February 10, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 27 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session
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DHS FIELD ENGAGEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY ACT; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 27
(House of Representatives - February 10, 2020)
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[Pages H988-H990] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] DHS FIELD ENGAGEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY ACT Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 504) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Department of Homeland Security to develop an engagement strategy with fusion centers, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the Senate amendment is as follows: Senate amendment: Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``DHS Field Engagement Accountability Act''. SEC. 2. ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY WITH FUSION CENTERS. Section 210A of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124h) is amended by-- (1) redesignating subsections (j) and (k) as subsections (k) and (l), respectively; and (2) inserting after subsection (i) the following: ``(j) Fusion Center Information Sharing Strategy.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the DHS Field Engagement Accountability Act, and not less frequently than once every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary shall develop or update a strategy for Department engagement with fusion centers. Such strategy shall be developed and updated in consultation with the heads of intelligence components of the Department, the Chief Privacy Officer, the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, officials of fusion centers, officers designated as Homeland Security Advisors, and the heads of other relevant agencies, as appropriate. Such strategy shall include the following: ``(1) Specific goals and objectives for sharing information and engaging with fusion centers-- ``(A) through the direct deployment of personnel from intelligence components of the Department; ``(B) through the use of Department unclassified and classified information sharing systems, including the Homeland Security Information Network and the Homeland Secure Data Network, or any successor systems; and ``(C) through any additional means. ``(2) The performance metrics to be used to measure success in achieving the goals and objectives referred to in paragraph (1). ``(3) A 5-year plan for continued engagement with fusion centers.''. SEC. 3. OFFICE OF INTELLIGENCE AND ANALYSIS FIELD PERSONNEL SUPPORT TO FUSION CENTERS. (a) Performance Metrics.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis shall-- (1) consider the effectiveness of existing processes to identify and prepare field personnel for deployment to support fusion centers and internal mechanisms to ensure oversight and accountability of such field personnel, including field personnel assigned to one center and field personnel assigned to multiple centers; and (2) publish and disseminate performance metrics, taking into account, as appropriate, regional and threat diversity, for-- (A) field personnel from the Office of Intelligence and Analysis assigned to an individual fusion center; (B) field personnel from the Office of Intelligence and Analysis assigned to multiple fusion centers; and (C) Regional Directors of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis to ensure accountability for monitoring all field personnel under the supervision of such Regional Directors. (b) Training.--In consultation with the Chief Information Officer, the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis shall develop and implement a formalized training module for fusion center personnel regarding the classified Homeland Secure Data Network, or any successor system. (c) Fusion Center Defined.--In this section, the term ``fusion center'' has the meaning given such term in section 210A(k) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as so redesignated by section 2. SEC. 4. DHS COMPONENT USAGE OF THE HOMELAND SECURITY INFORMATION NETWORK. (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the [[Page H989]] Chief Information Officer, in consultation with the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, and in accordance with the functions and responsibilities assigned to the Under Secretary under title II of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 121 et seq.), shall-- (1) develop policies and metrics to ensure effective use by components of the Department of the unclassified Homeland Security Information Network (referred to in this section as ``HSIN''), or any successor system; and (2) develop policies for posting unclassified products on HSIN, or any successor system. (b) Technical Enhancements.--The Chief Information Officer, in consultation with the Chief Intelligence Officer, shall assess and implement, as appropriate, technical enhancements to HSIN to improve usability, including search functionality, data analysis, and collaboration capabilities. SEC. 5. REPORT. Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit a report to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate, the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives that describes the implementation of-- (1) the fusion center information sharing strategy required under section 210A(j) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by section 2, based on performance metrics developed pursuant to such strategy; (2) the deployment of field personnel to fusion centers (as such term is defined in section 210A of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124h)), in accordance with section 3, based on performance metrics developed pursuant to such section; and (3) policies that seek to ensure the effective use of the Homeland Security Information Network, in accordance with section 4, based on the metrics developed pursuant to such section. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Torres Small) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Crenshaw) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New Mexico. General Leave Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from New Mexico? There was no objection. Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague on the other side of the aisle, Mr. Bacon, for his leadership on the DHS Field Engagement Accountability Act. This bill was passed by the House of Representatives last January on a voice vote. It was also passed unanimously by the Senate in July after technical edits to the bill text. The bill returns to the House floor today for us to consider the bill, as amended by the Senate, and send it to the President. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, once again. In the face of an evolving and increasingly complex threat landscape, it is critically important to ensure that there is collaboration and information sharing. The Department of Homeland Security's 79 fusion centers, located across the country, help to connect the dots about possible terrorist plots, including domestic terrorist plots. A 2016 review found that DHS does not have a strategic engagement plan for these 79 fusion centers. H.R. 504 will help address this gap by requiring DHS to develop a Department-wide strategy for engaging with fusion centers. This includes the development of metrics that will help hold fusion center staff accountable for their performance. This legislation also requires DHS to improve the classified and unclassified information-sharing systems that are used by fusion centers to ensure that information is shared properly and in accordance with Department standards. In part, H.R. 504 would require that all information-sharing policies are developed and maintained by the Department's privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties officers. Over the past year, as communities across the country suffered from acts of targeted violence and terrorism, we have been reminded of the importance of information sharing. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 504, the DHS Field Engagement Accountability Act. This legislation was introduced by my friend and colleague from Nebraska, Representative Don Bacon. I applaud Congressman Bacon's initiative in sponsoring H.R. 504, which requires the Department of Homeland Security to: Develop an engagement strategy for the national network of fusion centers; Performance metrics for DHS personnel deployed to support State and local fusion centers; and, Training for fusion center personnel in the use of available DHS information-sharing systems. Additionally, the bill ensures that DHS component agencies are sharing appropriate information, through secure channels, with fusion center personnel. Representing a border State, I want to ensure that DHS agencies, including Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have relevant criminal or terrorism information that is accessible to appropriate fusion center personnel. This will enhance coordination and situational awareness throughout the homeland. This bill has already passed the House of Representatives and was passed in the Senate with minor amendments. Passage of the bill today will send H.R. 504 to the President's desk. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to again support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon). Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues and friends from New Mexico and Texas for their leadership today and guidance to the floor. I rise in support of H.R. 504, the DHS Field Engagement Accountability Act, which will improve the management, integration, transparency, and overall mission performance of the 79 State and local fusion centers across our country. Creating a robust and mature information-sharing relationship between the Department of Homeland Security and State and local law enforcement is vital for our Homeland Security. Since the September 11, 2001, attacks, State and local fusion centers have become key stakeholders in the homeland security of our country, and it is an important mission. Yet, despite their importance, the Government Accountability Office has observed that a lack of standardization in manpower, data systems, and training has hurt their effectiveness. H.R. 504 is focused on setting the conditions to better allow our fusion centers to accomplish the mission for which they were created and funded. My home State fusion center, the Nebraska Information Analysis Center, or NIAC, is the information exchange gateway for State, local, and Federal authorities serving all of the 93 counties in Nebraska. NIAC collects, analyzes, and shares information on crime and terrorism with Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement organizations and with other public and private entities as appropriate. Recently, the NIAC was called upon to collect and analyze reports of suspicious drone activity in western Nebraska, for example. Our Nation's fusion centers have a rapidly expanding range of missions that protect our citizens, and the Department of Homeland Security has a legal obligation to coordinate with and assist these State and local centers. So my legislation requires DHS to develop an engagement strategy to coordinate information sharing, technology, and personnel resources with these fusion centers. Additionally, this bill requires DHS to develop clear and robust performance metrics for Federal personnel assigned to these centers. This will help both the headquarters and fusion center directors improve the effectiveness, while ensuring oversight and accountability. In addition to personnel, DHS also provides fusion centers with access to classified and sensitive information. [[Page H990]] H.R. 504 calls for improvements in training and technology to support this vital information exchange, including the requirement that DHS share intelligence products with fusion centers when appropriate. Over the years, Congress has seen a vast improvement in DHS's support for these key stakeholders, including the NIAC. These improvements are vital to DHS sharing timely and relevant information with relevant stakeholders on the front lines of a constantly evolving threat landscape. This bill will help those on the front lines defend against those who threaten or attack our way of life. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Rogers for bringing this bill to the floor. I also thank Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member Peters in the Senate for moving this bill through the Senate. This is a commonsense measure, and with another strong showing of bipartisan support from the House. I look forward to the bill quickly becoming law. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 504. Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers and am prepared to close after the gentleman from Texas closes. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I, again, want to thank Representative Bacon for his work on this legislation, as well as Chairman Thompson, Ranking Member Rogers, Senator Johnson, and Senator Peters for moving this bill through the House and Senate committees. The sharing of counterterrorism and other homeland security information with State and local officials is vital in our efforts to protect the homeland. I am proud that we are able to support further enhancing these efforts in a bipartisan manner today. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 504 passed the House on voice vote last Friday and passed the Senate on voice vote in July after technical edits were incorporated into the text. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill again so that it can be sent to the White House for the President's signature. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. {time} 1615 The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Torres Small) that the House suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill, H.R. 504. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the Senate amendment was concurred in. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________
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