Sheila Jackson Lee: “As a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1637, the ``Federally Funded…”

“As a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1637, the ``Federally Funded Research and Development Sunshine Act of 2015.'' I support this bipartisan legislation which requires annual reports on the activities and accomplishments of federally funded research and development centers within the department of Homeland Security. The bill requires that the secretary of Homeland Security annually submit to Congressional oversight committees a list of ongoing and completed projects lead by federally funded research and development centers within the Department of Homeland Security have been assigned or completed. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) act as a vehicle for special research and development contracting within the federal government. The FFRDCs provide DHS with independent and objective advice and quick response on critical issues throughout the Homeland Security Enterprise. Homeland Security Systems Engineering and Development Institute (HSSEDI) and Homeland Security Studies and Analysis Institute (HSSAI) perform high-quality research and provide advice that is authoritative, objective and free from conflicts of interest caused by competition. I support H.R. 1637, which provides much needed transparency on the research conducted by the Department of Homeland security. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in strong support of the suspension bill, H.R.…”