Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of H.R. 5385, the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Technical Correction Act of 2016. Congress mandated through the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 that the Department of Homeland Security conduct a quadrennial homeland security review, or a QHSR, every 4 years. This review is intended to outline the DHS' vision and strategy to effectively implement its mission to protect the homeland. Given the threats we face from radical Islamist terrorists, it is vital that the DHS has a sound strategy to keep the American public safe. Earlier this year, the Government Accountability Office reported on opportunities for the DHS to improve the QHSR process. The GAO made four recommendations for executive action, and this legislation leverages the GAO's findings to make the QHSR better. Specifically, this legislation requires the DHS to conduct a risk assessment to better inform the QHSR. The bill also mandates that the DHS maintain a paper trail of communications related to the QHSR. This should allow Congress and watchdogs to conduct more effective oversight of the DHS. I thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey for introducing this legislation. I absolutely urge all Members to join me in supporting this commonsense legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”