John Ratcliffe

Mr. RATCLIFFE

Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4780) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a comprehensive strategy for Department of Homeland Security operations abroad, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4780, the Department of Homeland Security Strategy for International Programs Act, offered by the ranking member of the committee, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson). This bill would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a report to Congress on the Department of Homeland Security's international programs, including the vetting and screening of persons seeking to enter the United States. The legislation builds off of recommendations made by the Committee on Homeland Security's bipartisan Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel that identified security gaps which allow jihadists to get to and from Iraq and Syria undetected. Specifically, the task force recommended that U.S. authorities continue to push the border outward by deploying homeland security initiatives overseas. The DHS has established several international programs that are designed to thoroughly vet and screen such individuals before their travel to the United States. Through its many international programs, the DHS personnel overseas effectively extends our Nation's borders to increase the security of the United States. Expanding initiatives like the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Preclearance program or Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Visa Security Program could help detect and interdict threats before they are bound for the homeland. For example, the Preclearance program allows overseas-based CBP officers to screen all passengers and luggage before a flight takes off for the United States. The CBP currently has 15 preclearance locations in six countries, including Ireland, Aruba, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates. However, the foreign fighter threat and travel patterns continue to concern immigration and national security officials. As a result, DHS has announced plans to expand preclearance operations. Other programs, like ICE's Visa Security Program deploy specially trained agents to diplomatic posts worldwide to conduct additional visa security screening and quickly identify potential terrorists or criminal threats before they reach the United States. Agents provide an additional level of review for persons of special interest or concern, review visa applications, liaise with host country immigration and border security officials, and conduct investigations with a nexus to U.S. travel and security. The program has agents posted at consulates and embassies in more than 25 countries, with additional plans to expand to additional high-risk locations. As the Department of Homeland Security continues to build its international footprint for these and other border security programs, the DHS must ensure that the expansion of international programs is considered with risk, cost, and benefit in mind. This bill would require the DHS to report on the specific risk-based goals for these international programs to ensure that they align with Department-wide and government-wide strategic priorities. This additional transparency, including the costs related to international programs, will improve Congress' oversight of these activities. Additionally, the Department will be required to consider how the deployment of personnel abroad may impact its domestic capabilities as well as to identify barriers for the expansion of international programs. While international programs provide tangible national security and travel facilitation benefits, the growing DHS presence overseas should be built upon the foundation of a long-term strategy that guides the Department in the deployment of officers and agents in a risk-based manner. I am confident that the comprehensive strategy that is required by this bill will help ensure that the Department is managing these programs effectively and that Congress has the appropriate insight that is necessary to protect the American taxpayers' investment in our security. I, therefore, urge all Members to join me in supporting this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, once again, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4780. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RATCLIFFE

Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, after my remarks, I will include an exchange of letters between the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Homeland Security regarding H.R. 1887. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 1887, which suspends an appropriations provision in order to ensure that all necessary information is accessible before deciding how to move forward with Plum Island Animal Disease Center. Since 1954, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate's Plum Island Animal Disease Center has served the Nation in defending against accidental or intentional introduction of foreign animal diseases. In 2005, DHS announced that Plum Island would be moved to a new Federal facility in Kansas. While DHS will eventually move the research conducted, Plum Island will continue to operate until the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility is fully operational and a complete transition has been made in 2022 or 2023. The gentleman from New York, Representative Zeldin, my friend, introduced H.R. 1887 with strong bipartisan support from the entire Long Island and Connecticut delegations in both the House and the Senate to stop the sale of Plum Island. DHS recently undertook a study on alternatives for the disposition of Plum Island. As amended, H.R. 1887 suspends the sale of Plum Island until a thorough review of the analysis of alternatives is conducted by DHS and GAO. The bill before us today requires GAO to review the DHS study and report to Congress on whether the methodologies DHS uses adequately support the Department's findings. If those methodologies are found lacking, GAO must study possible alternative uses for Plum Island and possible costs associated for the transition and cleanup of the island. H.R. 1887 delays the sale of Plum Island until GAO reports its findings to Congress, allowing for a complete understanding of possible options for Plum Island once the Animal Disease Center functions are transitioned. This bill ensures consideration of all options for the disposition of the island. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, May, 12, 2016. Hon. Michael McCaul, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman McCaul: I write concerning H.R. 1887, a bill to amend certain appropriation Acts to repeal the requirement directing the Administrator of General Services to sell federal property and assets that support the operations of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in Plum Island, New York.'' This legislation includes matters that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. In order to expedite Floor consideration of H.R. 1887, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will forgo action on this bill. However, this is conditional on our mutual understanding that forgoing 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. I request you urge the Speaker to name members of the Committee to any conference committee named to consider such provisions. Please place a copy of this letter and your response acknowledging our jurisdictional interest in the Congressional Record during House Floor consideration of the bill. I look forward to working with the Committee on Homeland Security as the bill moves through the legislative process. Sincerely, Bill Shuster, Chairman.

Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1887) to amend certain appropriation Acts to repeal the requirement directing the Administrator of General Services to sell Federal property and assets that support the operations of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in Plum Island, New York, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. RATCLIFFE. 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. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Zeldin), my distinguished colleague.

Mr. RATCLIFFE

Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4743) to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4743. The National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2016 allows the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to work with a consortium, including the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium, to support efforts to address cybersecurity risks and incidents. This bill allows DHS to engage with a consortium to assist the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, or NCCIC, in providing training to State and local first responders in preparing for and responding to cybersecurity risks and incidents. An example of a consortium DHS may work with under this bill is the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium, or NCPC. The NCPC provides State and local communities with the tools they need to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber attacks. The consortium also evaluates communities' cybersecurity posture and provides them with a roadmap to correct deficiencies in the security of their information systems. Based out of the University of Texas at San Antonio's Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security, the NCPC membership includes the University of Arkansas, the University of Memphis, Norwich University, and Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. DHS is responsible for carrying out significant aspects of the Federal Government's cybersecurity mission. The Cybersecurity Act, which was recently signed into law, allows DHS to actively share cyber threat indicators and defensive measures with the private sector by affording liability protections. DHS's National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center is responsible for facilitating cross-sector coordination to address cybersecurity risks and incidents. H.R. 4743 allows DHS to work with any consortium, including the NCPC, in a number of activities, including providing technical assistance, conducting cross-sector cybersecurity training and simulation exercises, and helping States and local communities to develop cybersecurity information sharing programs. Allowing DHS to work with organizations already supporting State and local cyber preparedness and response will provide additional support to State and local entities. I urge all Members to join me in supporting this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hurd), my distinguished friend and colleague.

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

Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I once again urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4743. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RATCLIFFE

Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, this is Police Week, a week which offers all of us an opportunity to honor those who selflessly keep our community safe. ``To protect and serve,'' that is more than just a slogan on the side of police cars across the country. It is a promise, a promise that brave men and women in uniform keep every day as they uphold law and order in our cities and towns. But to be able to protect and serve us, our law enforcement needs the tools and resources that are vital to successfully doing their job. And, unfortunately, some of that essential lifesaving equipment that they need to protect us and to protect themselves has been stripped away. Last June, President Obama arbitrarily and unilaterally decided to limit the 1033 surplus equipment program, a Federal program that provides lifesaving Defense Department equipment to State and local law enforcement agencies. Because of this ill-conceived action, I am hearing from the sheriffs, police chiefs, and law enforcement officials throughout the 18 counties that I am fortunate to represent. I am hearing about how the safety of the brave men and women in blue and their departments are being compromised by the President's action. It is clear that the President's decision to unilaterally cut access to lifesaving equipment was a knee-jerk reaction that put politics in front of public safety, and that is something that we simply can't let happen. So in response, Mr. Speaker, I have introduced the Protecting Lives Using Surplus Equipment Act to stop this action dead in its tracks and to ensure that any changes to this program are the result of a data- driven debate here in Congress, not through some arbitrary, unilateral action by the President. So, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in standing up against this administration's attack on law enforcement safety by supporting my bill and making sure that our police have the equipment they need for their own safety and for the safety of the American people. They deserve nothing less.

Mr. RATCLIFFE

Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr RATCLIFFE

Mr RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, on December 26 last year, tornadoes ravaged northeast Texas, tragically resulting in the loss of several lives and destroying hundreds of homes and small businesses in my Congressional District. But in the wake of this tragedy, I was inspired to see how many wonderful people stepped up in our communities to help those in need. I am especially grateful to our first responders and local officials whose selfless commitment and dedication to the ongoing recovery efforts over the past few months have brought so much healing to our communities. In Rowlett, I would like to send a special thanks to Mayor Todd Gottel for his incredible leadership. To City Manager Brian Funderburk, the entire Rowlett Police and Fire Departments, the doctors and staff at Lake Pointe Medical Center, and local residents Sammy Walker and Bruce Hargrave, who pulled a mortally wounded man from the rubble of his home, thank you. In Rockwell County, our thanks to County Judge David Sweet, Sheriff Harold Eavenson, Chief Deputy David Goelden, and Emergency Manager Joe DeLane. In Collin County, I would like to thank County Judge Keith Self, Constable Gary Edwards, Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator Jason Lane, and the Collin County Sheriff's Department. From Farmersville, thank you to the entire police and fire departments there, to Chief Mike Sullivan, to City Manager Ben White, and Mayor Joseph Helmberger. In Blue Ridge, I would like to thank Mayor Rhonda Williams, the volunteer fire department there, and the Westminster Fire Department. And in Hunt County, thanks to Judge John Horn and Homeland Security Manager Richard Hill. Beyond this, I would like to thank the many churches and charities who offered their support, like First Baptist Farmersville and Pastor Bart Barber, First Baptist Rowlett and its director, Jon Bailey. I know that, without the selfless efforts of all these great people and all these organizations, the recovery efforts and restoration of our communities would simply not be the same. Your efforts are so greatly appreciated. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RATCLIFFE

Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I am humbled to represent thousands of teachers, firefighters, and law enforcement officers across the Fourth District of Texas who have dedicated their careers to public service. As the son of two schoolteachers and as a former law enforcement official myself, I have a personal and deep-felt appreciation for those who shape future generations by educating our children and protecting the communities where we live. Right now there are nearly 900,000 of these public servants who are being unjustly denied their hard-earned retirement benefits through an arbitrary formula called the windfall elimination provision, which can reduce their Social Security checks by up to $413 a month. That is why I have cosponsored and why I strongly support H.R. 711, the Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act, to reduce and to eliminate the windfall elimination provision. I urge my colleagues to take it up for a vote as soon as possible so that we can ensure that our public servants receive both the Social Security benefits and the pensions that they most certainly have earned.

Mr. RATCLIFFE

Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, the Declaration of Independence contains a passage that every student in America learns at an early age. It explains that each of us are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, chief among them the right to life. This highlights and reminds us just how much our Founders valued the right to life. As an elected Representative, the words in our Declaration that follow are equally compelling: To secure these rights, governments are instituted among men. How often we forget that government exists first and foremost to secure the right to life. Now, this is an immense responsibility, one that I take very seriously, because one of the highest honors I have in representing the Fourth Congressional District of Texas is defending the most vulnerable among us, our unborn children. I am proud to have a voting record that reflects my unwavering commitment to protecting unborn life and ending taxpayer funding of abortion. I will also be the first to tell you that legislators represent only one piece of the puzzle in the ongoing and vital effort to promote a culture of life. There are literally thousands of unsung pro-life heroes in the Fourth Congressional District of Texas, whose effort to promote a culture of life are not about gaining recognition or notoriety, but are simply rooted in an abiding sense of protecting the inalienable right to life, which our Founding Fathers spoke of. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize a few of these pro-life heroes in my district, people like Melanie Grammar and Deborah Butts with the Texas Federation of Republican Women; Michelle Smith and Ann Hettinger in Rockwall, Texas; Chip Adami at the True Options Pregnancy Center in Sherman; Mason Randall and Robin Stevenson at Lake Pointe Church Adoption Ministry; Kristie Wright at the First Choice Pregnancy Resource Center in Texarkana; Threesa Sadler and Tim Stainback at the Raffa Center in Greenville; Joanne Vuckovic at the Rockwall Pregnancy Resource Center; and the great folks at both the Paris and Fannin Pregnancy Care Centers. The dedication of individuals like these and thousands of others across the Fourth Congressional District of Texas is appreciated, it is necessary, and it certainly does not go unnoticed. Thank you all for your commitment to protecting the incredibly important cause of life.

Mr. RATCLIFFE

Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2015. I want to thank Chairman Chaffetz and Chairman Goodlatte for their hard work on this package of bills that will help push the government out of the way of the American people. I am especially grateful that the ALERT Act, which I introduced earlier this Congress, is included as title II of the bill. The constituents that I represent in northeast Texas work hard every day to provide for their families and to contribute to their communities. But I can tell you from countless conversations that they are fed up with a Federal Government that has been invading every aspect of their lives. They are frustrated with unaccountable, unelected bureaucrats who create regulations that have the force of law, regulations that typically appear out of nowhere and bring with them huge price tags for the cost of compliance, often with little time to prepare and implement them. In some cases, regulators are unforgiving to those who either can't or don't timely comply by imposing criminal penalties. Now, let's pause to think about that. Bureaucrats hammering otherwise law-abiding Americans with criminal penalties for regulatory violations at a time when the same administration is giving a free pass to millions of illegal aliens for breaking immigration laws, giving early release to tens of thousands of prisoners--violent criminals--and turning loose radical Islamic terrorists from Guantanamo. It is little wonder that my constituents are outraged. And if it were up to this administration, the problem would get worse, not better. To underscore that point, we need only look at the Federal Register where agencies publish their mandates. That document contained 82,000 pages last year, meaning that this administration averaged more than 224 pages of new regulations every day of the year. Americans have every right to demand to know what we are doing here in Congress to stop them from being crushed by this snowball of regulations. Part of the answer should be that current law requires an update twice a year on Federal regulations being developed by Federal agencies. But guess what. Under this administration, these updates have either been late or not issued at all, and until now, there hasn't been a way to hold these unelected bureaucrats accountable. My bill does just that. This bill forces the executive branch to make the American people aware of regulations that are coming down the track, and it prohibits any regulations from going into effect unless and until detailed information on the cost of that regulation--its impact on jobs and the legal bases for it--is made available to the public for at least 6 months. Predictably, the President and others argue that this bill is too tough on regulators. But do you know what? I am here to fight for hardworking Americans, not for unelected Washington bureaucrats. Mr. Chairman, ensuring that folks aren't steamrolled by new regulations should be a no-brainer. Transparency shouldn't be controversial, it shouldn't be optional, and it shouldn't be a partisan issue. That is why I was honored to introduce the ALERT Act and why I am grateful that it has been included in this bill.

Mr. RATCLIFFE

Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, ObamaCare is intrusive, it is expensive, and it is full of broken promises. Its biggest failure is the simple fact that it makes life more difficult for hardworking Americans. In my district, I have heard countless horror stories from parents, from seniors, from businessowners, all of which underscore that there is simply nothing affordable about the perversely named Affordable Care Act. There is the story of Morris from Rowlett, Texas, who is the sole breadwinner for his family. Now, the least expensive plan that Morris could find on healthcare.gov costs him $854 per month, plus a $12,700 deductible. ObamaCare is preventing Morris from investing in things that really matter, like his son's college education. Take Heather from Pottsboro, who on a $700-per-month income simply can't afford the $287 per month that ObamaCare costs her. With health problems of her own, ObamaCare is preventing Heather from taking care of her 13-year-old daughter and a father with multiple sclerosis. Then there is Bryan, a small-business owner in my district who has seen a 50 percent increase in his monthly healthcare payments and deductible under ObamaCare. On top of that, Bryan can't grow his business beyond 50 employees because he can't afford to comply with the employer mandate or face its penalties. Mr. Speaker, these are just a few of the stories that demonstrate the very real problems that ObamaCare is creating for hardworking Americans and why a better name for this law would be the Unaffordable Care Act. It is why I stand in support today of a reconciliation bill that will dismantle ObamaCare and defund Planned Parenthood for the next year. I promised my constituents that I would do more than just vote to repeal ObamaCare, that I would help send a bill to the Oval Office that actually will get rid of this terrible law. Today, I am keeping that promise.

Mr. RATCLIFFE

Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, the President's plan to once again bypass Congress and unilaterally implement gun control measures represents yet another, sadly, all too familiar assault on our Constitution. This time, the President is doubling down with a two-for-one special by proposing executive orders which violate our Second Amendment rights, while at the same time abusing the separation of powers written in our Constitution. In the process, the President claims that the overwhelming majority of Americans, including gun owners, support his executive actions. Mr. Speaker, I can assure him that when it comes to the Texans that I represent, the President is dead wrong. This isn't the first time I have had to fight the President's radical agenda on gun control--and just like before, I won't back down. So today, I stand in support and as a cosponsor of the Separation of Powers and Second Amendment Protection Act, a critical bill that we now, unfortunately, need to put a stop to any action by this President to weaken our Second Amendment rights. I refuse to let this President use these unconstitutional executive orders as a way to distract the American people from his epic foreign policy failures, to turn our focus away from his failure to keep Americans safe not from the Second Amendment, but from ISIS-inspired terrorists in our own homeland. San Bernardino was not, as the President called it, ``an act of violence.'' It was terrorism.

