Will Hurd

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. ``It's not a revolution or jihad. It's a slaughter. I was shocked by what I did.'' ``I found it very, very hard to live there. ISIS fighters don't represent the religion. I don't see them as good Muslims.'' Mr. Speaker, those are the words of Americans who traveled overseas to fight alongside ISIS. They left home believing they were headed toward a great adventure. They were promised glory and honor, but what they found was death and a perversion of the religion they believe in. These fighters were originally recruited to fight for ISIS through social media. Every day ISIS spreads their lies and propaganda, drawing in naive young Americans. They do this in dozens of different languages, reaching people across the world. Even while ISIS loses ground on the battlefield, they are working hard to make it up in the digital sphere. The Combating Terrorist Recruitment Act will allow us to take these powerful words of truth and use them to combat the lies that ISIS is spreading on social media. Some may say this is unnecessary. Some may say: Why aren't we already doing this? We aren't. That is why we need this piece of legislation. This bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to use the testimonials of former extremists and defectors as part of an ongoing effort to stop terrorist recruitment. These are individuals who have seen the brutality of terrorist groups firsthand and have rejected it. This bill is not limited to specific groups. Let me repeat that one more time: This bill is not limited to specific groups. It gives our counterterrorism professionals the flexibility needed to fight back against extremists as the threat environment and terrorist tactics change. It also requires DHS to coordinate these efforts with other agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and foreign partners so that we do this the right way, finding the best outlets for undermining terrorist propaganda. The bipartisan Foreign Fighter Task Force I served on recommends that we use these credible voices to fight against ISIS' online efforts. The nonpartisan Homeland Security Advisory Council has urged DHS to use the testimonials of former extremists in our counternarrative efforts. Our foreign partners are already using these tactics and finding them effective. Our young people are being targeted. We have the tools to help protect them. These tools can stop others in our hometowns from making a terrible mistake. We need to get in the online fight, but time is not on our side. I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of the Combating Terrorist Recruitment Act. Having spent 9\1/2\ years as an undercover officer chasing terrorists across the world, there is no such thing as a silver bullet. We have to do this piecemeal, and this bill is one step going in that direction.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Huelskamp).

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4549) to require the Transportation Security Administration to conduct security screening at certain airports, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. As a Representative, I love fighting for the little guy, battling the bureaucracy on behalf of those who can't. Today I am fighting for the little airports. I think that the people who are dependent on small airports in order to travel and conduct business deserve the same security that those at larger airports get. And this isn't just about security. It is about jobs and the economy. In the past 3 years, nearly 30 airports across the country have lost commercial service. This wreaks havoc on the local economy and, ultimately, the community. In at least six of these cases, airlines have reevaluated and sought to return at a later date. Unfortunately, in many cases, even if it has only been several months, TSA has already removed their resources from the airports and have refused to return. The irony is that many of these airports have simultaneously been awarded funding by the U.S. Department of Transportation in order to regain and promote commercial air service. While one Federal agency agrees to invest in getting the airport up and going, another Federal agency is refusing to provide security screening. This makes no sense from a budgetary standpoint and is simply unfair. These airports are located in important cities. For example, Del Rio is home to Laughlin Air Force Base, numerous DHS facilities, and a growing community that facilitates international trade between the U.S. and Mexico. Given the national and homeland security-related institutions serviced directly by the Del Rio airport and the potential boost to the economy, it only makes sense to provide basic screening. Del Rio, Texas, is not alone. This is playing out across the country from New Jersey to California. By screening these passengers at the point of origin, we are further decreasing wait times at our larger hub airports. The bill is a bipartisan effort and has passed out of the Homeland Security Committee with unanimous support. Equally bipartisan companion legislation with the exact same language has been included in the Senate's FAA reauthorization, which passed out of committee unanimously as well. We are all in agreement that this is an important step towards achieving economic and national security. I want to thank my fellow Members, Representatives Walden, DeFazio, Lummis, Kilmer, and Davis, who cosponsored this piece of legislation. I urge all Members to join me in supporting this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden), the principal author of this legislation, a gentleman who has been fighting for small communities and communities all over the country.

