Kathleen Rice

Miss RICE of New York

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2476) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide funding to secure nonprofit facilities from terrorist attacks, and for other purposes.

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 2476, the Securing American Nonprofit Organizations Against Terrorism Act of 2019. H.R. 2476 would authorize the Department of Homeland Security's Nonprofit Security Grant Program. This important grant program makes funding available to nonprofit organizations that are at risk of a terrorist attack. Recently, nonprofit and religious organizations throughout the United States and abroad have experienced an alarming increase in violence and threats of violence. This year alone has been particularly tragic. Consider, for example, the April 27 shooting in Poway, California, where a gunman opened fire on congregants at a Passover celebration. Other such attacks include the April 21 coordinated terrorist attack on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka that killed nearly 250 people and injured more than 500 others. And the March 15 shooting at a mosque in New Zealand where 50 people were killed. This past April, we also saw the burning of three churches in Louisiana, which we later learned were motivated by hate. Unfortunately, however, targeting houses of worship is not a new phenomenon. There was the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh where 11 people were killed; the 2017 shooting at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, where 26 people were killed; and the 2012 shooting at a Sikh temple in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. These attacks amplify the dire need that religious institutions and other nonprofit organizations have for effective security resources. They need these resources to keep themselves safe. H.R. 2476 would also allow these grants to be made available to all at-risk facilities, regardless of where they are located. The bill authorizes the program at $75 million, with $50 million reserved for nonprofit institutions located within the UASI areas, the Urban Area Security Initiative areas, and $25 million reserved for institutions located outside of UASI jurisdictions. The goal of DHS is to keep Americans safe across this country. This bill is a critical part of that goal. It would help ensure that nonprofits and places of worship across the country are protected and that congregants have the peace of mind they deserve. I think we can all agree that protecting our communities from terrorist attacks should never be a partisan issue, and that is why the roster of 104 cosponsors for this legislation is large and diverse, with strong representation by Democrats and Republicans, myself included. The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is one of the most sought-after grant programs for nonprofit organizations in my district, and I am grateful that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have demonstrated such strong support for the program. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, as the threats to our homeland continue to evolve, we must be prepared to face the new and emerging challenges they present. H.R. 2476 would authorize DHS to continue assisting nonprofit organizations across the country with protecting their members and their buildings. A version of this bill passed the House by a voice vote in the last Congress, and I hope my colleagues will do the same again today. H.R. 2476 was also endorsed by the Jewish Federations of North America. I truly appreciate their partnership and collaboration around this critical Homeland Security program, and I include in the Record their letter of support. The Jewish Federations of North America, May 9, 2019. Hon. Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Michael Dennis Rogers, Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Rogers: We commend you for scheduling the mark-up of H.R. 2476, the ``Securing American Non-Profit Organizations Against Terrorism Act of 2019'', and respectfully urge Members of the Committee to support the bill. On April 27, 2019, white supremacist John Earnest allegedly entered the Chabad of Poway synagogue, near San Diego, CA, during Passover services, and murdered Lori Kaye, 60, and attempted to murder Noya Dahan, 8, Almog Peretz, 34, and Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, 57. On October 27, 2018, white supremacist Robert D. Bowers allegedly entered the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA, during Sabbath services, and murdered 11 congregants and wounded six others, including four police officers. In the months between these deadly attacks, the FBI has brought charges against would-be terrorists and violent homegrown extremists for plots and threats against synagogues, Jewish community centers, mosques, Islamic centers, and churches located in Washington, DC, New York, California, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Montana, Florida, Ohio, Texas, Kansas, Oregon and Pennsylvania. Over the past year, the FBI has investigated more than 100 threats to religious institutions. As recently as January 2019, the Federal Government released a Joint Intelligence Bulletin that assesses that domestic actors will continue to pose a lethal threat to faith-based communities in the Homeland. The JIB advises government counterterrorism and law enforcement officials and private sector security partners responsible for securing faith-based communities to remain vigilant in light of the enduring threat to faith-based communities posed by US-based threat actors and homegrown violent extremists. The JIB also warns of the difficulty in detecting domestic terrorists and extremists because of the individualized nature of their radicalization to violence. (Source: Joint Intelligence Bulletin IA-32337-19, February 22, 2019) In previous reports, the Department of Homeland Security has found that faith-based organizations are at particular risk of attack because of the significant number of people of like faith that gather together in a single symbolic location at specified times; the organizations typically have unrestricted access to their religious services and peripheral areas such as their parking areas and education facilities; and because these organizations most likely have limited resources for security as nonprofit institutions. As ``soft targets'', DHS has further assessed that these organizations are particularly vulnerable to bombing, arson attack, small arms attack, assassination and kidnapping, and chemical/biological/radiological attack. To counter these threats and vulnerabilities, DHS recommends that faith-based organizations take a number of key protective measures against threats and to mitigate the effects of an attack, including: installation of target hardening equipment, engaging in planning and preparedness activities and the acquisition of security personnel. Recognizing that many nonprofits do not have the financial resources to implement extensive security measures, the ``Securing American Non-Profit Organizations Against Terrorism Act of 2019'' provides critical support for security related activities to nonprofit organizations at risk of a terrorist attack that are recommended by the Department of Homeland Security. These include support for: Physical Security Enhancements, such as access controls, blast proofing, surveillance, fencing and bollards; Security Training of employees and organization members and volunteers; Exercises, such as those that validate plans and procedures, evaluate capabilities, and assess progress toward meeting capability targets; Planning, such as the development and enhancement of security plans and protocols, emergency contingency plans, or evacuation/shelter-in-place plans; and Contracting of Security Personnel and off-duty police officers. In consideration of the substantial threats and attacks to nonprofit institutions by domestic and foreign terrorists and violent homegrown extremists, the vulnerability of nonprofits to destruction, incapacitation, or exploitation from a terrorist attack, and the challenges nonprofits face in providing for needed investments in target hardening and related preparedness activities, The Jewish Federations respectfully urges the Members of the Committee to support the ``Securing American Non-Profit Organizations Against Terrorism Act of 2019'' at markup. Sincerely, Robert B. Goldberg, Senior Director, Legislative Affairs.

