Producing Advanced Technologies for Homeland Security Act

Floor Speech

H.R. 1692 would once again allow the Department of Homeland Security to use other transaction authority, or OTA, for 3 years.

Despite the efforts of Democrats in the House and Senate, DHS lost its OTA authority last year because one Senator allowed it to lapse. OTA was a vital tool that enabled DHS to work with nontraditional government contractors to more quickly obtain cutting-edge emerging technologies that addressed evolving threats.

Since September 2024, the lapse in OTA, 50 projects have been disrupted, including 1 that led to identifying fraudulent documents, improving passenger screening, and enhancing disaster response.

Furthermore, 26 projects with approximately $20 million invested in them, taxpayer-invested money, are at the risk of being terminated by OTA at this time. These projects include projects such as border security, cybersecurity, counternarcotic security, and a few others.

The expiration of DHS' other transaction authority essentially will mean inefficiency and waste, things that will impede the Department's ability to develop solutions to keep our homeland safe.

It is past time, Mr. Speaker, to advance this legislation and bring back DHS' ability to develop novel homeland security technologies.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Michael Guest and Shri Thanedar for sponsoring this legislation. I urge all Members to restore other transaction authority to the Department of Homeland Security, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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