Sheila Jackson Lee: “I have an amendment at the desk; it is listed in the Rule as Jackson Lee 9. Many of us wear a number of hats with dual…”

“I have an amendment at the desk; it is listed in the Rule as Jackson Lee 9. Many of us wear a number of hats with dual committee assignments; I am a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee and the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. This perspective and these responsibilities have given me a special appreciation for the difficult and challenging times we live in and the importance of not taking precipitous actions that could put the security of our homeland at risk. Mr. Chair, if H.R. 348, the so-called RAPID Act, were to become law in its present form, a permit or license for project would be ``deemed'' approved if the reviewing agency does not issue the requested permit or license within 90-120 days. The Jackson Lee Amendment improves the bill and helps to protect the homeland by carving a limited exception for construction projects that could be potential targets for terrorist attacks such as chemical facilities, nuclear power plants, and other critical infrastructure. In particular, I think it is important to note that the FBI Director Comey recently indicated that there are ongoing investigations of suspected terrorist cells operating in all of the 50 states. All federal agencies are subject to the environmental decision making requirements under NEPA. This includes the U.S.…”