Source: House Representative Michael T. McCaul (R-TX, 10th)
One of the main lessons learned post-9/11 is the need for a more robust information sharing capacity among federal, state, and local authorities. While we have taken steps to improve information sharing, we must do more. Today the House passed 9 Homeland Security Committee bills to support local law enforcement, identify and mitigate threats, and strengthen information sharing.
Chairman McCaul: “Providing law enforcement officials with critical information will help keep our city streets from becoming the next battlefield. These bills, among other things, help the Department of Homeland Security identify emerging threats, support state and local authorities, and strengthen and better coordinate the Department’s Intelligence Enterprise. Sixteen years after 9/11, we must continue to build upon the coordination between all levels of law enforcement to keep Americans safer.”
The bills that passed the House today include:
H.R. 2427 - Pathways to Improving Homeland Security at the Local Level Act, sponsored by Rep. Val Demings (D-FL), directs the Assistant Secretary for State and Local Law Enforcement to produce and disseminate an annual catalog on Department of Homeland Security training, publications, programs, and services for State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.
H.R. 2433 - Homeland Security Assessment of Terrorists Use of Virtual Currencies Act, sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY), directs the Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Intelligence and Analysis to develop and disseminate a threat assessment regarding terrorist use of virtual currency.
H.R. 2442 - FIRST State and Local Law Enforcement Act, sponsored by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), requires an annual report on the Office for State and Local Law Enforcement.
H.R. 2443 - Department of Homeland Security Classified Facility Inventory Act, sponsored by Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA), requires the Secretary to maintain an inventory of all classified facilities across the United States and to ensure that appropriate federal, state and local personnel are aware of such locations to enhance their ability to review and discuss classified information.
H.R. 2453 - DHS Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program Act of 2017, sponsored by Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), requires the Secretary to establish the “Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program'' to provide greater opportunities for intelligence analysts across the Department to cross-train and develop homeland security intelligence expertise.
H.R. 2454 - Department of Homeland Security Data Framework Act of 2017 sponsored by Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX), authorizes the DHS Data Framework, an ongoing initiative to connect the data sets collected by DHS component agencies to improve vetting capability and intelligence analysis.
H.R. 2468 - Unifying DHS Intelligence Enterprise Act, sponsored by Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), requires the Secretary to develop and disseminate a written Department-wide intelligence doctrine regarding the processing, analysis, production, and dissemination of homeland security information and terrorism information.
H.R. 2470 - Homeland Threat Assessment Act, sponsored by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), requires the Department to produce an annual threat assessment utilizing Departmental information to identify emerging and persistent threats to the United States, including border, cyber, and transportation security.
H.R. 2471 - TRACER Act, Sponsored by Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL), directs the Secretary to engage in a consistent, proactive information sharing process by coordinating with appropriate federal officials and reaching out to fusion centers and other law enforcement entities with release information related to certain federal inmates incarcerated for terror-related offenses.
The Unpopular Truth
Showing posts with label Counter-terrorism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Counter-terrorism. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
REPS. DEMINGS, MURPHY, SOTO SEEK TO ADD COUNTER-TERROR FUNDING TO FEDERAL SPENDING BILL
Source: House Representative Darren Soto (D-FL, 9th)
Washington, D.C. - September 5, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- When Congress returns this week, the House of Representatives is scheduled to begin work on a spending bill to prevent a government shutdown at the end of September. Representatives Val Demings, Stephanie Murphy, and Darren Soto want the bill to include counter-terrorism funding for Orlando. The three filed an amendment that would add $20 million in additional funding to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) budget for grants to sustain training and equipment that was obtained with previous federal funds.
“This funding would help Orlando and other cities avoid losing ground on preparedness,” said Congresswoman Val Demings. “The federal government has a continuing responsibility to assist this nation’s cities in preventing and preparing to respond to acts of terrorism. I believe we have no greater obligation than to keep the people that we represent safe from harm.”