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today is a good day. Despite the circus atmosphere that we often see in Washington, D.C., we are strengthening national security and improving the communities across our Nation, and we are doing this in a bipartisan effort. I would like to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and, again, urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 4549. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as the representative of dozens of border communities in Texas, I take the obligation to stand up for them seriously. Improvements to security are a key portion of this bill. However, I have long maintained that they are not enough and they are not the only part of a successful border strategy. Trade is the lifeblood of many of these communities. Yet, far too often they find themselves relying on ports of entry that are understaffed and out of date. This limits growth and strains the ties of the local communities. In many cases, they want to do more to expand on the Federal resources that currently exist. Public-private partnerships are key to enabling this. Let me be clear: port of entry infrastructure is a Federal responsibility, but that doesn't mean that local communities and businesses shouldn't be able to pitch in. Since January 2014, the Public-Private Partnership pilot program run through the Customs and Border Protection has made a difference. It has enhanced the ability of CBP to increase resources and decrease wait times at ports of entry. This program provides guidance for reimbursable services and allows CBP to tailor its services to the needs of the stakeholders while meeting the demands associated with decreasing budgets. Both CBP and stakeholders have been exceedingly pleased with the results of this pilot program. Unfortunately, it could come to an end. In an effort to ensure the longevity of this program, language in the bill permanently authorizes portions of the Public-Private Partnership program for reimbursable services and donation authority and it establishes a framework to guide its implementation in a responsible manner. Public-private partnership authority for CBP is a critical issue for border communities like mine and has proven to be an essential tool to reduce wait times at the border and enhance the security of the homeland. I believe that we can secure our border and facilitate the flow of goods and services at the same time. The public-private partnerships that would be codified by this law will ensure just that. I would like to thank Representative Miller for her leadership on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Sherman for his support of this bill; and I would like to thank Chairman Royce, not only for his support of this bill, but for everything that he does on his committee to make sure that our allies know that they can trust us and that our enemies know they should fear us. Last month, terrorists struck again in the heart of Europe. Their attack in Brussels was part of a wider ISIS campaign to ramp up external operations. Already, the group has been tied to more than 80 terrorist plots or attacks against the West. This is an unprecedented figure. We have been sounding the alarm here in Congress about the rising tide of terror, as well as the global security gaps being exploited by extremists. My bill, H.R. 4403, would help close one of those major loopholes to make it harder for terrorists to cross borders. This bill was a recommendation of the bipartisan Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel, on which I served. In our final report in September, we found that ``gaping security weaknesses overseas--especially in Europe--are putting the U.S. homeland in danger by making it easier for aspiring foreign fighters to migrate to terrorist hotspots and for jihadists to return to the West.'' I saw firsthand that our partners are in a pre-9/11 mindset, and that many of them have failed to conduct adequate counterterrorism screening. For instance, key operatives behind the Paris and Brussels attacks managed to travel back and forth to Syria and throughout Europe, undetected, even though some were on terrorist watch lists. This should not just be a wake-up call, it should be a call to action. My bill would allow the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State to develop specially tailored, open-source watch- listing and screening systems to help our foreign partners disrupt terrorist travel. We have an interest in providing it to several foreign countries, and we should do that. However, as a matter of overarching Federal policy, this bill does not choose open-source over proprietary. Indeed, the Federal Government should consider proprietary and open-source software and make an educated choice on which one fits the need the best. In this case, providing our partners with software they trust simply makes sense. Thousands of ISIS fighters have Western passports, and if our overseas partners don't stop them first, we might have to confront them here at home. Yet many governments lack the capacity to properly vet travelers and weed out known or suspected jihadists. That is why we must act today on this legislation and send a clear signal to our allies that America is ready to lead this fight. I want to thank my fellow members on the task force for their hard work, and I want to particularly thank Mr. Vela and Mr. Keating, on the Democratic side, for their leadership and support for this legislation. I urge my colleagues to vote for this measure.