Bob Goodlatte

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1616) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the National Computer Forensics Institute, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, at this time I am pleased to yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ratcliffe), the chief sponsor of the legislation.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the National Computer Forensics Institute serves a vital purpose in preparing State and local law enforcement to combat computer and cybercrime. Last Congress, the House passed this legislation by voice vote under suspension of the rules. I am pleased to support this legislation once again, and I am confident that this bill will once again receive bipartisan support. The United States Department of Justice has declared that cybercrime is one of the greatest threats facing our country and that it has enormous implications for our national security, economic prosperity, and public safety. We have seen this just in the past few days after cyber vulnerabilities led to widespread computer disruptions around the world. With this in mind, the National Computer Forensics Institute serves the vital purpose of providing legal and judicial professionals a free, comprehensive education on current cybercrime trends, investigative methods, and prosecutorial and judicial challenges. The National Computer Forensics Institute is a 32,000-square-foot facility located in Hoover, Alabama. The institute boasts three multipurpose classrooms, two network investigations classrooms, a mock courtroom, and a forensics lab. The special agents of the United States Secret Service staff the institute and work diligently training attendees in modern counter- cybercrime procedures and evidence collection. When the attendees leave, they take with them the critical knowledge and equipment required to conduct autonomous and thorough cybercrime investigations at their home agencies. Since its creation in 2008, the institute has earned praise for its work in preparing America's local law enforcement in how to deal with these important technology issues. Over the last 7 years, the institute has instructed law enforcement professionals from every State in the country and from over 500 different law enforcement agencies. In fact, law enforcement in my own district has benefited from NCFI training, including Lynchburg Commonwealth Attorney Mike Doucette and his staff. Each professional educated at the institute is a force multiplier for the Secret Service. The institute itself is a force multiplier for other law enforcement cyber forensic efforts, complementing vital training offered by entities like the National White Collar Crime Center, otherwise known as NW3C. After successful completion of the NCFI and the NW3C programs, the students can bring their new knowledge back to their local agency to inform their colleagues how to properly conduct computer forensic investigations. Mr. Speaker, I firmly believe that for our Nation to successfully combat the cybercrime threat, we must support legislation such as H.R. 1616. I want to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ratcliffe), a member of the Judiciary Committee, for sponsoring this important legislation. Authorizing the existing National Computer Forensics Institute in Federal law will cement its position as a high-tech cybercrime training facility and will help law enforcement professionals nationwide in their efforts to combat cyber-related crimes. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC, May 15, 2017. Hon. Bob Goodlatte, Chairman, Committee on Judiciary, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Goodlatte: I write concerning H.R. 1616, the ``Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act of 2017''. This legislation includes matters that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Homeland Security. In order to expedite floor consideration of H.R. 1616, the Committee on Homeland Security agrees to forgo action on this bill. However, this is conditional on our mutual understanding that forgoing consideration of the bill would not prejudice the Committee with respect to the appointment of conferees or to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in the bill or similar legislation that fall within the Committee on Homeland Security's Rule X jurisdiction. I request you urge the Speaker to name members of the Committee to any conference committee named to consider such provisions. Please place a copy of this letter and your response acknowledging our jurisdictional interest into the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Sincerely, Michael T. McCaul, Chairman.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 1616, currently under consideration.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Raskin).

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Palmer).

