Securing the Cities Improvement Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that we are here today to consider Representative Carter's bill, H.R. 1374, the Securing the Cities Improvement Act, or STC. This bill is essential for enhancing cities' security against nuclear and radiological threats.

The STC program was created by the Department of Homeland Security in 2007. It began as a pilot program in high-risk cities to detect nuclear and radiological threats. Since then, it has expanded to include additional cities, offering equipment, training, technological support, and program guidance.

The program supports major events by ensuring cities are prepared for potential threats. However, its reliance on the annual Urban Area Security Initiative, or UASI, designations creates uncertainty for local governments, as the designated high-risk areas can change, and they usually do.

This bill aims to improve the program's stability and strengthen partnerships with at-risk cities by allowing the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office to select STC cities based on their preparedness capabilities rather than UASI designations.

The bill, Mr. Speaker, also establishes performance metrics, enhances oversight of expenditures, and requires DHS to report to Congress on program participation and any further changes.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud Representative Carter's leadership on this measure. I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 1374, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, let me start by thanking Mr. Carter for H.R. 1374. This legislation will play a critical role in ensuring that our local jurisdictions maintain the ability to detect and respond to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.

Without initiatives like this legislation, the STC, efforts to combat these dangers could be significantly hindered or even discontinued, putting the safety and security of our communities, taxpayers, and citizens at risk.

Passage of this legislation is very essential to preserving our national readiness and to strengthen security against emerging threats and those who would do us harm.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 1374, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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