WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, House Committee on Homeland Security Republicans applauded the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of several Committee bills to assess evolving terror threats to the homeland, bolster our cybersecurity posture, defend against transnational criminal organizations, enhance the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) intelligence coordination, and support U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel in their missions.

“This week, the House passed a slate of Committee bills to ensure DHS is well equipped to address foreign and domestic threats to the homeland,” Committee Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) said. “Each of these bills will play a critical role in strengthening our homeland security posture, helping DHS to protect Americans from evolving threats posed by terrorist groups and transnational criminal organizations, as well as the malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party and other bad actors in cyberspace. As our nation’s brave Border Patrol agents and CBP officers work tirelessly to defend our borders, the House also advanced legislation to provide enhanced canine mental health support for these dedicated professionals. I urge the Senate to help us further DHS’s mission by delivering this legislation to President Trump’s desk.” 

On the “Syria Terrorism Threat Assessment Act,” Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) said.

“For decades, Syria gave terrorist groups a place to train, organize, and plan attacks — some aimed directly at the United States. Although the country is in transition, we must continue examining and mitigating emerging threats from the region. This critical legislation will protect American lives, prevent future attacks, and strengthen our counterterrorism efforts. I am pleased to see today’s House passage and am thankful to have my colleagues’ support on this effort.”

On the “Department of Homeland Security Vehicular Terrorism Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2025,” Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security Chairman Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) said:

“The horrific ISIS-inspired terrorist attack in New Orleans is a tragic reminder that vehicles continue to be weaponized as instruments of terror. DHS must move swiftly to address the growing spread of vehicular threats and provide Congress and the American people with a clear assessment of emerging risks and needed countermeasures. I am proud to see this legislation advance as we continue to mourn and remember the 14 innocent lives lost on New Year’s Day.”

On the “Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act,” Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Chairman Andy Ogles (R-TN) said:

“I am honored that HR 2659 has passed the House and will soon make its way to the Senate. Our adversaries abroad are using cyberspace as the battlefield to undermine American sovereignty and interests. Now that my bill has passed, we are one step closer to locking out the foreign communists trying to steal American data. I want to thank Chairman Garbarino for his leadership and support in advancing this critical legislation. America First cybersecurity is the way, and this bill provides a critical solution.”

On the PEARL Act, Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) said:

“The PEARL Act is named after a special, and newly retired, support canine that helped our Border Patrol Agents get through some very tough times. This bill will give our law enforcement one more tool to improve mental health outcomes at CBP. I am grateful to see this legislation pass in the U.S. House of Representatives, and I look forward to getting this bill signed into law.” 

On the“Tren de Aragua Border Security Threat Assessment Act,”Rep. Brad Knott (R-NC) said:

“As a prosecutor, I saw the immeasurable impact transnational crime organizations have had on every corner of our country that were enabled by dangerously weak borders and immigration policy. This problem is here and we see it. International, violent criminals attacking law enforcement officers, brazenly taking over neighborhoods, and moving drugs, guns, and human captives throughout our country. Few organizations have been more effective at exploiting these dangerous policies to secure a permanent presence in the United States than the group known as Tren de Aragua, or TdA. We must gear up, dig in, and remove this threat to the homeland. Today is an important step towards achieving that goal.” 

On the “Combating International Drug Trafficking and Human Smuggling Partnership Act of 2025,” Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Chairman Michael Guest (R-MS) said: 

“As transnational criminal organizations continue to extend their reach, the United States must be prepared to meet this evolving threat. Strengthening international cooperation with partner nations is essential to combatting drug trafficking and human smuggling, in addition to supporting critical humanitarian and law enforcement capacity-building missions. My legislation authorizes U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations, and other designated Customs and Border Protection personnel, to continue and expand these successful agreements by providing training and conducting joint operations that will save lives, strengthen our defenses, and make our nation safer.” 

On the PILLAR Act, Subcommittee Chairman Ogles said:

“The House took a major step toward securing America. My PILLAR Act passed with strong support because cybersecurity is national security. This legislation puts America First by giving our states, counties, and small towns the tools they need to combat foreign cyber adversaries. President Trump has called for unmatched dominance in every arena of modern warfare to ensure we can defeat the enemies of the United States. With this bill, we deliver.”

On the “DHS Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program and Law Enforcement Support Act,” Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA) said:

“As threats continue to evolve, our intelligence community must operate as a unified system, not as separate agencies with siloed information. This legislation ensures DHS analysts gain the training and cross-agency experience needed to strengthen coordination and better support law enforcement partners at every level. I’m proud to see this bill pass the House and appreciate the Committee’s work to advance policies that keep Americans safe.”

On the “Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act,” Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence Chairman August Pfluger (R-TX) said:

“I spent two decades as a fighter pilot, flying combat missions in the Middle East against terrorist organizations. Since then, I have witnessed the terror landscape evolve into a digital battlefield shaped by the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. To confront this emerging threat and stop terrorist organizations from weaponizing AI to recruit, train, and inspire attacks on U.S. soil, I am proud that the House passed my Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act today. While my uniform has changed, my mission to protect the United States from all enemies, foreign and domestic, has not. From the cockpit to serving as Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, I know how critical it is for our policies and capabilities to keep pace with the threats of tomorrow. That is exactly what my legislation ensures.”

On the “National Strategy for School Security Act of 2025,” Rep. Gonzales said:

“As a father of six, I too share every parent and grandparent’s worry when it comes to school safety. It is a sad reality that our nation’s schools have become soft targets for violence. Across this Chamber, too many of our home districts have witnessed tragedies, including my own. In May 2022, 19 children and two teachers were senselessly killed at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. Our children, the most vulnerable among us, sit in schools without a national plan in place to protect them from acts of terror. This bill closes that gap and is a much-needed step toward safer classrooms across America.”

Background:
 
Majority legislation advanced out of the House Committee on Homeland Security and passed by the House of Representatives this week includes:

• H.R. 1327, the “Syria Terrorism Threat Assessment Act,” introduced by Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX)
• H.R. 1608, the “Department of Homeland Security Vehicular Terrorism Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2025,” introduced by Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL)
• H.R. 2659, the “Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act,” introduced by Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN)
• H.R. 3965, the “Providing Emotional Assistance with Relief and Love Act” (PEARL Act), introduced by Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX)
• H.R. 4070, the “Tren de Aragua Border Security Threat Assessment Act,” introduced by Rep. Brad Knott (R-NC)
• H.R. 4071, the “Combating International Drug Trafficking and Human Smuggling Partnership Act of 2025,” introduced by Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS)
• H.R. 5078, the “Protecting Information by Local Leaders for Agency Resilience Act” (PILLAR Act), introduced by Rep. Ogles (R-TN)
• H.R. 2212, the “DHS Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program and Law Enforcement Support Act,” introduced by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA)
• H.R. 1736, the “Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act,” introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX)
• H.R. 2259, the “National Strategy for School Security Act of 2025,” introduced by Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX)

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