesian authorities reported that a Syria-based Indonesian with ties to ISIS used bitcoin and other virtual currencies to fund attacks in Indonesia.

The same things that make virtual currencies appealing to everyday consumers, speed and convenience, make these currencies appealing to those who want to finance illegal activities.

And many forms of virtual currencies also offer their users anonymity, making them particularly attractive to those seeking to circumvent American law enforcement and financial institutions.

In order to effectively confront this threat, we need to fully understand it. We need a comprehensive assessment of how virtual currencies might be abused for illegal and nefarious ends. That is why it is critical that we act now to assess and understand this emerging threat.

There is no denying it. Virtual currencies have exposed deep vulnerabilities in our counterterrorism efforts. And unfortunately, right now, our government lacks a comprehensive response and strategy to address this threat.

Passing this amendment will give counterterrorism and law enforcement officials at all levels the information and strategies they desperately need to confront this threat head-on with 21st-century solutions.

This is a commonsense, bipartisan priority, and I urge all my colleagues to support this amendment.

Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff).

Madam Chair, I want to thank Chairman Schiff and Ranking Member Nunes for supporting the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2109, the Boosting Rates of American Veteran Employment Act, which I introduced along with Paul Cook from California.

The BRAVE Act is commonsense, bipartisan legislation that will authorize the VA Secretary to give preference to contractors with high concentrations of full-time veteran employees when awarding Federal contracts.

First, this bill will reward companies that actively hire and invest in veterans, companies that seek out veterans and give them opportunities to bring their unique skills and training

and experience to the civilian workforce.

Second, it will create an incentive for other companies to do the same, which in turn will help bring more veterans into the workforce, and with good-paying jobs at that, the types of opportunities that give veterans and their families the stability they need as they transition to civilian life.

Most importantly, as more and more companies hire more and more veterans, they will ultimately see that investing in veterans is just good for business. That is what the real incentive should be, not just an advantage in securing Federal contracts, but getting the benefit of employees who have worn the uniform, who have been trained by the greatest military in the world, and who have learned to get the job done no matter what the job is or how tough it may be.

What business wouldn't want to have employees like that?

Lastly, it bears emphasizing that this bill will cost taxpayers absolutely nothing.

We need more businesses in the private sector to recognize the value of investing in the men and women who have served our country.

To be clear, this isn't an act of charity. Veterans are not looking for a handout. They just need an opportunity to show what they can do. That is what this bill will help accomplish.

The BRAVE Act will help ensure that more veterans have those opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Takano and Ranking Member Roe for supporting this bill and for helping to bring it to the floor today.

This legislation passed unanimously in the last Congress, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to once again give it the bipartisan support it deserves.

Mr. Chair, my amendment supports the Federal Aviation Administration Airport and Airway Trust Fund. This program is responsible for the research, engineering, and development of aircraft technologies that reduce aviation noise.

In my district, communities near JFK Airport and La Guardia Airport must endure the constant noise of overhead aircraft, and other communities farther away are beginning to experience significant airplane noise as a result of newly developed flight plans.

I am disappointed that the FAA recently announced it would postpone important minimum altitude regulations for certain flight patterns coming into JFK Airport, and I call on the FAA to implement these regulations as soon as possible.

While changing flight paths are no silver bullet to solving airplane noise, we must continue to adequately fund Federal efforts to discover new technologies that can retrofit existing airplanes to be quieter for the benefit of communities not just on Long Island, but airport communities across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security be authorized to file a supplemental report on the bill, H.R. 2621.

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 move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2476) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide funding to secure nonprofit facilities from terrorist attacks, 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, today I rise in support of H.R. 2476, the Securing American

Nonprofit Organizations Against Terrorism Act of 2019.

H.R. 2476 would authorize the Department of Homeland Security's Nonprofit Security Grant Program. This important grant program makes funding available to nonprofit organizations that are at risk of a terrorist attack.

Recently, nonprofit and religious organizations throughout the United States and abroad have experienced an alarming increase in violence and threats of violence. This year alone has been particularly tragic.

Consider, for example, the April 27 shooting in Poway, California, where a gunman opened fire on congregants at a Passover celebration.

