WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) delivered the following opening statement during a markup for the 119th Congress Oversight Plan, H.R. 1000, the “Cyber PIVOTT Act,” H. Res. 113, and H. Res. 114.

As prepared for delivery:

Good morning. Today’s order of business will be consideration of the Committee on Homeland Security’s Authorization and Oversight Plan for the 119th Congress, as well as additional measures. Rule X of the House of Representatives requires each standing Committee to adopt and submit an authorization and oversight plan for the two-year period of the congressional term.
 
The plan under consideration today highlights the Committee’s major priorities for this Congress. First and foremost, we will work to secure America’s borders and support Border Patrol and other DHS components as they carry out their critical mission. 
 
We are committed to addressing the root of many cyber insecurities by ensuring the workforce is prepared, equipped, and placed to face rapidly evolving threats to critical infrastructure and networks from nation-state and criminal actors. We are committed to streamlining regulations to ensure the regime promotes security and rapid, actionable information sharing instead of unnecessary, duplicative paperwork.

Cybersecurity is something we must all prioritize––we must work with our companies to ensure they are implementing the best cybersecurity practices possible, while communicating to them that their government is here to help when they face their darkest day: a malicious nation-state sponsored cyberattack. 

Additionally, the Committee’s plan highlights the need to conduct oversight of the Department of Homeland Security’s structure to examine potential reforms to make DHS more efficient, well-managed, and effective in carrying out the homeland security mission. 
 
This plan will guide the work of this Committee and our Subcommittees during this Congress by focusing on key policy areas, including countering terrorism and foreign nation-state threats such as China, improving emergency preparedness, ensuring the security of our transportation systems, and supporting law enforcement within DHS and our state and local partners.
 
I encourage all members to support adoption of the Committee’s authorization and oversight plan as we do the work that the American people sent us here to do.
 
Our second measure that we will consider is H.R. 1000, the “Cyber PIVOTT Act.” This bill will help us build a skilled cyber workforce and close the cyber workforce gap to meet the evolving threats that the government and American businesses face on a daily basis. 

The “Cyber PIVOTT Act” seeks to target the development of entry-level cyber talent and expand the pipeline of trained cyber professionals who are ready to work on day one, without requiring a costly four-year college degree. This skill-based approach is a critical step to ensuring that we are able to protect critical networks from cyber threats. For this reason, the “Cyber PIVOTT Act” has earned the support of many leading organizations in the cybersecurity and business communities. 
 
A few months ago in September, we were able to report this bill with unanimous, bipartisan support, and it is my hope that we will be able to do so again today and advance a practical measure to strengthen our cyber workforce. Since its reintroduction in House, it has received widespread industry support, as well as a bipartisan companion bill in the Senate.
 
Finally, we will also be considering two resolutions of inquiry introduced by our Ranking Member. 

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