Securing the Homeland Security Supply Chain Act of 2018

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6430, the Securing the Homeland Security Supply Chain Act of 2018.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6430 would authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to exclude an information technology and communication vendor that is deemed to pose significant national security risk from contracts for equipment and services.

I strongly believe that DHS must have the necessary tools to address evolving cyber incursions and espionage by nation-states to keep our country safe. The most significant risk to the supply chain comes from Chinese and Russian companies.

For years, the intelligence community has warned that information and communication technology produced by Chinese companies, most notably ZTE and Huawei, could be used to carry out cyber theft and espionage.

Some companies with ties to the Russian Government also pose national security risks. The U.S. Government has particularly highlighted concerns about Kaspersky Lab. In September 2017, DHS issued a directive requiring Federal agencies to remove all Kaspersky products from their networks, given ties between certain Kaspersky officials and Russian intelligence.

The risks to the supply chain are all too real and must be mitigated. That is why I am proud to cosponsor H.R. 6430, a measure that acts upon the information provided to us by our intelligence community to help DHS better counter these mounting threats.

H.R. 6430 provides DHS with needed authority to exclude vendors who are bad actors from the information technology and communications supply chain. If enacted, H.R. 6430 will allow the Department to be proactive and effective in addressing these complex threats in the future.

Importantly, the bill includes robust oversight provisions to ensure that Congress receives notification and justification of any exercise of authority under this act. Notably, this measure is based on a similar authority provided to the Department of Defense in 2011 and incorporates language provided by the Office of Management and Budget.

H.R. 6430 provides the Secretary of Homeland Security with a much- needed tool to eliminate national security threats to our supply chain. Enactment of H.R. 6430 will help DHS secure information technology and telecommunications equipment and services that are so essential to keeping our Nation secure.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to compliment the gentleman from New York, who has significant experience in this area, for offering this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 6430, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KING of New York.

Let me again thank the gentleman from Mississippi and the ranking member for his service on this bill and his service to the committee over the years.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation provides DHS vital authority to protect the Department from vendors who pose a risk. The bill includes important accountability measures to ensure that decisions are risk based, allows the vendor to provide feedback, and requires annual reviews any time the authority is used.

This is commonsense legislation that will provide important national security protections for the Department similar to what already exists for the Department of Defense and the intelligence community.

Mr. Speaker, I once again urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6430, the Securing the Homeland Security Supply Chain Act of 2018, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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