Other such attacks include the April 21 coordinated terrorist attack on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka that killed nearly 250 people and injured more than 500 others. And the March 15 shooting at a mosque in New Zealand where 50 people were killed.

This past April, we also saw the burning of three churches in Louisiana, which we later learned were motivated by hate.

Unfortunately, however, targeting houses of worship is not a new phenomenon. There was the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh where 11 people were killed; the 2017 shooting at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, where 26 people were killed; and the 2012 shooting at a Sikh temple in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

These attacks amplify the dire need that religious institutions and other nonprofit organizations have for effective security resources. They need these resources to keep themselves safe.

H.R. 2476 would also allow these grants to be made available to all at-risk facilities, regardless of where they are located.

The bill authorizes the program at $75 million, with $50 million reserved for nonprofit institutions located within the UASI areas, the Urban Area Security Initiative areas, and $25 million reserved for institutions located outside of UASI jurisdictions.

The goal of DHS is to keep Americans safe across this country. This bill is a critical part of that goal. It would help ensure that nonprofits and places of worship across the country are protected and that congregants have the peace of mind they deserve.

I think we can all agree that protecting our communities from terrorist attacks should never be a partisan issue, and that is why the roster of 104 cosponsors for this legislation is large and diverse, with strong representation by Democrats and Republicans, myself included.

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is one of the most sought-after grant programs for nonprofit organizations in my district, and I am grateful that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have demonstrated such strong support for the program.

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

Mr. Speaker, as the threats to our homeland continue to evolve, we must be prepared to face the new and emerging challenges they present.

H.R. 2476 would authorize DHS to continue assisting nonprofit organizations across the country with protecting their members and their buildings.

A version of this bill passed the House by a voice vote in the last Congress, and I hope my colleagues will do the same again today.

H.R. 2476 was also endorsed by the Jewish Federations of North America. I truly appreciate their partnership and collaboration around this critical Homeland Security program, and I include in the Record their letter of support.

The Jewish Federations

of North America,

May 9, 2019.

Hon. Bennie G. Thompson,

Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of

Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Hon. Michael Dennis Rogers,

Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security,

House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Rogers: We

commend you for scheduling the mark-up of H.R. 2476, the

``Securing American Non-Profit Organizations Against

Terrorism Act of 2019'', and respectfully urge Members of the

Committee to support the bill.

On April 27, 2019, white supremacist John Earnest allegedly

entered the Chabad of Poway synagogue, near San Diego, CA,

during Passover services, and murdered Lori Kaye, 60, and

attempted to murder Noya Dahan, 8, Almog Peretz, 34, and

Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, 57. On October 27, 2018, white

supremacist Robert D. Bowers allegedly entered the Tree of

Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA, during Sabbath services,

and murdered 11 congregants and wounded six others, including

four police officers. In the months between these deadly

attacks, the FBI has brought charges against would-be

terrorists and violent homegrown extremists for plots and

threats against synagogues, Jewish community centers,

mosques, Islamic centers, and churches located in Washington,

DC, New York, California, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Montana,

Florida, Ohio, Texas, Kansas, Oregon and Pennsylvania.

Over the past year, the FBI has investigated more than 100

threats to religious institutions. As recently as January

2019, the Federal Government released a Joint Intelligence

Bulletin that assesses that domestic actors will continue to

pose a lethal threat to faith-based communities in the

Homeland. The JIB advises government counterterrorism and law

enforcement officials and private sector security partners

responsible for securing faith-based communities to remain

vigilant in light of the enduring threat to faith-based

communities posed by US-based threat actors and homegrown

violent extremists. The JIB also warns of the difficulty in

detecting domestic terrorists and extremists because of the

individualized nature of their radicalization to violence.

(Source: Joint Intelligence Bulletin IA-32337-19, February

22, 2019)

In previous reports, the Department of Homeland Security

has found that faith-based organizations are at particular

risk of attack because of the significant number of people of

like faith that gather together in a single symbolic location

at specified times; the organizations typically have

unrestricted access to their religious services and

peripheral areas such as their parking areas and education

facilities; and because these organizations most likely have

limited resources for security as nonprofit institutions. As

``soft targets'', DHS has further assessed that these

organizations are particularly vulnerable to bombing, arson

attack, small arms attack, assassination and kidnapping, and

chemical/biological/radiological attack. To counter these

threats and vulnerabilities, DHS recommends that faith-based

organizations take a number of key protective measures

against threats and to mitigate the effects of an attack,

including: installation of target hardening equipment,

engaging in planning and preparedness activities and the

acquisition of security personnel.

