Strengthening Oversight of Dhs Intelligence Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2261) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance the Department of Homeland Security's oversight of certain intelligence matters, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 2261
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 ``Strengthening Oversight of DHS Intelligence Act''. SEC. 2. ENHANCED DHS OVERSIGHT OF CERTAIN INTELLIGENCE MATTERS.
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended--
(1) in paragraph (9) of section 201(d) (6 U.S.C. 121(d))--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(C) any intelligence information under this Act is shared, retained, and disseminated consistent with the protection of privacy rights, civil rights, and civil liberties, as determined, respectively, by the Chief Privacy Officer and the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.'';
(2) in subsection (a) of section 222 (6 U.S.C. 142)--
(A) in paragraph (5)(B), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(7) coordinating with the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis to--
``(A) ensure that any intelligence information under this Act is shared, retained, and disseminated in a manner consistent with the protection of the privacy rights; and
``(B) provide training to intelligence personnel on privacy rights, regulations, and information practices as specified in section 552a of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the `Privacy Act of 1974') and other relevant laws, with a focus on personnel who have authority to disseminate information analyzed by the Department pursuant to paragraph (6) of section 201(d) or the responsibility to review information to be disseminated pursuant to such paragraph.''; and
(3) in subsection (a) of section 705 (6 U.S.C. 345)--
(A) in paragraph (5)(B), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(7) coordinate with the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis to--
``(A) ensure that any intelligence information under this Act is shared, retained, and disseminated in a manner consistent with the protection of civil rights and civil liberties; and
``(B) provide training to intelligence personnel on civil rights and civil liberties, with a focus on personnel who have authority to disseminate information analyzed by the Department pursuant to paragraph (6) of section 201(d) or the responsibility to review information to be disseminated pursuant to such paragraph.''.
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Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2261, the Strengthening Oversight of DHS Intelligence Act.
The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Intelligence and Analysis has a distinct role within the intelligence community of gathering and sharing intelligence across State, local, Tribal, and territorial partners.
In recent years, the Office of Intelligence and Analysis has faced criticism for overreach in its handling of bulk data that raises privacy concerns for the sensitive information of U.S. citizens.
This legislation will mandate that all DHS intelligence products undergo comprehensive reviews to ensure compliance with constitutional protections.
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Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I am prepared to close after the gentleman from Puerto Rico closes.
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Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
As the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, preventing another 9/11 is my top priority.
Being a Member from New York, I congratulate my colleague on his authorship and sponsorship of H.R. 2261. I urge all of my colleagues to support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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