Homeland Security Committee Advances Three Republican Bills

Committee Clears Bills to Help Communities Prevent Terrorist Attacks, Improve CBP Staffing, and Stop Terrorist Travel

WASHINGTON — Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, announced today that the committee cleared three Republican-led bills: Rep. Mark Walker’s (R-N.C.) H.R. 1589, CBRN Intelligence and Information Sharing Act of 2019; Rep. Clay Higgins’ (R-La.) H.R. 1639, CBP Workload Staffing Model Act; and Rep. Michael Guest’s (R-Miss.) H.R. 1590, Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel Exercise Act of 2019.

“Each of these bills makes critical improvements to DHS programs that will make America a safer place,” Rogers said. “I am pleased that the committee was able to consider and advance all three pieces of legislation and I now look forward to their swift passage in the House. I want to thank Reps. Walker, Higgins, and Guest for their leadership on these important issues.”

“Our security and intelligence systems are strongest when coordination and information sharing is extensive and efficient,” Walker said. “The CBRN Intelligence and Information Sharing Act will help keep our communities safe and prevent WMD attacks. I thank Ranking Member Rogers for his leadership and vision as we work to protect our homeland.”

“Ensuring proper staffing levels at CBP is mission critical to our border security efforts,” Higgins said. “A workload staffing model enables CBP to better plan for recruiting, hiring, and retention challenges while also helping the agency communicate staffing needs to Congressional appropriators. I appreciate my colleagues’ bipartisan support in voting this bill through Committee, and I look forward to working together on providing CBP with the necessary resources and support to secure our border.”

“In order to protect our nation from terrorism, our law enforcement agencies must be able to conduct swift and precise counteraction to these activities,” Guest said. “On average, the Department of Homeland Security stops 10 known or suspected terrorists per day who are attempting to enter the United States. Our nation is kept safe from these threats due to the advanced training of our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers. The Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel Exercise Act will add to the training and coordination received by these law enforcement agencies in preparation of terrorist activity response.”

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Contact: Nicole Hager

202-226-8417