I was troubled to learn that 500 people remained in shelters a month after Hurricane Sandy.

Given these high costs, particular attention must be paid to the success of these programs and, where problems exist--and it appears as if the Department is continuing to throw good money after bad--programs should be immediately stopped…

I am encouraged that we are moving forward but I am not convinced that anyone believes we have done all we can to ensure that this Nation's cyber networks are protected and resilient.

Each year, the Department of Homeland Security spends approximately one-fourth of its entire budget on procuring goods and services.

For almost a decade, I have worked to improve disaster preparedness and planning for children and those with special needs and language barriers.

As this Congress continues attempts to reduce funding for preparedness programs, we need to understand that these reductions have a direct effect on the ability of first responders to save lives during times of disaster and tragedy.

Although they are on track to spend slightly less this fiscal year, the manner in which the Department utilized taxpayer funds to procure goods and services are of utmost concern.

Since its inception, acquisition management has been a challenge for the Department.

Terrorism Insurance Still Necessary to Foster Resilience

This undertaking requires the development of a 'Federal Data Services Hub.'

I should note that today, the Majority will bring their 41st vote to undermine and repeal the Affordable Care Act to the Floor of the House.

This kind of assurance is extremely important if we want millions of people who do not have health care to feel that they can trust this system and use it to get the care they need and the policies they can afford.

However, in this committee, we must try to provide an understanding of the possible homeland security implications of military action.

The current civil war in Syria began 3 years ago as a popular uprising against the Assad regime.

I believe that the kind of briefings that you would get if you really pursued it is, do not let these chemical weapons get in the hands of terrorists.

Today, I hope we can discuss the ripple effects of our action or inaction in the Syrian conflict.

The sad part to me, however, is that even if we are able to control these stockpiles, Assad will continue to kill his people with conventional weapons.

In the end, it is a tactic without a strategy, and so we have to determine--you have to determine--what is really our strategy?

I urge you to once again attempt to move your leadership to assure that a meaningful cybersecurity bill can come to the House floor in the face of the risk of retaliation from the SEA.

I believe that with a lot of work and a lot of smart people in the CFATS program, we can do better.

As the scale of death and destruction has come into focus, Americans have been forced to ask themselves some very tough questions.

Had that information sharing occurred in West, Texas, some of the death and property damage could have been mitigated.

There needs to be a sense of urgency on this issue at all levels.

We are extremely pleased to see that the President's Executive Order on chemical facility security has been issued.

Hopefully, this renewed focus will yield meaningful results.