“We have seen too many recent international and national tragedies, including in our beloved Orlando. In this era of growing terror threats, it is vital we are proactive with our preparedness and prevention plans. Additional funding for UASI counter-terror programs will equip our Central Florida Police Departments and First Responders with the necessary training and resources to better protect our community in case of the unexpected. Orlando is a thriving, global city, and we must continue to do all we can to keep Floridians and our visitors safe and secure,” stated Congressman Darren Soto.
“The safety of our communities must be a top priority. Additional funding for the UASI program will help ensure that cities like Orlando are prepared to handle potential terrorist attacks. As a global tourist destination, Orlando faces unique security challenges. An increase in UASI funding will give law enforcement and first responders the training and tools they need to keep our families safe,” said Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy.
If the three lawmakers are successful in including the funding in Congress’ annual spending bill, cities like Orlando that previously received grants under the DHS’s Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) would be able to apply for new funding next year to sustain counter-terrorism training and equipment that was purchased with prior grant funds. The City of Orlando received funding through UASI in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014, but has not qualified for the funding since.
The amendment to the spending bill is just the latest effort by Central Florida’s Congressional delegation to restore the federal funding Orlando previously received under this program. Earlier this year, the three voted for legislation that passed the House, H.R. 2825, with a provision authored by Rep. Demings to create a new, permanent grant program to assist former UASI jurisdictions. Rep. Demings, Murphy, and Soto have also called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency to fix the flawed formula for calculating terrorism risk that is responsible for Orlando being excluded from UASI program eligibility in recent years.
“We will continue to urge Congress to expand the list of cities included and work to ensure that we have the proper funds to prepare and respond to terrorism in Central Florida,” the three Members of Congress said.
Washington, D.C. - September 5, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- When Congress returns this week, the House of Representatives is scheduled to begin work on a spending bill to prevent a government shutdown at the end of September. Representatives Val Demings, Stephanie Murphy, and Darren Soto want the bill to include counter-terrorism funding for Orlando. The three filed an amendment that would add $20 million in additional funding to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) budget for grants to sustain training and equipment that was obtained with previous federal funds.
“This funding would help Orlando and other cities avoid losing ground on preparedness,” said Congresswoman Val Demings. “The federal government has a continuing responsibility to assist this nation’s cities in preventing and preparing to respond to acts of terrorism. I believe we have no greater obligation than to keep the people that we represent safe from harm.”
“We have seen too many recent international and national tragedies, including in our beloved Orlando. In this era of growing terror threats, it is vital we are proactive with our preparedness and prevention plans. Additional funding for UASI counter-terror programs will equip our Central Florida Police Departments and First Responders with the necessary training and resources to better protect our community in case of the unexpected. Orlando is a thriving, global city, and we must continue to do all we can to keep Floridians and our visitors safe and secure,” stated Congressman Darren Soto.
“The safety of our communities must be a top priority. Additional funding for the UASI program will help ensure that cities like Orlando are prepared to handle potential terrorist attacks. As a global tourist destination, Orlando faces unique security challenges. An increase in UASI funding will give law enforcement and first responders the training and tools they need to keep our families safe,” said Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy.
If the three lawmakers are successful in including the funding in Congress’ annual spending bill, cities like Orlando that previously received grants under the DHS’s Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) would be able to apply for new funding next year to sustain counter-terrorism training and equipment that was purchased with prior grant funds. The City of Orlando received funding through UASI in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014, but has not qualified for the funding since.
The amendment to the spending bill is just the latest effort by Central Florida’s Congressional delegation to restore the federal funding Orlando previously received under this program. Earlier this year, the three voted for legislation that passed the House, H.R. 2825, with a provision authored by Rep. Demings to create a new, permanent grant program to assist former UASI jurisdictions. Rep. Demings, Murphy, and Soto have also called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency to fix the flawed formula for calculating terrorism risk that is responsible for Orlando being excluded from UASI program eligibility in recent years.
“We will continue to urge Congress to expand the list of cities included and work to ensure that we have the proper funds to prepare and respond to terrorism in Central Florida,” the three Members of Congress said.
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