Michael McCaul

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, the following cost estimate for H.R. 4567, the DHS Overseas Personnel Enhancement Act of 2017, prepared by the Congressional Budget Office was not made available to the Committee at the time of filing of the legislative report. U.S. Congress, Congressional Budget Office, Washington, DC, January 18, 2018. Hon. Michael McCaul, 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. 4567, the DHS Overseas Personnel Enhancement Act of 2017. If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Mark Grabowicz. Sincerely, Keith Hall. Enclosure. H.R. 4567--DHS Overseas Personnel Enhancement Act of 2017 As passed by the House of Representatives on January 10, 2018 H.R. 4567 would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to devise a plan to improve the effectiveness of DHS personnel who are stationed at foreign locations. The act also wou1d require DHS--about twice a year over the next four years--to provide briefings to the Congress on department personnel with primary duties outside the United States. Using information from DHS, CBO estimates that implementing the act's provisions would cost less than $500,000 annually; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Enacting H.R. 4567 would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 4567 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2028. H.R. 4567 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Mark Grabowicz. The estimate was approved by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, the following cost estimate for H.R. 4553, the Terrorist Screening and Targeting Review Act of 2017, prepared by the Congressional Budget Office was not made available to the Committee at the time of filing of the legislative report by the Committee Homeland Security. Congressional Budget Office, U.S. Congress, Washington, DC, January 18, 2018. Hon. Michael McCaul, 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. 4553, the Terrorist Screening and Targeting Review Act of 2017. If you wish further details on this estimates, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Matthew Pickford. Sincerely, Keith Hall, Director. Enclosure. H.R. 4553--Terrorist Screening and Targeting Review Act of 2017 As reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on January 9, 2018 H.R. 4553 would direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a review of the National Targeting Center in the Department of Homeland Security and the Terrorist Screening Center in the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The review would cover the authorization, funding; management, and operation of the centers, and it would be completed within a year of enactment. Considering the cost of recent GAO work involving those centers and the level of effort for similar homeland security reports, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $1 million over the 2018-2019 period, assuming the availability of appropriated funds. Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as- you-go procedures do not apply. CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 4553 would not increase direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2028. H.R. 4553 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Matthew Pickford. The estimate was approved by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Cyber Diplomacy Act, and I want to thank Chairman Royce and Eliot Engel for their strong work on this very important issue. As chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, I have passed numerous bills to strengthen our cyber operations to defend the American people and the homeland. Now, I am pleased to see that we are doing the same at the State Department. As we have seen, rapid technological advancements have increased our dependence on computer networks. With this growing dependence comes exposure to the myriad vulnerabilities and threats from cybercriminals and hackers but also nation states who continue to launch malicious attacks against us. Currently, as the chairman stated, there are no real international norms or standards to follow when it comes to cybersecurity. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, I believe that Congress must put forth responsible policies to keep pace--protecting our systems, our critical infrastructure, and American citizens' information and privacy. This legislation helps ensure the open, reliable, and secure use of the internet by establishing the Office of Cyber Issues within the Department of State, headed by an ambassador responsible for advancing U.S. national security and foreign policy interests on cybersecurity and issues of internet freedom around the globe. This legislation also requires the Secretary of State to produce a strategy on cyberspace to guide U.S. policy. Lastly, it requires the State Department to add a section to its annual report on human rights detailing governments'--such as Iran, Russia, and China--silence of their opposition through internet censorship. Mr. Speaker, I stand proud to be with my colleagues in the House in a bipartisan fashion to propose solutions to these very grave challenges that face the United States and the world.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 4708) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue Department of Homeland Security-wide guidance and develop training programs as part of the Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Screening and Vetting Passenger Exchange Act. I want to thank Congressman Fitzpatrick for bringing this important legislation. The United States is currently experiencing one of the highest terror threat environments since 9/11. Despite crushing the caliphate in Iraq and Syria, ISIS continues to demonstrate its capability to inspire attacks on the West, including in the homeland. The two terror attacks in New York City late last year are stark reminders of this reality and the threat facing the United States. Given the nature of this evolving threat, I established a task force on denying terrorists entry into the United States last year and I appointed Representative Mike Gallagher to head up the effort. I would like to thank all of the members of the task force for their hard work in making this effort a success. I charged this task force with examining how terrorists might infiltrate the homeland, identifying challenges with current U.S. Government information sharing and vetting procedures, and reviewing the screening agencies' structure and bureaucracy. After completing its review, the task force issued a report outlining its findings and providing seven recommendations designed to address the identified gaps. These recommendations were the basis for several of the bills we are considering today. As evidenced by the recent spate of attacks, there is a large population of radicalized individuals in Europe who are willing to commit violence in the name of terrorist groups like ISIS. We must remain vigilant and cannot forget many of these individuals are just one flight away from the United States. Given the seriousness of this threat, we must do more at home and abroad to screen and vet people seeking to enter the United States. The bills we are considering today will enhance our capabilities by improving information sharing and promoting efficiencies in the screening and vetting process, helping ensure the homeland is the best secured against terrorist infiltration. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, the bill also calls out the Iranian regime's practice of taking American citizens and other foreign nationals hostage, and lays out several steps the administration should take in conjunction with our allies to put an end to this practice. A time will come when the tyrants of Tehran are held accountable for their actions. After many decades of authoritarian rule, Iranians deserve to be free. When democracy finally does flourish in Iran, the people will remember who stood by their side. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution condemning the Iranian regime's crackdown on legitimate protests and to show the world that America stands with the Iranian people who want peace, prosperity, and freedom. For many years, we have known the regime in Iran has fueled radicalism and violence across the Middle East as the world's leading state sponsor of terror. But over the last few weeks, we have seen the brutal tactics Iran's leaders are willing to take to silence protesters who are fed up with extremism, corruption, and incompetence coming from their capital. The protesters deserve to have their voices heard without fear of retaliation. Today, Iranians are not citizens who are free to choose their own destinies. They are subject to a fanatical dictatorship that fears the people it rules by denying their freedoms. Sadly, the Obama administration believed that the Ayatollah and his radical clerics would be willing partners for peace, naively rewarding them with billions of dollars in sanction relief. It is clear, however, that, since the signing of the flawed Iran deal, the regime's behavior has only gotten worse by continuing its support for terror groups like Hezbollah and its backing of Houthi rebels in Yemen, all in pursuit of establishing a Shia crescent. Fortunately, the current administration and this Congress will not be so easily fooled or complicit in their foreign adventurism. Leaders of rogue states will say whatever they must to bring unearned concessions from great powers. But if it is real change that is desired, we must apply more pressure. We cannot trust a country's government to be peaceful with other nations if it resorts to violence against its own people it is supposed to protect. That is why I will soon introduce legislation that requires the Trump administration to determine whether senior members of the Government of Iran are responsible or complicit in human rights abuses, corruption, or censorship.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office regarding H.R. 4559. The cost estimate was not available at the time of the filing of the Committee report. U.S. Congress, Congressional Budget Office, Washington, DC, January 9, 2018. Hon. Michael McCaul, 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. 4559, the Global Aviation System Security Reform Act of 2017. If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Megan Carroll. Sincerely, Keith Hall. Enclosure.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today out of gratitude to recognize the professional achievements and service of my friend, Susan Phalen. Formerly the Communications Director for the House Homeland Security Committee, Susan now holds the title of Director of External Affairs at FEMA. Susan's role as Communications Director transcended beyond her leadership in strategy and messaging. Susan's positive demeanor, PR- savvy mindset, and determination made her presence not only a valued component in my day-to-day but a real delight. She served as a spokesperson, confidant and trusted senior advisor whose counsel I always held in the highest regard. Her expertise in media relations helped to elevate Committee Member and press interaction by hosting ``meet and greets'' and ``pen and pads'' to facilitate dialogue and solidify relationships. Susan's talents were most notably on display in her work assisting on CODEL trips abroad. Her interpersonal skills and proficiency in public diplomacy shone throughout trips to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. She led over one hundred TV interviews during her tenure and oversaw the roll out of nine major Committee reports. Susan's ability to think outside the box set her apart in developing messages for both domestic and international audiences in the national security space. She had a unique way of seeing things and consistently aimed to address a bigger picture in the anticipation of later trends. This is a skill she acquired from her impressive background in handling crisis communication scenarios in pressure-filled war zones. Before joining my Committee three years ago, Susan was the Communications Director of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and spent more than 15 years as a high-profile communications specialist working in various national security and foreign policy posts with the U.S. State Department among others. She was deployed on nine different tours to Baghdad's dangerous ``Green Zone'' before spending time in Afghanistan as Director of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs for the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. It is not surprising that with this type of background, Susan took on the responsibility as Director of Communications for my Committee with ease and great effectiveness. She left a legacy that has already proven steadfast among her former colleagues and myself. Susan's quick wit, vivacious spirit, and ability to see humor in all things is missed profoundly. Today, I am honored to be able to put the spotlight on her. While her time at our Committee was only a snapshot into the incredible career she continues to build, her friendship and counsel remain constant. She has already proven to be a steady hand at FEMA during the recent hurricanes, and I am excited to see what she will accomplish next.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an integral part of my communications team, Renn Osborne. Renn proved to be a valuable asset and a dedicated team player who helped articulate the mission of the Homeland Security Committee and our Members. He first served as an intern in the Committee's press office, then as a Press Assistant, and finally rising to the position of Deputy Press Secretary. Renn effortlessly juggled print media requests with the daily challenges of the Committee's fast-paced press office. His sound judgment, quick action, and strong political acumen helped shape the Committee's message development. Renn was crucial in communicating the Committee's actions to help protect the American people. His abilities were on display at the 53rd United States-Mexico Interparliamentary Group Meeting in Mexico City this past summer. The meeting transpired at a pivotal time, and Renn's efforts were key in communicating the close historic, economic, and cultural bonds that have been forged as a result of the U.S.-Mexico relationship over the past 192 years. I am pleased that Renn has continued his public service on Capitol Hill as the speechwriter for Senator Rob Portman. I look forward to seeing him continue to grow and develop as a wordsmith and as a communicator who is happy to serve his fellow citizens.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act. Mr. Speaker, with each passing day, nation-states, hackers, and other cyber criminals are finding new ways to attack our cyber infrastructure and expose new vulnerabilities. As technology has advanced, more and more Americans have become dependent on computer networks and information technology, making everyone a potential victim. In September, we learned that Equifax had been successfully hacked and 145.5 million people were affected by this breach. Last month, it is reported that 57 million people who use Uber might have had their personal information stolen in a cyber attack in 2016. These attacks are not just aimed at American consumers, however. Our foreign adversaries are routinely engaging in cyber warfare as well. In 2015, hackers traced back to the Chinese Government accessed sensitive material from the Office of Personnel Management on 22 million persons' security clearances. Last year, Russia was caught trying to undermine our democratic process. These kinds of attacks are simply unacceptable. We must not allow them to continue. Fortunately, we have prioritized cybersecurity issues at the Committee on Homeland Security over the last few years and have taken strong, bipartisan action. In 2014, committee efforts resulted in the enactment of legislation that provided DHS expedited hiring authority, ensuring the DHS is assessing its cybersecurity workforce, and it clarified the Department's role in the cybersecurity of Federal networks. In 2015, the Cybersecurity Act provided liability protections for public-to-private and private-to-private cyber threat information sharing. While these are important actions, we need to do more, and today we have a chance to do just that. The legislation before us streamlines the infrastructure of the National Protection and Programs Directorate and redesignates it as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. This realignment will achieve the DHS' goal of creating a stand-alone operational organization, focusing on and elevating the vital cybersecurity mission of the Department. This bill requires the appointment of a Director who is responsible for leading cybersecurity and infrastructure programs and operations for the agency, developing and utilizing mechanisms for active and frequent collaboration with sector-specific agencies, and coordinating and implementing comprehensive strategic plans and risk assessments for the agency. This action enjoys great support from the DHS. Less than two weeks ago, while addressing cybersecurity issues in testimony before our committee, then-Acting Secretary Elaine Duke stated: ``In the face of these digital threats, it is a DHS priority to work with Congress on legislation that would focus our cybersecurity and critical infrastructure mission at the NPPD.'' Taking action today reaffirms that priority. Cybersecurity is an issue that transcends partisan politics. In light of the risk and potential consequence of cyber attacks, we must stand together and strengthen the security of digital America and the resilience of our cyber networks. I would like to thank the members of the Homeland Security Committee, Ranking Member Thompson, and the staff for all their hard work. I would also like to thank the Energy and Commerce Committee chairman, Mr. Walden; the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman, Mr. Shuster; and the Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman, Mr. Gowdy, for their efforts to see this through. Mr. Speaker, this is another bipartisan example of how varied stakeholders can come together and draft and pass important legislation. It is an opportunity we have today to elevate the importance of cybersecurity at the Department of Homeland Security to achieve its goal of protecting the United States. I urge my colleagues to support this vital piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Washington, DC, December 8, 2017. Hon. Michael T. McCaul, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman McCaul: I am writing to notify you that the Committee on Energy and Commerce will forgo action on H.R. 3359, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act of 2017, so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House floor for consideration. This is done with the understanding that the Committee's jurisdictional interests over this and similar legislation are in no way diminished or altered. In addition, the Committee reserves the right to seek conferees on H.R. 3359 and expects your support when such a request is made. Please include a copy of this letter outlining our mutual understanding with respect to H.R. 3359 in the Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the House floor. Sincerely, Greg Warden, Chairman.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3359) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ratcliffe), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Gallagher).

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Higgins).

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I cannot go into the classified space in this setting, but I can tell you that our foreign adversaries are looking to hurt us and hit us every day, whether it be from Russia, from China, from Iran, from North Korea. The attacks have targeted Home Depot, Sony, Equifax, 20 million security clearances stolen, to other reports that I can't even get into. But it is a serious threat. When people ask me what keeps me up at night, of course ISIS does and of course al Qaida does. What happened today in New York, I was just there this morning when the bomb went off. But a cyber attack could bring down our power grid, could bring down our stock market, our financial institutions, our energy sector. A major cyber attack on this Nation could cripple this Nation and its economy and the lives of the people in the United States. Mr. Speaker, that is why this bill is so important, to elevate the civilian agency within the Department, to form a single agency that deals with cybersecurity. I am very proud of the work my colleagues have done to get to this point. I have been, as Mr. Ratcliffe said, very dogged in my determination, and I would urge that the Senate take up this measure because we cannot afford to delay because the threat is that great. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of one of the finest and most dedicated members of the Office of Emergency Management: Michael ``Mike'' Fisher of Bastrop, Texas. He was one of the most respected individuals in not only Bastrop County, but throughout our great state. For 11 years, Mike served as Deputy Director of Emergency Management for Bastrop County. He was considered a ``man of vision and an innovator of Emergency Management.'' He had an uncanny ability to foresee the future of disasters and stay ahead of the diverse emergencies in our state and Bastrop County. These skills enabled him to succeed on many levels within his position. Mike managed the emergency response for our local disasters, including the 2009 Wilderness Ridge Fire and the Hidden Pines Fire of October 2015, as well as coordinated the county's response to the major flooding events we've experienced in more recent years. His leadership, knowledge, and dedication to the challenges he was given were so extensive that he was often sought out to help surrounding counties and jurisdictions. Mike was always looking to help others. To his friends and colleagues, Mike was known as a trusted counselor, a good listener, and a peacemaker. Yet, when he spoke, all listened. Above all, his most important accomplishment was his family. To Mike's wife, Bonnie, his entire family, and the good people of Bastrop County, you have the gratitude of the nation and we join you in mourning the loss of this great public servant.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution, expressing the urgent need for a political solution in Yemen. As the civil war in Yemen continues well into its third year, the situation on the ground becomes more dire by the day. Despite multiple international attempts to broker a political agreement to end the human suffering, peace remains elusive. Meanwhile, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, also known as AQAP, has taken advantage of this power vacuum created by the conflict. This has allowed them to expand into the southern and eastern ports of Yemen, where they continue to plot external operations against the United States. Simultaneously--much like in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq--Iran continues its campaign of influence in Yemen, where its actions have prolonged the conflict and exacerbated the political and humanitarian nightmare. As highlighted by Secretary Mattis, ``everywhere you look, if there is trouble in the region, you find Iran.'' This is not by coincidence. As Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized to our congressional delegation on a recent trip to Israel, Iran has been working around the clock to solidify its presence across the region through the establishment of a land bridge from Iraq to Lebanon, commonly referred to as the ``Shiite Crescent.'' Despite a United Nations authorized arms embargo against the Houthi forces, Iran, on multiple occasions, has been caught attempting to smuggle weapons and munitions into the region. They have also provided technical assistance to the Houthis--and Saudi Arabia is often their main target. In order to protect the security interests of the Saudi people, the government in Riyadh has taken defense actions to both limit Iranian support to the Houthis, such as blockades, as well as offensive measures to stem attacks on the kingdom, such as the unsuccessful ballistic missile attack on the capital earlier this month. However, while Saudi Arabia has the right to prioritize its security, we cannot dismiss the effects of its actions on the grave humanitarian suffering on the ground, where more than 27 million face an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. As such, this resolution rightly highlights the need for a political solution to this conflict and condemns Iranian activities that undermine peace efforts. Furthermore, it calls on all parties of the conflict to take additional measures to prevent civilian casualties and increase much-needed humanitarian access. Lastly, this resolution encourages the international community to join in providing the resources necessary to address this crisis. I commend all those involved. It is a real threat that I see as chairman of Homeland Security every day. I thank the chairman, and the gentleman on the other side of the aisle for bringing this important legislation to the floor.