Andrew Garbarino

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, today we recognize Ha McNeill as she concludes her service as Deputy Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration. Before serving as Deputy Administrator, Mrs. McNeill led TSA as Acting Administrator for more than a year--assuming responsibility for an agency of more than 60,000 employees during an exceptionally demanding period. Throughout her tenure, Mrs. McNeill demonstrated a remarkable ability to inspire TSA's workforce and guide the agency through uncertainty. That leadership was especially evident during multiple government shutdowns, when Transportation Security Officers and other TSA personnel continued reporting for duty to protect the traveling public, despite the financial strain and uncertainty facing them and their families. At a time when the workforce needed a steady and compassionate leader more than ever, Mrs. McNeill provided one. She understood that TSA's greatest strength is its people. She communicated directly and honestly with employees, listened to their concerns, and made clear that their service and sacrifices were recognized and deeply valued. Her leadership helped sustain morale, preserve the agency's mission, and reassure a workforce carrying an extraordinary burden. As Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I had the opportunity to hear directly from Mrs. McNeill on numerous occasions as she testified before the Committee regarding the effects of government shutdowns on TSA's workforce and operations. She was a candid and constructive partner to Congress, ensuring that lawmakers understood not only the operational consequences of a shutdown, but also its very real human impact on TSA employees and their families. Mrs. McNeill has also been an outstanding advocate for TSA's canine programs and the dedicated canine teams that help secure our Nation's transportation systems. Her support extended to both the highly trained dogs and the TSA handlers who work beside them every day to detect explosives, deter threats, and protect the traveling public. I was honored to welcome Mrs. McNeill and several TSA canine teams to an event I hosted commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and recognizing the vital role canines play in advancing our Nation's homeland security mission. The event paid tribute to the canine teams that supported the search, rescue, and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the attacks, as well as the teams that continue to help safeguard communities and transportation systems across the country. Mrs. McNeill's participation reflected her deep appreciation for these canine teams and her unwavering commitment to ensuring that their contributions receive the recognition and support they deserve. I thank her for her exceptional support of TSA's canine workforce, including its dedicated handlers and remarkable dogs, and for championing their indispensable contribution to the security of our homeland. Mrs. McNeill served the agency with integrity, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to its workforce and security mission. Her leadership helped TSA navigate some of its most difficult moments, while continuing to safeguard our Nation's transportation systems and the millions of Americans who rely upon them each day. On behalf of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I thank Ha McNeill for her distinguished service to TSA and to our Nation. I wish her and her family every success in the next chapter.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Long Island Association as they celebrate their 100th anniversary. For the past century, the Long Island Association has been a driving force for economic growth across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. They have brought together community leaders across all sectors to advocate for the investments and policies that help Long Island succeed. Whether it is improving infrastructure, supporting small businesses, strengthening our Workforce, expanding housing opportunities, or bolstering our healthcare and education systems, the Long Island Association has been a trusted partner in building a stronger future for our region. Reaching 100 years is an extraordinary achievement, and it speaks to the organization's lasting commitment to the people and businesses that call Long Island home. I congratulate the Long Island Association, and I look forward to seeing all they accomplish in the years ahead.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, I congratulate and thank Mr. Walkinshaw for his hard work on this bill. It is a great piece of legislation. I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 8535, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8535, the Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act. This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop performance metrics relating to detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl for the Department of Homeland Security and each of its components. Additionally, this bill requires each relevant DHS component to share information related to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of fentanyl with each other, as well as identify any barriers to sharing information and data. The fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act required DHS to establish a program to collect data and develop measures to assess the effectiveness of efforts to detect and deter illicit fentanyl. It also required the Government Accountability Office to audit the program. A September 2025 GAO report analyzed the Department's efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking, with findings that DHS had not yet established the program, that CBP was not provided adequate information from across DHS components that would inform the program, and that DHS had not developed performance goals and metrics to track them. This legislation will support current DHS efforts to implement these requirements and combat the flow of illicit fentanyl into the United States. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GARBARINO. 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 material on H.R. 8535.

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8535) to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop performance metrics relating to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of fentanyl, as amended.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7574. I congratulate Mr. Evans on this fine piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Evans).

Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 7574, the ELO Realignment and Strategic Engagement Reform Act of 2026. The Department of Homeland Security's Engagement, Liaison, and Outreach, or ELO, Office operates as a separate office within the Office of Intelligence and Analysis. Despite their similar functions, ELO operates separately from I&A's Partner Engagement directorate, which facilitates information flow and access for State, local, Tribal, and territorial partners. The ELO Realignment and Strategic Engagement Reform Act will require the DHS Secretary to develop a comprehensive plan to reorganize the ELO office and realign it with the work of I&A's Partner Engagement directorate to streamline operations and eliminate redundancies. This plan must specifically address ways to improve coordination with law enforcement agencies, centralize points of contact, and enhance information sharing. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Evans for his leadership. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 7574.

Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7574) to provide for the reorganization and realignment of the Engagement, Liaison, and Outreach Office of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Mr. Van Epps. This is his first piece of legislation that will be passing in the House. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8168, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Van Epps).

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8168, the Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act. The Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, to submit a report to Congress assessing terrorism threats from designated terrorist organizations operating in countries designated by the United States as a major non-NATO ally. Major non-NATO allies benefit from expedited procedures in the foreign military sales process, and this status also makes them desirable for foreign military financing. Major non-NATO allies are also eligible for enhanced defense research collaboration and the positioning of U.S. defense equipment. Over time, there has been inconsistent oversight of the major non- NATO allies program, and today there are situations where U.S. designated terrorist organizations are present or operating in countries that have also been designated major non-NATO allies. This legislation will strengthen oversight of the program to ensure the United States has an adequate threat picture when it comes to terrorist activity in designated major non-NATO allies. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Van Epps for his leadership and encourage my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GARBARINO. 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 material on H.R. 8168.

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8168) to require an assessment of terrorism threats to the United States posed by foreign terrorist organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists present in countries that are major non- NATO allies, and for other purposes.

Mr. GARBARINO

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

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8897, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Mackenzie).

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8897, the Improving Travel for American Families Act. This bill allows the TSA Administrator to establish a 2-year pilot program to expedite access and implement alternative screening lanes for passengers and accompanying children under the age of 12. If established, this pilot program would be prioritized at airports with high volumes of family travelers, as well as at airports that have the space to accommodate additional screening lanes. This legislation will help ease the burdens families face when traveling with young children and improve the overall passenger experience. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Mackenzie for his leadership and urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GARBARINO. 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 material on H.R. 8897.

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8897) to improve travel for American families, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. GARBARINO

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

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Kennedy and congratulate him on his hard work. Nobody knows how to remove snow quite like those Buffalo Bills fans, especially on game day. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3106, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3106, the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025. This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through appropriate offices and components of DHS to develop and conduct an exercise featuring the participation of Federal, State, local, Tribal, territorial agencies, and private-sector stakeholders focusing on a collective response to terrorism that includes the management of the cascading effects on critical infrastructure that results from the occurrence of a terrorist attack during an extreme cold weather event. DHS must then provide an after-action report to Congress consisting of initial findings, plans to incorporate any lessons learned into future DHS operations, and any proposed legislative changes informed by this exercise. This legislation will help strengthen the United States' ability to respond to terrorist threats, especially when they might coincide with extreme weather events. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.