Lamar Smith: “I thank my friend and colleague from Texas (Mr. Ratcliffe) for his work on this legislation, for his earlier generous…”

“I thank my friend and colleague from Texas (Mr. Ratcliffe) for his work on this legislation, for his earlier generous comments, and for yielding me time as well. I also want to thank both him and the gentleman from Texas, Michael McCaul, the full committee chairman, for their work on this legislation. The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology shares jurisdiction with the Homeland Security Committee over the research and development programs carried out by the Department of Homeland Security. In the case of this bill, H.R. 3578, it is the R&D of the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, which was established by legislation that originated in the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, likewise, shares jurisdiction of the bill we just considered, H.R. 3875. That bill will assess and plan DHS research and development of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives defenses. Next year, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology expects to continue to advance science and technology efforts to counter terrorist threats to the homeland. In anticipation of today's legislation, our committee exercised its jurisdiction by holding two hearings.…”