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“GAINS IN GLOBAL NUCLEAR DETECTION ARCHITECTURE ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H5952-H5954 on Sept. 27, 2016.
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GAINS IN GLOBAL NUCLEAR DETECTION ARCHITECTURE ACT
Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5391) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance certain duties of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5391
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 ``Gains in Global Nuclear Detection Architecture Act''.
SEC. 2. DUTIES OF THE DOMESTIC NUCLEAR DETECTION OFFICE.
Section 1902 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 592) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection:
``(b) Implementation.--In carrying out paragraph (6) of subsection (a), the Director of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office shall--
``(1) develop and maintain documentation, such as a technology roadmap and strategy, that--
``(A) provides information on how the Office's research investments align with--
``(i) gaps in the enhanced global nuclear detection architecture, as developed pursuant to paragraph (4) of such subsection; and
``(ii) research challenges identified by the Director; and
``(B) defines in detail how the Office will address such research challenges;
``(2) document the rational for prioritizing and selecting research topics; and
``(3) develop a systematic approach, which may include annual metrics and periodic qualitative evaluations, for evaluating how the outcomes of the Office's individual research projects collectively contribute to addressing the Office's research challenges.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ratcliffe) and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Richmond) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
General Leave
Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be considering H.R. 5391, the Gains in Global Nuclear Detection Architecture Act of 2016.
H.R. 5391 directs the Department of Homeland Security's Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, or DNDO, to develop and maintain documentation that provides information on how the Office's research investments align with gaps in the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture as well as the research challenges identified by the DNDO Director.
This bill further directs DNDO to document the rationale for selecting research topics and to develop a systematic approach for evaluating how the outcomes of the Office's individual research projects collectively contribute to addressing these research challenges.
Mr. Speaker, as the attacks in Paris, Brussels, and Turkey have shown, ISIS is accelerating its attacks on innocent people throughout the world. Individuals in this country have been inspired by ISIS to commit heinous acts and crimes on our soil, murdering 49 innocent souls in Orlando, Florida, and 14 more in San Bernardino, California.
Just this summer, 6 men were convicted in Tbilisi, Georgia, of trying to sell uranium-238; and in January, three members of a criminal group were detained for trying to sell cesium-137--both of which could be used to make a dirty bomb.
Mr. Speaker, we must absolutely ensure that terrorists never get their hands on radioactive materials, and this bill will enhance DNDO's ability to provide radiation detection devices specifically aimed at preventing terrorists from being able to obtain enough radioactive material to construct a dirty bomb.
This bill will ensure that the research topics DNDO chooses to invest in to enhance our ability to detect smuggled nuclear materials are aligned with the gaps that have been identified in the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture, a multi-agency framework for detecting, analyzing, and reporting on nuclear and other radioactive materials that are out of regulatory control. Requiring DNDO to document the rationale for choosing research topics will ensure that the most important gaps in the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture are addressed.
Mr. Speaker, I am happy to support this measure today. I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Richmond, and his team for the terrific work they have done to bring this legislation to the floor today. I believe that this bill will better enable this country to detect the smuggling of nuclear materials and will support the very critical mission of preventing ISIS and other terrorists from carrying out a nuclear or radiological attack on American soil. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5391, the Gains in Global Nuclear Detection Architecture Act. My bipartisan bill was approved unanimously by the Committee on Homeland Security on June 8. I appreciate the support of my ranking member, Mr. Thompson, and my colleagues across the aisle, Mr. Ratcliffe and Chairman McCaul, in my efforts to advance this legislation.
In nuclear smuggling detection, we rely on the critical triad of intelligence, law enforcement, and technology. The Department of Homeland Security deploys detection technologies in maritime and border operations based on intelligence indicators and places them in the hands of well-trained DHS personnel.
At DHS, the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, or DNDO, is responsible for the coordination of Federal efforts to detect and protect against attempts to import, possess, store, develop, or transport radioactive materials that may be used as weapons against our Nation.
DNDO, with its interagency partners, coordinates the U.S. Global Nuclear Detection Architecture, or GNDA, which is a framework for detecting, analyzing, and reporting on the smuggling of nuclear and radioactive materials.
