▶ 0:14:50A quorum being present, the committee will be in order. The committee is meeting today for consideration of several bills uh aimed at addressing the evolving threats to our homeland. Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare the committee in recess at any point. Pursuant to committee rule 7D, any request for recorded votes may be postponed. Before I discuss the purpose of our uh business meeting today, I want to take a moment to reflect on the passing of our colleague, Congressman Sylvester Turner.
▶ 0:15:17While we will always truly miss him, his decades of public service to the people of Houston and to our nation contribute to his legacy that will endure forever. I extend my prayers and my greatest sympathies to his family and I recognize the ranking member for any comments that he'd like to make on the unfortunate and untimely passing of Mr. Turner. Well, thank you. Thank you so much, Mr.
▶ 0:15:43Chairman, and uh uh as you've indicated, uh Mr. Turner was a member of this committee but uh a longstanding public servant in the state of Texas uh will be missed. Uh but I'd like to also uh begin by honoring him. Uh Congress Turner's career with the committee on homeland security was all too brief, but he still leaves a legacy.
▶ 0:16:12He got a fast start and he had already introduced the bill HR 1034, the DHS Cyber Security On the Job Training Program Act, less than a month after joining the committee. Uh, picking up where his predecessor, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, had left off.
▶ 0:16:33So, our hearts are with Representative Turner's family and friends and the entire Houston community he represented as both a state representative and as I indicated, mayor of the great city of Houston, Texas before joining us here. May he rest in power and I yield back. The gentleman yields.
▶ 0:16:54I think it would be appropriate for us to take a brief um moment of silence for uh the memory of this uh incredible public Thank
▶ 0:17:29you. Now I now recognize myself for an opening statement. Good morning everyone and uh thank I want to thank my colleagues for being here today. Uh today's markup reflects our bipartisan commitment to protecting Americans across our great nation from the rapidly evolving threats to our homeland and our way of life. I'm proud of this committee's continued efforts to enhance the Department of Homeland Security's ability to carry out its no fail mission defending us from threats both foreign and domestic.
▶ 0:17:59Now more than ever, the most pressing foreign threat within our borders is the Chinese Communist Party. As part of its malicious strategy to undermine American power and interest, the CCP has increased its influence over our institutions of higher education for decades. We must dismantle this sinister effort by Beijing to undermine our sovereignty. That's why chairman of counterterrorism and intelligence subcommittee, Representative Fluger's bill is so important.
▶ 0:18:25HR881 would restrict American taxpayer dollars from funding US colleges and universities that maintain ties with the CCP. Both Beijing and the Iranian regime continue to carry out transnational repression operations on US soil to threaten and harass dissident.
▶ 0:18:41That's why we're considering several bipartisan bills today that will help policymakers expose access expose assess and counter threats from malign nation states that target American citizens or lawful permanent residents. This committee is also concerned by increasing si sophisticated cyber attacks on our federal networks and critical infrastructure by Chinese backed threat actors. We must protect our cyber borders.
▶ 0:19:09From our drinking water and oil and gas to our telecom networks, Beijing could wreak havoc on our services on services Americans depend on every day. Believe me, the CCP will not hesitate to exploit our vulnerabilities. So, we must be ready. I look forward to discussing Representative Ogle's bill that creates an inter agency task force to improve coordination among the federal agencies responding to CCback cyber bullies growing threats to US critical infrastructure.
▶ 0:19:38This committee is also continuing its important efforts to prevent the tragic loss of American lives from deadly drugs like fentanel. The catch fentanel act introduced by representative Higgins would establish a pilot program to test technology enhancements to better detect illicit drugs, currency, and smuggled individuals at land ports of entry. We cannot forget the seriousness, the lingering threats posed by the border crisis.
▶ 0:20:02Under the Biden administration, DHS apprehended an unprecedented number of special interest aliens or SIAS illegally crossing our borders. These encounters included individuals from adversaries night adversarial nations like China, Iran, and Russia. Representative Green's bill would require DHS to publish the number of spe special interest alien encounters each month and deliver much needed transparency for the American people.
▶ 0:20:27Following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and threats from both ISIS and Al Qaeda resurface in the region, we cannot turn a blind eye to individuals both on and off US soil who are increasingly being radicalized to commit violence against Americans, including potentially unvetted individuals who illegally entered the US during the last administration.
▶ 0:20:47That's why we are considering a bill led by Representative Latrell to enhance DHS's counterterrorism efforts in evaluating the threat posed to the United States by individuals in Syria with ties to foreign terrorist organizations. In the wake of the New Year's Day ISIS inspired terrorist attack in New Orleans, we must do more to address the rising threat vehicular terrorism poses to the homeland.
▶ 0:21:10Today, we'll also consider HR6608 introduced by Representative Jimenez, the chair of our Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee, which would require DHS to more closely track and report to Congress on those emerging threats and counter measures related to vehicular ramming attacks. I also urge support for the measures offered by my Democrat colleagues. I appreciate the opportunity to work with them on both s with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance these bills out of the committee.
▶ 0:21:40Together, we can fulfill our duty to protect Americans from growing threats to the homeland. Today, we have a unique opportunity to make this country safer and more prosperous than ever. I hope all my colleagues on the committee help us push toward that objective today. I now recognize the ranking member to make an opening statement. Thank you very much, Mr. chairman, I too look forward uh to the markup.
▶ 0:22:02Uh this markup demonstrates that committee Democrats are more willing uh to work with Republicans on important homeland security issues. For example, Representative Magazina and Fluga have worked productively to find common ground combating transnational repression, and we will advance three bipartisan bills to address that threat.
▶ 0:22:28Today, Representative Titus's bill, which is co-sponsored by a member of Republican leadership, Representative Hudson of North Carolina, will authorize the special events program at DHS, which provides support to state, local, tribal, and territorial officials hosting major events like Formula 1 races or NCAA basketball championships.
▶ 0:22:5788020 uh 820 sponsored by Representative Swallwell and 19 bipartisan co-sponsors including recent mothers would require TSA to update its security guidance on breast milk, baby formula, and related items to reduce the risk of contamination and make going through airport security checkpoints easier for parents of babies and young children.
▶ 0:23:26Supporting parents should be something that we all can get behind and Representative Po's measures would ensure that basic training programs for law enforcement at DHS are properly accredited. The hardworking officers and agents at DHS should have the best training possible to respond to their dynamic work environment and that need should also rise above politics.
▶ 0:23:54This bipartisan measure passed the House in the 117th Congress and advanced through this committee last Congress. Bipartisan cooperation has also improved the bills committee Democrats had to oppose last Congress. We will consider today a substitute amendment to the DHS restrictions on Confucious Institute and Chinese Entities of Concern Act sponsored by Representative Flug.
▶ 0:24:24As amended, the bill will contain needed language to give strategic flexibility to the Secretary of Homeland Security and prevent academic programs unrelated to national security concerns from being prevented. universities from receiving needed DHS funds like those required after disasters.
▶ 0:24:46This kind of bipartisan cooperation though stands in the shadow of very dangerous circumstances in our Failed 19th century economic thinking has been brought back from the dead to tank our stock markets and erase trillions and trillions of dollars from our constituents retirement accounts.
▶ 0:25:10To make matters worse, those same outdated ideas are going to drive the cost of living higher for folks back home. Meanwhile, DHS is rounding up innocent people who are in our country legally and sending them to foreign prisons without so much as double-checking the paperwork.
▶ 0:25:31When courts require DHS to return those individuals to the United States, they ignore lawful orders and say mistakes are going to happen. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is gutting the department stood up after 911 to keep Americans safe.
▶ 0:25:51Hundreds of dedicated DHS employees from CISA, FEMA, TSA, and headquarters have been indiscriminately fired, jeopardizing the department's ability to do its jobs. Grants authorized by this committee and funded by legislation we voted for on the House floor are not reaching our states and local communities because of unnecessary freezes that courts have determined are unlawful?
▶ 0:26:21And has the this committee done the sort of oversight work needed to push back against the Trump administration's mismanagement? Of course not. Yesterday, the Republican majority wanted to look in the rearview mirror and talk about President Biden as if he was still in the Oval Office before cancelling a hearing on the former administration's policies.
▶ 0:26:48The Republican majority would prefer to trot out its so-called greatest hits instead of dealing with the current crisis brought on by the current administration. They do not want to face the fact that the Trump administration is driving the country into a ditch. The reluctance to face reality is also why the Secretary of Homeland Security has not come before this committee. Mr.
▶ 0:27:15Chairman, you've not scheduled a budget hearing with the Secretary for this month like you did last year and a year before. Secretary Mayorus had been on the job for less than two months when he was first when he first appeared before the committee when I chaired it in March of 2021.
▶ 0:27:36I've asked you on numerous occasions when Secretary Gnome will appear before this committee to answer for what has happened at the department on her watch. But my letters have not received replies. And when I asked you at a previous hearing, you said she might come in the fall. That's just not unacceptable.
▶ 0:27:59So today, the committee will move the ball downfield on some bipartisan legislation, but is becoming increasingly hard to work together when Republicans are ignoring how the Trump administration is dismantling our national security and disaster preparedness at the same time. Mr. Chairman, let's do the job the American people sent us here to do. Let's do the job of a co-equal branch of government.
▶ 0:28:28Let's get to work, Mr. Chairman. And I back. The gentleman yields. Other members of the committee are reminded that opening statements may be submitted for the record and without objection and by agreement between the chair and the ranking member, the committee shall use an amendment roster today. Mr. Chairman, you're recognized. Reserving the right to object and I will not would the chair please explain the agreement regarding the amendment roster. I yield to the chairman.
▶ 0:28:56I thank the gentleman and all committee members for agreeing to use to the use of an amendment roster. We have agreed that the bills be open to amendment at any point and that we will take up amendments in order listed on the roster. The chair will allow members to offer amendments listed on the roster out of order to the extent practicable and in a manner not prohibited by house or committee rules. Amendments not listed on the roster may be considered the conclusion of the consideration of the roster.
▶ 0:29:25I thank the chair for his explanation and withdraw any reservation. Pursuant to notice, I now call up HR275, the Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2024. The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available.
▶ 0:29:41The clerk shall designate the HR275 offered by Miss Green of Georgia to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to publish on a monthly basis the number of special interest aliens encountered attempting to unlawfully enter the United States and for other Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and it's considered read and open to amendment at any point. I now recognize Miss Green for the purpose of offering an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
▶ 0:30:10The clerk will report the amendment in the nature of the substitute. An amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR275 offered by Miss Green of Georgia. Without objection, the reading is dispensed with and the amendment in the nature of a substitute should be considered base text for the purpose of further amendment. The gentleoman from Georgia is recognized for five minutes on her minute. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Biden administration created one of the most damaging national security threats our country has ever faced.
