National Institute of Standards and Technology Campus Security Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5636) to increase the effectiveness of and accountability for maintaining the physical security of NIST facilities and the safety of the NIST workforce.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5636

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``National Institute of Standards and Technology Campus Security Act''. SEC. 2. NIST CAMPUS SECURITY.

(a) Supervisory Authority.--The Department of Commerce Office of Security shall directly manage the law enforcement and security programs of the National Institute of Standards and Technology through an assigned Director of Security for the National Institute of Standards and Technology. This subsection shall be carried out without increasing the number of full time equivalent employees of the Department of Commerce, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

(b) Reports.--Such Director of Security shall provide an activities and security report on a quarterly basis for the first year after the date of enactment of this Act, and on an annual basis thereafter, to the Under Secretary for Standards and Technology and to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

(c) Comptroller General Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit a report to the Secretary of Commerce, and to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the Senate, that--

(1) evaluates the costs and performance of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Police Services Group;

(2) compares the total costs of that Police Services Group with the estimated cost of private police contractors to perform the same work;

(3) examines any potential concerns with private police contractors performing the duties of the Police Services Group;

(4) makes recommendations, based on the findings under paragraphs (2) and (3), for how the National Institute of Standards and Technology should spend its money on security without diminishing the security on its campuses;

(5) proposes oversight and direction that the Police Services Group or outside security contractors need to ensure physical security at National Institute of Standards and Technology campuses;

(6) establishes the percentage of National Institute of Standards and Technology personnel, including the Police Services Group and outside security contractors, that follow security policies, processes, and procedures applicable to their responsibilities;

(7) determines the number of known security breaches and other similar incidents at National Institute of Standards and Technology campuses involving National Institute of Standards and Technology personnel and external parties from fiscal year 2012 to the date of the completion of this report, and their impact and resolution; and

(8) analyzes management, operational, and other challenges encountered in the course of protecting National Institute of Standards and Technology facilities and the extent to which such challenges impact security, and includes assessment of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's attempts to mitigate those challenges.

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Mr. LOUDERMILK. 5636, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5636, the National Institute of Standards and Technology Campus Security Act. I would like to thank Chairman Smith for his hard work in bringing this bill through the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

I chair the Oversight Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, and my subcommittee has been involved in the investigation of security issues at the National Institute of Standards and Technology over the past year.

Not only did a now-former NIST police officer cause an explosion on the Gaithersburg campus while attempting to manufacture methamphetamine, there was also an alarming incident that took place on the NIST campus in Boulder, Colorado.

In April, an individual with no identification, who was not an employee of NIST, was found in a building on the campus. The incident required a summons to county firefighters because of concerns that the individual may have been exposed to chlorine gas stored in the building's ``clean'' room. He was eventually transported to the local hospital, and the incident is currently part of an ongoing criminal investigation.

There are quite a few reasons why this situation is so concerning to me.

First, how does a non-NIST employee get on a campus, into a secure building, and then into a room where potentially dangerous, hazardous, or poisonous chemicals may be present.

Most importantly, how did all this take place without NIST police or security knowledge? And what is the extent of damage that an individual could have caused by having access to that building and room?

For a Federal agency that received a notice of violation by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission just 1 year ago for failing to--and I quote--``keep records showing the receipt, inventory, acquisition, transfer, and disposal of all special nuclear materials in its possession,'' this is extremely concerning.

In the National Regulatory Commission's investigation, they discovered ``radioactive material and sources that were not included'' in the NIST inventory. While this raises additional accountability issues and concerns, it also emphasizes the need for adequate and effective security at NIST campuses.

Having held numerous managerial and executive positions in the private and public sector, I know how important accountability is to the success and future of an organization. It is inexcusable that an important government agency like NIST is lagging behind in accountability, especially when it comes to the security and protection of its campuses and its employees.

This legislation is an important example of how congressional oversight works. Being able to ``check on and check the Executive'' allows Congress to step in when an agency is lacking in efficiency and effectiveness to ensure adequate measures are taken and taxpayer dollars are protected.

This bill directs the Department of Commerce Office of Security to get involved in the law enforcement and security programs at NIST. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to produce an analysis on the performance and efficiency of NIST security in its current state, make recommendations on how to improve security on NIST campuses, and look into the possibility of privatizing the NIST police force.

This legislation takes an important step to protect the safety and security of those who work at, visit, and live in the vicinity of NIST campuses. We must take action to ensure accountability and effective security in one of our Nation's oldest physical science laboratories.

I urge my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation.
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Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join us in this bipartisan effort to ensure the safety and security of many--not just employees, but citizens and visitors to this important facility, and I urge them to support this bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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