Michael McCaul

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I once again urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4038. I will say that this committee has passed over 50 bills out of the House that are currently sitting in the Senate waiting action. I urge the Senate to take action on this important legislation, all 50-plus bills, that will help better protect the American people. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McCAUL. 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. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4038) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to reassert article I authorities over the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the bipartisan DHS Accountability Enhancement Act. Mr. Speaker, the current threats confronting our homeland continue to evolve each and every day. They come from international terrorists, drug smugglers, human traffickers, hackers engaged in cyber warfare, transnational gangs like MS-13, and natural disasters. To best address these threats, the American people need a Department of Homeland Security that is effective and accountable to the people it protects. The Founding Fathers gave Congress the authority to write laws and give direction to the executive branch under Article I of our Constitution. Today, we have an important opportunity to reassert that constitutional authority. The legislation before us eliminates an outdated provision that gives DHS overly broad authority to act on its own and reorganize without congressional approval. It is authority that was well-intentioned when it was first provided right after 9/11, but the time has come to rebalance this legislative equation. Mr. Speaker, as you may be aware, it is the only authority of its kind in the entire executive branch. As Members of Congress, we have a solemn obligation to help protect the American people from anyone who wishes to bring us harm. In the wake of 9/11, we reached across the aisle and worked together to create the Department of Homeland Security and demonstrated that the security of our homeland is not a partisan issue. This is not just an academic exercise. On October 6 of this year, DHS used this authority for the first time in many years. We also want to work with DHS to support them, but continued use of this authority is not the best way to make the Department stronger. I am proud to say that the Committee on Homeland Security, which I chair, has a strong bipartisan track record. This year we came together as Republicans and Democrats and passed the first-ever comprehensive reauthorization of DHS through the House with an overwhelming majority support. Let's continue that progress today and pass this legislation. I also call on the Senate to pass our reauthorization of DHS as soon as possible so our country can be more secure. I would like to thank Ranking Member Bennie Thompson, Congressman Vela, and all of the staff on the committee for their hard work on this issue. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Cuban Airport Security Act. Last-point-of-departure airports are critically important to our homeland security. One only need look at the latest laptop ban that was instituted at 10 last-point-of-departure airports, given the fact that the terrorists have now learned how to turn them into explosive devices. The American people should have grave concern about the level of security in place at any foreign airport where the host government refuses to allow strict inspections of airport security by Members of Congress. As a footnote, Mr. Speaker, it was just last year that Mr. Katko and I applied for visas to the Government of Cuba to inspect these airports to see how safe they were, and the Cuban Government's response to that was to deny our visa applications. What is more concerning is that over the course of the last year, the United States Government personnel in Cuba have been targeted and subjected to harmful sonic attacks, which in some cases have caused permanent brain damage. This must not be tolerated. Too many questions remain when it comes to Cuba's airports. Congress is still largely in the dark in terms of Cuba's security equipment, training procedures, and other perimeter security. This bill takes an important step forward to shed light on current inadequacies and help to ensure proper oversight of inbound flights from Cuba to the United States. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend my good friend from New York (Mr. Katko) for his continued leadership on aviation security and last- point-of-departure airports, which has been critical in bringing these issues to the forefront, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Weber for holding this Special Order and his leadership on this issue. My condolences to the people in his district. I know Beaumont, particularly, was hit the hardest. We were hit hard all around, but I know Beaumont was hit very hard. That is why we need to pass the supplemental in October, to help the great people in the great State of Texas. I am chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. One of my responsibilities is overseeing the response efforts of FEMA--Federal, State, and local--to see is this working or not. I have seen what happened in Katrina and Rita and other disasters. I can tell you that this was the most impressive response effort Federal, State, and local. I commend the President for signing an advanced disaster declaration at the request of my Governor, Governor Abbott, who enabled us to mobilize in advance and preposition assets to have, I think, one of the best responses I have seen in one of the most tragic storms that Texas has ever weathered. By way of history, personally, my grandfather survived the 1900 Galveston hurricane. They rescued him from a treetop. He was 8 years old. Sadly, 10,000 people were killed in that tragic event. In this case, we saved almost 20,000 lives, thanks to the good work of the people in this picture that I had the great privilege to see right after the storm hit. It was one of the most compassionate humanitarian responses I think I have ever witnessed. This particular photo, I think, really captured what Houston looked like at the time--the first floor under water. It almost looks like the Iwo Jima of Harvey. You have DPS--Department of Public Safety--the American flag, a marine, Coast Guard, and National Guard. These people came together. But do you know who else came together? You talked about the