In April 2015, the Government Accountability Office issued a report that looked at how DNDO manages its roughly $350 million research and development program. The GAO concluded that DNDO needed to do a better job of documenting the rationale for selecting the 189 research and development projects that it funds and how these projects align with the research challenges and identified gaps, especially gaps or vulnerabilities identified in the GNDA.
Subsequently, I introduced the Gains in Global Nuclear Detection Architecture Act to, among other things, help certify that the planning, selection, and future funding of nuclear detection research and development projects are targeted towards identified gaps in the GNDA. Such documentation is essential to confirm that DNDO is making the right research investments to keep the Nation secure.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Louisiana has 17\1/2\ minutes remaining.
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the gentleman for his legislation. It is very, very astute and a very important initiative, the Gains in Global Nuclear Detection Architecture Act. Again, I thank the chairman of the subcommittee as well for his leadership. He is a fellow Texan. We meet each other on several committees, but we have the opportunity to work together on these important issues.
Let me just briefly say how important this is. This is a fill-in-the-
gap initiative. And the gap can be dangerous. It can be devastating. What it ensures is that we develop and maintain documentation that provides information on how the Office's research investment aligns with gaps in the enhanced Global Nuclear Detection Architecture and with research challenges identified by the Director, and that defines in detail how the Office will address such research challenges.
I have real life, if you will, examples, in the community that I come from. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the maritime border has 95,000 miles of shoreline and 361 seaports. One of those happens to be the Port of Houston.
Ocean transportation accounts for 95 percent of cargo tonnage that moves in and out of the country with 8,588 commercial vessels making 82,044 port calls in 2015. In my community alone, Houston, Texas, has a 25-mile maritime line.
In the Port of Houston, as we were ranked one of the first in foreign tonnage with 46 percent of market share by tonnage, we know what challenges come about in the potential of cargo being, if you will, exploited by putting in dangerous elements dealing with nuclear equipment.
So the idea of Homeland Security focusing on, as this legislation says, gains in Global Nuclear Detection Architecture, is crucial to supporting the Nation's ports, securing the Nation's tonnage, and securing the Nation.
The Securing the Cities Act was legislation that related to the idea of nuclear detection and interdiction of radiological materials. Just last year, the city of Houston was awarded an initial Securing the Cities grant of $3.5 million as the initial installment of a $30 million grant payable over 5 years.
This is a very important aspect of nuclear detection. This legislation is a great partner to filling in the gap. The grant that we received in Houston was funded through the Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Program, which I cosponsored and truly believe is a major element of protection for our cities around the Nation.
This is, again, a potentially devastating impact if some nuclear materials were able to come into a port, come into an airport, come into our communities. I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 5391, Gains in Global Nuclear Detection Architecture Act, to be able to provide more security to the United States of America.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in strong support of H.R. 5391, the Gains in Global Nuclear Detection Architecture Act, which will address the threat of nuclear weapons or unapproved material materials from entering the country.
I thank my colleague on the Homeland Security Congressman Cedric Richmond for authoring this bill, which requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, when conducting research and development to generate and improve technologies to detect and prevent the illicit entry, transport, assembly, or potential use within the United States of a nuclear explosive device or fissile or radiological material, to: develop and maintain documentation that provides information on how the Office's research investments align with gaps in the enhanced global nuclear detection architecture and with research challenges identified by the Director, and that defines in detail how the Office will address such research challenges; document the rational for prioritizing and selecting research topics; and develop a systematic approach for evaluating how the outcomes of the Office's individual research projects collectively contribute to addressing its research challenges.
As a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations, and serving as a member of this body representing the Houston area, which is home to one of our nation's busiest ports this topic is of great concern to me.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation the U.S. maritime border covers 95,000 miles of shoreline with 361 seaports.
Ocean transportation accounts for 95 percent of cargo tonnage that moves in and out of the country, with 8,588 commercial vessels making 82,044 port calls in 2015.
The Port of Houston is a 25-mile-long complex of diversified public and private facilities located just a few hours' sailing time from the Gulf of Mexico.
In 2012 ship channel-related businesses contribute 1,026,820 jobs and generate more than $178.5 billion in statewide economic impact.
In 2014, the Port of Houston was ranked among U.S. ports: 1st in foreign tonnage, Largest Texas port with 46% of market share by tonnage and 95% market share in containers by total TEUS in 2014, Largest Gulf Coast container port, handling 67% of U.S. Gulf Coast container traffic in 2014, 2nd ranked U.S. port in terms of total foreign cargo value
(based on U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of Census).
The Government Accountability Office (GAO), reports that this port, and its waterways, and vessels are part of an economic engine handling more than $700 billion in merchandise annually.
The Port of Houston houses approximately 100 steamship lines offering services that link Houston with 1,053 ports in 203 countries.
The Port of Houston has $15 billion petrochemical complex, the largest in the nation and second largest worldwide.
These statistics clearly communicate the potential for a terrorist attack using nuclear or radiological material may in some estimations be low, but should an attack occur the consequences would be catastrophic, and for this reason we cannot be lax in our efforts to deter, detect and defeat attempts by terrorists to perpetrate such a heinous act of terrorism.
DHS plays an essential role in domestic defense against the potential smuggling of a weapon of mass destruction in a shipping container or the use of a bomb-laden small vessel to carry out an attack at a port.
I was pleased to have been one of the lead sponsors of the ``Securing the Cities Act,'' when it was introduced in 2006 and reauthorized in 2010 and 2015.
The ``Securing the Cities Act,'' mandated that DHS's Director for Domestic Nuclear Detection to create a Securing the Cities program.
The purpose of the ``Securing the Cities Program'' mandated by the legislation is to:
1. Assist state, local, tribal, and territorial governments in creating and implementing, or perfecting existing structures for coordinated and integrated detection and interdiction of nuclear or other radiological materials that are out of regulatory control;
2. Support the creation of a region-wide operating capability to identify and report on nuclear and other radioactive materials out of operational control;
3. Provide resources to improve detection, analysis, communication, and organization to better integrate state, local, tribal, and territorial property into federal operations;
4. Facilitate the establishment of protocol and processes to effectively respond to threats posed by nuclear or radiological materials being acquired or used by terrorists; and
5. Designate participating jurisdictions from among high-risk urban areas and other cities and regions, as appropriate, and notify Congress at least three days before designating or changing such jurisdictions.
The 18th Congressional District of Texas, which I represent, is centered in the Houston area, the 4th largest city in the United States and home to over 2 million residents.
Last year the City of Houston was awarded an initial ``Securing the Cities'' grant of $3.5 million by the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS), as the initial installment of a $30 million grant payable over 5 years.
This grant is funded through the Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Program, which I co-sponsored and have strongly supported throughout my tenure on the Homeland Security Committee.
The grant funding enables the City of Houston and its partners to work with DHS's Domestic Nuclear Office to build a robust, regional nuclear detection capability for law enforcement and first responder organizations.
This is an important joint local and federal effort to increase the ability of major urban cities to detect and protect against radiological and nuclear threats.
The DHS Domestic Nuclear Detection Office provides equipment and assistance to regional partners in conducting training and exercises to further their nuclear detection capabilities and coordinate with federal operations.
Unfortunately, the age of terrorism makes this a more dangerous and uncertain time than the decades following World War II when nation/
state nuclear arsenals were being created.
Nuclear threats are more perilous than what our nation faced during the Cold War because these threats come from non-state actors who often do not have the same level of concern for the wellbeing of their people who may face the consequences of a nuclear attack against the United States.
This is why this legislation is needed to address the real threat of loose nuclear material and the possibility that it might find its way into the hands of terrorist or criminals.
It is important that we remain constantly vigilant on the issue of nuclear threats that are present in our world today.
H.R. 5391, is an essential tool to add to the work being done by DHS to deter, detect, mitigate and defend against domestic nuclear threats.
I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support H.R. 5391.
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, my bill, H.R. 5391, would help verify that DHS carefully prioritizes research and development projects to actually close identified vulnerability gaps in the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture.
Across the Federal Government, our goal is to prevent nuclear terrorism by making it an excessively difficult undertaking for our adversaries. Getting research and development right at DNDO is critical to that effort.
I would urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5391.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
I, once again, would like to commend and congratulate my friend, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Richmond), for this very important national security bill.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5391.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ratcliffe) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5391, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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