Robert Aderholt

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. ADERHOLT. I yield to the gentlelady from Tennessee.

Mr. ADERHOLT. I thank the gentleman for his continued leadership on cybersecurity matters and welcome the opportunity to engage him in this colloquy. Ensuring that the Department of Homeland Security has the resources needed to execute cybersecurity responsibilities entrusted to it is extremely important to both the short-term and the long-term success of its critical cybersecurity roles. I assure the gentleman that we will continue to examine how to best proceed to make sure the Department has adequately and effectively resourced to deter and defend against cybersecurity threats.

Mr. ADERHOLT. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. ADERHOLT. I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy).

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. Amendment Offered by Mr. Ellison

Mr. ADERHOLT. I reserve a point of order.

Mr. ADERHOLT. Will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. ADERHOLT. I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion.

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, this bill is already robust on cybersecurity. It provides a substantial increase in every cybersecurity program across the Department. Furthermore, this bill already does more for grants to high-risk areas than any previous DHS appropriations bill, and we increase grants by more than $400 million. Let me repeat that: By more than $400 million we increase grants. In short, this motion is not needed. This bill cuts spending overall, but it also fully sustains all frontline and high-risk operation. It is a balanced bill. It is a disciplined bill. It is a bill worthy of support. Mr. Speaker, it's time to vote. It's time to meet our Nation's needs for security and fiscal restraint. I urge my colleagues to reject this unnecessary motion and to enthusiastically support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition.

Mr. ADERHOLT. I appreciate the gentleman's views and I look forward to working closely with him in examining these issues as we move forward. I'll make every effort to address the workforce concern as we move toward conference on this bill.

Mr. ADERHOLT. Reclaiming my time, I would just like to say I support the gentleman from Pennsylvania's amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ADERHOLT. I would simply like to rise in support of the gentleman from Pennsylvania's amendment and say that we agree with his amendment that he has brought forth tonight. I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Culberson).

Mr. ADERHOLT. I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota.

Mr. ADERHOLT. I thank the gentleman for his comments. I am also a member of the Speaker's Task Force on Cybersecurity, and I understand the concerns that the gentleman has expressed this afternoon. As the gentleman noted, this bill focuses on Federal network security by addressing the failure of the administration to protect its own networks. Again, I want to thank the gentleman for his comments, and I would be happy to work with him to address his concerns. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ADERHOLT. I would be happy to accept the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order on the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition because the amendment would slash critical funding for our Nation's homeland security. For the third fiscal year in a row, this bill that we have before us accomplishes a dual goal that we have constantly worked on-- fiscal discipline and necessary funding for the homeland security needs of this country. The bill reduces the departmental management by $191 million, or 17 percent, below the request and $71 million below last year. It demands efficiency from all agencies, including an overall reduction of the TSA of $147 million, or 3 percent. It cuts programs that are not performing and reduces bureaucratic overhead. The Department is an Agency of 230,000 employees with an absolutely critical Federal mission. So I would urge my colleagues to join me in opposing this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ADERHOLT. I move to strike the last word.

Mr. ADERHOLT. I would like to say that we would agree with the gentleman from Minnesota's amendment and would support it and think it's a good idea.

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition.