Pete King

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Ranking Member, I have one further speaker. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3670) to require the Transportation Security Administration to comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

Mr. KING of New York. 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 material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I will say again to the ranking member that this is a very vital bill. In the interest of time, because we still have this and three other pieces of legislation to pass in the next half hour, I will limit my remarks other than to say that the gentleman from Minnesota deserves tremendous credit for this bill. H.R. 3670 is absolutely vital. It's necessary. It would guarantee that TSA employees who are called to active duty would keep their jobs when they come home and would further ensure that existing protections could not be in any way changed by potentially conflicting rules or regulations. I also want to commend the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), who was the original cosponsor of this bill. And, again, I just want to say with reference to my friend from Minnesota, he has dedicated a life of service to his country in the military, and he's continuing that outstanding service here in the United States Congress. With that, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3670, sponsored by the gentleman from Minnesota, Mr. Walz. This bipartisan bill addresses a fundamental gap in the protection of veterans' employment rights, which could easily be remedied. I want to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts of my good friend from Florida, Congressman Bilirakis, Chairman of the Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications Subcommittee, for his work on this issue and for being an original co-sponsor of the bill. Veterans make up roughly 20 percent of TSA's workforce. This bill simply requires TSA to comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, or USERRA. This would guarantee that TSA employees who are called to active duty could keep their jobs when they come home. In recent testimony submitted for the record to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, TSA stated that its current practice already conforms to the requirements of H.R. 3670. This bill would simply ensure existing protections could not be changed later on by potentially conflicting rules or regulations. This is a common sense bill and I urge all of my colleagues to support it.

Mr. KING of New York. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns).

Mr. KING of New York. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I advise my colleague that I am prepared to close as I have no further speakers.

Mr. KING of New York. It's only because of the late hour--we have three more pieces of vital legislation to pass in the next 15 or 20 minutes--that I am not speaking at length on this issue because it is so vital. I thank the gentleman from Minnesota for it. I urge Members to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2764) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish weapons of mass destruction intelligence and information sharing functions of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security and to require dissemination of information analyzed by the Department to entities with responsibilities relating to homeland security, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. KING of New York. 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 material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. KING of New York. I want to commend Mr. Meehan, who is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, for his work on this matter. This basically ensures that the intelligence and analyses of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats are a priority to the Department of Homeland Security. Again, because of the time constraints, I urge support for the measure, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2764 amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to ensure that intelligence and analyses of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats are a priority for the Department of Homeland Security. I would like to thank Representative Meehan, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, for his work on this matter. This measure requires the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis (1) to support homeland security-focused intelligence analysis of threats involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials and global health hazards such as biothreats to food and agriculture; (2) to provide relevant threat information to partners; (3) to utilize existing homeland security intelligence capabilities to enhance prevention, protection, response, and recovery efforts with respect to a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attack; and (4) to support and share information of these threats with state, local, and tribal authorities. I urge support for this measure. Congressional Budget Office, Washington, DC, May 11, 2012. Hon. Peter T. King, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 2764, the WMD Intelligence and Information Sharing Act of 2011. If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Mark Grabowicz, who can be reached at 226 2860. Sincerely, Douglas W. Elmendorf, Director. Enclosure.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Representative Meehan, who is chair of the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, Representative Meehan has spent a great deal of time studying various threats to the homeland, including al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the Pakistani Taliban, Hezbollah, and Boko Haram. He fully understands the threat to the U.S. homeland and why this legislation is so vital. I urge Members to support H.R. 2764, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 915) to establish a Border Enforcement Security Task Force program to enhance border security by fostering coordinated efforts among Federal, State, and local border and law enforcement officials to protect United States border cities and communities from trans-national crime, including violence associated with drug trafficking, arms smuggling, illegal alien trafficking and smuggling, violence, and kidnapping along and across the international borders of the United States, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. KING of New York. 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 material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. KING of New York. I have no further requests for time.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Laredo, Mr. Cuellar, for introducing this bill and for his outstanding work on the committee, and also my good friend, Mr. McCaul, for their cosponsorship of the legislation. I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. McCaul. Mr. Speaker, as an original co-sponsor of the Jaime Zapata Border Enforcement Security Task Force Act, I rise today in favor of this important legislation. H.R. 915 strengthens our homeland security by codifying the authority to create Border Enforcement Security Task Force, BEST teams and giving the program the resources it needs. It is an unfortunate fact of life that for generations our border communities have been subjected to crime and violence at the hands of criminals, smugglers and drug cartels. Now with the terrible rise of violence that has occurred in Mexico over the past few years, this threat has never been greater. In response to these realities, the Department of Homeland Security created the Border Enforcement Security Task Force initiative as an innovative approach to combating the increasing threat of transnational crime. BEST operates by bringing together all of the federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that share the responsibility of securing our borders. Under the auspices of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the BEST program enables the unique capabilities and resources of each participating agency to combine into a synergistic response to border crime and violence. BEST has also expanded to include our seaports and other non-border ports of entry as well. This has allowed the BEST program to evolve into a truly comprehensive security countermeasure against transnational crime and terrorist attack. It is also altogether fitting and proper that this bill be named after ICE Special Agent Jaime J. Zapata. On February 15, 2011, Special Agent Zapata gave his life in support of the ideals that are engendered in the BEST program. This legislation will stand as a testament to his selfless sacrifice and steadfast devotion to his duty as an American law enforcement officer. As chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee for Oversight, Investigations and Management, it is clear to me that the BEST program has made our border communities and our Nation safer and more secure. I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation so that we may continue its success in protecting our Nation.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3140) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to prioritize the assignment of officers and analysts to certain State and urban area fusion centers to enhance the security of mass transit systems.

Mr. KING of New York. 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 material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Only due to the shortness of time, I will keep my remarks brief. This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and directs the DHS Secretary to make it a priority to assign officers and intelligence analysts to participate in State and urban area fusion centers located in high-risk jurisdictions with mass transit systems. I would like to thank Congresswoman Speier and Chairman Meehan for their dedicated work in this area. I reserve the balance of my time. This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to make it a priority to assign DHS officers and intelligence analysts to participate in state and urban area fusion centers located in high-risk jurisdictions with mass transit systems. I would like to thank Congresswoman Speier and Chairman Meehan for their dedicated work in this area. These officers and analysts will enhance the security of mass transit systems by assisting law enforcement authorities in identifying, investigating, and otherwise interdicting persons, weapons, and contraband that pose a threat to homeland security. The primary responsibility of these officers and analysts will be to create mass transit intelligence products that assist law enforcement agencies in deploying their resources more efficiently, promote more consistent and timely dissemination of mass transit security-related information among jurisdictions with mass transit systems, and improve DHS' situational awareness in regard to the threat of terrorist acts at or involving U.S. mass transit. It has been noted in documents uncovered from his Abbottabad compound, that Osama bin Laden expressed a continued interested in striking mass transit systems in the United States--railroads in particular. That raid is a stark reminder that--after 9/11, the Christmas Day plot, Najibullah Zazi, Bryant Neal Vinas, and others--al Qaeda is still focused on striking our transportation systems. I urge support for this bipartisan measure.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I come from a region which has almost 6 million daily passengers on subway and commuter lines. This legislation is absolutely vital, I urge its adoption, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and acknowledge Ed Malloy, who tragically passed away on May 16. Mr. Malloy was a committed labor leader who served as president of the New York City and New York State Building and Construction Trades council and was a vice president of the New York State AFL CIO. He was a former steamfitter and a veteran of the U.S. Army who proudly served as Grand Marshal of the 2001 St. Patrick's Day Parade. I was proud to call him my friend. Ed selflessly dedicated his own life to improving those of the working men and women of New York. He promoted private economic development and public works projects that cut costs and created countless jobs throughout the State. Following the tragic events of 9/ 11, he heroically led his members in the cleanup and rebuilding of the site. Ed Malloy's contributions to the State of New York will endure for years to come. My thoughts and prayers are with his members, family and friends. He will truly be missed.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. I move to strike the last word.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, I must say that I strongly oppose this amendment, and I disagree with virtually every word spoken on the floor tonight by the gentleman from New Jersey. Let's understand one thing. The NYPD has the most effective counterterrorism unit in the country. There are 1,000 police working day in and day out. As a result of that, almost 13 or 14 attempts, terrorist attempts, Islamist terrorist attempts to attack New York have been stopped. Now, let's get something straight. The President's Homeland Security Advisor, John Brennan, recently visited with the NYPD. During that meeting, or following that meeting, Mr. Brennan, President Obama's Homeland Security Advisor, stated: I have full confidence that the NYPD is doing things consistent with the law, and it's something that again has been responsible for keeping this city safe over the past decade. Mr. Brennan, the President's Homeland Security Advisor went on to say: If we are going to have the ability to identify and stop terrorist operatives and terrorist attacks here on our shores, the national government cannot do it alone. The NYPD is a model of how a community can come together. He closed by saying to the NYPD: You have had a very difficult job. I think you've done it very well. The success is in the record in terms of keeping your city safe. In addition to that, FBI Director Mueller has stood by the NYPD, said that they are in full compliance with the law. CIA Director Petraeus, there was an IG inspection done, that the NYPD's relationship with the CIA was in full compliance with the law. These slanderous attacks by the Associated Press and The New York Times cannot point out one instance of a law being violated or one provision of the Constitution being violated. We should be here tonight giving the NYPD a medal. We sit here, 10\1/ 2\ years after September 11, and the most effective law enforcement, counterterrorism unit in the country is being attacked? We are attempting to cite the Constitution and provisions of law as somehow an attack on the NYPD, when no one complies with these more than the NYPD. And again, we go through, whether it's Director Petraeus, whether it's Director Mueller, or whether it's the President of the United States, his own Homeland Security advisers have said this. Now, I work closely with the NYPD, those in New York, whether it's Mayor Bloomberg, whether it's City Council President Christine Quinn. She's a Democrat; he's an independent. Both stand by the NYPD because of what they have done. And to think that the most effective organization is being attacked by the Associated Press, The New York Times, and those attacks are being joined here on the floor of the Congress of the United States, without one fact to back them up. There is no spying. All this is good police work. The reality is we're not going to sit back like we did on September 11 and allow the enemy to come. If we know that an attack is coming and we're told, for instance, that operatives are coming from a particular country and there's a community in New York City where those people live, then obviously you go, you conduct open surveillance. No one's talking about any violations to the Constitution. I remember years ago when the Justice Department was going after the Mafia, they went to the Italian American communities. When they were going after the Westies, they went to the Irish American communities. When you're looking for the Russian mob, you go to the communities in Coney Island and Brighton Beach. That's where the enemy comes from. Ninety-nine percent of the people are law-abiding. But if you're looking for the person who is going to that community to carry out a crime, you look in that community. If you're looking for an Islamic terrorist, you don't go to Ben's Kosher Deli. When they were looking for the Italian mob, they didn't go to an Irish bar. They went to the Italian social clubs. This is solid law enforcement. That's not profiling. That's an abuse of the term ``profiling'' to even suggest that. So I cannot be more emphatic or stronger in my denunciation of this amendment, calling for its defeat and urging people to stand by the NYPD, which has kept New York safe for 10\1/2\ years. I went to too many funerals. I attended too many wakes. I lost too many constituents. I'm not going to allow it to happen so long as I'm in this Congress. I oppose this amendment.