Homeland Security Committee to Consider Four Homeland Security Bills -- TOMORROW

Media Contact: (202) 226-8417
Mar 27, 2012 Issues: Information Sharing and State and Local Fusion Centers, Preparedness for and Response to Terrorist Attacks and Natural Disasters, Passenger and Cargo Aviation Security, Surface Transportation Security

Washington, D.C. – The House Committee on Homeland Security, chaired by Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY), will consider four homeland security measures, H.R. 3563, H.R. 2764, H.R. 3140, and H.R. 2179, tomorrow at 10 a.m. in Room 311 Cannon House Office Building.

H.R. 3563, introduced Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to modernize and implement the national integrated public alert and warning system (IPAWS) through the establishment of common alert and warning protocols, standards, terminology, and an operating system.  At tomorrow’s markup, it is expected that Rep. Bilirakis will offer an Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute. 

H.R. 2764, introduced by Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-PA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, provides guidance for ongoing activities for the Department of Homeland Security to engage in and support intelligence activities related to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats and to share intelligence with partners at the Federal, state, and local levels. 

H.R. 3140, introduced by Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to prioritize the assignment of officers and analysts from TSA to fusion centers with jurisdictions over mass transit systems.  It also requires officers and analysts to assist state and local agencies to protect against transit level threats and share best practices. 

H.R. 2179, introduced by Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL), directs the TSA Administrator to transfer unclaimed money recovered at airport security checkpoints to United Service Organizations (USO), Incorporated.  It also amends the Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2005 by including in the annual report the amount of unclaimed money transferred to the USO and the dates of those transfers. At tomorrow’s markup, it is expected that Rep. Rogers (R-AL) will offer an Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute.

WHAT:       Full Committee Markup of H.R. 3563, H.R. 2764, H.R. 3140, H.R. 2179

WHEN:       10 a.m., Wednesday, March 28, 2012

WHERE:     311 Cannon House Office Building

                **Live video feed available HERE.

###