Recognizing that many nonprofits do not have the financial

resources to implement extensive security measures, the

``Securing American Non-Profit Organizations Against

Terrorism Act of 2019'' provides critical support for

security related activities to nonprofit organizations at

risk of a terrorist attack that are recommended by the

Department of Homeland Security. These include support for:

Physical Security Enhancements, such as access controls,

blast proofing, surveillance, fencing and bollards;

Security Training of employees and organization members and

volunteers;

Exercises, such as those that validate plans and

procedures, evaluate capabilities, and assess progress toward

meeting capability targets;

Planning, such as the development and enhancement of

security plans and protocols, emergency contingency plans, or

evacuation/shelter-in-place plans; and

Contracting of Security Personnel and off-duty police

officers.

In consideration of the substantial threats and attacks to

nonprofit institutions by domestic and foreign terrorists and

violent homegrown extremists, the vulnerability of nonprofits

to destruction, incapacitation, or exploitation from a

terrorist attack, and the challenges nonprofits face in

providing for needed investments in target hardening and

related preparedness activities, The Jewish Federations

respectfully urges the Members of the Committee to support

the ``Securing American Non-Profit Organizations Against

Terrorism Act of 2019'' at markup.

Sincerely,

Robert B. Goldberg,

Senior Director, Legislative Affairs.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 2476, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1158) to authorize cyber incident response teams at the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days 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, every day, hackers grow bolder, more sophisticated, and more ambitious. In 2016, the Russian Government carried out an unprecedented attack on our election infrastructure; and last year, the Department of Homeland Security and FBI revealed that the Russians were exploiting cyber tools to target critical infrastructure in our energy, water, aviation, and commercial sectors.

Other foreign adversaries have taken note of Russia's activity and are similarly leveraging their cyber capabilities to advance their interests and undermine our own. We already know that Chinese actors have been targeting American companies and even our transportation systems with cutting-edge cyberattacks. In recent years, we have also seen an increase in Iranian cyberattacks on banks, businesses, and government agencies.

Meanwhile, local governments across the country, from Atlanta to Baltimore to Albany, have been devastated by costly and disruptive ransomware attacks.

The only way for us to effectively mitigate and respond to these attacks is by leveraging the full power and capabilities of the Federal Government.

H.R. 1158, the DHS Cyber Incident Response Teams Act of 2019, would do just that by authorizing hunt and incident response teams.

Housed within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, these teams deploy to owners and operators of critical infrastructure after a cybersecurity incident. They provide intrusion analysis, identify malicious actors, analyze malicious tools, and provide mitigation assistance strategies. They are our boots on the ground in the event of a cybersecurity incident and are critical to improving the cybersecurity capabilities of critical infrastructure operators.

Additionally, H.R. 1158 authorizes DHS to leverage private-sector capabilities to address these growing and evolving threats.

It is important that DHS use every measure available to confront the changing landscape of cyber threats. Passing this bill, authored by our former chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, Mike McCaul, will help us accomplish that mission.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I am prepared to close after the gentleman from Texas closes.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

It is hard to predict the future, but there is one thing I know: Our adversaries will continue to hone their hacking capabilities to advance their interests and undermine ours.

Critical infrastructure owners and operators must have access to the incident response capabilities necessary to protect their networks. H.R. 1158, which was approved unanimously in committee, will help ensure that DHS can continue to partner effectively with the private sector to protect critical infrastructure.

Before I close, I would like to note that a version of this bill passed the House by a voice vote in the 115th Congress. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1158.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2539) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to prioritize the assignment of certain officers and intelligence analysts from the Transportation Security Administration and the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security to locations with participating State, local, and regional fusion centers in jurisdictions with a high-risk surface transportation asset in order to enhance the security of such assets, including by improving timely sharing of classified information regarding terrorist and other threats, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days 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 in support of H.R. 2539, the Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2019.

Every day, tens of millions of Americans rely on our Nation's vast transportation surface system. Securing that system must remain one of our top national security priorities.

