Date: 2015-11-16
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise to speak in support of H.R. 1073. the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2015. As a senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security as well as the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committees Subcommittee on Crime. Terrorism and Investigations. I am well aware of the importance of our nations critical infrastructure and for this reason I support H.R. 1073. The bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 by adding the definition of "EMP" to mean: (1) an electromagnetic pulse caused by intentional means. including acts of terrorism. and (2) a geomagnetic disturbance caused by solar storms or other naturally occurring phenomena. Directs DHS to: (1) include in national planning frameworks the threat of EMP events. and (2) conduct outreach to educate owners and operators of critical infrastructure. emergency planners. and emergency response providers of the threat of EMP events. The bill also directs DHS to conduct research and development to mitigate the consequences of EMP events. including: an objective scientific analysis of the risks to critical infrastructures from a range of EMP events. determination of the critical national security assets and vital civic utilities and infrastructures that are at risk from EMP events. an evaluation of emergency planning and response technologies that would address the findings and recommendations of experts. including those of the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse Attack. an analysis of available technology options to improve the resiliency of critical infrastructure to EMP. and the restoration and recovery capabilities of critical infrastructure under differing levels of damage and disruption from various EMP events. DHS will make recommendations to Congress on a strategy to protect and prepare the critical infrastructure of the nation against EMP events. and provide biennial updates on the status of developing a defense against EMP strategy. Electricity and the national electric grid are of vital importance to our national and domestic security interest. There were 3 strategic imperatives that dives the Federal approach to strengthen critical infrastructure security and resilience: refine and clarify functional relationships across the Federal Government to advance the national unity of effort to strengthen critical infrastructure security and resilience. enable effective information exchange by identifying baseline data and systems requirements for the Federal Government. and implement an integration and analysis function to inform planning and operations decisions regarding critical infrastructure. Effective security for our nations critical infrastructure requires a national unity of effort based upon strategic guidance from the Secretary of Homeland Security. I introduced H.R. 85. Terrorism Prevention and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act. which directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to work with critical infrastructure owners and operators and state. local. and territorial to take proactive steps to address All Hazards that would impact: national security. economic stability. public health and safety. and or any combination of these. The Jackson Lee bill. just as H.R. 1703 is intended to do. would reduce vulnerabilities associated with potential terrorist attacks that target critical infrastructure by supporting a coordinated partnership among federal agencies. critical infrastructure owners and operators and local. state. and tribal authorities. Last. Fridays terrible attacks in Paris only illustrates the inhumanity of those who are Americas enemiesthe enemies of all of those who cherish freedom. I join my colleagues in the House in offering my deepest sympathies to the people of Paris especially to the families of those killed. Our commitment to our national security should and must extend to the security needs of our allies in the struggle against violence and terrorismFrance. I ask my colleagues to join me in voting for H.R. 1703.