Bennie Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the life of Walter ``Mississippi Slim'' Horn, a Mississippi Blues legend. Known for his trademark bright colorful hair and extravagant costumes, in addition to his popular performances and contributions to the blues genre, bluesman Walter ``Mississippi Slim'' Horn was born in Shelby, Mississippi, August 13, 1943 and grew up in Greenville, Mississippi. Mississippi Slim, worked on a plantation during the day and sang the blues at night in local juke joints. Eventually, he decided to pursue performing full time and left the Mississippi Delta and joined other blues musicians for the ``big city lights'' of Chicago, Illinois. In 1974, ``Mississippi Slim'', also known as the ``8th Wonder of the World,'' recorded Crying In The Arms of Another Love on Sunflower label. Having traveled all over the United States, Mississippi Slim returned home in 1994, to be with his ailing mother. Upon his return, he teamed up with musical forces John Horton, Ricky Taliaferro, Albert Folks and Kenny Morris and continued to perform in and around the Mississippi Delta. ``Mississippi Slim'' performed at southern festivals and played on the Mississippi Blues and Heritage festival. A main attraction, he partnered with festival organizers to participate in the Arts In Education: ``Blues in Schools'' project to promote and enhance learning about the culture of the blues. After releasing a few singles throughout the 1970s, Mississippi Slim recorded a CD, Miracles in 1998, You Cant Loose the Blues in 2008 and recently recorded Cotton Candy Love. Although we mourn the loss of a prominent Mississippi blues figure, his legacy will live on through his music and legendary performances.'' Please join me in saluting the life and legacy of Mississippi bluesman, Walter ``Mississippi Slim'' Horn.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Mr. LeMarc Humphrey for his heroic actions on Monday February 1, 2010 at Jackson State University. The 21-year-old computer engineer major rushed to the aid of a wounded and stumbling research chemist student, Andrea Scott, after hearing shots behind the John A. People's Science Building Monday night. The gunman fired two shots striking Mrs. Scott in the back of the head, after allegedly trying to rob her. Mr. Humphrey heroically picked Mrs. Scott up out of the pouring rain and rushed her to the hospital to receive needed medical attention. Madam Speaker, if it were not for the valiant effort of Mr. Humphrey, Andrea may have never had the chance to tell her story. The victim's husband, Bill Scott stated, ``Our country is in desperate need of repair, and when you find a man like LeMarc, you see he was an American and he did something above and beyond the call of duty''. Mr. Scott would like to see Mr. Humphrey nominated for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Madam Speaker, Mr. LeMarc Humphrey was raised in Jackson, MS. He is currently in the Air Force ROTC and played trombone for the Jackson State University ``Sonic Boom of the South'' Band his freshmen year. After his freshman year, he chose to leave the band to devote more time to the ROTC. Madam Speaker, this is truly an act of bravery and courage on the behalf of this young man. I salute him for his tremendous act of selflessness and I wish Mrs. Scott a full recovery.

Mr. THOMPSON OF MISSISSIPPI

Mr. THOMPSON OF MISSISSIPPI. Madam Speaker, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO (TTD). It is my distinct pleasure to honor TTD, as it has firmly established itself as an effective advocate for American workers and is a well-respected leader in transportation policy debates. The threats facing the United States in the 21st Century require all of us to be on the frontlines. Accordingly, TTD has brought workers together from across all sectors of the transportation industry. From aviation to surface transportation, threats to transportation security are broad and cross-cutting, and TTD has helped to bring diverse groups of workers together to speak with a clear, strong voice on issues of common concern. As Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I know how important transportation workers are to the National homeland security mission. On September 11, 2001, transportation workers witnessed the destruction firsthand, and some workers' lives were, unfortunately, cut short. Since that day, under the leadership of TTD, these men and women have become educated and effective allies and advocates in improving our homeland security. TTD workers are on the front lines, working under stressful, rapidly-changing conditions. Under my leadership, the Committee has taken efforts to support these tireless and dedicated workers by providing them with the tools, training, and protections they deserve. To keep our homeland secure, transportation workers must be trained, prepared, and supported. TTD has been a strong advocate for ensuring that workers have the training and tools they need to protect their passengers from harm, and their freight shipments from foul play. It has helped workers be free to identify security gaps in an appropriate manner without fear of retribution from their employer. TTD has also been a leading proponent for a strong federal investment in transportation security, one that recognizes that all modes must be fully secured. And it has been invaluable as background check and security credential programs are created for workers--making certain that we are improving security, not just making it more difficult for people to do their jobs. We are continually reminded that our efforts to strengthen transportation security are far from complete. In these complicated times, the bold and effective voice of TTD is needed more than ever. I congratulate TTD on the important progress it has made on behalf of workers in its first 20 years, and look forward to working with them in the years ahead.