June 10, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 96 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session
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SUPPORTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR FIRST RESPONDERS ACT; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 96
(House of Representatives - June 10, 2019)
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[Pages H4364-H4365] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] SUPPORTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR FIRST RESPONDERS ACT Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 542) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 542 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act''. SEC. 2. NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY. (a) In General.--Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``SEC. 321. NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY. ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, shall designate the laboratory described in subsection (b) as an additional laboratory pursuant to the authority under section 308(c)(2). Such laboratory shall be used to test and evaluate emerging technologies and conduct research and development to assist emergency response providers in preparing for, and protecting against, threats of terrorism. ``(b) Laboratory Described.--The laboratory described in this subsection is the laboratory-- ``(1) known, as of the date of the enactment of this section, as the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory; ``(2) previously known as the Environmental Measurements Laboratory; and ``(3) transferred to the Department pursuant to section 303(1)(E). ``(c) Laboratory Activities.--The laboratory designated pursuant to subsection (a), shall-- ``(1) conduct tests, evaluations, and assessments of current and emerging technologies, including, as appropriate, cybersecurity of such technologies that can connect to the internet, for emergency response providers; ``(2) conduct research and development on radiological and nuclear response and recovery; ``(3) act as a technical advisor to emergency response providers; and ``(4) carry out other such activities as the Secretary determines appropriate.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 320 the following new item: ``321. National Urban Security Technology Laboratory.''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from New York (Miss Rice) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Crenshaw) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York. General Leave Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from New York? There was no objection. Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 542, the Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act. Terrorism poses a serious threat to our country, especially to the New York City metropolitan area. Recently, a man was arrested in New York for plotting to use guns, grenades, and a suicide vest to attack police officers and innocent people in Times Square. Given the complexity of the current terrorism threat environment, it is critical that we prioritize the research and development of first responder technologies. That is why I introduced the Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act. This bill would permanently authorize the New York City-based National Urban Security Technology Laboratory, commonly referred to as NUSTL. H.R. 542 directly supports first responders in New York City and across the country by authorizing the testing and evaluation of new technologies and systems for counterterrorism work and emergency response. NUSTL is constantly developing and testing new tools for our brave first responders to use in the event of a terrorist attack, industrial accident, or natural disaster and closely collaborates with law enforcement agencies like the FDNY, the NYPD, and the Nassau County Police Department in my district. NUSTL organizes simulated scenarios with first responders to test new emergency systems, sponsors research for cutting-edge technology, and works with first responders in the field to evaluate and assist with new tools. It is the only Federal lab in this country that is focused entirely on helping first responders carry out their mission, wherever it may be. In each of the last two budgets, the Trump administration has proposed closing down NUSTL. Fortunately, Congress has rejected this shortsighted move, as it would make my community and so many others less safe and less prepared in the face of an emergency. Looking ahead, in addition to enacting H.R. 542, Congress needs to prioritize funding for NUSTL so that it has the stability it needs to continue its critical work, not just for New York City but for urban areas in all 50 States. I want to thank Congressman Peter King for co-leading this legislation, and I thank the chair and ranking member for their support in committee. Mr. Speaker, I urge my House colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, June 10, 2019. Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Chairwoman, Committee on Science, Space and Technology, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairwoman Johnson: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 542, the ``Supporting Research and Development for First [[Page H4365]] Responders Act.'' The Committee on Homeland Security recognizes that the Committee on Science, Space and Technology has a jurisdictional interest in H.R. 542, and I appreciate your effort to allow this bill to be considered on the House floor. I concur with you that forgoing action on the bill does not in any way prejudice the Committee on Science, Space and Technology with respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives on this bill or similar legislation in the future, and I would support your effort to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this legislation. I will include our letters on H.R. 542 in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of this bill. I look forward to working with you on this legislation and other matters of great importance to this nation. Sincerely, Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Washington, DC, June 10, 2019. Hon. Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Thompson: I am writing to address the jurisdictional interests of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology (``Science Committee'') in H.R. 542, the Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act. The Science Committee submitted, to the Speaker, a jurisdictional claim on February 25th, 2019. While the Science Committee is claiming jurisdiction over this bill, I recognize and appreciate your desire to bring this legislation before the House in an expeditious manner, and, accordingly agree not to insist on a sequential referral. This is, of course, conditional on our mutual understanding that nothing in this legislation or my decision to forgo sequential referral waives, reduces, or otherwise affects the jurisdiction of the Science Committee, and that a copy of this letter and your response will be included in the Congressional Record when the bill is considered on the House Floor. The Science Committee also expects that you will support our request to be conferees during any House-Senate conference on H.R. 542, or similar legislation. Thank you for your attention on this matter. Sincerely, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Chairwoman. Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 542. This bill authorizes the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory in New York City, a one-of-its-kind testing lab for first responders. The NUSTL evaluates and validates emerging technologies for use by first responders. Their work provides valuable information to first responders to increase their ability to save lives and property as departments across the Nation respond to incidents. H.R. 542 will ensure that the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory's work will continue. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation. I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time. Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 542 represents a bipartisan effort to support the needs of State and local first responders. It is critical that the Federal Government have the capacity to develop, test, and transition the best new technologies to the first responder community. It bears repeating that NUSTL is the only Federal lab in the country that is focused entirely on helping first responders carry out their mission. As the tactics and weapons of terrorists evolve, NUSTL will continue to play a key role in ensuring that our first responders are not just prepared but that they remain one step ahead. Mr. Speaker, before I close, I would note that a similar version of this bill passed the House in June 2018 by a voice vote. I would ask my colleagues to pass it again today and send it to the Senate, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from New York (Miss Rice) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 542. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed. ____________________
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