89–006 

111TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 111–389 

AUTHORIZATION OF SECURING THE CITIES INITIATIVE 

JANUARY 12, 2010.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State 

of the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, from the Committee on Homeland 

Security, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H.R. 2611] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Homeland Security, to whom was referred the 

bill (H.R. 2611) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Securing the Cities Initiative of the Department of 

Homeland Security, and for other purposes, having considered the 

same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

Purpose and Summary ............................................................................................ 2 

Background and Need for Legislation .................................................................... 2 

Hearings ................................................................................................................... 2 

Committee Consideration ........................................................................................ 3 

Committee Votes ...................................................................................................... 3 

Committee Oversight Findings ............................................................................... 3 

New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures ............. 3 

Congressional Budget Office Estimate ................................................................... 3 

Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives .................................... 5 

Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff Benefits ... 5 

Federal Mandates Statement ................................................................................. 5 

Advisory Committee Statement .............................................................................. 5 

Constitutional Authority Statement ...................................................................... 5 

Applicability to Legislative Branch ........................................................................ 5 

Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation ...................................................... 6 

Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported ..................................... 6 

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 


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SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF SECURING THE CITIES INITIATIVE. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Title XIX of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by 

adding at the end the following new section: 

‘‘SEC. 1908. AUTHORIZATION OF SECURING THE CITIES INITIATIVE. 

‘‘(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 

‘‘(1) The Securing the Cities Initiative of the Department uses next generation 

radiation detection technology to detect the transport of nuclear and radiological 

material in urban areas by terrorists or other unauthorized individuals. 

‘‘(2) The technology used by partners in the Securing the Cities Initiative 

leverages radiation detection technology used at ports of entry. 

‘‘(3) The Securing the Cities Initiative has fostered unprecedented collaboration and coordination among its Federal, State, and local partners. 

‘‘(4) The Securing the Cities Initiative is a critical national capability to detect 

the dangerous introduction of nuclear and radiological material. 

‘‘(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated 

to the Director of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office of the Department for the 

Securing the Cities Initiative such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year, 

including— 

‘‘(1) for each city in which it has been implemented by fiscal year 2009— 

‘‘(A) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; 

‘‘(B) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and 

‘‘(C) not less than $10,000,000 in sustainment assistance for each fiscal 

year thereafter; and 

‘‘(2) for additional Securing the Cities initiatives to be implemented in not 

fewer than 2 sites participating in the Urban Area Security Initiative, such 

sums as may be necessary each fiscal year to implement and sustain each additional initiative.’’. 

(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 

1907 the following new item: 

‘‘Sec. 1908. Authorization of Securing the Cities Initiative.’’. 

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

The purpose of H.R. 2611 is to amend the Homeland Security Act 

of 2002 to authorize the Securing the Cities Initiative of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

The detonation of an improvised nuclear device or a radiological 

dispersal device in a metropolitan area of the United States would 

have devastating consequences due to loss of life, destruction of 

property, and economic repercussions. As part of an overall strategy to prevent nuclear terrorism, the Committee recognizes that 

preventing illicit nuclear or radiological material from entering 

highly populated areas that are primary terrorist targets must be 

a top priority. Currently, the Securing the Cities Initiative is the 

only program dedicated specifically to this mission. The Securing 

the Cities Initiative uses next generation radiation detection technology to detect the illicit transport of nuclear and radiological material in and around urban areas. Enactment of H.R. 2611 will ensure that the Securing the Cities Initiative continues by permanently authorizing the program. 

HEARINGS

No hearings were held on H.R. 2611. The House of Representatives, however, passed H.R. 5531 in the 110th Congress to authorize the Securing the Cities Initiative. The Senate did not act on 

this legislation prior to adjournment sine die. 


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COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

The Committee met on November 17, 2009, to consider H.R. 

2611, and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with 

a favorable recommendation, amended, by voice vote. The Committee took the following actions: 

The Committee adopted the measure, as amended, by unanimous 

consent. 

The following amendments were offered: 

An Amendment offered by Mr. Green (#1); Page 2, beginning 

at line 22, strike ‘‘including’’ and all that follows through page 3, 

line 2, and insert ‘‘including-’’. Page 2, after line 22, insert the following: 

‘‘(1) for each city in which it has been implemented by fiscal 

year 2009- ‘‘(A) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; 

‘‘(B) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and 

‘‘(C) not less than $10,000,000 in sustainment assistance 

for each fiscal year thereafter; and 

‘‘(2) for additional Securing the Cities initiatives to be implemented in not fewer than 2 sites participating in the Urban 

Area Security Initiative, such sums as may be necessary each 

fiscal year to implement and sustain each additional initiative.’’. ; was AGREED TO by unanimous consent. 

