Inland Waters Security Review Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4402) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct an inland waters threat analysis, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 4402

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 ``Inland Waters Security Review Act''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--

(A) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives;

(B) the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs of the Senate; and

(C) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

(2) Inland waters.--The term ``inland waters'' has the meaning given such term in section 83.03 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations. SEC. 3. INLAND WATERS THREAT ANALYSIS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an inland waters threat analysis that includes an identification and description of the following:

(1) Current and potential terrorism and criminal threats posed by individuals and groups seeking to--

(A) enter the United States through inland waters; or

(B) exploit security vulnerabilities on inland waters.

(2) Security challenges at United States inland waters ports regarding--

(A) terrorism and instruments of terror entering the United States; and

(B) criminal activity, as measured by the total flow of illegal goods and illicit drugs, related to the inland waters.

(3) Security mitigation efforts with respect to the inland waters to--

(A) prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the United States; and

(B) reduce criminal activity related to the inland waters.

(4) Vulnerabilities related to cooperation between State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement, or international agreements, that hinder effective security, counterterrorism, anti-trafficking efforts, and the flow of legitimate trade with respect to inland waters.

(5) Metrics and performance measures used by the Department of Homeland Security to evaluate inland waters security, as appropriate.

(b) Analysis Requirements.--In preparing the threat analysis required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall consider and examine the following:

(1) Technology needs and challenges.

(2) Personnel needs and challenges.

(3) The roles of State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement, as well as private sector partners and the public, relating to inland waters security.

(4) The need for cooperation among Federal, State, local, Tribal, territorial, and international partner law enforcement, as well as private sector partners and the public, relating to inland waters security.

(5) The challenges posed by geography with respect to inland waters security.

(c) Classified Threat Analysis.--To the extent possible, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit the threat analysis required under subsection (a) in unclassified form. The Secretary may submit a portion of the threat analysis in classified form if the Secretary determines that such is appropriate.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4402, the Inland Waters Security Review Act. This one is very close to my heart.

Maritime security is an integral part of our homeland security; however, most terrorism assessments related to maritime security have focused on the risks of terrorism on the high seas or on coastal areas.

In the United States, we have massive inland water systems that present unique security challenges. In Michigan, for instance, from where I hail, we have 3,288 miles of coastline, second only to Alaska-- take that, California and Florida--so inland waters are a big deal to us. Maritime security is not just for our oceans but also for our Great Lakes, which represent a huge part of our U.S.-Canada border.

As a Michiganian who came to Congress to protect the Great Lakes, I am pleased to support this legislation, which requires the Department of Homeland Security to take a good, hard look at security threats to these vital waterways.

Specifically, H.R. 4402 would require DHS to submit an analysis of the current and potential terrorism and criminal threats, as well as security challenges, with respect to our Nation's inland waters.

In producing this assessment, DHS must consider technology, personnel, law enforcement cooperation, public-private partnerships, and challenges posed by geography. This assessment will provide Congress and the public with vital information regarding the threats facing our inland waters.

I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 4402, a bipartisan bill that was reported out of committee by unanimous consent. I thank my colleague on the Homeland Security committee, Mrs. Lesko, for her leadership on this bill.

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

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Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, America is home to over 3 million miles of lakes, rivers, and streams, including more than 25,000 miles of navigable waters.

It is critically important that we have a complete picture of the security and criminal threats that inland waters face. H.R. 4402 would do just that.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Arizona for introducing this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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