Omnibus Strengthens Defenses Against Homeland Threats

Statement

In his State of Homeland Security Address last week, Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul said, "the state of our homeland is increasingly not secure." He added that he believes "2015 will be seen as a watershed year" in the war against Islamist terror. As the threats sprout in a variety of forms -- including foreign fighters, lone wolfs, cyber jihadists, and homegrown terrorists being radicalized on the internet -- the House of Representatives today passed a spending bill that addresses the expanding variety of ways terrorists are trying to kill Americans in the homeland and around the world.

In the last year alone, Islamist terror attacks have occurred in several cities across America, including San Bernardino, CA, Chattanooga, TN, and Garland, TX. Additionally, the number of thwarted terror plots continues at an alarming pace. ISIS has now directed or inspired 66 plots to attack Western targets, including 19 inside America.

The Omnibus spending bill, passed by the House of Representatives with a vote of 316 to 113, includes provisions that strengthen the security of our homeland by providing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) the tools necessary to best protect the American people from the increasing threats. This important bill also includes provisions that tighten our cyber defenses while maintaining privacy, and strengthens our visa waiver program to defend against terrorists trying to sneak into the United States from any of the 38 countries that don't require a visa.

A summary of provisions that directly strengthen our homeland security:

Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention

The Visa Waiver bill ramps up security of the Visa Waiver Program to improve intelligence information sharing and to keep terrorists from entering the United States undetected. It also includes major recommendations from the Committee's bipartisan Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel that will make it harder for terror suspects to cross borders, including enhanced counterterrorism screening of travelers and measures to crack down on passport fraud. The Visa Waiver Program Bill passed the House on December 8, 2015 with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 407-19.

Chairman McCaul: "The security gaps in the visa waiver program was a major key finding of my Committee's bipartisan Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel. I am glad to see Rep. Candace Miller's legislation included in this package as we continue to work aggressively to shut down potential terrorist pathways into our country. This legislation helps close the security gaps and improves our ability to stop dangerous individuals before they reach our shores."

DHS Budget

In total, the bill provides $41 billion in discretionary funding for DHS -- an increase of $1.3 billion compared to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. The legislation prioritizes operations, counterterrorism, and targeting activities, saves tax dollars, and increases transparency and accountability at DHS.

Chairman McCaul: "In order to stop the many threats facing our nation, the Department of Homeland Security requires appropriate funding to stop homegrown terrorists from carrying out attacks. With 2015 being the single most active year for homegrown terror since 9/11, DHS must have the resources to remain vigilant in their duty to disrupt and prevent acts of terror within the United States."

FBI Budget

The bill includes $8.8 billion for the FBI -- $362 million above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. Within this funding, priority is placed on domestic counterterrorism and counterintelligence activities, programs that combat the growing threat of cyber intrusions, and infrastructure needs.

Chairman McCaul: "After hearing from Director Comey about how thinly stretched FBI resources have become due to nearly 1,000 homegrown terror investigations--most of which are ISIS-related--across all 50 states, I am encouraged that FBI funding will be increased and prioritized on domestic counterterrorism. There have now been 19 ISIS-connected terrorist plots or attacks here at home and more than 70 ISIS-supporters arrested or indicted in the United States. The funding provided in this legislation will help keep terror off our streets and Americans safe in their communities."

Cybersecurity Act

The Cybersecurity Act creates a voluntary cybersecurity information sharing process that will encourage private sector entities to share cyber threat information, without legal barriers and the threat of unfounded litigation--while protecting private information. This legislation also includes provisions to improve Federal network and information system security, provide assessments on the Federal cybersecurity workforce, and provide reporting and strategies on cybersecurity industry-related and criminal-related matters. Many of the provisions originated in H.R. 1731, the National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act, which overwhelmingly passed the House on April 23, 2015 by a vote of 355-63.

Establishing the ability for DHS to secure federal networks is something Chairman McCaul has worked hard to enact. This bill streamlines the Federal government's ability to more effectively identify and thwart cyber-attacks.

Chairman McCaul: "I am pleased to have DHS as the sole portal for companies to voluntarily share information with the federal government while expressly prohibiting the military and NSA from hosting a portal. In light of the OPM breach, this legislation ensures federal cyber networks are able to defend against nation-states like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea and terrorist threats".

Other Provisions to Protect the Homeland

$690 million in grants for first responders -- to ensure they are able to do their jobs effectively and safely.

$1.5 billion in grants for state and local jurisdictions to combat terrorism.

$50 million for emergent threats from violent extremism and from complex, coordinated terrorist attacks.

Includes money in the US Coast Guard to improve readiness, modernize vessels and aircraft.

Money to combat human trafficking and child exploitation capabilities.

Prohibits transfer or release of Guantanamo detainees into the U.S.

$30 million for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recruiting, hiring, training, and equipping law enforcement officers and Border Patrol agents.

$447 million for border security fencing, infrastructure, and technology.

$1.6 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify aliens convicted of a crime who may be deportable, and to remove them from the United States once they are judged deportable
Includes $236 million for the Transportation Safety Administration for development and implementation of intelligence and vetting activities.

Source