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1517, a bipartisan bill authored by Representative Engel and the ranking member on the Committee of Homeland Security, Representative King. As chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, I am grateful to these members for putting before us today a bill that aims to fix a discrete but important issue at Customs and Border Protection. In short, this bill gives the Commissioner the authority to noncompetitively convert approximately 35 overseas CBP employees into full-time permanent civil service positions. These employees were originally hired by the Immigration and Naturalization Service under ``limited overseas appointment'' authority between 1987 and 2003. Over time, the nature of their work changed, but their employment designation did not. Since 2005, CBP, the Office of Personnel Management and the Department of State have been trying to fix the glitch, but realize they need the help of Congress. Doing so will not only ensure that the employees continue to receive the appropriate benefits, but will also provide them with the protections they deserve as dedicated employees serving the CBP mission abroad. Further, this conversion of employment status will ensure that CBP and the United States honor agreements between our country and our foreign counterparts, such as Ireland, governing U.S. personnel overseas. Going forward, using the authorities provided to the Commissioner in H.R. 1517, it is my hope that the Commissioner will take the histories of these dedicated 35 individuals into account when applying CBP's rotation policy. In our attempt to ``right the system,'' CBP should not unduly disrupt the lives of these dedicated individuals, who provide a valuable service to this country.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3978, legislation that would permit the Center for Domestic Preparedness to accept gifts and donations in order to better train our Nation's first responders. As Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, I am pleased that the House is considering this legislation today, and I urge my colleagues to support its passage. Mr. Speaker, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Center for Domestic Preparedness, Center, is the Nation's leading all-hazards first-responder training center. Located in Anniston, Alabama, the Center has provided emergency response training to first responders in all fifty States and territories, as well as Federal Government employees, foreign officials, and private entities. The Center is especially well- known internationally for its weapons of mass destruction training facility. The Center often receives offers of donated goods and services, such as training displays, response equipment, and trailers. These donations would allow the Center to offer stronger training opportunities at a lower cost to the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, and the American taxpayer. Regrettably, the Center does not have the legal authority to accept gifts that would enhance its ability to deliver superior training. H.R. 3978 would amend the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 CommissionAct of 2007 to permit the Center to receive donated gifts and services that are related to preparedness for and response to terrorism. The legislation further calls on the Secretary of Homeland Security to annually report to Congress on gifts accepted and how such gifts contribute to the mission of the Center. Other DHS training centers, such as the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, already have the authority to accept gifts and donations. It is only appropriate that the Center also have this authority. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3978 is a straight-forward piece of legislation that will pay immediate dividends for our first responder community. I support its passage and encourage my colleagues to support it as well.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned during debate on the rule, I have strong objections to section 159 of the Transportation division of this bill. Over the last decade it has become abundantly clear that rail systems are key targets for terrorists. And the consequences have been devastating for many of our friends around the globe. In last year's attack in Mumbai, 2 terrorists executed a ``commando- style'' raid on a major railway station, gunning down 150 innocent commuters. I am grateful that, thus far, Americans have been spared the horror of an attack on our domestic rail system. But approving section 159 is to act as though the terrible events in Madrid, Mumbai, and Russia could never happen here. Amtrak's ban on firearms was instituted in response to September 11th, and re-evaluated after each major terrorist attack since. Section 159 interferes with Amtrak's carefully developed security protocols and exacerbates the vulnerability of railways without hearings or debate. Still, I would like to recognize Chairman Olver and Chairman Obey for reaching out to discuss my security concerns and potential changes to proposed language. Unfortunately, none of those concerns are addressed in the provision that is in the conference package. The bottom line is that it still forces Amtrak to allow passengers to transport guns as checked baggage without even the most basic safeguards. For example, section 159 does not distinguish between checked baggage transported in a separate car and that which is loaded onto passenger cars. Moreover, there is not even language that requires checked baggage to be secure. This means that guns and ammunition could be loaded onto the same cars as the passengers who are transporting them. As my colleague from Florida, Chairwoman Brown, stated earlier, it is absolutely critical for everyone to understand that checked baggage on a train is not the same as checked baggage on an airplane. What is even more puzzling is that section 159 requires Amtrak to allow passengers to travel with guns without checking their names against the terrorist watchlist. We all know that our names are checked against the watchlist when we fly, even if we don't check firearms. I do not understand how anyone can justify using the watchlist to protect air passengers but refusing to provide the same protection to rail passengers. This section also lacks safeguards to ensure that State and local gun laws are respected. Specifically, it fails to address preemption, with the implication that individuals may carry firearms into jurisdictions where it is unlawful to do so. Last year, we spent more than twice as much money per-passenger on aviation security as we did on passenger rail security. Still, Congress saw fit to cut Amtrak's security funding by 20 percent for this year. And since section 159 creates new problems without providing any additional funding, Amtrak will now face more security obstacles with even fewer resources. Section 159 will reverse nearly a decade of conscientious efforts by Amtrak to protect its passengers, employees, and infrastructure--and I sincerely hope that we do not soon come to regret its hasty and unexamined passage.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. I would like to also add that, last year, we spent more than twice as much money per passenger on aviation security as we did on rail security. Section 159 will undermine the security of Amtrak's passengers, employees, and infrastructure. I sincerely hope that we do not soon come to regret this hasty and unexamined passage.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with significant concerns about section 159 of the Transportation division of this legislation. It requires Amtrak to allow passengers to check their guns when riding the rails. It is no secret that rail systems are an attractive target for terrorists. In fact, in last year's attack in Mumbai, two terrorists executed a commando-style raid on a major railway station, gunning down 150 innocent commuters. To date, we have been fortunate that no such attacks have occurred on U.S. soil, but with passage of this legislation, securing the Nation's railway systems becomes far more difficult. Section 159 requires Amtrak to allow passengers to travel with guns without checking them against a terrorist watch list. We all get checked against a terrorist watch list when we fly, regardless of whether we check firearms or not. How can we justify not using the terrorist watch list on people who travel the rail? Amtrak policy of prohibiting passengers from traveling with guns was established in response to 9/11. With this bill, Congress, in a heavy- handed way, is interfering with Amtrak's security protocols without a single congressional hearing. This bill would abruptly undermine nearly a decade of conscientious efforts by Amtrak to enhance rail security and protect its passengers and employees. I am also concerned that it does not distinguish between checked baggage transported in a separate car and that which is loaded onto the same car as passengers. Section 159 also lacks safeguards to ensure that State and local gun laws are respected. Specifically, it is silent on the question of preemption, thereby implying that individuals can carry firearms into jurisdictions where it is unlawful to do so.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, in accordance with the House Report 111-345, I submit the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate for H.R. 3963. December 1, 2009. Hon. Bennie G. Thompson, 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. 3963, the Criminal Investigative Training Restoration Act. If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Megan Carroll. Sincerely, Douglas W. Elmendorf. Enclosure. H.R. 3963--Criminal Investigative Training Restoration Act H.R. 3963 would direct the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) to require newly hired marshals to complete a training program in criminal investigative techniques. The bill would authorize the appropriation of at least $3 million in each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011 for that purpose. Based on information from DHS about the anticipated number of new employees and costs to train them, CBO estimates that $6 million would be sufficient to establish and operate the proposed training program. Assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts, CBO estimates that fully funding H.R. 3963 would cost $2 million in 2010 and $6 million over the 2010- 2014 period. Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or revenues. H.R. 3963 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Megan Carroll. This estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, today, the House will consider the end of year appropriations package. In that package, is a one-page provision that risk undermining nearly a decade of rail security efforts by Amtrak. It requires Amtrak to allow passengers at stations that accept checked baggage to check their guns. There are those who argue that this is a reasonable provision which would simply grant rail travelers the same opportunities as aviation travelers. These people fundamentally miss the point. The challenges of securing rail are very different than securing aviation. Airports are controlled environments with screeners, checkpoints and multiple law enforcement agencies, rail stations are not. Airline passengers are watch listed, rail passengers are not. Guns that are checked on planes are stored away from passengers. Under this provision, guns could be ``checked'' in the same car as the passenger. This provision is bad security of policy and puts Amtrak passengers and staff and anyone else in rail stations at risk.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, it gives me immense pleasure to recognize the life and legacy of one of America's most prolific champions of agricultural education and science, Ms. Bertha M. Jones.