COMMITTEE VOTES

Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires the Committee to list the recorded votes on the motion to report legislation and amendments thereto. 

No recorded votes were requested during consideration of H.R. 

2611. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the Committee has held oversight hearings and 

made findings that are reflected in this report. 

NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT AUTHORITY, AND TAX

EXPENDITURES

In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee finds that H.R. 2611, 

would result in no new or increased budget authority, entitlement 

authority, or tax expenditures or revenues. 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE ESTIMATE

The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared by 

the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 

402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 

H.R. 2611—A bill to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to 

authorize the Securing the Cities Initiative of the Department of 

Homeland Security, and for other purposes 

Summary: H.R. 2611 would authorize funding for fiscal year 

2010 and subsequent years for the Domestic Nuclear Detection OfVerDate Nov 24 2008 06:24 Jan 13, 2010 Jkt 089006 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR389.XXX HR389

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fice in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to support the 

Securing the Cities Initiative, a program to detect illicit nuclear 

and radiological material in urban areas. For each city that participated in the program in 2009, the bill would authorize the appropriation of $40 million for fiscal year 2010, $20 million for 2011, 

and at least $10 million for each subsequent year. H.R. 2611 also 

would authorize the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year to implement this program in at least 

two new areas. 

CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 2611 would cost $206 

million over the 2010–2014 period, assuming appropriation of the 

necessary amounts. Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or revenues. 

H.R. 2611 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) 

and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. 

Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated budgetary impact of H.R. 2611 is shown in the following table. The costs 

of this legislation fall within budget function 750 (administration 

of justice). 

By fiscal year in millions of dollars— 

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2010–2014 

CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION 

Securing the Cities Funding for New York City: 

Estimated Authorization Level ..................................... 20 20 10 10 10 70 

Estimated Outlays ....................................................... 8 14 16 13 10 61 

Securing the Cities Funding for Other Areas: 

Estimated Authorization Level ..................................... 0 80 40 20 20 160 

Estimated Outlays ....................................................... 0 40 40 40 25 145 

Total Changes: 

Estimated Authorization Level ............................ 20 100 50 30 30 230 

Estimated Outlays .............................................. 8 54 56 53 35 206 

Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that the bill 

will be enacted near the middle of calendar year 2010, the necessary amounts will be appropriated near the start of each fiscal 

year (except fiscal year 2010), and outlays will follow the historical 

rate of spending for those activities. 

For fiscal year 2009, the only city to participate in the Secure the 

Cities Initiative was New York City. For 2010, the Congress appropriated $20 million to continue that program. Thus, CBO estimates 

that H.R. 2611 would authorize the appropriation of an additional 

$20 million in 2010 (for a total of $40 million in 2010), $20 million 

in 2011, and $10 million for each year thereafter to continue operating the program in New York City. 

In addition, the bill would authorize the appropriation of such 

sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year to implement the Securing the Cities Initiative in at least two new locations. Based on 

information from DHS, CBO assumes that those cities would be 

chosen by the beginning of fiscal year 2011 and that each would 

receive the same funding that the bill would authorize for New 

York City (but with a lag of one year as compared to the authorizations for New York). Thus, we estimate that this provision of H.R. 

2611 would authorize the appropriation of $80 million for fiscal 

year 2011, $40 million for 2012, and $20 million for each year 

thereafter. 


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Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 2611 contains 

no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in 

UMRA and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. Assuming appropriation of authorized and estimated 

amounts, certain cities would receive about $200 million over the 

2010–2014 period for security activities. Any costs to those governments would be incurred voluntarily as a condition of receiving federal assistance. 

Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Mark Grabowicz; Impact 

on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Melissa Merrell; Impact 

on the Private Sector: Paige Piper/Bach. 

Estimate approved by: Theresa Gullo; Deputy Assistant Director 

for Budget Analysis. 

STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, H.R. 2611 contains the following general performance goals, and objectives, including outcome related goals and 

objectives authorized: requires the Department of Homeland Security to continue the Securing the Cities Initiative. 