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 100 year anniversary of the Agrilife Research Station in Sonora, Texas. The Agrilife Research Station, also known as Sub-station 14, was founded in 1916 with the support of local ranchers and the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers' Association. The station's first task was to find the cause of the bighead cattle syndrome, and other diseases harmful to the livestock industry. Their current projects include researching noxious plant control, prescribed fires, and wildlife management. The contributions of the Agrilife Research Station have been invaluable to farmers, ranchers, and the state of Texas over the course of the past 100 years. There is no question that the station will continue to excel under its present leadership. I am proud to represent such an important pillar of Texas agriculture and to congratulate its dedicated staff and supporters on 100 years of innovation, research, and success.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 1831) to establish the Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking, and for other purposes, with the Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4402) to require a review of information regarding persons who have traveled or attempted to travel from the United States to support terrorist organizations in Syria and Iraq, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, there have been over 250 cases of Americans attempting to travel to Syria and Iraq in order to support terrorist groups since 2011. Overall, 85 percent of Westerners attempting to join groups like ISIS are succeeding without being apprehended by law enforcement officials. The ability to make it to a war zone has grave consequences. Those who have been radicalized gain firsthand knowledge and training, making them an even greater threat. There is a clear breakdown in our ability to identify and then prevent these individuals from leaving the country in the first place. That is why I introduced the Foreign Fighter Review Act of 2016. The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to study and identify all known foreign fighter travel in an effort to highlight the specific challenges and impediments that law enforcement faces in its attempts to stop individuals from joining terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria. DHS should already be collecting this kind of data and conducting this type of analysis. The findings from this type of study are crucial to informing Congress on additional steps we can take to improve the security of our Nation. This was a key finding in the bipartisan Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel, of which I was a member. It is imperative that we get the right information to the right people at the right time to catch those who have been radicalized before they leave the country, not after they have gained combat experience and returned to the homeland. The Foreign Fighter Review Act of 2016 is the first step towards getting our law enforcement agencies the tools that they need to do just that. I urge all Members to join me in supporting this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko).

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I once again urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4402. I would like to thank both the gentleman from New York for his leadership on the task force and my colleague from New Jersey for her work on the Homeland Security Committee. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Mr. Robert C. Morales. Mr. Morales passed away on Tuesday, February 9, 2016. He was well known in Van Horn, Texas for his outstanding leadership in the community. Not only did he provide Van Horn with a timely and reliable news source, but he also mentored unemployed youth, played the organ at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, and was a member of a local band, Los Pecadores. Mr. Morales also served on the Culberson-Allamoore ISD School Board, Culberson County Property Tax Appraisal District Board, and the Town of Van Horn Zoning Board. Mr. Morales was raised in Van Horn, graduated from Van Horn High School in 1976, and earned a college degree from the University of Texas at Austin. After graduation, he worked for the Laredo Morning News and the City of Laredo, later accepting jobs at Enron and Dr Pepper. His contributions to the town of Van Horn and the 23rd Congressional District of Texas have been integral to the community and will not be forgotten. On behalf of the 23rd Congressional District of Texas, I thank Mr. Morales for his involvement in Van Horn and his dedication to serving others. May he rest in peace.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Ozona Lions 7th grade men's basketball team on winning the 2016 District Tournament in Eldorado, Texas. The Lions, undefeated for the entire season, were behind for most of the championship game. It wasn't until the last two minutes that they secured the lead. Despite team injuries and illnesses, they were able to band together to secure the win. I would also like to give special recognition to Head Coach John Esparza, who led the Lions to victory. I look forward to seeing these young men develop into outstanding leaders in the community. On behalf of the 23rd Congressional District of Texas, congratulations to the Lions.