WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) released the following statement on the House’s passage of H.R. 8150, H.R. 8664, H.R. 9748, and S. 3959, legislation first advanced by the Committee:

“I am pleased that the House passed a wide range of legislation that will require accountability and transparency from the Department of Homeland Security, protect the department’s research and development from bad actors, streamline duplicative TSA screening processes, and cut red tape so Customs and Border Protection can maintain our land ports of entry. These bills are the fruit of my Committee’s dedication to securing the homeland through commonsense legislation, and I am proud to see them advance through our chamber this week.” 

On the passage of H.R. 8150, Representative Tony Gonzales (R-TX) said:
 
“Recently, The U.S. House of Representatives passed my REVAMP Act to improve, repair, and maintain our international bridges. Keeping our land ports of entry in good shape is not only critical to our way of life—it’s another form of border security. Land ports of entry are an important line of defense against fentanyl, drugs, and other illicit contraband that have plagued our communities while also bringing in billions of dollars worth of trade into our economy. Unfortunately, many of our ports face a backlog on maintenance and repair, and bureaucratic delays have prevented even the most minor of these projects from getting done. The REVAMP Act fixes this problem by allowing CBP to undertake some of these projects without needing additional clearance from the General Services Administration. This helps trade, it helps the taxpayer, and it helps our Customs personnel who work so hard to secure our borders. I am thankful that this bill passed the House, and urge the Senate to continue this effort.” 
 
On the passage of H.R. 8664, Representative Laurel Lee (R-FL) said:
 
“Congress must conduct oversight and ensure government agencies are being transparent with the American people. My bill will ensure the handling of data and searches by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis are conducted properly to protect America’s rights and privacy. I am glad to see this bill pass the House today and I urge the Senate to take this legislation up to ensure our government’s information systems and bulk data collection activities are properly administered.”
  
Background:
 
H.R. 8150, the “Reducing Excessive Vetting Authorities to Maintain our Ports (REVAMP) Act,” introduced by Representative Tony Gonzales (R-TX)

• This legislation directs CBP, in consultation with GSA, to establish procedures that allow CBP to carry out maintenance and repair projects that cost up to $300,000 at federally owned land ports of entry, and requires an annual report to Congress which summarizes the maintenance projects and their associated costs. 

H.R. 8664, the “DHS Intelligence and Analysis Oversight and Transparency Act,” introduced by Representative Laurel Lee (R-FL)

• This bill amends the Homeland Security Act to direct the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) of DHS to conduct an annual audit of the information systems and bulk data of I&A and submit a report to Congress that outlines the findings of every annual audit. 
• The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis collects and shares homeland security data with Departmental components and its partners, including in law enforcement to identify and mitigate threats to homeland security.

S. 3959, the “Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act,” introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS)

• The House companion bill, H.R. 5840, was introduced by Representative Garret Graves (R-LA); an Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute was offered by Chairman Green at a Committee markup in September, and the measure was reported out of Committee unanimously with a favorable recommendation.
• This bill directs the TSA Administrator to streamline the credentialing process to allow individuals to enroll in any security threat assessment program based on one background check, permit an individual to undergo a streamlined renewal process, align an individual’s credentials expiration dates, and reduce any duplicative costs on individuals seeking credentials.

H.R. 9748, the “Research Security and Accountability in DHS Act,” introduced by Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology Chairman Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY)

• This legislation requires DHS’ Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) to develop a process to safeguard sensitive information in research and development projects across all components of the Department to limit unauthorized access to, and disclosure of, sensitive information.

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