▶ 0:30:40They allowed over 12 million illegals from over 170 countries and territories to break our laws, invade our country, rape our women and children, and murder our own people.
▶ 0:30:54Now, Democrats are fighting against the Trump administration, fighting against deportations of people who broke our laws, who are members of the cartel, and they're protesting every single day for these cartel members to be brought back at America, which is a national security risk.
▶ 0:31:12Two million of these illegals that the Biden administration and Democrats welcomed into the country are known gotaways who completely evaded US authorities and are roaming the interior of the United States. Included in these 12 million are special interest aliens, also known as SAS.
▶ 0:31:33Special interest aliens are individuals who pose a potential national security risk to the United States, typically from a nation that promotes terrorist activity or harbors terrorists. Under the Biden Harris administration, there were at least 1.7 million special interest aliens from 26 countries encountered at our border. This does not include the potential SAS among the two million known gotaways.
▶ 0:32:02I say at least because the true scope of how many SIAs remains largely unknown since DHS is not required to disclose this critical information publicly. The American people deserve to know how many potential terrorists are coming across the border and which countries they are from, which is exactly what my bill does. And I can't imagine how anybody across the aisle can even argue with this.
▶ 0:32:30According to the former chief border patrol agent of the San Diego sector, prior to the Biden Harris administration, the sector averaged only 10 to 15 SIA's arrest per year. He testified once word was out that the border was far easier to cross. San Diego went to over 100 SAS in 2022, well over that in 2023, and even more that this year.
▶ 0:33:00and that's the ones that they knew of. The number of special interest aliens skyrocketed over the last four years. And even more egregiously, the Biden administration tried to cover it up. The administration of Camala Harris, Joe Biden, and Secretary Mayorcis, impeached by the House, by the way, told the chief's border patrol agent of the San Diego sector that he was prohibited from releasing any of this information on the increase in SIAS
▶ 0:33:30or mention any of the arrest at the time. That's unbelievable. The administration tried to convince the public that there was no threat at the border. They were complicit in covering up the invasion at our border. The American people deserve to know the number of potential terrorists Camala Harris and Joe Biden allowed to come in the United States.
▶ 0:33:56They also deserve to know the numbers under the Trump administration to see a president who cares about the American people secure the border. That is why I'm urging the support for my legislation which would require DHS to publicly release information each month on the number of SIA encounter encounters as well as countries of origin.
▶ 0:34:22Thankfully, President Trump has secured our border and restored our nation's sovereignty. Given the number of border crossings is down 94%, border crossings are down 94%, down to the lowest monthly levels ever recorded. I have no doubt that under his leadership, SIA encounters will cease if they haven't already. I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.
▶ 0:34:51With that, I yield back. Mr. Chairman, the gentle lady yields. Would anyone care to comment on the amendment? I recognize the ranking member for 5 minutes. Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I oppose HR275, the Tipping Off Terrorist Act, because it would provide terrorists, cartels, and other bad actors with realtime information about who's getting additional screening at our borders.
▶ 0:35:21It would essentially give them the inside track every month on DHS's screening practices and focus since it is considered special interest shifts regularly according to the threat landscape. Uh Democrats uh went to San Diego.
▶ 0:35:40Uh we heard from the professionals last weekend about many of these issues and one of the things we did learn is their protocols need to be kept a secret in order to be effective. So if we're going to publish these special interest aliens, then that tells cartels how they need to move people from other countries to here. So uh Mr.
▶ 0:36:08Chairman, these bad actors attempt to circumvent enhanced screening critical to the keeping of our nation's safety. This would make make our communities less safe. House Democrats do not oppose increased transparency about encounters along our borders. However, we believe that DHS shouldn't release data that puts our national security at risk.
▶ 0:36:34Therefore, I encourage Representative Green and my Republican colleagues to work with the Trump administration to determine what information can be safely published without pushing national putting national security at risk. The Trump administration can and should then publish that information. But for us to require that by law, uh they can do it already right now.
▶ 0:37:04So I encourage to use your influence uh with the administration to publish certain information, but that information should not damage national security like the current uh law is proposed. At any time, the Trump administration can choose to publish the data it wants. I urge my colleagues to vote against this unnecessary measure that jeopardizes homeland security. And with that, I yield back.
▶ 0:37:34Gentleman yields. Uh would anyone else care to make comments? Mr. Kra, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First of all, let me thank my colleague from Georgia for this legislation. I share with you our common concern about terrorisms attacking our country, putting our citizens in harm's way. Um, I think the job our agents have, DHS, of finding terrorists is like finding a needle in a hay stack.
▶ 0:38:03It's an impossible job, but they've got to do it. Uh I remember here when I first got here our first Secretary of Homeland Security was General Kelly who testified in front of us and he would often say that uh border security does not end or begin at the border. It just a lot of other things go into border security.
▶ 0:38:26And we would usually talk about things for example a a travel manifest that we uh that is shared with us from other countries like Brazil knowing who is coming into our hemisphere and who to watch out for. Subsequent to that I been working on this issue.
▶ 0:38:46I've had the opportunity to go to our targeting center right outside of Washington DC to talk to the folks that actually follow terrorists. And it's interesting because they're working with limited resources, yet they're following people that may have been on a terror list from Colombia 50 years ago when Colombia had a civil war.
▶ 0:39:14Under that category, President Petro is considered a terrorist. We want to focus on individuals that we know will do us harm. The other comment I found later on or have heard at the border is if you're real serious terrorist, you're probably not going to walk across the border. You're going to fly into the US, which is exactly what happened in 911. those terrorists were here legally.
▶ 0:39:45I share with you uh my colleague from Georgia our interest in making sure the homeland is secure. I want to make sure we focus on the issues like giving our targeting center more resources, coordinate more of our knowledge and information with our allies around the world. After all, um we got to make sure that uh the other side does not scorn us at all.
▶ 0:40:12Any successful attack on the homeland would be tragic for all of us. Um appreciate your effort. I will not be supporting you today, but I look forward to working with you and coming up solution to this issue which is of interest to all of us. Mr. Chairman, thank you. I yield. Gentleman yields. I yield myself five minutes for a few comments and questions. And I actually am going to yield to Miss Green and just but I want to ask a couple of questions.
▶ 0:40:42Um, as I understand it from looking at your bill, this just publishes the numbers, correct? Yes, that's correct. Um, so I'll take claim reclaim my time. Um, does it report any protocols on how these gentlemen or women that are on this list are uh questioned? Any any no is it any protocols on how they're identified and detained? No. Okay. Um so it just publishes the pure numbers. Is that correct? Just making sure.
▶ 0:41:12Just tells the American people how many SAS have come into the country. Does it report their names? No. Okay. All right. I I yield. Is there anybody else who wants to make a comment about this? Mr. Goldman, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um I I think there's actually a lot of ground for um common bipartisan effort here.
▶ 0:41:34Uh I can assure all of my colleagues uh that the uh immigration issue is top of mind that uh Democrats are very concerned about uh whether there are uh convicted criminals uh who remain in this country and because of our um immigration laws including the fact that a country has to be willing to take someone who is removed.
▶ 0:42:04Um, in order for that for that person to be removed, uh, there certainly are lots of things that uh that we can address here. Uh, our national security is at a is a at a very perilous point.
▶ 0:42:18Um the fact that we are seeing uh such egregious breaches of security clearance, classified information that warrant members of governments of other countries to start to say they're going to re-evaluate their intelligence sharing with us should give everyone in this room serious pause about how we are tackling national security.
▶ 0:42:45Now publishing the number of SAS um you know it may be nice for uh to to talk about it may certainly the transparency is something that uh that we we support but it does nothing to ultimately secure our homeland and I wish we were spending a lot more time on efforts to shore up our classified information to shore up our relationships with our allies who provide us with intelligence information
▶ 0:43:16so that we can stop a terrorist attack. A real terrorist attack, not a terrorist attack based on alleged accusations of terrorism by members of this committee or members of the White House. You see, you aren't actually a terrorist just because a member of Congress from Georgia says you are.
▶ 0:43:43There actually has to be evidence provided to support that. That's how our country works. That's how due process works. That's how the rule of law works is the president doesn't get to determine that someone is or is not a terrorist. Members of Congress don't get to determine whether someone is or is not a terrorist. But that does not seem to be something that some of my colleagues understand.
▶ 0:44:10There's a reason why we have due process in this country. And you may think that due process is not warranted for someone who is not a citizen of this country. Or you may think that due process is not warranted for someone who's accused of being a member of a Venezuelan gang or terrorist organization.
▶ 0:44:34But once you start going down that slippery slope, then our basic foundations of due process come undone entirely. And I don't understand what the what the problem is with allowing a neutral arbiter based on evidence to determine whether someone is a terrorist or not.
▶ 0:45:01What is the objection that this administration has to presenting evidence to a judge to say this is the evidence that this person is a member of a particular cartel?
▶ 0:45:17What we've seen in one particular case that is top of mind right now is that there's a confidential informant who has said that someone was a member of a a foreign gang, a foreign terrorist organization now designated and that he wore a particular type of baseball hat. There's no corroboration. There's nothing else to corroborate or to confirm what that confidential informant says.
▶ 0:45:46at least that has been presented. And I know there are some lawyers on the other side, some former prosecutors uh on the other side of the aisle who like me would never ever present to a judge a non-corroborated statement from a confidential informant as the basis for establishing anything.
▶ 0:46:09so we're we're a little off topic, but I did feel I need to address my colleague from Georgia's comments about all of the alleged terrorists who are uh being who are are those there are those who are supporting them to stay in. Nobody is supporting any member of a foreign gang to stay in here.
▶ 0:46:31We would just like to make sure that people are adjudicated and determined to be a member of a foreign gang by someone other than the president of the United States or a member of Congress. And I yield back. The gentleman yields. I now recognize Mr. Guest for five minutes. Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh Mr. Chairman, at this time I would like to yield as much of my time as she may consume to Miss Green. Thank you. The lady's recognized. Thank you.
▶ 0:46:56I think my colleague across aisle is very confused and maybe uneducated and uninformed of what a special interest alien is. SIA is a non US person who is based on an analysis of travel patterns potentially poses a national security risk to the United States or its interest.
▶ 0:47:18Um, special interest aliens are people from countries identified by the United States government as having conditions that promote or protect terrorism or potentially pose some sort of national security threat to the United States.
▶ 0:47:34It's hard for me to fathom that anyone on this committee would be opposed to simply reporting the number of special interest aliens that that Homeland that our our great men and women that served as Border Patrol agents that any of our police, any of our ICE agents happen to detain. And it's just the number. We're just telling the American people how many. That's it.