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this good legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The House of Representatives works on many important issues, but few are more important than making sure that innocent arrestees are promptly released and that culpable suspects are not released to strike again. Rapid DNA technology has the potential to do both of those things and, as such, can be an important tool for law enforcement and a key component of this body's ongoing efforts on criminal justice reform. I applaud the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) for reintroducing H.R. 510, the Rapid DNA Act of 2017, in this session of Congress. With Rapid DNA technology, it is possible to test the DNA of arrestees as soon as they are in custody and determine within hours whether they match the DNA profile from a crime scene or from other earlier crimes. This technology would also enable police to check the Federal DNA database to see if an arrestee matches the DNA profile from previous crimes for which a DNA sample exists but no known suspect has been identified. Rather than waiting weeks for a DNA sample to be processed and risk releasing a suspect back into the public to potentially reoffend, creating new victims, police will be able to determine at initial booking if the suspect is a person of interest in other crimes. This bill will provide important tools for law enforcement. For instance, it will inform decisions about pretrial release or detention and their conditions. It will solve and prevent all crimes, including violent crimes. By freeing up forensic analysts, it will prevent DNA analysis backlogs. I believe this is necessary, responsible legislation that will aid law enforcement and protect American citizens by keeping offenders off the streets. I again thank Congressman Sensenbrenner for sponsoring this important legislation, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), the former chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and the chief author of this legislation.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on H.R. 510, currently under consideration.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 510) to establish a system for integration of Rapid DNA instruments for use by law enforcement to reduce violent crime and reduce the current DNA analysis backlog.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Police officers and military veterans have much in common: Both wear uniforms, both protect and serve, and both face great physical risk in executing their duties. It is understandable, then, that many military servicemen and -women seek employment as police officers upon returning to civilian life. Similarly, police departments are seeking men and women who are physically and mentally fit to assume these roles, who are used to working in teams, and who have experience making quick decisions under stress. To a police department, a military veteran may be a perfect fit. In recent years, we have strived for community-oriented approaches to policing. A community-oriented approach requires officers not just to enforce laws, but to wear many other hats, like first aid provider, social worker, counselor, crisis manager, and peacemaker. If there is a problem, we expect the police to solve it. The knowledge, skill, and abilities military veterans bring to police departments enhance the departments' problem-solving mission. H.R. 1428, the American Law Enforcement Heroes Act of 2017, is good legislation introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hurd). The bill authorizes grantees who receive grants under the Community Oriented Policing Services program at the Department of Justice, commonly known as COPS, to use them for prioritizing the hiring and training of military veterans. When military veterans return from deployment and enter civilian life, it is important we recognize their sacrifices by assuring they can obtain employment and support their families. This bill helps to ensure veterans can do just that. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Hurd for introducing this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hurd), the chief author of this legislation.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 1428, currently under consideration.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I again commend the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hurd) for his thoughtful legislation and his outstanding leadership on this issue. This is good legislation that will help young military men and women find employment in law enforcement where they can provide great continued service to our country. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1428) to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize COPS grantees to use grant funds to hire veterans as career law enforcement officers, and for other purposes.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 1892, currently under consideration.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1892) to amend title 4, United States Code, to provide for the flying of the flag at half-staff in the event of the death of a first responder in the line of duty.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution establishing an official flag for the new American Nation. The resolution, now known as the Flag Act of 1777, stated that the flag would be ``thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.'' For the last 240 years, the American people have celebrated Flag Day every June 14, and, over that time, the flag has evolved. As we all know, changes have been made to its design, shape, and arrangement. The Flag Act of 1794 changed the design from 13 to 15 stars to accommodate the admission of Vermont and Kentucky into the Union. The Flag Act of 1818 mandated that the 13 stripes represented the Thirteen Original Colonies, the number of stars matched the number of States, and provided that subsequent changes in the number of stars would be made on the 4th of July. What has remained rock solid over that quarter millennium, however, is what our flag represents. It represents one nation, freedom, and justice for all, and the sacrifices made in pursuit of those core American values. Current law provides guidance for displaying and handling the flag so it is afforded the respect it deserves and has earned. In abiding by these guidelines, we all commemorate the value and love we hold for what our flag represents. That is why the legislation before us today, H.R. 1892, the Honoring Hometown Heroes Act, is not only appropriate but necessary. This bill amends Federal law to permit State and Territorial Governors and the Mayor of Washington, D.C., to order that the flag be flown at halfstaff in the event that a public safety officer dies in the line of duty. For purposes of this legislation, ``public safety officers'' include local police officers, firefighters, and EMS professionals. These are individuals who make great sacrifices so we all can live in a free country. These men and women work long hours, separated from their loved ones, and consistently place themselves in harm's way so we as Americans can enjoy our freedom and our way of life. These sacrifices often go unappreciated. When an officer dies in the line of duty, he or she is making the ultimate sacrifice for their community, their family, and for their country. H.R. 1892 allows the American people to show their appreciation to these men and women, who are truly the bulwark between order and chaos. They represent the values the Founders held so dear nearly 250 years ago, and their sacrifices must be publicly acknowledged so they are not taken for granted. I thank the lead sponsor of this bill, Congressman John Larson. On May 3, the House Committee on the Judiciary approved the Honoring Hometown Heroes Act with unanimous, bipartisan support. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and the other bills before the House today to honor the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the safety of our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. GOODLATTE

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 1695.

Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment offered by Ms. Judy Chu. She has been a strong advocate for the protection of intellectual property as well as the modernization of the Copyright Office during the House Judiciary Committee's copyright review, and we miss her on the committee. One of the issues that has been raised while we have discussed updates to our Nation's copyright laws is the importance of preserving our mandatory deposit system. The mandatory deposit system that exists in our Nation's copyright law has resulted in numerous copyrighted works being added to the collections of the Library of Congress at no charge to taxpayers. Without the mandatory deposit system, the Library's collections would be vastly smaller, without a significant increase in taxpayer funding in order to buy these copyrighted works that are now provided free to the Library. Ms. Judy Chu's amendment ensures that this system is not disrupted as the Register position is made subject to the nomination and consent process, and I urge my colleagues to support the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.