Hearing of the House Homeland Security Committee - Opening Statement of Rep. McCaul, Markup of H.R. 2142, H.R. 3101, H.R. 3551, and H.R. 3669

Hearing

This Committee has convened this morning to mark up several important pieces of legislation designed to defend our Homeland in several key areas.

However, before we discuss the details of those bills I would like to extend my thoughts and prayers to those who find themselves in the path of Hurricane Irma.

I'd also like to recognize and thank the courageous first responders, emergency personnel, and volunteers in Texas and Louisiana who have taken action and led the response to Hurricane Harvey.

As someone who has toured many of the cities and towns that were victimized by Harvey, I can personally testify that the destruction caused by this hurricane is unlike anything I have ever seen.
Historic rainfalls and dangerous floodwaters swallowed entire neighborhoods.

Many people lost their power, others lost their homes and businesses, and sadly, some lost a friend or a family member. We can all take comfort however, in the goodwill that has been shown by Americans from across the country in the wake of this tragedy.

Charitable donations and relief efforts from outside groups have demonstrated that when a disaster strikes, we really can pull together and pick each other up.

I look forward to working with each of you, other Members of Congress, and the Trump administration in a bipartisan effort to advance a successful recovery.

In just four days we will commemorate the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and remember that our enemies will travel great lengths and take extreme measures to attack the United States, kill innocent people, and disrupt our way of life.

As a result, we must be continually searching for new ways to prevent the next attack and keep our homeland safe.

Today's markup will contain a series of bills aimed at strengthening our aviation security, protecting economic supply chains at our borders, and bolstering cybersecurity at our ports. America's adversaries have proven to be very agile.With new advancements in technology they seek to expose weaknesses in our transportation system, our points of entry, and our online networks. The bills we are marking up today are important steps to securing each of those areas.

Additionally, this markup includes legislation that will help detect and intercept fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Substance abuse and in particular, the opioid epidemic, claims tens of thousands of lives every year.
Families and communities in every state have been left feeling shattered from the consequences of addiction.

This is an important bill that will make it harder for traffickers to infuse our stream of commerce with more drugs and I would like to thank Congressman Fitzpatrick for his leadership on this issue.

Finally, next Tuesday we will welcome the leaders of the FBI, DHS, and NCTC to a full Committee hearing and review an array of world-wide threats. At this hearing I'd encourage all Members to engage in a robust discussion on the most pressing national security challenges facing the American people from both at home and abroad.

I now recognize the Ranking Member.

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