H.R. 2539 will help bolster situational awareness about threats to these vital systems by requiring DHS to prioritize the assignment of officers and intelligence analysts to State, local, and regional fusion centers located in areas with high-risk surface transportation assets.

Further, H.R. 2539 authorizes a training program to enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies that protect surface transportation assets.

I would like to thank my colleague, Ms. Barragan, for introducing this important bill. I urge my House colleagues to support H.R. 2539.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I am prepared to close after the gentleman from Texas closes.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

H.R. 2539 would be an important step toward securing some of our country's most important transportation systems.

DHS is faced with an enormous challenge of combating the constantly evolving threats facing our Nation's transportation systems. Timely information sharing about these systems is essential to counter any threat.

Last Congress, a similar measure passed the House with wide bipartisan support. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I regrettably missed the following vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 167.

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 428) to direct the Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Intelligence and Analysis to develop and disseminate a threat assessment regarding terrorist use of virtual currency.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days 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 in support of H.R. 428, the Homeland Security Assessment of Terrorists' Use of Virtual Currencies Act.

In the 17 years since the deadliest terrorist attack in American history, the United States has led the global fight against terrorism, thwarting plots and preventing attacks on American soil, identifying and disrupting terrorist networks around the world, and hunting down terrorists wherever they may hide.

However, the threat of terrorism is not the same as it was on September 11, 2001. It is a threat that constantly evolves, and we need to evolve with it. We need to evolve ahead of it.

Today, we have to acknowledge that the front lines of the war on terror are shifting increasingly away from individual countries and into cyberspace. This new front line poses an especially dangerous and nebulous threat when it comes to terrorist financing.

As such, the Homeland Security Assessment of Terrorists' Use of Virtual Currencies Act speaks to a timely and pressing concern. Over the past several years, a number of terrorist organizations have turned to virtual currencies to support themselves and fund their operations.

For example, in December of 2017, a woman in New York was arrested and pled guilty after she obtained $62,000 in bitcoin and other virtual currencies to send to ISIL. Using those virtual funds, she was able to send the money via shell entities in Pakistan, China, and Turkey that were fronts for ISIL.

In early 2017, Indonesian authorities reported that a Syria-based Indonesian

with ties to ISIL used bitcoin and other virtual currencies to fund attacks in Indonesia.

The same things that make virtual currencies appealing to everyday consumers, speed and convenience, make these currencies appealing to those who want to finance illegal activities. Many forms of virtual currencies also offer their users anonymity, making them particularly attractive to those seeking to circumvent American law enforcement and financial institutions.

In order to effectively confront this threat, we need to fully understand it. We need a comprehensive assessment of how virtual currencies might be abused for illegal and nefarious ends.

My bill would require DHS to conduct such an assessment and share its findings with law enforcement officers who are on the front lines of the war on terror.

Indeed, this bill will help provide law enforcement officials at all levels with the 21st century solutions, information, and resources they need to counter this emerging threat.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 428 is an important piece of legislation that was approved by a voice vote last Congress. This bill will help DHS effectively address terrorists' actual and potential use of virtual currencies.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues in the Freedom Caucus, who care so much about national security and domestic security, to put their money where their mouths are, to put political pettiness aside, let these votes go through as they are meant to, because these are bipartisan bills, DHS bills that are supported broadly by Members of this House. Let's get on with this, since this is an issue that we all care about.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation, H.R. 428, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 449) 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.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days 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 in support of H.R. 449, the Pathways to Improving Homeland Security at the Local Level Act.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my Democratic colleague, Mrs. Demings, for reintroducing this measure in the new Congress.

Nearly 18 years ago, our country faced the difficult realization that, in order to effectively combat the threat of terrorism, we needed to implement a new whole-of-government approach. In other words, we need all hands on deck.

Having learned from the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Department of Homeland Security now facilitates information-sharing and collaboration efforts between the Federal, State, and local levels. This cooperation helps to

ensure that all government partners are equipped with the resources and information they need to tackle the ever-evolving threat of terrorism.

H.R. 449 will help further those efforts. This bill will ensure that our Nation's first responders at the State and local levels have easy and ready access to DHS' cutting-edge resources and training programs.