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3963, the ``Criminal Investigative Training Restoration Act,'' which has the potential of bolstering the effectiveness and morale of the Federal Air Marshal Service. Specifically, this is a bipartisan bill adds the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's criminal investigative training program to the basic training required for Federal Air Marshals. H.R. 3963 directs the Federal Air Marshal Service to provide criminal investigative training to all newly hired FAMs within 30 days of enactment. The bill creates a three-year window for all current FAMs to be provided this additional training. This training was provide to FAMs prior to 2001 but was halted to allow the Federal Air Marshal Service to swiftly ramp up its workforce in response to the September 11th attacks. Unfortunately, in the eight years since 9/11, the Transportation Security Administration has not moved forward to restore this training. I have heard that there were some concerns that there was a risk that FAMs, by virtue of taking this course, would be reclassified as ``criminal investigators.'' The legislation addresses this concern head-on by clearly stating that this such a reclassification will not occur, thereby also ensuring that the pay FAMs receive is not adversely affected. I thank the gentleman from California, Mr. Lungren, for introducing this legislation and . working of my colleagues to include this Important provision. I urge passage of this bipartisan bill.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, for a second consecutive year, while Americans gathered with family and friends to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, terrorists executed deadly attacks on innocent people that were in transit, on foreign rail systems. Just last week, two separate bombings in Russia underscored that passenger rail systems remain enticing targets for acts of terrorism. It has been nearly six months since this body overwhelmingly passed the legislation to authorize TSA's rail and mass transit security activities (H.R. 2200). Unfortunately, to date, the Senate has failed to move on H.R. 2200. The Senate also has yet to confirm a new TSA Assistant Secretary to fulfill the rail and mass transit security mandates that Congress overwhelmingly approved in 2007, with the passage of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act. Plainly, there is still much to be done to secure rail and mass transit systems in the United States from bombings like the ones that occurred in Russia over the weekend, and other acts of terrorism. In remembrance of those events, as well as the bombings of passenger rail and mass transit systems in Madrid, Spain; London, England; and Mumbai, India that occurred in recent years, H. Res. 28 instructs TSA to strengthen its efforts to secure rail and mass transit systems across the country and to build on existing programs that have shown promise. This resolution recognizes TSA as being uniquely positioned to lead Federal efforts to secure rail and mass transit systems in the United States, and identifies the National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program as an effective and valuable resource. House passage of both the 9/11 Act in 2007 and H.R. 2200 earlier this year by overwhelming majorities has emphasized the House of Representatives' commitment to strengthening security of rail and mass transit systems. I urge my colleagues to join with me in supporting this resolution and reaffirming our strong commitment to strengthening the security of our rail and mass transit systems.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3980, the ``Redundancy Elimination and Enhanced Performance for Preparedness Grants Act.'' This legislation, introduced by Mr. Cuellar, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response, requires FEMA to assess the performance of its homeland security grant program and work towards addressing any identified deficiencies. The legislation was developed based on finding from an October subcommittee hearing where FEMA testified as to the status of the agency's efforts to establish performance measurements for preparedness grants. At the hearing, we learned that that FEMA's efforts to implement statutory performance metrics-related requirements are fragmented and poorly integrated. As a result, FEMA is unable to measure how the $29 billion in homeland security grants appropriated since 2002 have improved the nation's overall level of preparedness. Without these much needed performance metrics, FEMA continues to impose redundant grant reporting requirements on State and local governments including those in my home State of Mississippi. Not only are these redundant reporting requirements costly and time- consuming for State and local officials to prepare, but there is significant evidence that, taken together, they still do not provide FEMA with information necessary to measure the return on investment from federal grants. Although there have been some improvements in FEMA's administration of homeland security grants, such as the improvements in grant guidance and technical assistance provided to State and local applicants, we still have a ways to go. H.R. 3980 would complement these efforts by directing FEMA to work with State and local stakeholders to identify and eliminate these redundant grant reporting requirements. Specifically, H.R. 3980 would eliminate much of the red-tape and improve the performance of FEMA grant programs. The bill requires FEMA to develop a strategy, with timelines, to establish performance metrics for its homeland security grants and provides direction to complete a program assessment of its homeland security grants. These steps are designed to improve the agency's performance, productivity and accountability to the taxpayers. It will also provide Congress with better information on FEMA's performance to allow us to conduct more effective oversight and ensure that taxpayer money is being used efficiently and effectively. Again, thank you for the consideration of this important legislation.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to thank Chairman Gordon, Chairman Wu and Mr. Mitchell for working to move this important legislation. Every Member of this body represents a community that is secured by a firehouse. But in recent times, too many fire stations have had to short change their own training or community fire awareness programs just to stay operational. Today, we have the opportunity to reaffirm our support for our hometown first responders by supporting H.R. 3791, the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2009. This legislation seeks to enhance and improve two of FEMA's programs that directly award grants on a competitive basis to local fire stations and departments. This critical reauthorization will help ensure that departments large and small, volunteer and career, can continue to provide lifesaving services, including fire prevention and safety programs. As a former volunteer firefighter, I'd like to thank Mr. Pascrell, the gentleman from New Jersey, the father of the Assistance to Firefighter Grants program, for working to help pioneer the original program and working diligently to help produce this legislation. The so-called AFG grant and the SAFER grant programs provide funding directly to local fire departments so they can purchase needed equipment, conduct fire awareness and prevention service activities, insure that personnel are well trained for all of the duties, assignments as required for certification. And, in the case of SAFER, recruit and hire and retain firefighters without bureaucratic delays. This bill also authorizes an additional $9.8 billion in funding for these vital programs. Mr. Chairman, within the AFG program, this bill revises grant allocations so that career volunteer and combination fire departments will have access to equal slices of the available grant dollar pie. Mr. Chairman, I'd also like to say that during these tough economic times, many communities across America are being forced to cut back on public service. Cutbacks to public services should be avoided at all costs. Again, Mr. Chairman, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Congressional Fire Service Institute, International Association of Volunteer Fire Fighters, National Volunteer Fire Council, National Fire Protection Association, all these organizations support this legislation. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I and others have spoken at length on the ways that this bill will improve health care for all of our constituents. Another significant benefit of this legislation which has not received as much attention will be the creation of new high- paying jobs in this country. Let me repeat that for some of my friends on the other side of the aisle, this bill will create high-paying, high-quality jobs in health care delivery, technology, and research in the United States. First, this bill will create enormous demand for health care workers, especially in the area of primary care. Insuring millions of Americans in this country who currently have no insurance will allow them to see primary care providers and receive the wellness and preventive care they have been denied for too long. This influx of new patients will need doctors, nurses and technicians for their care, while reducing overall health care costs because they will not need much more expensive hospitalizations. I support channeling resources that for too long have been used to treat people once they become sick into jobs and services that will prevent people from getting sick in the first place. Second, this bill will continue the efforts we began in the stimulus package to deploy new health information technologies that better manage both the quality of care patients receive and the cost at which they receive it. New health care exchanges and new demands on the health system to provide high-quality and cost-effective health care will create new opportunities and markets for our brightest minds in technology. They will be incentivized to create and develop products that will be a win/win for Americans: high-quality health care at an affordable price. Third, this bill will create high-quality research opportunities in this country. The Energy and Commerce Committee enacted a framework for allowing biosimilar competition in this country. This new class of medicines will help lower costs and bring competition to one area that is key to the future of our health care system. Biotechnology is on the cutting edge of efforts to reduce costly invasive procedures and allow our constituents to live healthier and more productive lives. The creation of this new class of medicines comes with requirements for new clinical research and testing, especially in the area of whether a new biosimilar can be interchangeable with an innovator's product. This research will create high-quality and high-paying jobs and it is imperative that we keep this research and these jobs in this country. We cannot allow these research opportunities to leave the United States and we must ensure that these new medicines are safe. I intend to work with the Secretary of HHS and the Commissioner of the FDA to ensure that the testing and research on these biosimilars occur in this country to make certain that it is done properly and safely and to benefit our economy. Mr. Speaker, this bill is an investment and an exciting opportunity to create the kind of jobs we so desperately need in this United States while at the same time improving the lives of all Americans. This bill will improve health care, create jobs, and grow our economy.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that in the engrossment of H.R. 2868, the Clerk be authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, cross-references, and to make such other technical and conforming changes as may be necessary to accurately reflect the actions of the House.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I can say to my colleague in this motion to recommit, we will have a jobs bill coming out of this body in the not-too-distant future. I look forward to Republican support of that jobs bill when it comes forth. But this is a security bill, Mr. Speaker. How in the world can we sacrifice security and tie it to unemployment? Can you believe when the terrorists come they'll say, Is the unemployment rate low enough for us to attack you, or should we wait until it gets to 4 percent? In the last 478 months, we've had 4 percent unemployment 6 of those months. So we're going to have to wait all that time before we invest in security. This is a security bill; it is not a jobs bill. We will have an opportunity to do a jobs bill later. I look forward to the Republican support for that. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. In its present form, I am.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise to claim time in opposition.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the gentlelady's amendment. The size of a facility's workforce or annual operating budget has nothing to do with the facility's security risk. At our October 1 hearing, we heard testimony from Rand Beers, Undersecretary of the DHS, about this issue. He said, and I quote, this is not an issue of defining whether the risk is less important because the size of a firm is small. The risk doesn't change with respect to the size of a firm. But what is different about small businesses is that some lack the administrative resources of large multibillion-dollar chemical companies. They might not have an in-house security expert that can direct or prepare their security vulnerability assessment or site security plan. They might not know how to navigate the Washington bureaucracy in order to learn how to best comply with these new regulations. The underlying legislation does acknowledge that the impact of inherently safer technology provisions on small businesses should be examined by the Department of Homeland Security. DHS has told us that they estimate that 15 to 20 percent of all regulated facilities might be classified as small businesses. I think the gentlelady's amendment takes the language one useful step further by giving DHS the authority to create tools specifically for small businesses to help them in complying with the inherent safer technology provisions of the bill. This could be guidance and outreach directed to the small business community or it could be software or other methodologies that could make compliance easier. I urge my colleagues to support the Halvorson amendment.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. To the ranking member, you are exactly wrong on your definition. It does the exact opposite. It protects information, and that's why we put it in there. It was recommended by the Judiciary Committee, and this is a security piece of legislation, not safety. I think if the Chair would recognize that, we would all be better. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chair, before discussing the specifics of my amendment, I would like to address an argument that I expect we will hear throughout the day. The other side of the aisle seems to be arguing that the economy is so delicate that we simply cannot afford to protect the American people from terrorism. Democrats fundamentally reject that argument. In fact, we have testimony from labor that this bill is no threat to jobs. They have testified ``that the bill will have zero impact on employment.'' We also reject the Republicans' argument because if there is one thing the American people expect us to do, it is to ensure that the country is protected from terrorism. Some facility operators may find it inconvenient to make their facilities more secure, but, frankly, the security of the American people is more important. My manager's amendment makes a number of technical and clerical corrections to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. My amendment clarifies the types of information we were excluding from the definition of protected information. Specifically, it clarifies that DHS cannot include in the definition of protected information any information that, number one, is required to be made publicly available under any other law, or information that a chemical facility has lawfully disclosed under another law. DHS can determine by regulation that certain information provided for compliance purposes is not protected. This information may include summary data on the number of facilities that have submitted site security plans or the number of enforcement actions taken, so long as information detrimental to chemical security is not disclosed. This clarification is made in all three titles. I urge support of this clarifying amendment. I would also like to address an issue that seems to have come up yesterday. There was a question about the bill's intention regarding DHS' indefinite extension for farmers. Both committee reports filed on this bill speak to this issue. The Homeland Security report states that the Department has been appropriately sensitive to the concerns of agricultural end users, farms and farmers, regarding chemical security. The Energy and Commerce report states that the committee does not intend for this legislation to require the Department to deviate from its current plan to address the security of agricultural end users on a separate timeline. Our position is clear. This legislation in no way disturbs the current extension. That said, I am willing to explore how we could make this bill clearer on this point as the legislation moves forward. Before I reserve the balance of my time, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the staff that has worked so diligently and collaboratively to get us to this day. On my staff, Chris Beck, Michael Beland, Michael Stroud, Brian Turbyfill, Rosaline Cohen, and Lanier Avant; the Energy and Commerce Committee team, led by Alison Cassidy and Michael Freedhoff; and Ryan Seigert on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. With that, Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.