Cajun Navy, who came together from Louisiana to help Texans. A lot of Texans saved Texans in this storm. But to see that process was really a shining light in a very dark time. There are so many untold stories of heroic bravery that took place. I call it Operation Dunkirk. Many of us know or read about that battle, or many of us have seen the movie, of all of the private boats that came out to save the British in that battle. We saw hundreds of private boats coming out, working in unison with Federal, State, and local responders, saving lives. Again, there were 20,000 lives saved in the process. Katy High School--Katy is in my district--became the forward operating base for the Texas Guard, the Active Duty servicemembers, and all of the first responders. This is where they launched their efforts to the Beaumont area after they took care of all of the crises and the flooding in the Houston area. I saw these guys going out in boats and helicopters and saving lives. This is the best side of mankind in one of the darkest chapters that our State has really seen. I had an opportunity to bring Speaker Ryan and Chairman Shuster of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee down to look at this. A remarkable story in, again, a really awful time, but we saw the resiliency of Texans helping other Texans. But I also want to credit the entire Nation for responding in a very compassionate way. I went to the shelters and the churches and I saw all of the food coming in, and people calling me from other States asking: What can I do to help? The firefighters I saw coming from Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and Ohio were all converging on the State. Indeed, the eyes of the Nation were on the State of Texas during this devastating hurricane that continued to rain for days. Lastly, I do want to talk about what we can do moving forward. This is a 1940 map flood control plan that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps under President Roosevelt, back in the forties. And you see here the Addicks Reservoir and Barker Reservoir that were built in the 1940s. This is the Buffalo Bayou, and this is downtown Houston. But they had another plan at the time, and it was on Cypress Creek. That is in my district. In Katy is where these guys were. This is where it all started. This is the third flood in 2 years in this area, all starting at Cypress Creek. This is all developed now. It is not rice fields anymore. It was a watershed event into these reservoirs that then had a controlled release at 1 in the morning into these neighborhoods below, flooding the Buffalo Bayou, and then flooding Houston. Mr. Speaker, as we look at the supplemental and other projects, this is the prevention that I think we can be doing in Congress that makes a lot of sense to provide infrastructure at key points to stop this flooding from ever happening again. I know, as Texans, we are all going to come together as a delegation. I know this entire Congress would come together to not only save lives, as we did, and help with FEMA assistance to get people back up on their feet, but then do smart projects like this one to stop this kind of flooding from ever happening again. That is smart prevention that, at the end of the day, is going to save money and save human lives in the process. In closing, I just want to say that I have never been prouder to call myself a Texan. I have seen a lot. It is my seventh term. Judge Poe and I came in together, and we have seen a lot in the seven terms we have been in Congress. I have never seen our State rally like this at a time of need, and the Nation rallying behind the State of Texas. I want to thank all of those who made it possible in our great State, and also in our great country, the United States of America.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Chair, I include in the Record the following exchange of letters regarding H.R. 3354. House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC, September 8, 2017. Hon. John Carter, Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC. Hon. Lucille Roybal-Allard, Ranking Member, House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Carter, and Ranking Member Roybal-Allard: I write to convey our mutual understanding regarding Section 503(a)(5) of Title E of the Rules Committee Print for H.R. 3354, the Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act. Specifically, this section does not authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to utilize section 872 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to use appropriated funds to reorganize DHS organizational units. As Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, I strongly believe that any significant reorganization of components within the Department should be subject to specific statutory authorization. Toward that end, last month, the House passed H.R. 2825, the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act of 2017, which strikes section 872. As the Department has matured, it is no longer necessary for DHS to have unilateral authority to reorganize its organizational units. I appreciate your commitment to making DHS a more efficient and effective organization. Respectfully, Michael T. McCaul, Chairman. Bennie G. Thompson, Ranking Member.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. 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. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I, once again, urge my colleagues to support this important legislation. It is bipartisan, ensures that State and local law enforcement have greater access to Federal counterterrorism information and, most importantly, neighborhoods; when terrorists are released back into the communities, they at least know who they have in their neighborhoods. I also want to applaud Congressman Rutherford, who cannot be here today because of Hurricane Irma. My thoughts and prayers are with the State of Florida as they continue to respond and recover from that devastating hurricane. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2471) to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to share with State, local, and regional fusion centers release information from a Federal correctional facility, including name, charging date, and expected place and date of release, of certain individuals who may pose a terrorist threat, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks and to voice my support for the TRACER Act. Mr. Speaker, 16 years ago, 19 cowardly terrorists hijacked four airplanes and used them as missiles to kill 3,000 innocent people. The souls that were lost belonged to moms and dads, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters. It was a day that we will never forget. Each year, as we look back, we all remember something different about that morning. There are those who remember getting a phone call and listening to a frantic voice on the other end. Some remember running into the streets as the Twin Towers fell and feared for their lives. Others saw the Pentagon in flames and wondered who did this and why. There are many other images and thoughts that are seared into our minds. However, we can also remember the heroism of our first responders, the brave firefighters and police officers who raced to the scene and charged up the stairs of the World Trade Center to save their fellow countrymen. We can picture strangers helping strangers navigate through the dust and debris in downtown New York, and we can be grateful for the courageous passengers on United Airlines Flight 93 who saved an untold number of lives and perhaps this very building that we stand in here today. Yesterday morning, I stood at Ground Zero in New York and listened to each of the victims' names that were read. I remembered a nation that came together and stood by one another as we recovered from this heinous attack. September 11 showed the entire world that terrorists could knock our buildings down, but they could not dent the American spirit. In the aftermath, we pledged to work with one another and prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again. Today, we are still engaged in a generational fight to defeat Islamist terrorism, but I believe we will eventually win that fight as long as we pursue policies that will make it easier to protect our homeland and the American people. One of the lessons we learned from 9/11 was the need to strengthen information sharing among Federal, State, and local authorities, and while we have taken steps to address this in the past, we need to do more. This act, the TRACER Act, introduced by Congressman Rutherford, would require the Department of Homeland Security to share with local and regional fusion centers important information regarding potential risks posed by individuals who were previously convicted on charges related to terrorism. More specifically, it would allow DHS to share the expected place and date of release of these incarcerated terrorists. Providing law enforcement officials with this information will allow them to minimize potential risks to their communities by countering extremist recidivism. This legislation is an opportunity to strengthen coordination between all levels of law enforcement and help keep Americans safe. Again, I would like to thank Congressman Rutherford for all of his hard work on this legislation, and I hope that his constituents and the entire State of Florida make a strong recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. As someone who has personally toured devastated communities back home in my home State of Texas as a result of Hurricane Harvey, it is clear that there are still many long days ahead. However, we can be very thankful for the men and women at DHS, including FEMA and the United States Coast Guard, as well as thousands of local first responders and volunteers who have been called to action. The American people deserve to know that all levels of government are working together to keep our homeland safe. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Chair, on rollcall no. 429, I mistakenly voted ``yes'' when I intended to vote ``no.'' personal explanation

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of increased sanctions on Russia, Iran, and North Korea. I thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Eliot Engel for their leadership on this issue. I cannot overstate the importance of sending a strong message to our adversaries that there will be consequences for their bad behavior. Back in October of last year, at the height of the Presidential campaign, I was briefed by our intelligence community. They told me that Russia engaged in a blatant effort to meddle in our domestic affairs and, specifically, our democratic process. I was an outspoken supporter of the need for a strong response then, and I remain so now. However, in the process of making Russia pay an economic cost for their bad behavior, we must ensure we are not harming U.S. interests at home and abroad. I want to thank Chairman Royce for clarifying that Section 232 of this bill only applies to Russian energy export pipelines. We should not be in the business of sanctioning pipelines that help provide energy independence from Russia. Putin uses this as a tool to provide political leverage over his neighbors. So, again, I want to thank Chairman Royce for his leadership in working with me on this, I think, clarification to the Senate companion and for his leadership in the House on this important issue.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, on July 24, 2017, I missed the voting session due to family obligations. If present, I would have voted as follows: YES--H.R. 3180--Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 YES--S. 114--A bill to authorize appropriations for the Veterans Choice Program YES--H.R. 3218--Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act I intended to vote yes on all of these measures. After World War II, my father--who was a B-17 bombardier navigator in the Army Air Corps-- became the first in our family to attend college thanks to the GI Bill. I am ecstatic that the House passed H.R. 3218 to expand this vital program for our Veterans and their families who sacrifice so much.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office regarding H.R. 2825. The cost estimate was not available at the time of the filing of the Committee report. U.S. Congress, Congressional Budget Office, Washington, DC, July 20, 2017. 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. 2825, the DHS Authorization 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, Mark P. Hadley (For Keith Hall, Director). Enclosure. H.R. 2825--DHS Authorization Act of 2017 As reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on June 28, 2017

Mr. McCAUL

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