H.R. 449 would require the Department to disseminate such information in an annual catalog. In order to maximize the catalog's availability and readership, this bill also calls for the catalog to be accessible on the Department's website as well as on a secure information-sharing platform.

This measure is a great example of commonsense, bipartisan legislation that will help build safer communities from the ground up.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Demings).

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 449, which passed the House of Representatives on suspension last Congress, will strengthen the Federal Government's relationship with our State and local law enforcement partners.

One of our top priorities on this committee is ensuring adequate training for our first responders and creating collaborative partnerships between DHS and its local counterparts. This bill will help us accomplish that.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to support H.R. 449, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 504) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Department of Homeland Security to develop an engagement strategy with fusion centers, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days 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 would like to thank my colleague on the other side of the aisle, Mr. Bacon, for reintroducing the DHS Field Engagement Accountability Act.

One of the core responsibilities of this committee is to ensure collaboration and information-sharing among Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial partners. That is how we protect our cities from any and all terrorist threats, whether it is one that comes from a foreign organization or a homegrown, lone-wolf attacker.

One example of our commitment to this comprehensive approach is the committee's long history of bipartisan support for the Department of Homeland Security's 79 fusion centers located across the country. These centers are meant to connect the dots at the local level. They are information-sharing hubs that facilitate coordination and the sharing of resources between Federal, State, and local law enforcement officials.

However, a 2016 review found that DHS does not have a strategic engagement plan for these 79 fusion centers. H.R. 504 will help fill that void. This important legislation will require DHS to develop a departmentwide strategy for engaging and sharing information with national fusion centers.

Additionally, this measure requires DHS to develop metrics that will help hold fusion center staff accountable for their performance.

This legislation also requires DHS to improve the classified and unclassified information-sharing systems that are used by fusion centers to ensure that information is shared properly and in accordance with Department standards. Specifically, H.R. 504 would require that all information-sharing policies are developed and maintained by the Department's experts on privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.

The recent shooting in Pittsburgh and the spate of pipe bombs that were mailed across the country last year are potent reminders of how important it is for local law enforcement agencies to be equipped with the resources and information they need to combat urgent threats. In short, events like these exemplify the growing need for well-informed and well-maintained fusion centers.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I am prepared to close after the gentleman from Louisiana closes.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 504, which passed the House on suspension last Congress, would help ensure that fusion centers throughout the country have access to the resources necessary to keep our homeland safe and secure.

By directing the Department to develop a strategy for its fusion centers, the bill seeks to enhance DHS' overall ability to fulfill its core mission. Additionally, H.R. 504 would ensure that DHS' information-sharing policies include strong privacy and civil liberty safeguards.

Regardless of the target or the underlying ideology behind a terrorist plot, State and local law enforcement entities need a clear line of communication with their Federal counterparts.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 504, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 769) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in the Department of Homeland Security a board to coordinate and integrate departmental intelligence, activities, and policy related to counterterrorism, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days 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, there is no question that the challenges in securing our homeland have become more complex and diverse in nature. As such, it is imperative that the DHS Secretary and any successors have a stable, codified mechanism for counterterrorism decisionmaking.

H.R. 769, the Counterterrorism Advisory Board Act of 2019 does just that. It would codify the Board into law, and ensure that it remains an integral part of counterterrorism policy recommendations and responses across the Department.

Since 2010, the Counterterrorism Advisory Board, or CTAB, which is comprised of top DHS officials, has synthesized counterterrorism programs and activities across the Department.

The CTAB helps keep America safe. H.R. 769 would authorize the CTAB to coordinate and integrate DHS' intelligence, policies, and activities related to counterterrorism. H.R. 769 also directs the Board to meet on a regular basis, to coordinate and integrate the Department's counterterrorism efforts, assess the current threat environment, and establish the leadership and composition of the Board. H.R. 769 also requires DHS to report to Congress on the board's status, activities, and progress.

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

Mr. Speaker, again, H.R. 769 will authorize within the Department of Homeland Security, the Counterterrorism Advisory Board to coordinate and integrate the Department's intelligence activities and policies as they relate to counterterrorism.

This Board already plays a central and necessary role within DHS, and H.R. 769 will ensure that the Counterterrorism Advisory Board will remain in place for decades to come.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague and friend and fellow New Yorker, Congressman Katko. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 769, and I yield back the balance of my time

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