▶ 0:48:04Would the gentle lady yield for a question? No, I will not yield. The Department of Homeland Security officials have publicly posted information about special interest aliens in the past, including uh the current Border Patrol chief and his predecessor. Custom and Border Protection already published similar numbers on its public site. For example, the terrorist screening data set.
▶ 0:48:28And just to just to go further and this is this is always an interesting dynamic to me on our side of the aisle. We trust the American people and we believe they're uh they deserve transparency. They deserved uh the truth from the federal government because it is after all that we swore an oath to serve the American people and the American people are the taxpayers that pay all of our paychecks. They pay for this building.
▶ 0:48:59They fund this government even though the government has plunged them into $36 trillion in debt and opened up the borders for the past four years and allowed it to be flooded with illegal aliens and then the Biden administration gave them social security numbers. You see this this that we are trying to pass today and we would love to have your participation.
▶ 0:49:23We would enjoy and really would thank you for caring about transparency and providing information to the American people that so deserve it instead of arguing back and forth and watching you all defend special interest aliens, defend terrorists who have come in our country and defend dangerous, violent cartels who have been deported out of our country.
▶ 0:49:50I know too many people that have been murdered by cartels. I know too many people and I know their families and have watched them mourn because they're they have a family member that was killed by illegal alien crimes or murdered by an illegal alien or a cartel member. This should be a simple conversation. We are all Americans and we serve this country, not foreign countries.
▶ 0:50:18And that should be a simple fact that we can all recognize, not have political about. Congress, by the way, has previously released information as it relates to special interest aliens through hearings and committee reports, including the October 3rd, 2024 report from the House Judiciary Committee titled the Biden Harris border crisis.
▶ 0:50:44at least 1.7 million potential national security threats. DHS has an obligation to the American people to be as transparent as possible. We owe it to the American people to be as transparent as possible. This is not targeting some some innocent migrant or someone that is seeking to be uh a citizen of the United States.
▶ 0:51:11We're talking about special interest aliens, potentially terrorist people who are linked to terrorist organizations, people who share their travel patterns, people that all of us should not want in the United States and the American people don't want them here either. This isn't giving their name. This isn't telling what country they're from. This isn't giving their address. This isn't saying where they work. This isn't saying anything. It's not showing their picture.
▶ 0:51:37It's simply saying how many came across the border each month. It's very simple. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the remainder of my time. General lady yields. Uh Mr. uh All right. So, let me let me just say let me just say this. Um I want us to all debate this. Uh but let's debate the bill as much as we can.
▶ 0:52:07I get it that we want to make comments about what's going on, but let's let's debate the bill, please. Um, Mr. Denadar, you're you're recognized. Thank you, Chairman Green, and uh I want to uh yield rest of my time to honorable ranking member Thompson. Ranking member, you're recognized. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Mr.
▶ 0:52:28Chairman, you asked very simple questions about does this bill only require numbers and the author of the bill said yes. But that's not what this bill does. It requires other information more than numbers. Now, when this bill was offered last time by Miss Green, we tried to get her to accept numbers and she didn't.
▶ 0:52:57Now she comes back with a different bill and tries to say it meant what we tried to get her to do last time. So clearly uh the maker of the bill is not where it needs to be. I read the language that's in the bill. It says such numbers disagregated by geographic regions of such encounters.
▶ 0:53:22specifications related to whether such encounters were made at land, air or sea ports of entry between ports of entry or in the interior of the United States. Identification of any such nationalities or countries of last habitual residence that was covered nations. So in other words, it's not a number. You got to tell where they came from and and all of this.
▶ 0:53:50And for the record, special interest aliens come to this country all the time. It's not illegal. So for whatever reason, uh uh we are conflating other issues with this. The department has the capacity right now to use its discretion in reporting this without this legislation.
▶ 0:54:13So all we're saying is if it's numbers, will the the the maker of the amendment accept the fact that it only requires numbers? No country of origin or any other information as specified and Democrats will agree to it. But it's not just a numbers bill. With that, I yield back. Gentlemen yields. M. Would anyone else care? Mr.
▶ 0:54:44Mr. Jimenez, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I I'm I'm going to be voting for the bill, but um I I'm not sure it goes far enough for me. And so, uh what I'm probably going to be introducing some legislation that talks about historicals, too, because the only way that we can determine whether there's been improvement in the southern border on this is what happened prior to this administration.
▶ 0:55:07And so I'm going to try to get numbers about special interest aliens entering unlawfully unlawfully trying to enter unlawfully into the United States uh during the Biden administration and what's happened now during the Trump administration and compare those numbers uh and see you know if there's been an improvement because really that's what we want to do as a committee to make sure that there's improvement in the security of the United States.
▶ 0:55:29Miss Green, I'll be voting for for your bill, but I think no, I know that I'm going to be profering something different uh for historical uh data uh and see the differences between the two administrations. Excuse me. Yes, I will. Chairman, yields. Mr. Himenez, I think it's a great idea. I would just say that the more numbers we have probably the better we can show some kind of a pattern. The biggest attack we've had in the homeland is 911.
▶ 0:56:00It'd be interesting to go back a couple of decades to find out if there are any patterns here in terms of travel, terrorists, how they in and then we can have a good picture putting the partisanship aside and focusing on national security. That sounds like a bipartisan bill forthcoming. I like it. Thank you. And I and uh with that, I'll yield back. The gentleman yields. Uh I now recognize you're recognized.
▶ 0:56:30Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I agree with the spirit of transparency and the uh efforts to measure. We have a I I say this a lot in Spanish. What what's not measured cannot be improved. I do have issues with this bill because of of what the ranking member has said. Making a lot of this information public might have the opposite effect of what we're intending.
▶ 0:56:51If our goal is national security, if our goal is protecting the border, telling the SIAS where we are intercepting them and letting them know, hey, we're stronger here than here, might actually lead to the opposite intended effect. Um, I also share the concerns of the ranking member when they say that this just publishes just publishes numbers. I mean, section 2 A3 says identification of any such nationalities or countries of last visual residence.
▶ 0:57:20Uh, so when I heard Miss Green say that it does not mention where they're from, I I think that is entirely inaccurate. Um, so for that reasons, for those reasons, I will be voting against. Now, I don't know if any Yes, you're recognized. Thank you. I I I just want to emphasize uh what my colleague from from Puerto Rico said. Um, it would be one thing if it were just numbers.
▶ 0:57:46Then if it were just numbers, we'd be talking about transparency to the American people. And realistically, it would have no impact on whether or not our homeland is safe because the we're not asking uh the department to gather more information on people. We're not asking them to do anything differently than what they're already doing to keep our homeland safe. This, of course, is not numbers.
▶ 0:58:15And the problem when not just numbers, the problem is when you're adding in public reporting. Um there is a benefit to transparency for the American people. I fully agree with that. But there's also a tremendous benefit to the organized gangs uh who are trying to infiltrate our country. And I appreciate the lesson that uh Miss Green was uh trying to pass on to me.
▶ 0:58:40But as somebody who prosecuted organized criminal enterprises for 10 years, I can tell you that this kind of information only helps the enemy. It does not stop them.
▶ 0:58:55And it's bad enough that you're misrepresenting what your bill says, but it's even worse than the than the fact that the information that's being provided will help the enemy and will do nothing to help keep our homeland secure. So, I I I wish that a we had an accurate representation from the the sponsor of this bill as to what it is, uh, and b that if it were actually that, we'd be having a very different discussion.
▶ 0:59:24And I yield back. yields. Mr. Lal, you're recognized. I I do, and I feel like this has come completely off the rails. Dan, Dan, I'm going to chat with you. I disagree. I think if countries are aware and under the microscope and they know that we see them, that puts them in a different posture.
▶ 0:59:52Now, my colleague stated it was numbers. I don't I don't if if she would have stated numbers in countries of origin and DHS is the one that's doing the processing as they have done currently and in the past. This just codifies legislation that says it's this is something that Congress wants. Now, it's not Congress.
▶ 1:00:15It's not Morgan that's down there pointing people out saying, "Hey, look, you're obviously an It's us assisting DHS in amplifying our ability to defend ourselves.
▶ 1:00:29So is the I guess my question is is is the problem with should it be just numbers or or why is it a problem with its numbers countries of origin where we're letting the American people like hey we are very well aware of the problem set this is our we are laser focused in on these areas and I I personally think that's a good thing. Are you are you? Yeah.
▶ 1:00:50Well, gentlemen, you I I think there's first of all, I think we have to distinguish between foreign governments and foreign terrorist organizations. Okay. Who are often different. Will you yield? Okay. I for your time. Yeah. I'm sorry. I forced Okay. Okay. Forgive my m my speech if I if I don't say I don't mean I mean the terrorist organizations that we are focused on, not specific governments.
▶ 1:01:18So, or if that's included, right? Well, I the and I know you're going to go granular on me here. I just I'm not going to go granular because I think that you have to recognize a foreign terrorist organization is a professional criminal organization. They assume that they are under surveillance. They assume that uh they are being investigated that they are being uh targeted.
▶ 1:01:42So the by releasing the information that there there is actual targeting of them does not give them any information that they don't already know. It's not going to you're not going to be able to say oh uh they're say oh wow they're looking at us now we better be more careful. But what they are going to get is that's exactly what will happen. But they already know that.
▶ 1:02:06And what they will now then learn is not anything that they they not any surprise that they're being investigated. They will actually learn how we are investigating and targeting them which allows for them. I disagree. We they will just know through the publication. I'm sorry. What we don't want to do is you just reclaim your time. So to members all the members committee right and left. I mean if it's your time you can reclaim your time. Yeah. I I So if you're reclaiming your time, it's yours. Okay. No.
▶ 1:02:35Um I just lost my train of thought. Sorry. Go ahead. Well Well, we're not gonna This isn't a debate. Well, I my frustration is we're talking about a piece of leg legislation here and it's again it has come off the rails. So now our Democratic colleagues are totally against the Republican colleagues and now we're in a fist fight in the middle of the committee which No, we're not. We're they're making their points and you're making your points. That's what it is. But you have to do it by the rules of the committee. And trust me, I would never want a fist fight. All right.
▶ 1:03:03Just and I I hate to say we Hang on. I'll reclaim. I just I I just think All right. Order. Uh you have uh a minute and 23 seconds. Mr. I hate to think that we've gotten lost in the actual legislation that I I personally think promotes good information to the American public and Congress. And I understand your your perspective, sir.
▶ 1:03:23But as a as a as a former member of the military that did this for a living, it putting them back on their heels and understanding that we're aggressively coming at them makes their tactics, techniques, and procedures fail and then they have to start completely over and then we continue to maneuver. Would the gentleman yield for one comment?
▶ 1:03:42uh we are in agreement on this that figuring out effective measures to put these organizations on their heels is critical and that is where the department's energy should be placed not on disclosing in various forms information that they already have that they could publish if they thought that were effective uh counter surveillance and effective investigation.
▶ 1:04:11um but instead to essentially create busy work that yes, I'm sure the American people have an interest in this, but I don't think that the American people's interest in this will have an impact on keeping our homeland safer. So, I would love to work on other ways of targeting these foreign terrorist organizations so that we can actually put them on their heels. This bill doesn't do that. Yeah, I yield back, sir. Thank you. Gentleman yields.
▶ 1:04:39Uh, does anyone else want to say a word Higgins? And thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield my time to the chairman. Uh, thank you. Again, I spent a lot of number of years in a tier one task force hunting terrorists. And I'll tell you, if you if you they they don't they don't like the bag count, right? They they hate it. It's a disincentive. If you put the numbers up, the scoreboard up, it's a disincentive. It's not an incentive.
▶ 1:05:08It doesn't publish any kind of how we're catching them. To to push back on this bill is is really I mean I don't understand it at all. And I I I hunted terrorists as a part of a tier one task force for years. No, I didn't prosecute them. I hunted them to capture them and in some cases kill them. So from my experience, putting the number count up is going to be a disincentive.
▶ 1:05:37it it's it's not giving them some ability to evade our detection in any way. And I appreciate the fact that Mr. Goldman recognized that they probably know it when we get them. Good. Let's remind them. Let's tell them every day, hey, we're catching more of you guys. And let's also let the American people know. And as I understand this bill, it would apply to Republican administrations and Democrat administrations because it's a law.
▶ 1:06:06So I I don't get it but uh that's me and I think Mr. Jimenez I'll yield to you since I have a little bit of time if Mr. Thank you Mr. Chairman reclaiming my time I yield to Mr. Thank thank you to the gentleman from Louisiana. Um I just want to clarify something actually what I wanted in this bill is actually in the bill already.
▶ 1:06:24Uh so in the amendment uh the first report required under sub under subsection uh shall also include matters described in the in the subsection for the period from January 20th, 2021 to January 19th, 2025. So what I really wanted was this comparison. It was already in the in the amendment. So I'm good and I yield back. Reclaiming my time. I yield to Mr. Kn. Thank you, sir. Astronaut, you're recognized.
▶ 1:06:54Mr. Chairman, if I I'll yield the remainder to Miss Green. But one of the things that I think that we're trying to flesh out here, there obviously is a component that says the report shall include the overall numbers, the net numbers, but there's also uh line 17 of the draft I have.
▶ 1:07:12Each report shall also include the following and that's where it lists uh the geographic regions of such encounters the uh specifications relating to whether such encounters were made in various areas of the country and then the identification of any such nationalities or countries of last habitual residence. I'll yield to Miss Green to explain why that is shall as opposed to may reclaiming my time. Yield to Miss Green. Thank you, Mr. Higgins. Thank you, Mr. Knot.
▶ 1:07:39I I think I think it's extremely important that it does include this information and that's why it's written that way. Um and and I have to I have to say that I'm honored to serve on a committee with multiple members here on this committee that have served our country and tracked down and hunted terrorists.
▶ 1:08:01I that is that's something that I can't understand in my life experience but I respect and I'm great I am immensely grateful for and so are the American people and to hear my colleagues who have done this as a job while they left their families um in service to our country to defend the United States of America and protect us from from terrorism and terrorist abroad.
▶ 1:08:28uh when they are completely comfortable with this information being released for transparency for the American people, I think that should give everyone full confidence that this is this is the right thing to do. This does not threaten our national security interest.
▶ 1:08:46It it is, as a matter of fact, um it keeps us safer and and I'm thankful for the comments and the expertise that has been said and today on our committee and um Mr. Higgins, I yield back. Reclaiming my time and I I I thank the gentleman from North Carolina. I didn't want to recognize him as Representative Brad.
▶ 1:09:13So, thank you for clarifying the spelling and pronunciation of your name, sir. I yield back my time, Mr. Chairman. Gentleman yields. Does anyone else wish to make a comment on the bill or on the amendment? Mr. McKenzie, you're Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I I actually appreciate the debate that we're having here today. This is the type of work that this committee should be doing.
▶ 1:09:37And we are considering very serious legislation, not just in this bill, but a lot of the bills that we're going to be talking about today that do have implications about our national security. And I think we as members of Congress and also the American people know that we are in a very vulnerable situation right now when we are facing not only foreign entities but also the cartels, the terrorist organizations, all of these non-governmental entities that want to do harm to the American people and
▶ 1:10:07to our country. And this debate that we're having around the type of transparency and information that we want to have about what is going on at our border is a great discussion to have. Now, I disagree with my colleague from New York who said that this does not help national security and it puts us in a more vulnerable position because I think the cartels uh in my experience being down at the border like so many members of the committee have done uh a lot of us have traveled there, but in talking to our law
▶ 1:10:37enforcement, they know that the cartels in many instances have already better information than we do about what is going on in the security of that border. And so I think that more transparency, more information, uh, is a good thing for not only the American people, but also those of us that are members of Congress that are going to be making decisions about where we should be moving resources, where we should be funding additional border security. And I think this legislation does that.
▶ 1:11:05And so again, I I appreciate everybody's input, everybody's thoughts today, but I would respectfully disagree with uh, again the colleague from New York who is leading the charge against this legislation. I would support my colleague from Georgia and her initiative to pass this legislation because again I think we all want more security, more transparency about what is going on at our border. This legislation does that and really it's just the first step in helping us attack the challenges that are coming at America every single day. So I yield back, Mr. Chairman, and thank you again.
▶ 1:11:34Gentleman yields. Does anyone else wish to comment on the amendment and the nature of a substitute? Hearing none. Are there any amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute? Hearing none, the question is on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mrs. Green. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. No. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. And the amendment, the nature of a substitute is agreed to. Mr.
▶ 1:12:03Chair, recorded vote is requested. What are you talking about? So, uh no motion from the ranking member. The question is now on reporting the bill HR275 as amended to the house with a favorable recommendation.
▶ 1:12:34All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. No. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the motion is agreed to. Mr. Chair, I ask for a recorded vote. Gentlemen request a recorded vote. The clerk will call the role. Mr. McCall, Mr. Higgins, Mr. Guest, I. Mr. Guest votes I. Mr. Jimenez. Mr. Aimenez votes I. Mr.
▶ 1:13:04Fluger I. Mr. Fluger votes I. Mr. Garbarino, Miss Green of Georgia. Miss Green of Georgia votes I Mr. Gonzalez Mr. Latrell. Mr. Latrell votes I. Mr. Strong I. Mr. Strong votes I. Mr. Bkine. Mr. Bine votes I. Mr. Crane. Mr. Crane votes I. Mr.
▶ 1:13:33Ogles I. Mr. Ogles votes I. Mrs. Biggs I. Mrs. Biggs votes I. Mr. Evans of Colorado I. Mr. Evans votes I. Mr. McKenzie I. Mr. McKenzie votes I. Mr. Mr. Knot votes I. Ranking member Thompson. Nay. Ranking member Thompson votes no. Mr. Swell. Mr. Koreah.
▶ 1:14:03No. Mr. Koreah votes no. Mr. Mr. Tanadar, no. Mr. Tannidar votes no. Mr. Magaziner, no. Mr. Magaziner votes no. Mr. Goldman, no. Mr. Goldman votes no. Mrs. Ramirez, no. Mrs. Ramirez votes no. Mr. Kennedy, no. Mr. Kennedy votes no. Mrs. McCyver, no. Mrs. McCyver votes no. Miss Johnson, no.
▶ 1:14:33Miss Johnson votes no. Mr. Mr. Hernandez, no. Mr. Hernandez votes no. Miss Poe, Mr. Carter, no. Mr. Carter votes no. Mr. Garcia, Mr. Garcia votes no. Are there other members in the room who wish to have their vote recorded? Am I recorded? Uh, Mr.
▶ 1:15:02Higgins is not Higgins votes I. Mr. Higgins votes I. How am I recorded? The chairman is not recorded. Chairman votes I. Chairman Green votes I. Clerk will report the Mr. Chairman, on that vote, there were 15 eyes and 12 nos. The eyes have it and the motion is agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table.
▶ 1:15:30Pursuant to notice, I now call up HR 1569, the catch fentanel act. The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. The clerk shall designate the bill. HR1569 offered by Mr. Higgins of Louisiana to establish a pilot program to assess the use of technology to speed up and enhance the cargo inspection process at land ports of entry along the border. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with it. It's considered read and open to amendment at any point. The gentleman from Louisiana, Mr. Higgins is recognized for 5 minutes on his measure.
▶ 1:16:00Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My bill HR1569, the contraband awareness technology catches harmful fentinel act catch act. Trump administration uh supports this bill. Republicans support this bill and I encourage my Democrat colleagues to support the bill.
▶ 1:16:20In fact, many of my colleagues across the aisle in a bipartisan effort to help us work together to secure our border do indeed support this bill, and I thank them for their support. The Trump administration has made incredible strides to reinstate sovereignty over our borders, leading to some of the lowest numbers of border encounters ever seen.
▶ 1:16:42With new technologies, we can and we will improve on our mission for efficiency through the the reduction of wait times for commercial traffic and our goal of more effectively screening and and intercepting illegal drugs like fentinel.
▶ 1:17:00While new executive efforts against cartel smuggling have been effective, we have to remember that our adversaries, the cartels are creative and and highly motivated to find ways around our systems. Uh this is their business. This is their business model. This their livelihood. They've made billions upon billions of dollars running uh drugs into our country. And they will not just go away quietly.
▶ 1:17:28Thankfully, our nation thrives on innovation and we have technology to counter the cartels drug trafficking. With this legislation, we can ensure that that technology is placed on the front lines to battle the cartels.
▶ 1:17:45The pilot program created under this bill would further empower CBP to test and evaluate new technologies for deployment at US ports of entry with the ultimate goal of improving the efficiency and enhancing the in effectiveness of our cargo screening process. Congress in the past has invested in non-intrusive inspection technology at our ports.
▶ 1:18:13However, today still only a fraction of commercial trucks, passenger vehicles, and sea containers are scanned using the technology available to us due to issues with logistics and lack of integrated systems. Last September, for instance, CBP officers at a single port of entry seed seized over 1 and a.5 million fentinol pills.
▶ 1:18:41with 1 million of those pills seized in a single vehicle. How many other vehicles are carrying fentinol at that level across our border? We we'll we'll never know. Tragically, we'll never know. But the answer should be zero because we have the technology to close that gap. And that's what this bill does. I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, too numerous to name, uh, Mr.
▶ 1:19:07chairman, but many Democrat and Republican colleagues have joined in support of this bill, and I encourage its passage through committee and to be brought to the floor and signed into law. I yield. The gentleman yields. Does anyone wish to speak on the bill? Chairman, uh, Mr. Magazine, you're recognized. Thank you, Chairman. Um, I'm pleased to be the Democratic lead of the Catch Fentanel Act, the bill that we're considering now.
▶ 1:19:35Uh the US is battling a severe opioid uh and addiction crisis with fentanyl the leading cause of over death do over death doses deaths. Uh over the last 5 years more than a quarter of a million Americans have died from a fentanyl overdose. Uh in Rhode Island, my home state uh fentanyl continues to drive the overdose epidemic uh with more than 500 deaths annually in our small state.
▶ 1:20:02That's thousands of empty seats around the dinner table. That is thousands of families who are never going to get to hug their loved ones again. Uh this is a crisis and it needs to be met with a whole of government effort. Stopping the flow of fentanyl will save lives and disrupt criminal organizations and this bill will direct the Department of Homeland Security to establish pilot projects to use new and emerging technologies in our common fight against fentanyl trafficking.
▶ 1:20:32These pilots will use artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum computing, and other emerging technologies to stop more fentanyl at the border. Uh we can improve our detection and our disruption of the flow of fentanyl by leaning into what America does best, that's innovating and working together. So, I want to thank my colleagues uh on both sides of the aisle. This bill passed out of committee in both the House and the Senate last year.
▶ 1:20:58We are hoping that this year because we're getting an earlier start on it uh that we'll be able to get it all the way to the finish line on the floor. So, thank you all very much to my colleagues on both sides and I I urge passage as well. Gentleman yields. I now recognize Mr. Kn for 5 minutes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh Mr. Higgins, um the other co-sponsor, I'd love to ask a question if I may, and I'll be happy to yield afterwards. Do you see any utility in expanding the pilot program into the country's interior?
▶ 1:21:27um whether it be the use of detection, enhanced screening, etc. Once the once the products, cargo, trucks gentleman, yield for an answer. Yes, sir. There's nothing that prohibits the use of the technology in the in the interior that's operated by CBP. Gentlemen, yield. Yes, sir. What about in in terms of expanding beyond just the CBP, whether it's HSI, ATF, DEA, task force, etc. That would be a DHS executive decision.
▶ 1:21:59Gentleman yields. It's time. You yield. Gentleman yields. Uh would anyone else care to speak on the bill here? Mr. Goldman. Mr. Chairman, I just want to uh briefly speak to say that uh I'm proud to be a co-sponsor of this bill. uh this is the type of I think substantive bipartisan work we can do that uh actually addresses the issues at the border and I thank Mr. Higgins and Mr.
▶ 1:22:27Magaziner for working together uh to bring this in front of us gentleman yields. Does anyone else wish to speak on the bill? Okay. Are there any amendments to the bill? Hearing none. The question is on reporting the bill HR 1569 to the House with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor say I. I. All those no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the motion is agreed to.
▶ 1:22:56Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Pursuant to notice, I now call up HR1508, the DHS special events program and support act. The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. The clerk shall designate the HR1508 offered by Miss Titus to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize a program to assess the threat, vulnerability, and consequences of terrorism or other security threats as appropriate to certain events and for
▶ 1:23:26purposes. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and it's considered read and open to amendment at any point. The gentleman from Mr. Mississippi, Mr. Thompson, is recognized for five minutes on the measure. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I'm pleased to offer HR1508, the bipartisan DHS Special Events Program and Support Act, on behalf of our former committee colleague, Congresswoman Dena Titus of Nevada.
▶ 1:23:53HR508 authorizes the special event assessment rating program, known as the SEIR program within DHS. As we can all attest, shared activities in our communities help to create togetherness. Communities in the United States host every day, ranging in scale from varsity baseball games to national cherry blossom festival parades.
▶ 1:24:21Being able to safely assemble at community events is foundational to the United States, and this bill authorizes DHS to help ensure this is possible. The DHS Special Events Program and Support Act would permanently codify DHS's SEIR system under which DHS assesses the risk to and potentially provide security support for special events.
▶ 1:24:49For events that receive a rating of one or two, like the Super Bowl or the World Cup matches in the US, the Secretary of Homeland Security appoints a federal coordinating team. For more than 20 years, federal law enforcement has worked to evaluate potential threats to special events across the country and partner with state, local, tribal, and territorial officials to ensure safe experiences.
▶ 1:25:17Uh, some of the bill's national supporters include the US Travel Association, the National Emergency Management Association, the International Association of Emergency Managers, and the National Football League. I thank my colleagues for supporting this bipartisan measure that works to provide the best protection for all of the major events that Americans enjoy across the country. And I yield The gentleman yields.
▶ 1:25:45Does anyone else wish to speak on the bill? Hearing none, are there any amendments to the bill? Hearing none, the question is on reporting the bill HR1508 to the House with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the motion is agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Pursuant to notice, I call up HR 2158.
▶ 1:26:15the the Countering Transnational Repression Act of 2025. The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. The clerk shall designate the bill HR2158 offered by Mr. Fluger to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize a dedicated transnational repression working group within the Department of Homeland Security to analyze and monitor transnational repression and terrorism threats related to transnational repression and for purpose.
▶ 1:26:44Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and it's considered read and open to amendment at any point. The gentleman from Texas, Mr. Fluger, is recognized for five minutes on his measure. Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman. um I rise in support of HR 2158, the Countering Transnational Repression Act, and underscore the threat that transnational repression poses to our nation's sovereignty. Transnational repression is when a foreign government targets critics outside of its borders to silence dissent, intimidate, or punish dissent.
▶ 1:27:13And tactics can range from violence, assassination, threats, harassment, intimidation, and smear campaigns and are often directed at political dissident, journalists, and other members of the diaspora communities. We've heard from many victims of transnational repression here on this committee and they include very troublesome uh testimony from uh folks like Mr. Dr. Bob Fu who is a constituent in Midland, Texas who's been targeted on US soil by the Chinese Communist Party.
▶ 1:27:39And in fact, the Chinese Communist Party, the Iranian regime, and other malign entities have reached into American soil to silence American citizens and residents who defend human rights and advocate for free speech. These unacceptable acts of hostility are a direct challenge to our sovereignty, the rule of law, and the US government must respond to defend our homeland. That's why I'm proud to lead HR2158, which would establish a dedicated transnational repression working group within DHS.
▶ 1:28:06This group would monitor and assess transnational repression and related terrorism threats, enabling DHS to take proactive measures to prevent such activities. A proactive approach is crucial and especially urgent considering the CCP's repressive activities which include an illegal pseudo police station in New York City that the Justice Department says was used to monitor and intimidate dissident. I want to thank my colleagues and especially um Mr.
▶ 1:28:33Magaziner for working in a very bipartisan way. We have had multiple hearings at the subcommittee level uh and a markup at the subcommittee level uh to address this challenge. That's exactly what this committee was formed to do. With that, I yield back and urge support. Gentleman yields. Does anyone else wish to speak on the bill? Are there any amendments to the bill? Hearing none, the question is on reporting the bill HR 2158 to the House with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor say I.
▶ 1:29:03I. I. All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the motion is agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Pursuant to notice, I now call up HR 2116, the Law Enforcement Support and CounterTransnational Repression Act. The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. The clerk shall designate the bill. HR216 offered by Mr.
▶ 1:29:28Evans of Colorado to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to conduct a law enforcement support and counter transnational repression public service announcement campaign and for other purposes. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and it's considered read and open to amendment at any point. The gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Evans, is recognized for five minutes on his measure. Thank you, Mr.
▶ 1:29:52Chairman and uh ranking member Thompson, for leading this markup and for consideration of my bill uh HR 2116, the law enforcement support and counter transnational repression act. I'm proud to work alongside Mr. Fluger and Mr. magazer uh to bring attention to the threats that transnational repression uh poses to refugee and immigrant communities throughout the United States and across the globe. Many Americans and local law enforcement officials have never even heard of the term transnational repression.
▶ 1:30:21And that is precisely what I hope to change with this bill. Authoritarian regime regimes and malicious organizations use a wide range of tactics to intimidate and coers members of their diaspora communities outside their borders and on US soil. And these victims often don't know where to turn to help. So to counter these threats, my bill is three-pronged. It instructs DHS to create a public service announcement campaign to educate the public on the growing threat of transnational repression.
▶ 1:30:50It expands access to the FBI's transnational repression hotlines for victims in our diaspora communities. And it equips boots on the ground state and local law enforcement officials with the necessary tools to prosecute perpetrators and stop our biggest adversaries from harming people on US soil with attempts to suppress free speech and diminish the rule of law. As a former police officer for over a decade in Colorado, my number one goal every day was to protect my community from harm.
▶ 1:31:19And in my current role in Congress, public safety is still my biggest priority, and I rely heavily on the experiences of my constituents to identify where to step in and help. This bill will empower victims to step out of the shadows. It builds community relationships with law enforcement so these reports can happen and that ultimately law enforcement can protect victims from transnational repression.
▶ 1:31:41I encourage all my colleagues to support this effort to counter transnational repression and help our diaspora communities pursue the American dream without fear of retaliation from the people and places that they've fled. And I yield back. Gentleman yields. Does anyone else wish to speak on the bill? Hearing none. Are there any amendments to the bill? Hearing none, the question is on reporting the bill HR 2116 to the House with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no.
▶ 1:32:10In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the emotion and the motion is agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Pursuant to notice, I now call up HR 2139, the strengthening state and local efforts to counter transnational repression act. The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. The clerk shall designate the bill. HR 2139 offered by Mr.
▶ 1:32:33magazer to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to prioritize strengthening of state and local law enforcement capabilities to combat transnational repression and terrorism threats related to transnational repression and for other purposes. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and it's considered read and open to amendment at any point. The gentleman from Rhode Island, Mr. Magaziner, is recognized for five minutes on his measure. Thank you, Chairman.
▶ 1:32:59Repressive foreign governments are increasingly reaching beyond their own borders to target those exercising their free speech in our country. Journalists, activists, and political dissident in the United States should not fear for their lives while on US soil. These individuals are targeted in person or online for their bravery to speak out against repressive governments and their abuses. Targeted individuals are often subject to harassment, surveillance, and even violence.
▶ 1:33:30In 2025, in March, last month, 2025, the Department of Justice convicted two agents of the Iranian government in a murder for hire plot. Last October, we also learned of a foiled plot by an Indian government employee to assassinate a US citizen, an outspoken critic of the Iranian government in New York City.
▶ 1:33:50Last January, our subcommittee uh at our subcommittee, we heard from witnesses like Bob Fu and Nennis Caner Freedom about their firsthand experiences and how they were targeted in the United States by foreign governments attempting to silence them for their beliefs. Now, what used to be a rare form of foreign intervention and intimidation has become unfortunately a common and daily assault on people all over the world, including here in America.
▶ 1:34:19So, my bill will ensure that state and local law enforcement get the training they need to identify, pursue, and investigate transnational repression in the communities they serve. State and local law enforcement are often the eyes and ears best suited to identify and disrupt transnational repression, but they need the training in order to recognize it and know how to understand what's going on and disrupt it.
▶ 1:34:45Under this bill, the Department of Homeland Security will establish a transnational repression training program for state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies, including through fusion centers. It requires that the training include how to identify transnational repression, what information should be collected and retained, how to identify targets and victims, and best practices for victim safety. It will also require training be implemented in a manner that upholds privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties concerns.
▶ 1:35:14And I'll just say as as Chairman Fluger uh noted, this is part of a bipartisan package of bills that we worked on together. Uh his bill, my bill, uh Representative Evans bill, uh working together on a bipartisan basis to put together a really good complimentary package of these three bills to address the issue of transnational repression in a holistic way.
▶ 1:35:39I want to thank them along with Representative Goldman, Representative Swallwell uh who have also been involved throughout this process and our co-sponsors as well. This is a really good example of bipartisan cooperation on a serious issue and uh I'll just say we had a markup at the subcommittee level.
▶ 1:35:57Uh these bills passed unanimously uh with support from both sides and I uh ask my colleagues to support them again today to make our country safer, enhance our homeland security and strengthen our reputation as a country uh as a place where all uh viewpoints are are welcomed and tolerated. So thank you and I yield Are there is there anyone else who wants to speak on the bill? Mr. Chairman, Miss Coleman, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 1:36:26And I I want to thank uh Mr. Magaziner, Mr. Fluger, Mr. Evans for uh bringing this bipartisan package of bills addressing transnational repression. Uh this is particularly relevant and important in my district uh where the CCP had created a secret police station in New York City to conduct surveillance uh of Chinese nationals uh who were in the United States.
▶ 1:36:55And that example brings a uh a realworld story to what we're trying to address here. Uh and I would ask unanimous consent to introduce uh December 18th, 2024 Associated Press article titled Manhattan Man Pleads Guilty to helping establish secret Chinese police station in NYC.
▶ 1:37:19This is an example of how the cooperation between federal, state, local levels to fight transnational repression um can protect those who are in America trying to escape from repressive regimes without without objection. So ordered. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I I'm grateful to uh to be a co-sponsor of this and to address this critical issue. I yield back. Gentleman yields. Would anyone else wish to speak on the bill? Are there any amendments to the bill?
▶ 1:37:48Hearing none, the question is on reporting the bill HR 2139 to the House with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the motion is agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Pursuant to notice, I now call up HR881, the DHS Restrictions on Institutes and Chinese and Chinese entities of concern act.
▶ 1:38:15The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. The clerk shall designate the bill. HR881 offered by Mr. Fluger to establish Department of Homeland Security funding restrictions on institutions of higher education that have a relationship with Confucious Institutes and for other purposes. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and it is considered read and open to amendment at any point. I now recognize Mr. Fluger for the purpose of offering an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
▶ 1:38:45The clerk will report the amendment in the nature of the substitute. An amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR881 offered by Mr. Feluger of Texas. Without objection, the reading is dispensed with and the amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered base text for purposes of further amendments. The gentleman from Texas is recognized for five minutes on his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 1:39:10Again, this is the product of some bipartisan negotiation and a couple of years worth of work to get to this point. I think we're all deeply concerned about the threat the Chinese Communist Party poses to our homeland. National security experts and law enforcement officials have continuously raised alarm bells about the CCP's increasing subver subversive activities inside our country through organizations like Confucious Institutes and their affiliate groups.
▶ 1:39:37While these institutes are presented as centers for promoting language and culture, Chinese language and culture, it is proven that they have been used to steal critical research, recruit talent for military, civil, fusion enterprises, and monitor Chinese national students that are studying at our universities. Today, we are marking HR881. This legislation would prohibit DHS from funding American universities that host a Confucious Institute or maintain relationships with Chinese entities of concern.
▶ 1:40:07It also ensures that universities prioritize the education of their students over any partnerships with these institutes. This amendment in the nature of substitute would add a waiver provision which would require the secretary of homeland security to consult with the director of national intelligence and ensure the institution of higher education has the necessary safeguards to protect against any potential unauthorized access to research data or development activities.
▶ 1:40:32While the waiver provision is included in similar DoD legislation, this waiver has never been used before. And again, this is a bipartisan negotiation. I wasn't in favor of this waiver. We've talked about it. I think that this bill can still continue to move forward and not lose any of its teeth. But should the Secretary of Homeland Security choose to grant a waiver, they must do so after notifying Congress and submitting their justification for doing so to ensure proper congressional oversight.
▶ 1:40:59The DHS restrictions on Confucious Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act would play a vital role in protecting our students, intellectual property, and other national security. I want to thank Chairman Green, Riking Member Maginer, and my colleagues on this committee for moving this legislation forward. Together, this effort demonstrates uh our collective desire to protect our nation from the insidious influence of the CCP.
▶ 1:41:23And not only this did this legislation pass the House last year with bipartisan support, but this year, um the committee has worked hard to uh to move this forward to make it a priority, and I urge both sides of the aisle to support this and yield back. Gentleman yields. Does uh anyone else wish to speak on the amendment in the nature of the substitutes? Chairman, Mr. Magazine, are you recognized? Yeah, thank you very much uh Chairman Green and and Chairman Fluger and my colleagues on both sides for working on this.
▶ 1:41:51Uh listen, the um the persistent espionage and influence campaigns by the CCP across our country are a real and significant problem. Uh intellectual property theft is a real problem. and impacts American businesses and American jobs. The CCP is using espionage to steal trade secrets, defense information, and more, including on college campuses.
▶ 1:42:17Uh, this bill addresses the risk posed by the CCP through their relationships with colleges and universities. Now, in the last Congress, uh, when the committee considered an earlier version of this bill, I was not able to support it.
▶ 1:42:31And in fact, I led the motion to recommmit on the floor against last year's version because I was concerned that last year's version uh because it contains a broad definition of Chinese entities of concern, would essentially have prohibited any collaboration between American and Chinese universities, even on matters that had nothing to do with national security or trade secrets, arts programs, creative writing programs, etc.
▶ 1:42:58Now, we may have had some disagreements about whether that was the case, but that was my reading last year. This year, however, uh as a result of some really good faith negotiation and collaboration uh with Chairman Fluger and between the two sides, uh I am prepared to support uh this version of the bill and I encourage my colleagues to do so as well.
▶ 1:43:19uh because this year's version includes the ability for the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue waiverss if there the Secretary finds that there are no national security concerns associated with the collaboration in question between an American and Chinese university and that the American university has put appropriate safeguards in place to protect any sensitive information.
▶ 1:43:43that ability for the secretary to issue waiverss to allow collaboration to continue if that collaboration does not have national security or trade secret implications. That is an important change in my view that gives me the confidence to support this year's version. And because the threat of CCP espionage, influence campaigns, and other malign activity is real and persistent, we should move forward on this issue.
▶ 1:44:10So again, I you know, it took, I think, a lot of work and a lot of flexibility on both sides to get to this point, but I'm satisfied with the product here, and I look forward to supporting it. Uh I encourage, uh all of my colleagues to do so as well. And once again, I thank Chairman Fluger and Chairman Green for their willingness to work together to get to a good place. So I'll yield back. And gentlemen yields. Is there anyone else who wishes to comment on the amendment, the nature of substitute hearing? None.
▶ 1:44:40Uh the question is now on agreeing to the amendment the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Fluger. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment in the nature of a substitute is agreed to. The question now occurs on reporting the bill HR881 as amended to the house as amended to the house with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no.
▶ 1:45:09In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the motion is agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Pursuant to notice, I now call up HR 2659, the Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State Sponsored Threats Act. The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. The clerk shall designate the HR2659 offered by Mr.
▶ 1:45:28Ogles to ensure the security and integrity of United States critical infrastructure by establishing an inter agency task force and requiring a comprehensive report on the targeting of United States critical infrastructure by People's Republic of China state sponsored cyber actors and for other purposes. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and it's considered read and open to amendment at any point. The gentleman from Tennessee, Mr. Ogles, is recognized for five minutes on his measure. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 1:45:57I'm grateful to you and the committee for working with me to address the threat posed by advanced CCP linked hacker groups like Vault Typhoon, Salt Typhoon, and Flax Typhoon. And you know, there's a recurring theme here uh in the committee as we proceed today on the threat that China poses.
▶ 1:46:13And I thank my colleagues for uh doubling down on this and working together to resolve these issues because as we move forward we all know that the the existential threat to the United States of America whether that's uh our military whether that's our economy or again just our you know critical infrastructure is China. Uh the strengthening cyber resilience against state sponsored threat act threats act is an important step to confronting the escalating cyber security threats we face from the Chinese communist party and it stateates sponsored cyber actors.
▶ 1:46:43We must do what's necessary to protect our nation's critical infrastructure and to hold our adversaries accountable by by closing dangerous gaps and inter agency coordination. We're not talking about theoretical risks or potential vulnerabilities. We're dealing with confirmed infiltrations of our power grids, water systems, and transportation networks. Volt Typhoon has spent years burrowing into our infrastructure using stealthy malware-free tactics that may make them incredibly hard to detect.
▶ 1:47:12These are not just espionage campaigns. These are prepositioning efforts designed to US during a future conflict with China. The threat is growing. We saw increased Chinese intrusions in the late 2010s. And in May of 2023, Microsoft revealed the discovery of Vault Typhoon. By August, they uncovered Flax Typhoon.
▶ 1:47:32Less than six months ago, reports emerged about Salt Typhoon, which targeted our telecom networks, monitoring the communications of countless Americans, including President Trump, Vice President Vance, then Vice President Harris. More typhoons are likely coming. Our federal agencies, SISA, the FBI, and the NSA, have each acknowledged the danger that they've been operating in silos. Without a unified command structure or sustained coordination, our ability to respond is fragmented.
▶ 1:48:02This bill fixes that. It establishes an inter agency task force led by the SISA director and co-chared by the FBI director to synchronize our national response. And again, I want to emphasize when we work in silos, uh, things get missed, responses are delayed. We've got to work together. We have to acknowledge this threat. This legislation also ensures oversight. The task force must submit an initial classified report within 18 months and provide annual reports for 5 years thereafter.
▶ 1:48:33These will include assessments of sector specific vulnerabilities, the PRC's potential to disrupt military operations, and the economic and social fallout of a major cyber attack. A public executive summary will help inform critical infrastructure operators and the American people. This bill is a statement. It tells the Chinese Communist Party that we are not asleep at the will. It tells our allies we take the these threats seriously.
▶ 1:48:58and it tells the American people that this Congress is committed in a bipartisan fashion to defending our homeland. The cyber domain is the battlefield of the 21st century. If we don't act now, we risk waking up one morning to find our power off, our trains halted, and our communications jam. Let's stand together. Let's pass this bill. Let's protect the American homeland. With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back. Gentleman yields. Does anyone else wish to speak on the bill? Mr. Chairman, uh, ranking member, you're recognized.
▶ 1:49:27Uh clearly uh we're in agreement uh on this bill and we look forward to supporting it. Uh with the cut sister CISA is undergoing. I just hope that uh if we successful with the passage, we'll have staff to carry it forth. So I look to generating the staff necessary to make the bill successful. Will the gentleman? Yes. I I concur with you sir.
▶ 1:49:57Obviously uh you know we're going through that process of uh you know trying you know addressing our debt as we move forward. Uh but like you sir I do have concerns as we move forward to make sure that any cuts are in the appropriate places and as we find uh areas where we need to shore up our our defense and national security then we'll let's work together make sure that happens. Look forward to it. Yes sir. Thank you. Both gentlemen yield. Would anyone else wish to speak on the bill? Are there any amendments to the bill?
▶ 1:50:25Hearing none, the question is now on reporting the bill HR 2659 of the House with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the motion is agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Pursuant to notice, I call up HR 2285, the DHS Basic Training Accreditation Improvement Act of 2025. If the bill was circulated in advance and printing copies are available, the clerk shall designate the bill.
▶ 1:50:56HR2285 offered by Miss Poe to require reporting regarding accreditation of basic training programs of Department of Homeland Security and for other purposes. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and it's considered read and open to amendment at any point. The gentle lady from uh New Jersey, Miss Poe, is recognized for five minutes on her measure. Thank you. Thank you, Mr.
▶ 1:51:20chairman, and thank you to my lead uh my co-lead, Congressman uh Jeff Andrew, a former member of this committee and a fellow New Jerseyian for his support. As we prepare to celebrate National Police Week next month, I am proud that the committee is considering my bipartisan HR2285, the DHS Basic Training Accreditation Improvement Act of 2025.
▶ 1:51:48As you all know, DHS is the largest employer of federal law enforcement officers and agents with more than 92,000 sworn personnel. On this committee, we often express our appreciation for DHS law enforcement and honor the sacrifice that they and their families make to help protect our nation.
▶ 1:52:12We also do not take for granted the time and efforts it takes DHS to recruit and train law enforcement officers as well as agents. Accreditation of training programs, although not required, is meant to promote high standards and effective use of resources for federal law enforcement. While some trainingmies like the Transportation Security Administration Training Center in New Jersey are accredited, others are not.
▶ 1:52:43My bill helps put all of DHS basic training programs on a path to achieve accreditation. It does so by uh requiring DHS to report to Congress annually on the accreditation status of each basic training program until all are accredited.
▶ 1:53:02For training programs not accredited, my bill directs DHS to report the reasons for not obtaining or maintaining accreditation, the activities, if any, taken to achieve it, and the anticipated timeline to do to do it.
▶ 1:53:20It also directs DHS to help state, local, tribals, and territorial law enforcement officers gain b uh better training opportunities, including those that enhance national preparedness and response to terrorism.
▶ 1:53:38I am truly grateful for the unanimous support for of my colleagues when this bill was marked up by the subcommittee last month and I appreciate their continue uh their continued support for my bipartisan bill which will improve DHS law enforcement training programs. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back. The gentle lady yields. Uh does anyone else wish to speak on the bill? Hearing none. Are there any amendments to the bill?
▶ 1:54:09Hearing none, the question is on reporting the bill HR 2285 to the House with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the motion is agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the Pursuant Pursuant to notice I now call up HR 1327, the Syria Terrorism Threat Assessment Act. The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available.
▶ 1:54:39The clerk shall designate the HR1327 offered by Mr. Latrell to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a threat assessment of terrorist threats to the United States posed by individuals in Syria with an affiliation with a foreign terrorist organization or a specially designated global terrorist organization and for other purposes. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and it's considered read and open to amendment at any point. The gentleman from Texas, Mr.
▶ 1:55:09Latrell, is recognized for five minutes on his measure. Thank you, Chair Green and Member Thompson for bringing this bill to the committee today. The last few months have shed light on the political uncertainty Syria is currently faced with. The region remains volatile and has become a breeding ground for violent extrem extremist groups. The instability has allowed terrorist organizations to establish footholds, exacerbating national security challenges. These malign groups are using every tool at their disposal and sending the bad actors our way.
▶ 1:55:37We simply cannot sit back and wait for another attack on the homeland. The Syria Terrorism Threat Assessment Act ensures the Department of Homeland Security conducts an assessment of terrorist threats to the United States posed by individuals in Syria with the affiliation with an affiliation to a foreign terrorist organization or a specially designated global terrorist organization. By doing so, we can better examine and mitigate emerging threats from this region. This assessment is focused on identifying terrorist threats and does not constitute a ban on innocent individuals from Syria.
▶ 1:56:06Foreign jihadist networks and other extremist groups are actively exploiting online platforms and other means to remotely radicalize and mobilize individuals to help plan and carry out terrorist attacks abroad. Our mission is clear. We must protect American lives and prevent future attacks on our homeland by strengthening our car counterterrorism efforts. Thank you again to Chairman and ranking member for bringing this bill up. And I want to thank Congressman Koreah for co co-sponsoring this with me. And um Mr. Carter, welcome back to the committee, sir. It's good to have you.
▶ 1:56:36With that, sir, I yield back. Are there any amendments to the bill? Hearing none, the question. Does anyone else wish to speak on the bill? Mr. Chairman, Mr. McKenzie, you're Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to thank both the sponsor and co-sponsor of this important legislation.
▶ 1:56:59Uh we have seen a very concerning situation developing in Syria uh where terrorist entities and terrorist sympathizers are taking charge of not only governmental operations but also key functions of life in Syria.
▶ 1:57:18We see humanitarian atrocities occurring and it's very concerning not only the on the ground situation but also what those impacts and ramifications could be for American security if those things uh continue and and spill outside of the borders of Syria. And so I think this legislation is uh very important to address and recognize the situation in Syria, the potential vulnerabilities that could be caused by that instability for America going forward.
▶ 1:57:48And so again, we'd like to thank both the sponsor and co-sponsor for this important legislation and would encourage a yes vote. I yield back. Thank you. Gentleman yields. I now recognize Mr. Kra. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also want to thank the author of this legislation, Mr. Latrell working with me as co-author of this legislation. And let's be clear, today we're looking at a very historic moment. For the first time in 50 years, Syria is not under the Assad family rule.
▶ 1:58:16December 2024 marks just not the end of a regime, but it's the opening of a door for people looking for democracy, peace, self-determination. That's a Syrian But as my colleagues have said, the threats are there.
▶ 1:58:35But we now face are attempts by that little that's left by the Assad regime, Iranianbacked Hezbollah, ISIS, to exploit the vacuum to regain power. But let's be clear, this legislation, the intent, the focus here is on the real threats, ISIS, Hezbollah, and what's left of the Assad We need to continue to send the message to the Syrian people
▶ 1:59:05that we stand with them, stand with their efforts as they seek democracy, self-determination, and they seek to get closer to the Western countries, seek to get closer to America. We can protect our nation while we help the Syrian people rebuild their country. We can reject terror while accepting hope.
▶ 1:59:32I hope my colleagues can join me in stating our support for the Syrian people and at the same time saying we're going to work to make sure America remains safe from from any terrorist threats that may come from Syria. And with that, Mr. Chairman, I yield. Gentleman yields. Does anyone else wish to speak on the bill? Are there any amendments on the bill?
▶ 2:00:00Hearing none, the question is on reporting the bill HR 1327 of the House with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. The motion is agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Pursuant to notice, I now call up HR6008, the Department of Homeland Security Vehicular Terrorism Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2025. The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. The clerk shall designate the bill.
▶ 2:00:32HR1608 offered by Mr. Jimenez to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to produce a report on emerging threats and counter measures related to vehicular terrorism and for other purposes. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and it's considered read and open to amendment at any point. The gentleman from Florida, Mr. Jimenez, is recognized for five minutes on his measure. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and um and thank you, Chairman Green.
▶ 2:00:57On on New Year's Day, our nation was shaken by a horrific act of terror in New Orleans when an ISIS inspired attacker took the lives of 14 innocent people and injured dozens more. individual used a vehicle as a weapon driving into a crowd on Bourbon Street before engaging in a shootout with law enforcement.
▶ 2:01:16This was a calculated and ideologically motivated assault and it highlights a deeply troubling trend in the United States and abroad in which terrorists increasingly use vehicles to inflict mass mass harm. In response, I introduced HR16008, the DHS Vehicular Terrorism Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2025. This legislation directs the Department of Homeland Security to address the growing threat posed by vehiclebased attacks.
▶ 2:01:43It requires a comprehensive evaluation of both current and emergency emerging tactics, including the potential misuse of autonomous vehicles, ride share platforms, and connected vehicle technologies. Just as importantly, it would ensure stronger coordination with state and local governments, law enforcement, and the private sector to better protect soft targets, including public gatherings, critical infrastructure, and highdensity urban areas. The timing of this important piece of legislation is crucial.
▶ 2:02:12United States will soon be hosting major international events such as the 2025 FIFA World Club uh the world FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. My hometown of Miami will play a pivotal role in preparing for and hosting many of these events and it is imperative that you equip the host cities with the tools that they need to make sure our domestic and international travelers are protected.
▶ 2:02:41I'm proud that HR16008 is a bipartisan effort. I want to thank Congressman uh Troy Carter, who represents the very community impacted by the New York New Year's Day's attack, for his partnership on this legislation. I also want to thank Chairman Green for co-sponsoring this legislation and for continuing to advance thoughtful and strategic homeland security policy. This bill is about honoring the lives that we lost by doing everything we can to protect others. And I urge my colleagues to support it.
▶ 2:03:08Thank you, and I yield Gentleman yields. Does anyone else wish to speak? Mr. Carter, you're recognized and it's it is good to see you back. Thank you, sir. Good to be back. U great to be with you all. Um thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm proud to join Representatives Gimenez and Green and supporting the Department of Homeland Security Vehicular Terrorism Prevention and Mitigation Act.
▶ 2:03:34a critical piece of legislation designed to protect Americans from weaponized vehicles on our streets. The need for this legislation has tragically been underscored by the recent terrorist attack in my hometown and district of New Orleans on New Year's Day, which claimed 15 lives and left dozens of others injured.
▶ 2:03:57In the early hours of New Year's Day, a 42-year-old US citizen from Texas drove a rented F4150 pickup truck into a crowd of Bourbon Street on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter French Court neighborhood during the city's celebration.
▶ 2:04:16After crashing, he exited the vehicle and engaged in a shootout with law enforcement before being fatally shot by courageous New Orleans Police Department officers who rush to the scene, putting their lives at risk to protect others. This heinous, cowardice act shattered the lives of victims and their families.
▶ 2:04:36It exposed vulnerabilities in our urban security infrastructure and served as a grim reminder of the evolving tactics of terrorists and the potential for more catastrophic methods to be used. This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland Security in coordination with other agencies to report to Congress on the department's efforts to prevent, deter, and respond to vehicular terrorism.
▶ 2:05:04This bill also mandates that that it that the report include details such as assessment of current threats, a risk of higher risk, risk location, summaries of actions taken, and recommendations for strategies to combat these types of attacks in the future. Passing this legislation is a proactive step towards safeguarding our citizens from an unimeaginable threat.
▶ 2:05:32By enhancing our detection and response capabilities, we deter adversaries from contemplating heinous acts in our communities. In memory of the lives lost in New Orleans and in recognition of the everpresent evolving threat, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
▶ 2:05:53Let's honor the victims by taking decisive actions to protect our nation from future acts of cowardice, from future acts of terrorism, and those that would seek to hurt America and Americans. Uh, Mr. Chairman, I thank you both. I yield. Gentleman yields.
▶ 2:06:12Does anyone else wish to speak on the bill consideration of amendment uh it's now uh in order to consider an amendment uh amendment 13 to HR6008 offered by Mr. Jimenez on the roster. The clerk will report the Amendment to HR1608 offered by Mr.
▶ 2:06:41Mennez number 013. Without objection, the reading is dispensed with. The gentleman is recognized for five minutes on his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm offering a straightforward amendment to HR16008 that makes three small but meaningful adjustments to the text of the bill. The first, the amendment updates the number of lives tragically lost in New Orle New Orleans days terrorist attacks in New Orleans from 15 to 14. Second, the amendment replaces the phrase authorized protest with public demonstrations.
▶ 2:07:09This change is about ensuring that uh DHS is considering a full spectrum of real world world scenarios when assessing threats and protecting soft targets. We know that some large public gatherings whether permitted in advance or not can draw significant crowds and may be vulnerable to attack. Finally, the amendment includes a small technical correction changing annual briefings to briefing to reflect the intended requirement that DHS provide a briefing to Congress only once.
▶ 2:07:37Uh these edits help ensure the legislation is as accurate, thoughtful, and effective as possible. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and I yield back. Gentleman yields. Uh does anyone wish to speak on the amendment? Hearing none, if there is no further debate. The question is on agreeing to the amendment to HR6808 offered by Mr. Jimenez. All those in favor say I. I. I. All those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it.
▶ 2:08:06The amendment is agreed to. Are there any other amendments on bill? Hearing none, the question is on reporting the bill HR6008 is amended to the house with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. Any opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. Motion is agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on it on the table.
▶ 2:08:33Pursuant to notice, I now call up HR 820, the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act. The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. The clerk shall designate the bill HR 820 offered by Mr. Swallwell to amend the bottles and breastfeeding equipment screening act to require hygienic handling of breast milk and baby formula by security screening personnel of the transportation security administration and personnel of private security companies providing security screening and for other purposes.
▶ 2:09:03Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and it is considered read and open to amendment at any point. The gentleman from California, Mr. Swallwell, is recognized for five minutes on his measure. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also want to thank my former colleague, Congresswoman Katie Porter, who introduced this last Congress and with the help of the chairman, we were able to pass it out of this committee with a bipartisan vote.
▶ 2:09:29I also want to thank uh California scientist Emily Kalandrelli uh who has uh socialized evangelized this issue uh with a very touching uh but concerning oped that she wrote about her own experience. Mr. Chairman, as a parent, there are a lot of stressors that you will go through with your kids.
▶ 2:09:53getting them up, getting them fed, getting them dressed, getting them to do their homework, getting them to take a bath, getting them to go to bed. We all experience it. But the absolute nightmare of nightmares is traveling with your children. It is chaos taking children through an airport. It's just chaos. uh for whatever reason, they choose this time to be their absolute worst.
▶ 2:10:24They melt down. They're hungry. They don't go to the bathroom when they're supposed to. They need to go to the bathroom when the plane's about to take off. It's a disaster. Compounding that disaster for new parents is the way that we treat women who are traveling with children and breastfeeding. They are treated almost like terrorists. their breast milk is taken uh away from them. It's pulled aside. It's tested in front of them.
▶ 2:10:54And anyone who's traveled with children knows that the absolute worst time to stop and delay children from expeditiously moving through the airport is at a security line. Backs up the line. They again will melt down if they're separated from their mother. It's chaos. It's hell. It's not good for the security officials. It's not good for traveling mothers.
▶ 2:11:18It's not good for traveling husbands who will be asked, "What are you going to do about this?" So, Mr. Chairman, with that in mind, and with a lot of gratitude to our security professionals who do their best, but I just don't think we've evolved to understand this issue, we have introduced the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act, the Babes Act.
▶ 2:11:41It's a straightforward bill that will make traveling with breast milk and pumping equipment easier for new parents and caretakers of young children. The current TSA rules deem breast milk and pumping accessories as medically necessary liquids that travelers can bring aboard an aircraft. However, they face inconsistent screenings and improper handling of breast milk, causing new parents and their babies, in addition to the chaos I just described a lot of other harms.
▶ 2:12:10HR820 would help address these challenges by requiring the TSA administer administrator to update or issue guidance to minimize the risk of contamination of breast milk, baby formula, juice, and purified water during TSA screening. It also will have TSA agents, good meaning, good naturatured TSA agents, better uh how to move through faster uh America's mothers.
▶ 2:12:37Another issue that mothers experience, and I hear about this all the time, chairman, is that working moms who have to go on the road for their work without their children, that doesn't mean that they're not still pumping. They're just not with the children. And so often times they will bring the equipment, they'll go through the screening, and they are asked by TSA screeners, "Well, if this is really breast milk, like why don't you have kids with you?" The screeners don't know.
▶ 2:13:07They haven't been trained. But to many moms, many who are going through uh postpartum depression, this is a mom shaming of form of of a form of mom shaming where they feel awful already that they have to leave the baby, that they have to work. And I've heard a number of people uh who have gone through this experience as well. So, we can minimize all of this, make traveling a lot friendlier.
▶ 2:13:31For anyone who doesn't have kids or doesn't have young kids, you will move faster through the airport because you will not be stopped by moms who are being questioned or delayed by their breast milk being unnecessarily screened. So, Mr. Chairman, I just want to thank you again. Um, you're probably asking like, why am I the one bringing this forward? As I said, uh, I'm living this issue right now myself with three little kids.
▶ 2:13:55Uh, but I'm doing it, you know, as an ally of someone like Miss Porter and Miss Kendrelli and so many mothers across America who see this as a bipartisan way for us to just make it easier for trusted moms to travel through our airports. And I yield back. Gentleman yields. I recognize Mr. McKenzie for 5 minutes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and would like to thank the sponsor of this legislation for bringing this forward.
▶ 2:14:18I think it is a very important issue and as a dad of a one-year-old, I am very familiar with the same process that we are going through every time you travel through one of America's airports. And uh the testimony that he provided is accurate.
▶ 2:14:32It's my same experience that all too often the good and well-intended agents of the TSA who are trying to do their job, trying to keep American safe and move them expeditiously through the process uh are not given the same information, the same level of training and ultimately that leads to inconsistencies in the process.
▶ 2:14:53uh we've had it where on an inbound and then an outbound flight you receive different treatment of the same products and you're saying well somehow we made it through the first time without a problem but here we are coming back and because of these inconsistencies in training and procedures you're experiencing a problem and a delay on the way back.
▶ 2:15:10So, uh, I think it is probably one of many areas that I think could use improvement, uh, in training and consistency in our TSA screening processes, uh, and procedures. Uh, but this one in particular resonates with me. I appreciate the the sponsor bringing it forward and as was stated, it's not only going to improve the traveling experience and process uh, for those of us that have small children, uh, but it's going to improve the process for all Americans.
▶ 2:15:40And so I think it's a good thing that we're bringing this forward, addressing this issue and would encourage a yes vote again. So thank you to the sponsor and thank you to the chairman. Yield back. Gentleman yields. Mr. Cra. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to also thank Mr. Swallwell and of course Miss Porter for this legislation. And as a father of four children that were breastfed, going through airports, two adults, four kids, you're playing zone defense, not always successful.
▶ 2:16:08To have to go through that security system and explain to those nice uniformed officers what it is that you're doing and why you have those items is a challenge that parents shouldn't go through. So, thank you very much. I do hope we can continue to improve security while making sure parents are taken care of. It's the right thing to do. Thank you, Mr. Swallowwell. I'll be supporting this legislation. Let's keep it coming. Thank you very much.
▶ 2:16:38The gentleman yields. Would anyone else wish to speak on the bill? Are there any amendments to the bill? Hearing none, the question is on reporting the bill HR820 to the House with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor say I. I. Oppo. All those opposed? No. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the motion is agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Without objection, staff is authorized to make any required technical conforming changes to reflect the actions of the committee today.
▶ 2:17:07Without objection, the measures amended during today's markup will be reported to the House in the form of one amendment in the nature of a substitute for each bill. This concludes the consideration of the bills noticed by the committee for today. Mr. Chairman, you're recognized. Uh, Mr. Chairman, pursuant to clause 2L of rule 11, I request that members have two calendar days to file with the clerk of the committee supplemental, additional, or minority views on the measures ordered, reported by the committee today.
▶ 2:17:38Thank you, ranking member. So ordered. There being no further business, without objection, the committee stands