DHS Field Engagement Accountability Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5079, the DHS Field Engagement Accountability Act.

H.R. 5079 would require the Department of Homeland Security to develop a fusion center engagement strategy. One of the tragic lessons of the September 11 attacks was what can happen when information is not shared at all levels of law enforcement.

Since 2006, the committee has supported the Department's efforts to deploy intelligence analysts to many of the 79 fusion centers across the country. These fusion centers are charged with connecting the dots at the State or local level to prevent terrorist or extremist violence.

H.R. 5079 continues in this vein by directing DHS to focus on strengthening its relationship with the fusion centers.

At a time when violent attacks in Florida, New York, Las Vegas, and Charlottesville are tragically all too much a part of our new normal, we need this improved relationship between the Department and fusion centers more than ever.

In addition to requiring an engagement strategy, the bill requires DHS to have metrics in place to hold the personnel it deploys to fusion centers accountable for their performance.

Finally, this legislation seeks to encourage use of the Department's intelligence and document-sharing systems to promote greater engagement among the Department and fusion centers across the country.
Specifically, H.R. 5079 would create policies for information sharing via Department networks that are developed and updated in consultation with the Department's experts on privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure. In closing, with the emergence of lone wolves and small terrorist cells, the decentralized terrorist threat in the United States poses serious threats to local communities across our country from big cities to small towns. Whether the target is a church in South Carolina, a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, a mosque in Illinois, a synagogue in New York, a concert venue in Las Vegas, or a school in Florida, State and local law enforcement need a clear line of communication with Federal agencies. As such, DHS must ensure that fusion centers throughout the country have access to the resources--including personnel, training, and access to information--necessary to keep the U.S. homeland safe and secure.

H.R. 5079 directs DHS to do just that by requiring the Department to have a strategy to enhance engagement with fusion centers and provide fusion center personnel. Additionally, H.R. 5079 would ensure that DHS' information-sharing policies include strong privacy and civil liberty safeguards. I, therefore, encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 5079.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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