Xochitl Torres Small

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers and am prepared to close after the gentleman from Texas closes. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 504 passed the House on voice vote last Friday and passed the Senate on voice vote in July after technical edits were incorporated into the text. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill again so that it can be sent to the White House for the President's signature. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2932) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to ensure that the needs of children are considered in homeland security planning, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. 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.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of H.R. 2932, the Homeland Security for Children Act. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to the Department of Homeland Security's policies and programs, it is important the children, the most vulnerable among us, are taken into consideration. H.R. 2932, introduced by my fellow Subcommittee Chairman Donald Payne, would, for the first time, authorize the children's technical expert position within FEMA to ensure the needs of children are incorporated in all disaster-related activities. Importantly, the bill recognizes that, when it comes to DHS, the impacts of policies and programs go well beyond disaster response and recovery. It recognizes that, from screening protocols at TSA checkpoints to short-term detention standards to active-shooter training, DHS policy must incorporate the needs of children. To that end, H.R. 2932 would direct the Department of Homeland Security's Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans to incorporate the needs of children in all departmental policies, programs, and activities. A similar measure passed by voice vote in the full House passed last Congress. Mr. Speaker, I urge my House colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC, January 7, 2020. Hon. Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Thompson: I write concerning H.R. 2932, the Homeland Security for Children Act. There are certain provisions in this legislation that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. In order to expedite floor consideration of H.R. 2932, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure agrees to forgo action on the bill. However, this is conditional on our mutual understanding that forgoing consideration of the bill would 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 also request that you urge the Speaker to name members of this Committee to any conference committee which is named to consider such provisions. Please place a copy of this letter and your response acknowledging our jurisdictional interest into the committee report on H.R. 2932 and into the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Sincerely, Peter A. DeFazio, Chair.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, children make up nearly 23 percent of the Nation's population, and as the threats to our homeland continue to evolve, it is important that we be prepared to adequately assist every child at every age. H.R. 2932 directs the Department of Homeland Security to include the needs of children, the most vulnerable among us, in all departmental activities. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter of support signed by several organizations representing the needs of children, including Save the Children, the Child Welfare League of America, Share Our Strength, and Zero to Three. National Coalition on Children and Disasters, Arlington, VA, July 12, 2019. Hon. Donald M. Payne, Jr., House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Congressman Payne: As members of the National Coalition on Children and Disasters, which includes organizations that advocate for the well-being of children and their families in the preparation for, response to, and recovery from natural or man-made disasters, we endorse H.R. 2932, the ``Homeland Security for Children Act of 2019.'' In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the nation learned how unprepared we were at the federal, state, and local levels of government in addressing and responding to the needs of children. As a result, in 2007, Congress established the National Commission on Children and Disasters, which produced a comprehensive book of recommendations in 2010. They included improved mental health services, pediatric and child welfare needs, and disaster management planning, response, and reunification for child care settings. Most importantly, the Commission strongly recommended that improved coordination of the needs of children among federal agencies was needed. The Homeland Security for Children Act would help improve the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) response to the needs of children during disasters. Your bill would also increase accountability across government agencies in times of emergency and incorporate feedback from youth-serving organizations to prioritize and represent the needs of children into department-wide policies. In addition, it would mandate that DHS provide routine updates to Congress summarizing efforts undertaken to incorporate the needs of children in Department-wide policies, programs, and activities. With natural disasters on the rise, the time is now for Congress to ensure that the necessary supports are in place to address needs of children and families following disasters. Children are not little adults. They have specialized needs that must be considered when planning for, responding to, and recovering from a disaster. Thank you for your sponsorship of this critical legislation, as well as your ongoing leadership on behalf of children and families. If we can be of any assistance on advancing this bill, please do not hesitate to contact us. Sincerely, National Coalition on Children and Disasters Members include: Child Care Aware of America; Child Welfare League of America; Early Care and Education Consortium; First Focus Campaign for Children; Institute for Child Success; National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University; 1,000 Days; Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies; Public Advocacy for Kids; Save the Children; Share Our Strength; Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights; Zero to Three.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 2932, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4737) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security to research and evaluate existing Federal research regarding approaches to mitigate climate change on homeland security to identify areas for further research within the Department, research and develop approaches to mitigate the consequences of climate change on homeland security, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. 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.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4737, the Department of Homeland Security Climate Change Research Act. Mr. Speaker, we know that climate change is happening, and it is affecting every country around the globe. Moreover, we know that climate change is leading to increased instability in developing countries. Not only has the Department of Defense written about it, Congress acknowledged this in the fiscal year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, which included in its finding that ``as global temperatures rise, droughts and famines can lead to more failed states, which are breeding grounds of extremist and terrorist organizations.'' While DOD has researched the implications of climate change on national security, DHS is best positioned to research and respond climate change on homeland security. There are already reports of extremist groups overseas using extreme weather events as a recruitment tool, targeting farmers whose crops were lost to drought or other weather events. As these groups recruit more members, gaining strength, the threat they pose to homeland security increases. DHS must be proactive, not simply reactive in this threat. H.R. 4737 will ensure that DHS is using its resources efficiently, evaluating what we already know about climate change's effects on homeland security, and, where practical, developing tactics to mitigate those effects critical to the Department's mission. With this knowledge, the good people at DHS will be able to better perform their job and keep our country safe. Mr. Speaker, I urge my House colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committe on Science, Space, and Technology, Washington, DC, January 9, 2020. Chairman Bennie G. Thompson, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Thompson, I am writing to you concerning H.R. 4737, the ``Department of Homeland Security Climate Change Research Act,'' which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security on October 18, 2019. I agree to work cooperatively on H.R. 4737 and in order to expedite consideration of the bill the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology (``Science Committee'') will waive formal consideration of the bill. This is, however, not a waiver of future jurisdictional claims by the Science Committee over the subject matter contained in H.R. 4737 or similar legislation. Thank you for agreeing to support the appointment of Science Committee conferees during any House--Senate conference convened on this legislation. Additionally, thank you for your assurances to include our exchange of letters in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. Sincerely, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Chairwoman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, effectively combating terrorism is a bipartisan issue, and we have a duty to our constituents to support smart legislative proposals. Passage of the DHS Climate Change Research Act would ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is proactively addressing and attempting to mitigate the risks that climate change poses to our homeland security. Mr. Speaker, I ask for my colleagues to support H.R. 4737, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4432) to require the Department of Homeland Security to prepare a terrorism threat assessment relating to unmanned aircraft systems, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. 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.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4432, would require the Department of Homeland Security to take action and address an emerging threat to our Nation's security, the threat posed by unmanned aerial systems, or drones, to critical infrastructure. Drone technology is far from new. However, as technology evolves, so do the capabilities of bad actors who may want to cause harm to the people of this country. We know the drones can be weaponized and used to carry out terrorist attacks, particularly on vulnerable, critical infrastructure. Earlier this fall, drones struck Saudi Arabian crude oil infrastructure, disrupting the production of 5.7 million barrels of oil per day and causing a spike in oil prices around the world. In an evolving threat environment, understanding the threats that drones present to critical infrastructure here in the United States is critical to mitigating those threats. Critical infrastructure owners and operators recognize the benefits of drone technology; many even put them to good use in their own businesses. Nevertheless, they do have concerns about the threats that unauthorized drones may pose to their facilities. Currently, when a drone is detected in a facility's airspace, there is no DHS official agency to call. At the very least, owners and operators should be able to report unauthorized drone activity when they detect it. H.R. 4432 would allow for information sharing between critical infrastructure owners and operators and DHS in several ways: First, it would require DHS to establish a channel for the voluntary reporting information on drones, as well as other emerging threats, over a secure communications infrastructure developed in conjunction with the Department's Chief Information Officer. Additionally, H.R. 4432, would mandate that the DHS' Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis develop and disseminate a threat assessment on unmanned aerial systems and other emerging threats associated with drone technology. This assessment would consider threat intelligence from Federal, State, local, and private-sector partners and would be prepared in consultation with other DHS components, like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, that have relevant expertise. Finally, H.R. 4432 would require DHS to report its findings to Congress within 1 year. Collectively, this bill would require DHS to take the lead on understanding the threat that drones present to this Nation's critical infrastructure, while also creating an enduring mechanism for DHS to gather information on emerging threats, as they arise, from the owners and operators who stand on the front line of our defense. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, this is an important bill that will position DHS to address the threat that drones pose to critical infrastructure. This measure was previously introduced by my colleague from Louisiana (Mr. Richmond) in the 115th Congress and passed the House by a voice vote. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will do the same today, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4753) to prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security from operating or procuring foreign-made unmanned aircraft systems, and for other purposes.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. 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.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, first, I want to thank my colleague, Congressman Crenshaw, for introducing this important legislation. To help carry out its many missions, the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, relies on drones to improve situational awareness. Drones can be used to survey damage from natural disasters or monitor remote locations along the border, including in my district. If data collected by a DHS drone was to be stolen by a foreign government, it could jeopardize the national or homeland security. Recent reports suggest that Chinese-manufactured drones, otherwise known as unmanned aircraft systems, in the American market might be compromised and used to send sensitive information to the Chinese Government. In response to these cybersecurity concerns, the Department of the Interior recently grounded all of its foreign-made drones. The DOD similarly banned the purchase and use of all commercial off-the- shelf drones, except under limited circumstances. It is time for the DHS to take similar protective measures. H.R. 4753 would prohibit DHS from purchasing or using drone technology manufactured in certain foreign countries designated as strategic competitors by the National Defense Strategy. The legislation permits the use of such drone technology only when DHS notifies Congress that the technology is being used in a limited manner, such as counter-drone testing and training. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bipartisan bill, grateful to have joined Congressman Crenshaw on this initiative, and pleased that it was reported out of committee by unanimous consent. Mr. Speaker, I urge my House colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4753 takes the much-needed step of protecting the Department of Homeland Security from cybersecurity threats associated with certain foreign-made drones. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3413) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide for certain acquisition authorities for the Under Secretary of Management of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. 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.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, invests billions of dollars in major acquisition programs annually to execute its critical missions. These programs acquire systems vital to homeland security, including ships for the U.S. Coast Guard and baggage screening systems for the Transportation Security Administration. However, the Government Accountability Office and the DHS Office of Inspector General have reported on the longstanding challenges DHS faces in managing its major acquisitions program. Although DHS has taken steps to improve acquisition management, DHS struggles to ensure that major acquisition programs cost what was originally estimated, are delivered on schedule, and provide the capabilities originally intended. H.R. 3413 clarifies responsibilities for acquisition management activities within DHS to ensure that major acquisition programs have the appropriate support and oversight needed to succeed. It will also improve accountability when major acquisition programs do not perform as well as intended. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Congressman Crenshaw for yet another important DHS bill. I urge my House colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3413 is necessary to provide robust oversight of major acquisition programs to help ensure that these programs meet cost, schedule, and performance goals, and that taxpayer money is not wasted. A previous version of this bill passed the House in the 115th Congress by a vote of 407-1. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to, once again, pass this important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.