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Homeland Security Open Source Information Enhancement Act Of 2008

Floor Speech

Date: July 29, 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security Technology and Communication Federal, State and Local Relations

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of H.R. 3815, the Homeland Security Open Source Information Enhancement Act, sponsored by my committee colleague, Representative ED PERLMUTTER, who is a great Member, by the way.

H.R. 3815 will require the Secretary to establish an open source collection analysis and dissemination program within the Department of Homeland Security. This program would help facilitate information-sharing between the Federal Government and State, local and private sector officials to take advantage of the vast amount of information that is publicly available through open sources.

Importantly, the bill would require the Secretary to protect the privacy rights of individuals, including by conducting a private impact statement on the Department's open source program.

H.R. 3815 also requires the Inspector General to audit the use and dissemination of open source information to evaluate the effectiveness of the Department's activities in this area and its consistency with the open source policies of the Director of National Intelligence.

Mr. Speaker, I believe the Department of Homeland Security should take full advantage of open source information and ensure its proper dissemination to appropriate entities to maximize our homeland security. I encourage our colleagues to help move the Department closer toward that goal by supporting H.R. 3815.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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