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, let me first commend Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Eliot Engel for their strong bipartisan work on this very important legislation that sanctions Iran's ballistic missile program and the Iranian-backed terror group Hezbollah. Over the last several decades, the tyrannical regime in Iran has been racing to develop a nuclear weapons program that could threaten the United States and our allies and potentially spark an arms race in the Middle East. Unfortunately, the extremely flawed JCPOA kept parts of Iran's nuclear infrastructure in place and strengthened the regime's leader with a windfall of cash. Because this toothless deal failed to address Iran's other malign activities, such as support for terror and their intercontinental ballistic missile program, we must now find other ways to apply new pressure. Fortunately, the House is taking action today. One of the bills we are considering will require the President to impose additional sanctions on enemies and individuals supporting Iran's development of ballistic missiles. I sincerely hope that we can soon add even more pressure on Iran by designating the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization, legislation I pursued in the last two Congresses. Going after state sponsors is an important part of winning this fight, but we must fight also directly individual terror groups to limit the resources to prevent future attacks. That is why I am pleased that we also are considering measures to target Hezbollah. This package would direct the President to impose new sanctions on financial institutions and foreign governments that support Hezbollah and affiliated organizations, as well as individual members of the terror groups, that they have used civilians as human shields. I will say it is Hezbollah that killed so many of our marines in Beirut, Lebanon, let us not forget. The chairman and ranking member and I recently visited Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu, who described the Shia Crescent of Iran going into Iraq, into Syria, into Lebanon. He talked to us about the manufacturing plant in Lebanon manufacturing rockets pointed straight at the State of Israel. These bills, I believe, will take us steps closer toward ridding the world of this terrible threat posed by Islamic terror. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman and ranking member.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3101) to enhance cybersecurity information sharing and coordination at ports in the United States, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I once again urge my colleagues to support this important legislation. I want to thank Congresswoman Torres for her strong leadership on this bill, Mr. Vela, Ranking Member Thompson. Mr. Speaker, we have passed over 50 bills out of my committee, out of the House floor, and sent them to the Senate, where they still sit there with no action whatsoever. And when it comes to homeland security measures, I believe that it is dangerous to do nothing, and I urge the Senate to take up action on this bill and the other 50 bills that we have sent over to the Senate. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers. If the gentleman from Texas has no other speakers, I am prepared to close once the gentleman does. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Coordination in Our Ports Act. More than $1.3 trillion in cargo travels through American seaports along our coasts every year. A safe but constant and unrestricted flow of goods and services through our maritime transportation system have played a vital role in allowing the United States to become the global superpower it is today. To put it simply, our seaports are the gateways to our economic survival. Unfortunately, as our port systems increasingly benefit from new technology, high-capacity information technology, and computer systems, they are also increasingly finding themselves in the crosshairs of those who are waging a cyber war against the United States. These attacks originate from rogue hackers, terrorist groups, and adversarial nation-states, and America is a constant target. In recent years, China successfully stole over 20 million security clearances from OPM. Russia has waged a cyber war against our political system. Equifax had a breach that jeopardized sensitive information on over 43 million people. In June, the Port of Los Angeles, one that several of our committee members will be visiting next week, was briefly shut down because of a cyber attack. This is one of our busiest ports, and it is estimated that it cost nearly $300 million in economic damage. We must do more to strengthen cybersecurity of these essential maritime hubs. Fortunately, we have that opportunity. The legislation before us requires the Department and the Secretary of Homeland Security to implement a risk assessment model which focuses on cybersecurity vulnerabilities and risk. This assessment will be reviewed periodically so we can determine the best security practices to implement at each port. The bill also requires that the DHS Secretary work with the National and Area Maritime Security Advisory Committees to analyze and share cyber risks and to report to Congress measures that have been taken to improve cybersecurity at our Nation's ports. This bill will strengthen the security of our homeland and protect our economic assets. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Congresswoman Torres and other members of the Homeland Security Committee for their hard work on this issue. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, October 19, 2017. Hon. Michael T. McCaul, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC. I write concerning H.R. 3101, the Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Coordination in Our Ports Act of 2017. This legislation includes matters that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. I recognize and appreciate your desire to bring this legislation before the House of Representatives in an expeditious manner, and accordingly, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will forego action on the bill. However, this is conditional on our mutual understanding that foregoing consideration of the bill does 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's Rule X jurisdiction. Further, this is conditional on our understanding that mutually agreed upon changes to the legislation will be incorporated into the bill prior to floor consideration. Lastly, should a conference on the bill be necessary, I request your support for the appointment of conferees from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure during any House-Senate conference convened on this or related legislation. Finally, I would ask that a copy this letter and your response acknowledging our jurisdictional interest be included in the bill report filed by the Committee on Homeland Security, as well as in the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor, to memorialize our understanding. I look forward to working with the Committee on Homeland Security as the bill moves through the legislative process. Sincerely, Bill Shuster, Chairman.

Mr. McCAUL. 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 material on the bill under consideration.