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 2476, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Miss RICE of New York

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1158) to authorize cyber incident response teams at the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes, as amended.

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, every day, hackers grow bolder, more sophisticated, and more ambitious. In 2016, the Russian Government carried out an unprecedented attack on our election infrastructure; and last year, the Department of Homeland Security and FBI revealed that the Russians were exploiting cyber tools to target critical infrastructure in our energy, water, aviation, and commercial sectors. Other foreign adversaries have taken note of Russia's activity and are similarly leveraging their cyber capabilities to advance their interests and undermine our own. We already know that Chinese actors have been targeting American companies and even our transportation systems with cutting-edge cyberattacks. In recent years, we have also seen an increase in Iranian cyberattacks on banks, businesses, and government agencies. Meanwhile, local governments across the country, from Atlanta to Baltimore to Albany, have been devastated by costly and disruptive ransomware attacks. The only way for us to effectively mitigate and respond to these attacks is by leveraging the full power and capabilities of the Federal Government. H.R. 1158, the DHS Cyber Incident Response Teams Act of 2019, would do just that by authorizing hunt and incident response teams. Housed within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, these teams deploy to owners and operators of critical infrastructure after a cybersecurity incident. They provide intrusion analysis, identify malicious actors, analyze malicious tools, and provide mitigation assistance strategies. They are our boots on the ground in the event of a cybersecurity incident and are critical to improving the cybersecurity capabilities of critical infrastructure operators. Additionally, H.R. 1158 authorizes DHS to leverage private-sector capabilities to address these growing and evolving threats. It is important that DHS use every measure available to confront the changing landscape of cyber threats. Passing this bill, authored by our former chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, Mike McCaul, will help us accomplish that mission. Mr. Speaker, I urge my House colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I am prepared to close after the gentleman from Texas closes. I reserve the balance of my time.

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. It is hard to predict the future, but there is one thing I know: Our adversaries will continue to hone their hacking capabilities to advance their interests and undermine ours. Critical infrastructure owners and operators must have access to the incident response capabilities necessary to protect their networks. H.R. 1158, which was approved unanimously in committee, will help ensure that DHS can continue to partner effectively with the private sector to protect critical infrastructure. Before I close, I would like to note that a version of this bill passed the House by a voice vote in the 115th Congress. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1158. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Miss RICE of New York

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2539) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to prioritize the assignment of certain officers and intelligence analysts from the Transportation Security Administration and the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security to locations with participating State, local, and regional fusion centers in jurisdictions with a high-risk surface transportation asset in order to enhance the security of such assets, including by improving timely sharing of classified information regarding terrorist and other threats, and for other purposes.

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2539, the Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2019. Every day, tens of millions of Americans rely on our Nation's vast transportation surface system. Securing that system must remain one of our top national security priorities. H.R. 2539 will help bolster situational awareness about threats to these vital systems by requiring DHS to prioritize the assignment of officers and intelligence analysts to State, local, and regional fusion centers located in areas with high-risk surface transportation assets. Further, H.R. 2539 authorizes a training program to enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies that protect surface transportation assets. I would like to thank my colleague, Ms. Barragan, for introducing this important bill. I urge my House colleagues to support H.R. 2539. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I am prepared to close after the gentleman from Texas closes. I reserve the balance of my time.