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko), chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Protective Security of the Homeland Security Committee.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Donovan), chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications of the Homeland Security Committee.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and I want to thank him for his close coordination in getting to this day.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster), the chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and I want to thank him for working with me in getting to this day.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Gallagher), chairman of the Task Force on Denying Terrorist Entry into the United States of the Homeland Security Committee.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 454, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2825) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary 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 include any extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act of 2017. Mr. Speaker, the American people are reminded about the threats facing our country on a daily basis. When they turn on the TV or pick up the newspaper, they learn about the latest terror attack or plot, foreign governments engaged in cyber warfare, and drug smugglers and human traffickers relentlessly trying to creep across our border and infect our neighborhoods. Our adversaries are determined and agile. They wish to strike our homeland and disrupt our way of life. They are constantly calling for new attacks to be carried out against Americans with any weapons they have available. To stay ahead of our enemies, we need a national security apparatus that is best set up for success and can adapt to new challenges as they arise. After the 9/11 attacks, the creation of the Department of Homeland Security was necessary to help confront the threats at that time. Unfortunately, Congress has never reauthorized DHS since it was created. This is just simply unacceptable, and that is why eight committee chairmen signed a memorandum of understanding at the beginning of the year stating: ``The Department of Homeland Security and its components should be authorized on a regular basis to ensure robust oversight and improve its operation.'' If we are going to keep America safe, we must reform and improve DHS through a first-ever comprehensive reauthorization. The legislation before us today accomplishes several goals. First, it reasserts Congress' Article I authority granted by the Constitution to write laws and give discretion to the Department. Congress has abdicated its role and responsibility in providing comprehensive legislative direction since 2002, and has ceded power to the executive branch. This legislation will fix that. Second, it creates efficiencies by eliminating, consolidating, and streamlining programs and offices. With dangers gathering and the terrorist threat evolving, we need the most nimble DHS possible for the Secretary to lead and carry out the Department's vital mission. Third, this bill protects American taxpayers by making DHS more accountable. Through new cost-efficiency efforts, we will be able to provide the funds necessary to keep our country safe while identifying and eliminating government waste. Fourth, our legislation will support our frontline defenders and first responders. This bill will provide the tools and training needed to defeat emerging threats through important grant programs while also allowing DHS to better focus on recruiting and training a qualified workforce. Finally, it improves America's security. Specifically, this reauthorization will: strengthen the Department's ability to deny terrorists entry into the United States; ensure that Federal agencies meet readiness standards to respond to terror attacks and natural disasters; expand TSA's use of explosive detection technology and bolster security at last points of departure; it will also modernize and replace outdated Coast Guard vessels; it will prioritize investigations of cross-border crimes, including human trafficking, cybercrimes, and drug smuggling. These are necessary measures that we, as Congress, must take to fight back against the array of ever-changing threats. This legislation is a commonsense and bipartisan bill that is long overdue. It also enjoys strong backing from the administration. In testimony given to my committee, Secretary Kelly stated: ``This is an important endeavor which will provide the Department with the authorities it needs to carry out its mission.'' And just recently today in an op-ed that ran this morning in support of this bill, Secretary Kelly wrote: ``There is no more important mission--no duty more sacred--than protecting the people of the United States, and I strongly encourage Members in both parties to support this legislation.'' Protecting our homeland and keeping American families safe are shared goals that should bring both parties together, not push us apart, and a comprehensive reauthorization of the Department of Homeland Security will be a major bipartisan accomplishment and an example of what we can achieve when we put the safety and security of our country ahead of partisan politics. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the majority leader for all his efforts to help bring this to the floor. I would also like to thank each of the chairmen of jurisdiction for signing the MOU, as well as members of the Committee on Homeland Security from both sides of the aisle, and the staff members who made this possible. Let's show our enemies that we stand united in protecting our country, our values, and our people. So I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC, June 27, 2017. Hon. Michael McCaul, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman McCaul: I am writing with respect to H.R. 2825, the ``Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act of 2017.'' This bill contains provisions within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means. The Committee on Ways and Means will not seek a sequential referral on H.R. 2825 so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House floor for consideration. This is done with the understanding that the jurisdictional interests of the Committee on Ways and Means 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. 2825 and requests your support when such a request is made. I would appreciate your response confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 2825 and ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the House floor. Sincerely, Kevin Brady, Chairman.