Dan Donovan
Bills introduced by U.S. Reps. John Katko (R-NY) and Dan Donovan (R-NY) to bolster counterterrorism capabilities, clarify transportation security grants and improve cyberattack defense cleared the House on Tuesday.
Katko’s Counterterrorism Advisory Board Act, H.R. 526, would establish a board within the Department of Homeland Security tasked with coordinating and integrating intelligence, activities and policies related to counterterrorism.
“It is critical that we continue our efforts in Congress to combat the threat of ISIS,” Katko said. “With ongoing counterterrorism investigations in all 50 states, we must act to strengthen the programs that address these threats. (Tuesday’s) legislation does just that, by ensuring that the Department of Homeland Security is acting efficiently and collaboratively to respond to the threat of global terrorism.”
The House also approved Donovan’s Transit Security Grant Program Flexibility Act, H.R. 549, which would clarify allowable uses for public transportation security assistance grants and to establish award periods for the grants.
Donovan’s Cyber Preparedness Act, H.R. 584, which would improve preparedness and response capabilities for cyberattacks and boost information sharing related to cyber threats, also cleared the House.
In addition, the Securing the Cities Act, H.R. 655, was authored by Donovan and would make permanent the Securing the Cities program, which defends cities against radiological and nuclear attacks. The program provides cities with training and equipment to detect radiological material.
“Your government’s greatest responsibility is to protect the American people,” Donovan said. “We have to be constantly vigilant and ensure that law enforcement officials have the resources necessary to prepare for and respond to terror threats. My bills will bolster nuclear, cyber and transit defenses, and ultimately make the homeland safer.”
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said 17 bills advanced by the committee that were approved by the House on Tuesday —including Katko’s and Donovan’s — were “unified in their purpose to better protect our homeland and our people.”
“These bills improve our border security, transportation security and cybersecurity defenses, enhance first responder capabilities, and streamline the management efficiency of the Department of Homeland Security,” McCaul said. “My committee is working to get commonsense legislation signed into law as soon as possible and make our country safer by doing so.”