Dhs Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program and Law Enforcement Support Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. MACKENZIE. Madam Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 2212, the DHS Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program and Law Enforcement Support Act.

Next year, our Nation will mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. As we approach this solemn milestone, it is important that we reflect on the progress we have made in preventing attacks, as well as the areas where we can continue to improve.

Countless Americans work every day across numerous agencies to keep our citizens safe from potential threats. In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, the intelligence community was strengthened and its ranks were bolstered. Because of their work, and the courage of our veterans and servicemembers, our Nation has been spared from similar attacks.

We thank all of those who serve our Nation, both as civilians and servicemembers, in the fight to secure our homeland.

Despite this success, we remain vigilant in the face of continuing threats against our country. That means continuing to analyze our tactics, refine our strategies, and ensure that critical information is efficiently shared between agencies.

Information silos are not unique to the intelligence community, but the need to overcome them is more acute. The consequences are far greater if there are problems that arise. The intelligence community's ability to detect and prevent attacks against our homeland depends on coordinated and efficient information flows.

We expect smooth interaction and joint maneuvers from our Nation's warfighters, and we depend upon the same thing across all components of our intelligence community.

However, this coordination can be improved. In 2017, the inspectors general of the Intelligence Community, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Justice all completed a report that noted the DHS intelligence enterprise was not as effective and as valuable as it could be. This was attributed, in part, to a lack of unity throughout the DHS intelligence enterprise.

For the intelligence community, the stakes could not be higher. Our Nation's security depends on streamlined coordination across agencies. That is why this bill ensures that the intelligence components of DHS are fully integrated within joint duty programs across the broader intelligence community. This allows intelligence analysts at DHS to sharpen their knowledge and expertise by spending time across different agencies.

These benefits are similar to what many Americans have experienced throughout private industry. As a one-time board member for the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Board and as Republican chair of the Pennsylvania House Labor and Industry Committee, I got to see how innovative ideas like these can improve workplaces. Gaining experience and making contacts across departments can enhance the efficiency and morale of the organization, helping them to achieve their objectives.

Rotational programs can take employees out of their respective bubbles, helping them see the big picture of the organization and the important roles that are played by employees in other areas.

These same principles and strategies can certainly be translated into the homeland security space, where wider knowledge and institutional connections mean stronger security. By giving DHS staff the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills from throughout the department, we give the intelligence community a leg up in the fight to protect our Nation.

It is time for Congress to codify DHS' Intelligence Rotational Assignment program and ensure that our intelligence community has the breadth of experience necessary to tackle the threats of tomorrow.

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