Leveraging Emerging Technologies Act of 2016

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5389, the Leveraging Emerging Technologies Act of 2016.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to cosponsor H.R. 5389, a bipartisan bill that directs the Department of Homeland Security to engage, in an unprecedented fashion, with developers of innovative and emerging technologies.

When it comes to tackling vexing homeland security challenges, Washington does not have the monopoly on groundbreaking, forward- thinking ideas. H.R. 5389 specifically directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to engage with innovative and emerging technology developers to help tackle the rapidly expanding list of homeland security technology needs.

To encourage such engagement, the bill authorizes DHS to establish personnel and office space in diverse geographical areas around the United States that have high concentrations of technology developers and firms to nurture relationships.

In April 2015, the Department announced that it was establishing a Silicon Valley office to cultivate relationships with technology innovators, particularly nontraditional performers, such as small startups, investors, incubators, and accelerators. The establishment of this office is in furtherance of DHS' homeland security innovation program, whose goal is to generate innovation in hubs around the Nation and the world to solve DHS' most difficult technology challenges.

Over the past year, through these programs, DHS has reached out to technology innovators and other stakeholders at regional events held in Boston, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, New Orleans, Chicago, Louisville, and Austin.

To ensure that DHS pursues outreach to innovators and related stakeholders in a thoughtful manner, H.R. 5389 also directs DHS, within 6 months, to develop and submit to Congress a Department-wide strategy for such engagement. Importantly, the bill specifically calls for DHS to include ways to effectively engage with technology-based small businesses and startup ventures in the strategy.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. H.R. 5389 was unanimously approved by the Committee on Homeland Security on June 8. It recognizes that DHS depends on technology to carry out its missions and for the Department to effectively identify, support, and procure innovative technology. DHS must nurture and maintain robust and direct relationships with technology developers.

Two features of the strategy required under this act that I would like to highlight are that it directs DHS to give attention to fostering engagement with developers that may be located outside a recognized regional technology hub, and coordinate with venture capital organizations to help emerging technology developers, including small businesses and startup ventures, commercialize technologies that address a rapidly growing list of homeland security needs.

I also join my colleague from Texas in supporting this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of H.R. 5389.

I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source