Dhs Border Services Contracts Review Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BRECHEEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the DHS Border Services Contracts Review Act, H.R. 4467.

It goes without saying that the Border Patrol is overwhelmed when handling hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens coming across our southern border, and our national debt is increasing by nearly $1 trillion every 100 days. Congress must provide the oversight necessary and do everything in its power to simultaneously assist Border Patrol and also cut back on inefficient spending.

Federal contractors have a role within DHS when the Federal Government cannot meet the requirements necessary to carry out its mission. In the last decade, DHS has increasingly relied on service contracts to carry out these operations. According to the Government Accountability Office, DHS' contracted services have increased by 40 percent between fiscal years 2013 and 2018, obligating nearly $70 billion in contracts over that 5-year window.

In May of 2020, the GAO conducted a study on DHS service contracts that the Department uses for assistance. They examined eight DHS contracts and found that three-quarters of those contractors were never given any guidance by DHS on actions that are inherently under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government. GAO also reported that DHS has no consistent plan for contract oversight necessary to prevent overlapping work with contractors. This lack of guidance and potential overlap in functions highlights a glaring need for this report, especially considering the financial dilemma that we find ourselves in today.

To combat this potential problem, H.R. 4467 directs the Department of Homeland Security Under Secretary for Management to assess contracts above $50 million for covered services performed by contractor personnel along the U.S. border with Mexico to minimize overlap and cut inefficiencies.

This legislation requires the USM to report to Congress on active contracts, recommendations on how they can better be used to increase efficiency, and the criteria used to determine when contractor personnel is necessary for DHS to carry out its mission.

If enacted, this bill would provide needed clarity and oversight on which service contracts are helping DHS at the border and where there is room for improved efficiencies.

To ensure that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly, it includes a provision that prohibits the Department from requesting additional funding to carry out this legislation. I will reiterate that: Section 2(c) specifies that this legislation will not cost a dime.

I thank Chairman Green and the committee staff, and I urge all Members to support this commonsense legislation.

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