Counter Terrorist Network Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3526) to authorize certain counter terrorist networks activities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3526

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 ``Counter Terrorist Network Act''. SEC. 2. DUTY TO COUNTER TERRORIST NETWORKS; DETAILS AND ASSIGNMENT.

Section 411 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 211) is amended--

(1) in subsection (g)(4)--

(A) in subparagraph (C)--

(i) in clause (vi), by striking ``and'' at the end;

(ii) by redesignating clause (vii) as clause (viii); and

(iii) by inserting after clause (vi) the following new clause:

``(vii) collaborate with appropriate agencies, including Federal, State, local, Tribal, and international entities, to enhance border security through operations such as operations that seek to disrupt and dismantle networks, including foreign terrorist organizations (as such term is described in section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189)), that pose terrorist or other threats; and'';

(2) by redesignating subsections (p) through (r) as subsections (q) through (s), respectively; and

(3) by inserting after subsection (o) the following new subsection:

``(p) Assignment of Personnel.--The Commissioner may detail or otherwise assign personnel of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to other appropriate agencies, including to serve overseas in support of global information sharing partnership operations in furtherance of enhancing border security, including by preventing entry into the United States by individuals known or suspected of being associated with a network, including a foreign terrorist organization (as such term is described in section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189)), that poses terrorist or other threats.''. SEC. 3. BRIEFINGS.

The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall biannually brief the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate regarding activities, during the prior six months, in furtherance of clause (vii) of section 411(g)(4)(C) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 211(g)(4)(C)), as added by section 2 of this Act. Such briefings may be provided in a classified setting if the Commissioner determines such is appropriate.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3526, the Counter Terrorist Network Act. Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, is charged with the important mission of securing our Nation's borders and ports of entries against a range of threats, including foreign terrorist networks. In pursuit of this mission, it is vital that CBP and the Department of Homeland Security collaborate with international partners to effectively prevent foreign terrorists from carrying out attacks on U.S. soil.

H.R. 3526 authorizes CBP's National Targeting Center, or NTC, to collaborate with international partners to disrupt and dismantle foreign terrorist networks. The NTC uses technology and analytical tools to identify threats and share this information with domestic and international partners.

This bill seeks to solidify CBP's collaboration with international partners outside of our borders. The Counter Terrorist Network Act will authorize CBP to assign NTC personnel abroad to perform critical information-sharing operations in real time to ensure that individuals who are known or suspected of being associated with terrorist networks are prevented from entering the United States.

Even as Congress addresses the rise of domestic terrorism, we must continue to be vigilant of the threats posed by foreign terrorist organizations such as al-Qaida and the Islamic State. H.R. 3526 underscores this by authorizing CBP to counter terrorist and criminal networks from exploiting legitimate avenues to enter the United States.

Due to its border security mission, CBP is uniquely situated to combat these threats that originate from terrorist and criminal networks around the globe. This bill will allow Congress to work with CBP to ensure our borders are secure in a proven and effective manner.

I thank the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Underwood) for introducing this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. CORREA. Underwood).

Mr. Speaker, 18 years after the most devastating terrorist attack on our country, it is imperative that DHS continue its efforts to prevent foreign terrorist organizations from carrying out attacks on our homeland. By passing H.R. 3526 today, Congress can ensure that DHS continues to address border or homeland security threats long before they are present at our borders.

I would also note that last Congress, the House overwhelmingly passed similar legislation in a bipartisan manner. It was approved by a vote of 410-2. I would hope that my colleagues would again lend their support and join me in passing this legislation today.

I want to thank Ms. Underwood for this most important and timely piece of legislation to protect our homeland from terrorists.

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