WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) issued the following statement on the House passage of H.R. 5302, H.R. 9459, S. 4698, and S.794:
 
“I applaud the House for voting to honor the courageous service and ultimate sacrifice of Air and Marine Operations Agent Michel Maceda, who lost his life combating the insidious work of drug traffickers. As a fellow Army veteran, I am deeply grateful Agent Maceda answered the call of duty, and I am proud to help Congresswoman Gonzalez-Colon advance legislation commemorating his legacy. 
 
“I am also pleased that the House voted to reauthorize DHS Joint Task Force authority so that department components like CBP, ICE, and the Coast Guard can continue to coordinate effectively to address the evolving threat landscape our nation faces. The House also reauthorized DHS’s authority to purchase cutting-edge technology from non-traditional contractors, allowing the department to close critical capability gaps and enhance the abilities of law enforcement in the field. 
 
“Finally, the House passed Senator Cornyn’s bill which requires DHS to launch a pilot program to strengthen the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program. This will create new opportunities for partnerships to strengthen port security, combat terrorism, and prevent supply chain security breaches. Today, the House illustrated our commitment to the homeland security mission, and I look forward to seeing this crucial legislation become law.”
 
Background:

• H.R. 9460, ‘‘DHS Joint Task Forces (JTF) Reauthorization Act of 2024,” introduced by Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)
  • This legislation would extend DHS’s authority to establish and operate JTFs through September 30, 2026. This legislation includes new oversight related reporting requirements to Congress. The bill would require DHS to: create JTF staffing plans; update Congress on modifications to any JTF’s missions and goals; and provide annual Congressional briefings on staffing levels and resource needs.
• H.R. 9459, ‘‘Producing Advanced Technologies for Homeland Security Act,’’ or the ‘‘PATHS Act,” introduced by Congressman Michael Guest (R-MS)
  • This legislation will reauthorize DHS use of OTAs for three years, until 2027. This bill requires DHS to provide notification to Congress to explain all uses or extensions of the transaction authority involving artificial intelligence technology. To improve transparency, this legislation will decrease the threshold for what defines a ‘covered contract award’ under the DHS Contract Reporting Act from $4 million to $1 million. This will require DHS to report transactions valued at $1 million or more on its public website. 
• H.R. 5302, The ‘‘Michel O. Maceda Memorial Act,” introduced by Rep. Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR)
  • This legislation designates the Air and Marine Operations Marine Unit of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection located at 101 Km 18.5 in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, as the “Michel O. Maceda Marine Unit.” Marine Interdiction Agent Michel O. Maceda served honorably in the United States Army prior to joining the United States Border Patrol as an Agent in 2016. Agent Maceda became a Marine Interdiction Agent with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, in 2021. On November 17, 2022, Agent Maceda was mortally wounded when conducting a drug interdiction stop off the coast of Puerto Rico.

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