CONGRESSIONAL EARMARKS, LIMITED TAX BENEFITS, AND LIMITED

TARIFF BENEFITS

In compliance with rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, this bill, as reported, contains no congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in 

clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of the rule XXI. 

FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office 

pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this legislation. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the Committee finds that the Constitutional authority for this legislation is provided in Article I, section 8, clause 

1, which grants Congress the power to provide for the common Defense of the United States. 

APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to the 

terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or 

accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act. 


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SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION

Section 1. Authorization of Securing the Cities Initiative 

This section amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize appropriations for the Securing the Cities Initiative. For 

any city in which the program was implemented by fiscal year 

2009, $40 million is authorized for fiscal year 2010, $20 million for 

fiscal year 2011, and not less than $10 million thereafter for 

sustainment costs. At least two additional cities participating in 

the Urban Area Security Initiative are also authorized such sums 

as may be necessary for implementation and sustainment of the 

program. 

The Securing the Cities Initiative is the only program dedicated 

to protecting any city and its surrounding region against radiological or nuclear threats. The Department of Homeland Security 

first launched this program in New York City, a top terrorist target 

in the Nation. Through the Securing the Cities Initiative, the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office has collaborated with State and 

local agencies throughout the tri-state region to develop a unified 

strategy for defending against radiological and nuclear threats. The 

Committee finds that the Securing the Cities Initiative has fostered 

unprecedented collaboration and coordination among its Federal, 

State, and local partners and its record of success will enhance the 

security of urban areas against radiological and other types of 

threats. 

The Committee supports this vital program and the $40 million 

appropriations amendment the House passed on June 24, 2009 for 

the Initiative’s continuation in fiscal year 2010. Because only $20 

million of these needed funds were ultimately granted through the 

appropriations process, $20 million is authorized for fiscal year 

2011 to make up the difference. Furthermore, given that a radiological attack on a major urban area could easily have significant 

ripple effects throughout the Nation, the Committee believes the 

Securing the Cities Initiative should be treated as a national capability with sustained Federal funding. For this purpose, $10 million 

is authorized annually beyond fiscal year 2011 for sustainment of 

the program. 

The Committee notes that the Securing the Cities Initiative can 

be replicated in other densely populated, high-risk areas. Full Federal support of the existing program and development of lessons 

learned will enable the expansion of the program. This bill authorizes the program to be implemented and sustained in at least two 

additional cities that participate in the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI). The UASI program assists high-risk urban areas in 

developing and sustaining regional preparedness capabilities. The 

Committee recognizes that these high-risk locales are designated as 

such based on a comprehensive risk assessment performed by the 

Department of Homeland Security, and should appropriately be 

considered for the Securing the Cities Initiative. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, 

as reported, are shown as follows (new matter is printed in italic 


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and existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in 

roman): 

HOMELAND SECURITY ACT OF 2002 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

(a) * * * 

(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act is as 

follows: 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE XIX—DOMESTIC NUCLEAR DETECTION 

OFFICE 

* * * * * * * 

Sec. 1908. Authorization of Securing the Cities Initiative. 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE XIX—DOMESTIC NUCLEAR 

DETECTION OFFICE 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 1908. AUTHORIZATION OF SECURING THE CITIES INITIATIVE. 

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 

(1) The Securing the Cities Initiative of the Department uses 

next generation radiation detection technology to detect the 

transport of nuclear and radiological material in urban areas 

by terrorists or other unauthorized individuals. 

(2) The technology used by partners in the Securing the Cities 

Initiative leverages radiation detection technology used at ports 

of entry. 

(3) The Securing the Cities Initiative has fostered unprecedented collaboration and coordination among its Federal, State, 

and local partners. 

(4) The Securing the Cities Initiative is a critical national capability to detect the dangerous introduction of nuclear and radiological material. 

(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized to 

be appropriated to the Director of the Domestic Nuclear Detection 

Office of the Department for the Securing the Cities Initiative such 

sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year, including— 

(1) for each city in which it has been implemented by fiscal 

year 2009— 

(A) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; 

(B) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and 

(C) not less than $10,000,000 in sustainment assistance 

for each fiscal year thereafter; and 

(2) for additional Securing the Cities initiatives to be implemented in not fewer than 2 sites participating in the Urban 


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Area Security Initiative, such sums as may be necessary each 

fiscal year to implement and sustain each additional initiative. 

* * * * * * * 

Æ 


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