OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Technical Corrections Act of 2019

Floor Speech

Date: May 14, 2019
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security Government Operations

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1892, the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Technical Corrections Act of 2019.

In the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, Congress required the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a security review every 4 years. As the threats to the United States change and evolve, it is more important than ever for DHS to produce a robust strategy to protect the American public.

The Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, or QHSR, is intended to outline DHS' strategic outlook in its plan to successfully carry out its mission to protect our homeland. Thus far, DHS has produced two QHSRs since the requirement was established: one in 2010 and its most recent one in 2014. We are currently awaiting the release of the 2018 QHSR, which is quite a bit behind schedule.

The Government Accountability Office has reviewed both reports and made recommendations on how DHS could improve its efforts for future quadrennial reviews. In its 2016 review of the most recent QHSR, the GAO made several recommendations to strengthen the QHSR process, which are the basis of this legislation.

H.R. 1892 requires DHS to perform a risk assessment to shape the direction and the focus of QHSR. Second, the Department would be required to collect and maintain communications related to the QHSR to allow for better congressional oversight. Finally, DHS would be required to enhance its stakeholder engagement throughout the development of QHSR.

The result of these changes would be a more robust strategy that provides a roadmap for DHS to address future threats as they emerge and allows Congress to better execute its oversight responsibilities.

This language passed the House with wide support last Congress but, unfortunately, was not taken up by the Senate.

I continue to believe that this is an important piece of legislation, and I thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson Coleman) for reintroducing it.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward