February 10, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 27 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session
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HOMELAND SECURITY FOR CHILDREN ACT; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 27
(House of Representatives - February 10, 2020)
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[Pages H990-H991] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] HOMELAND SECURITY FOR CHILDREN ACT Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2932) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to ensure that the needs of children are considered in homeland security planning, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 2932 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 ``Homeland Security for Children Act''. SEC. 2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR STRATEGY, POLICY, AND PLANS. Paragraph (6) of section 709(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 349(c)) is amended by inserting ``, including feedback from organizations representing the needs of children,'' after ``stakeholder feedback''. SEC. 3. TECHNICAL EXPERT AUTHORIZED. Paragraph (2) of section 503(b) of the Homeland Security Act (6 U.S.C. 313(b)) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``and'' at the end; (2) in subparagraph (H), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(I) identify and integrate the needs of children into activities to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against the risk of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other manmade disasters, including catastrophic incidents, including by appointing a technical expert, who may consult with relevant outside organizations and experts, as necessary, to coordinate such integration, as necessary.''. SEC. 4. REPORT. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for five years, the Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans of the Department of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report describing the efforts the Department has undertaken to review and incorporate feedback from organizations representing the needs of children into Department policy in accordance with paragraph (6) of section 709(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (as amended by section 2 of this Act), including information on the following: (1) The designation of any individual responsible for carrying out such paragraph (6). (2) Any review, formal or informal, of Department policies, programs, or activities to assess the suitability of such policies, programs, or activities for children and where feedback from organizations representing the needs of children should be reviewed and incorporated. (3) Any review, change, modification, or promulgation of Department policies, programs, or activities to ensure that such policies, programs, or activities are appropriate for children. (4) Coordination with organizations or experts outside the Department pursuant to such paragraph (6) conducted to inform any such review, change, modification, or promulgation of such policies, programs, or activities. 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. I rise in strong support of H.R. 2932, the Homeland Security for Children Act. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to the Department of Homeland Security's policies and programs, it is important the children, the most vulnerable among us, are taken into consideration. H.R. 2932, introduced by my fellow Subcommittee Chairman Donald Payne, would, for the first time, authorize the children's technical expert position within FEMA to ensure the needs of children are incorporated in all disaster-related activities. Importantly, the bill recognizes that, when it comes to DHS, the impacts of policies and programs go well beyond disaster response and recovery. It recognizes that, from screening protocols at TSA checkpoints to short-term detention standards to active-shooter training, DHS policy must incorporate the needs of children. To that end, H.R. 2932 would direct the Department of Homeland Security's Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans to incorporate the needs of children in all departmental policies, programs, and activities. A similar measure passed by voice vote in the full House passed last Congress. Mr. Speaker, I urge my House colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC, January 7, 2020. Hon. Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Thompson: I write concerning H.R. 2932, the Homeland Security for Children Act. There are certain provisions in this legislation that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. In order to expedite floor consideration of H.R. 2932, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure agrees to forgo action on the bill. However, this is conditional on our [[Page H991]] mutual understanding that forgoing consideration of the bill would not prejudice the Committee with respect to the appointment of conferees or to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in the bill or similar legislation that fall within the Committee's Rule X jurisdiction. I also request that you urge the Speaker to name members of this Committee to any conference committee which is named to consider such provisions. Please place a copy of this letter and your response acknowledging our jurisdictional interest into the committee report on H.R. 2932 and into the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Sincerely, Peter A. DeFazio, Chair. ____ Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, January 7, 2020. Hon. Peter DeFazio, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman DeFazio: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 2932, the ``Homeland Security for Children Act.'' The Committee on Homeland Security recognizes that the Committee on Transportation Infrastructure has a jurisdictional interest in H.R. 2932, 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 Transportation and Infrastructure with respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives 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. 2932 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. Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2932, the Homeland Security for Children Act. This legislation seeks to ensure that the needs of children, one of our most vulnerable populations, are considered in Department of Homeland Security planning. H.R. 2932 directs the Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans to incorporate feedback from children's organizations into departmentwide activities. Furthermore, this bill authorizes the technical expert position within the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, to identify and integrate the needs of children when preparing for, protecting against, responding to, and recovering from natural and manmade disasters. It is imperative that we ensure that those who are unable to advocate for themselves are being represented when disaster strikes. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, children make up nearly 23 percent of the Nation's population, and as the threats to our homeland continue to evolve, it is important that we be prepared to adequately assist every child at every age. H.R. 2932 directs the Department of Homeland Security to include the needs of children, the most vulnerable among us, in all departmental activities. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter of support signed by several organizations representing the needs of children, including Save the Children, the Child Welfare League of America, Share Our Strength, and Zero to Three. National Coalition on Children and Disasters, Arlington, VA, July 12, 2019. Hon. Donald M. Payne, Jr., House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Congressman Payne: As members of the National Coalition on Children and Disasters, which includes organizations that advocate for the well-being of children and their families in the preparation for, response to, and recovery from natural or man-made disasters, we endorse H.R. 2932, the ``Homeland Security for Children Act of 2019.'' In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the nation learned how unprepared we were at the federal, state, and local levels of government in addressing and responding to the needs of children. As a result, in 2007, Congress established the National Commission on Children and Disasters, which produced a comprehensive book of recommendations in 2010. They included improved mental health services, pediatric and child welfare needs, and disaster management planning, response, and reunification for child care settings. Most importantly, the Commission strongly recommended that improved coordination of the needs of children among federal agencies was needed. The Homeland Security for Children Act would help improve the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) response to the needs of children during disasters. Your bill would also increase accountability across government agencies in times of emergency and incorporate feedback from youth-serving organizations to prioritize and represent the needs of children into department-wide policies. In addition, it would mandate that DHS provide routine updates to Congress summarizing efforts undertaken to incorporate the needs of children in Department-wide policies, programs, and activities. With natural disasters on the rise, the time is now for Congress to ensure that the necessary supports are in place to address needs of children and families following disasters. Children are not little adults. They have specialized needs that must be considered when planning for, responding to, and recovering from a disaster. Thank you for your sponsorship of this critical legislation, as well as your ongoing leadership on behalf of children and families. If we can be of any assistance on advancing this bill, please do not hesitate to contact us. Sincerely, National Coalition on Children and Disasters Members include: Child Care Awareof America; Child Welfare League of America; Early Care and Education Consortium; First Focus Campaign for Children; Institute for Child Success; National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University; 1,000 Days; Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies; Public Advocacy for Kids; Save the Children; Share Our Strength; Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights; Zero to Three. Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 2932, and I yield back the balance of my time. 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 pass the bill, H.R. 2932, as amended. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. 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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