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 2539 would be an important step toward securing some of our country's most important transportation systems. DHS is faced with an enormous challenge of combating the constantly evolving threats facing our Nation's transportation systems. Timely information sharing about these systems is essential to counter any threat. Last Congress, a similar measure passed the House with wide bipartisan support. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Miss RICE of New York

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I regrettably missed the following vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 167. personal explanation

Miss RICE of New York

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 428) to direct the Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Intelligence and Analysis to develop and disseminate a threat assessment regarding terrorist use of virtual currency.

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 428, the Homeland Security Assessment of Terrorists' Use of Virtual Currencies Act. In the 17 years since the deadliest terrorist attack in American history, the United States has led the global fight against terrorism, thwarting plots and preventing attacks on American soil, identifying and disrupting terrorist networks around the world, and hunting down terrorists wherever they may hide. However, the threat of terrorism is not the same as it was on September 11, 2001. It is a threat that constantly evolves, and we need to evolve with it. We need to evolve ahead of it. Today, we have to acknowledge that the front lines of the war on terror are shifting increasingly away from individual countries and into cyberspace. This new front line poses an especially dangerous and nebulous threat when it comes to terrorist financing. As such, the Homeland Security Assessment of Terrorists' Use of Virtual Currencies Act speaks to a timely and pressing concern. Over the past several years, a number of terrorist organizations have turned to virtual currencies to support themselves and fund their operations. For example, in December of 2017, a woman in New York was arrested and pled guilty after she obtained $62,000 in bitcoin and other virtual currencies to send to ISIL. Using those virtual funds, she was able to send the money via shell entities in Pakistan, China, and Turkey that were fronts for ISIL. In early 2017, Indonesian authorities reported that a Syria-based Indonesian with ties to ISIL used bitcoin and other virtual currencies to fund attacks in Indonesia. The same things that make virtual currencies appealing to everyday consumers, speed and convenience, make these currencies appealing to those who want to finance illegal activities. Many forms of virtual currencies also offer their users anonymity, making them particularly attractive to those seeking to circumvent American law enforcement and financial institutions. In order to effectively confront this threat, we need to fully understand it. We need a comprehensive assessment of how virtual currencies might be abused for illegal and nefarious ends. My bill would require DHS to conduct such an assessment and share its findings with law enforcement officers who are on the front lines of the war on terror. Indeed, this bill will help provide law enforcement officials at all levels with the 21st century solutions, information, and resources they need to counter this emerging threat. Mr. Speaker, I urge my House colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 428 is an important piece of legislation that was approved by a voice vote last Congress. This bill will help DHS effectively address terrorists' actual and potential use of virtual currencies. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues in the Freedom Caucus, who care so much about national security and domestic security, to put their money where their mouths are, to put political pettiness aside, let these votes go through as they are meant to, because these are bipartisan bills, DHS bills that are supported broadly by Members of this House. Let's get on with this, since this is an issue that we all care about. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation, H.R. 428, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Miss RICE of New York

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 449) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002, to direct the Assistant Secretary for State and Local Law Enforcement to produce and disseminate an annual catalog on Department of Homeland Security training, publications, programs, and services for State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, and for other purposes.

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 449, the Pathways to Improving Homeland Security at the Local Level Act. Mr. Speaker, I thank my Democratic colleague, Mrs. Demings, for reintroducing this measure in the new Congress. Nearly 18 years ago, our country faced the difficult realization that, in order to effectively combat the threat of terrorism, we needed to implement a new whole-of-government approach. In other words, we need all hands on deck. Having learned from the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Department of Homeland Security now facilitates information-sharing and collaboration efforts between the Federal, State, and local levels. This cooperation helps to ensure that all government partners are equipped with the resources and information they need to tackle the ever-evolving threat of terrorism. H.R. 449 will help further those efforts. This bill will ensure that our Nation's first responders at the State and local levels have easy and ready access to DHS' cutting-edge resources and training programs. H.R. 449 would require the Department to disseminate such information in an annual catalog. In order to maximize the catalog's availability and readership, this bill also calls for the catalog to be accessible on the Department's website as well as on a secure information-sharing platform. This measure is a great example of commonsense, bipartisan legislation that will help build safer communities from the ground up. Mr. Speaker, I urge my House colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Demings).