Mr. RATCLIFFE

Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, the horrific attacks in San Bernardino underscore the pressing need to defeat ISIS and radical Islamic extremism. But instead of trying to fix his failed policies, which contributed to the very rise of ISIS in the first place, the President is instead attempting to divert and distract the American people by leveraging this tragedy to announce his plans to issue an executive order on gun control. Just yesterday the White House called the San Bernardino attack an incident of gun violence. Mr. Speaker, it was terrorism, and I refuse to let this President use acts of terrorism as a means to try another end run around this Congress. Earlier this year I stood up against the administration's attempted ammunition ban and I was successful in getting that unconstitutional policy rescinded. So today I am again standing up against this latest attack on our constitutional gun rights in this country because, if this administration refuses to take terrorism seriously, then the American people will need their Second Amendment rights more than ever before.

Mr. RATCLIFFE

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

Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3578, the DHS Science and Technology Reform and Improvement Act of 2015, makes targeted adjustments and strategic improvements to the ways in which the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate, or DHS S&T, carries out its responsibility to conduct research and development. These strategic improvements will strengthen the Directorate and address some of its well-documented challenges. DHS S&T monitors the Nation's evolving threats and makes use of technological advancements to develop and deliver solutions to meet the critical needs of the DHS components. The legislation we are considering today provides a clear mission statement for the Directorate and it codifies S&T's portfolio review process. This process engages key leadership and stakeholders to ensure that research and development meets the Directorate and Department goals. Amendments considered at both the subcommittee and full committee further strengthen this legislation, including Mr. Richmond's amendment to codify integrated product teams, a mechanism that will support the Directorate's ability to identify, coordinate, and align research and development efforts with departmental missions. H.R. 3578 also ensures that the Directorate identifies technical capability requirements and creates solutions with researchers and the private sector. It also bolsters S&T's role as coordinator of research and development across the Department. This bill requires additional transparency by requiring S&T to link its budget with mission areas and programs. Cybersecurity research and development is essential to support DHS' efforts to secure the dot-gov domain. The seriousness of this mission received heightened awareness after the OPM breach compromised the highly sensitive and personal information of over 20 million Americans. H.R. 3578 bolsters S&T's cybersecurity research and development by ensuring sector specific agencies for critical infrastructure are included in the coordination of cybersecurity research and development and by codifying the Transition to Practice program to support the lifecycle of cyber projects, including research, development, testing, evaluation, and transition. S&T is the primary research arm of the Department, managing the basic and applied research and development of science and technology for DHS' operational components. S&T's work includes supporting research and development for technologies to benefit first responders, the Nation's border and maritime security, cybersecurity, and chemical and biological defenses. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Texas, Chairman Smith, of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee for his support in moving this legislation forward. Mr. Speaker, this legislation would strengthen the important role and work of the Directorate to meet both the scientific and technological security needs of our Nation. I urge all Members to join me in supporting this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Washington, DC, December 4, 2015. Hon. Michael McCaul, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning H.R. 3578, the ``DHS Science and Technology Reform and Improvement Act of 2015,'' which your Committee ordered reported on September 30, 2015. H.R. 3578 contains provisions within the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology's Rule X jurisdiction. However, in consideration of your request to expedite this bill for floor consideration, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will forego formal consideration of H.R. 3578. This is being done on the basis of our mutual understanding that doing so will in no way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology with respect to the appointment of conferees, or to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in the bill or similar legislation. I appreciate that the Committee on Homeland Security has consulted with the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the two Committees have reached agreement on the final text of H.R. 3578. I understand you acknowledge the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology's jurisdiction over the legislation and that the Committee on Homeland Security agrees to work with the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology to develop and enact an additional homeland security research and development measure early in 2016. I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming this understanding and would request that you include a copy of this letter and your response in the Congressional Record during the floor consideration of this bill. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Sincerely, Lamar Smith, Chairman.