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and service of Mr. Ignacio Gamboa, Jr. Mr. Gamboa passed away on December 23rd, 2015. He was a decorated veteran and fought heroically in both the Second World War and the Korean War. Among his Army decorations are three Asiatic Pacific Medals, the WWII Victory Medal, the Army Occupation Medal with the Japan Clasp, the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the Philippines Liberation Medal with one Bronze Service Medal, and the U.N. Service Medal. Mr. Gamboa was a notable and honorable citizen of Devine, Texas, and was highly involved in the Knights of Columbus and the Devine Housing Authority, upon which he served on the Board of Directors. He worked at Kelly Air Force Base for over 30 years and served as an elections judge for many of those years. He also enjoyed volunteering with the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Devine. On behalf of the 23rd Congressional District of Texas, I thank Mr. Ignacio Gamboa, Jr. for his dedication and service to United States. May he rest in peace.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, traumatic injury in America affects everyone, claiming over 190,000 lives and costing hundreds of billions of dollars in healthcare annually. It is the number one cause of death for Americans between 1 and 46 years old. As a result, in 2006, the National Trauma Institute was founded in San Antonio, Texas, to stop unnecessary suffering from trauma through prevention, education and research. Ten years later, the National Trauma Institute celebrates a decade of trauma research advocacy and funding. The National Trauma Institute has enjoyed much success throughout its first decade in existence advocating for federal appropriations for trauma-related research so that patients can receive care faster and more efficiently. To date, the organization has been responsible for securing $55 million in funding for trauma-related research, special projects and research infrastructure. That $55 million has made an incredible impact on millions of Americans, allowing them to survive injuries that were once unthinkable and go on to lead healthy productive lives. There is no question that the National Trauma Institute, founded in San Antonio, Texas, has contributed to trauma research that has saved and dramatically improved lives. The organization has become a pillar of the community and is now the leading voice of advocacy for the funding of clinical trauma research. I am proud to congratulate The National Trauma Institute for its incredible achievements for San Antonio and the rest of the nation.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 101st birthday of Mrs. Librada Payan of El Paso, Texas. A beloved mother of 7 children, 30 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and several more great-great grandchildren, Mrs. Payan is known for her cheerful outlook and devotion to her beloved family. Mrs. Payan was born in 1915, and moved to the El Paso area in 1918. She was happily married to the love of her life for over 65 years. She never ceases to be amazed at the changes of the world around her, and greets each day with an enthusiasm that eludes even the most optimistic of people. On behalf of the Twenty-Third Congressional District of Texas, congratulations to Librada Payan on turning 101 years old, and may she celebrate many more.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 103rd birthday of Helen Virginia Forbrich, of San Antonio, Texas. Helen was born in Adkins, Texas on February 25th, 1913. She was married to the love of her life for 45 years. She had 4 wonderful children, and 4 grandchildren. She has always enjoyed cooking and is known for her homemade biscuits. In 1921, at the age of 8, she began the life-long habit of drinking four ounces of red wine every night before bed, which her family attributes to her wonderful longevity. On behalf of the Twenty-third Congressional District of Texas, congratulations to Helen Virginia Forbrich on turning 103 years old, and may she celebrate many more.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Melissa Williams Perner and Paul Christian Perner IV of Ozona, Texas on the birth of their first-born son, Paul Christian Perner V. He was born on Thursday, December 24th, 2015, at 10:47 PM Central Time, just in time to give his parents the best Christmas present they could ever ask for. He was born at the San Angelo Community Medical Center, weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces and was 20 inches long. His proud grandparents include Ginger and Paul Christian Perner III and Allen and Susan Williams, who also live in Ozona. This new addition to the Perner family is sure to be a blessing to the entire Ozona, Texas community. On behalf of the 23rd Congressional District of Texas, congratulations to Melissa and Paul Perner.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 38, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.'' Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Cartwright