Date: 2010-07-20
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the gentlelady for her courtesy. To be able to help our small businesses is a leap forward. and I congratulate them for this innovative division that will help move these technologies forward. I hope that small businesses are listening. They now have a rapid ear under Science and Technology to listen to them in the Department of Homeland Security. I am very excited about handheld detectors for the Department of Homeland Security to do rapid detection of biological threats at ports and airports and the dualuse terrorist risks of synthetic genomics. I think it is also important that we have enhancements to unmanned aerial surveillance technology for safe and effective deployment for border and maritime missions. We had a hearing on this just recently. Many of us questioned the safety or the resultsoriented work of that unmanned aerial surveillance being used at the border. We need to have those results. and I believe that this legislation will help us do so. So this is a great step forward. in addition to the authorization of $20 million for the Securing the Cities program for fiscal year 2011 and directs DNDO. in fiscal year 2012. to add at least two new cities. based on risk. to this radiation detection program in operation in New York City. We all know that the threat of nuclear attacks as a homeland security threat is evident. and radiation detection is crucial for us to be sure that we have a number of elements to assess the potential of that kind of threat. This legislation takes advantage of the concerns we all have of making sure our science and technology is an integral part of defending the homeland. I believe this legislation. H.R. 4842. takes a giant leap forward in being part of the work that we do for defending this Nation. the work that is done by this committee. led by Chairman THOMPSON and Ranking Member KING. and of course the work of this subcommittee. Chairwoman CLARKE and Ranking Member LUNGREN. I thank them for their work and ask my colleagues to support this legislation. H.R. 4842. H.R. 4842. the "Homeland Security Science and Technology Authorization Act of 2010" reauthorizes the Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) through 2012. and puts these two DHS components on a path to greater effectiveness and efficiency by requiring strategic plans. milestones. and accountability systems. This bipartisan legislation was introduced by the Committee on Homeland Securitys Subcommittee on Emerging Threats. Cybersecurity. Science and Technology Chairwoman YVETTE CLARKE and Ranking Member DAN LUNGREN. In advance of floor consideration. the Committees on Homeland Security and Science and Technology collaborated extensively on this legislation and worked together to deliver a bill with the bipartisan support of both committees. Since 2003. S&T has been responsible for developing technologies to address homeland security capability gaps. as identified by DHS and its operational componentsCustoms and Border Protection (CBP). the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Infrastructure Protection (IP). and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). DNDO was established in 2006 to develop detection technologies for nuclear and radiological devicesa highconsequence terrorist threat. H.R. 4842 takes a twolayered approach to authorizing S&T and DNDO: an overarching approach aimed at creating more accountability and effective management of each component. and a more targeted approach focused on specific programs and activities. In response to oversight findings of the Committee on Homeland Security. the Government Accountability Office. and the DHS Inspector General. H.R. 4842 requires S&T to establish requirements for how basic and applied homeland security research is identified. prioritized. funded. tasked. and evaluated and emphasizes the need to prioritize research around risk. H.R. 4842 authorizes the establishment of a more quasiautonomous Testing. Evaluations and Standards Division within S&T to help ensure that technology is properly evaluated. Additionally. in an effort to foster better collaboration between S&T and private sector firmsmost especially small firmswith promising homeland security technologies. H.R. 4842 authorizes the Office of PublicPrivate Partnerships. Within this office. the Rapid Review Division is charge with establishing an accessible. streamlined system to conduct timely reviews of unsolicited technology proposals in order to more effectively harness the ingenuity of the American private sector. an area where DHS continues to struggle. With respect to specific programs. H.R. 4842 directs S&T to work towards giving DHS new tools to address the threat of terrorism and enhance homeland security by conducting researching and development regarding: Mobile biometric technologies for deployment at the border (Sec. 807). technology to enhance detection of border tunnels (Sec.804). and utilization of global positioning satellite systems for detection of unauthorized border crossings (Sec. 806). Handheld detectors for DHS to do rapid detection of biological threats at ports and airports (Sec. 411) and the dualuse terrorist risks of synthetic genomics (Sec. 407). Maritime domain awareness enhancements (Sec. 410). technologies to improve the security of underwater public transportation tunnels against explosives (Sec. 408). and technologies to mitigate the threat of small vessel attack (Sec. 419). Cyber compromises to federallyowned networks and devices that are essential to the reliable operation of critical infrastructure (Sec. 406). Enhancements to unmanned aerial surveillance technology for safe and effective deployment for border and maritime missions (Sec. 803). and Technologies to strengthen document security and authentication (Sec. 805). H.R. 4842 requires S&T to give particular attention to the border security mission. Specifically. the Homeland Security Science and Technology Authorization Act of 2010 authorizes S&T. in coordination with CBP. to pursue research and development to improve effective control of the international land borders of the United States within 5 years (Sec. 409). In addition to the S&T directorate. H.R. 4842 reauthorizes the DNDO. Important provisions regarding this vital agency include: Language to codify in statute the movement of basic and transformational nuclear and radiological research and development activities to S&T. Requirements for strategic planning. milestones. and accountability in place at DNDO that are parallel to the requirements for S&T. Authorization of $20 million for the Securing the Cities program for fiscal year 2011 and directs DNDO. in fiscal year 2012. to add at least two new cities. based on risk. to this radiation detection program in operation in New York City. (The House approved H.R. 2611. which authorized the Securing the Cities program on January 20. 2010.)