Full Committee Markup

Committee on Homeland Security

2025-06-25

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Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The committee convened a markup session to consider five bills primarily focused on improving the operations of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and enhancing border security efforts.[ 00:16:29 ] These legislative proposals covered initiatives ranging from supporting canine programs and combating transnational criminal organizations to improving international cooperation against trafficking and streamlining preparedness grants.[ 00:16:50 ] Many of the bills presented garnered bipartisan support, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening DHS and promoting transparency.[ 00:16:35 ]

Themes

Support for CBP Canine Programs

The committee reviewed two legislative measures aimed at bolstering canine units within Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The PEARL Act (H.R. 3965) proposes a three-year pilot program that would allow CBP to adopt and train dogs from local animal shelters for use in support canine programs. This initiative is intended to benefit CBP's mission and address the mental health challenges faced by frontline personnel, who have experienced a significant number of deaths by suicide. The CBP K-9 Home Kenneling Pilot Act (H.R. 4057) seeks to establish a pilot program enabling CBP Office of Field Operations canine handlers to home kennel their service dogs. Supporters argued that home kenneling improves the well-being of the dogs, strengthens the bond with their handlers, and is more cost-effective than traditional kennels, thereby enhancing their effectiveness in detecting contraband.[ 00:18:14 ]

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 Both bills were widely supported by members, who emphasized the vital role of canine teams in border security and the importance of ensuring their health and morale.

Combating Transnational Criminal Organizations and Trafficking

Two bills were deliberated regarding efforts to counter transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and illicit trafficking. The Trendyagua Border Security Threat Assessment Act (H.R. 4070) mandates a comprehensive threat assessment by DHS on the violent Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua (TDA), which has expanded its reach and activities across the Western Hemisphere, including the United States. The legislation also requires the development of a strategic plan to mitigate these threats, which encompass kidnapping, human and sex trafficking, drug smuggling, and extortion, noting TDA's exploitation of border policies. While many members voiced strong support for the bill as a necessary response to a dangerous threat, others expressed concerns that it could lead to racial profiling and further harm immigrant communities, viewing it as a tool for anti-immigrant agendas. The Combating International Drug Trafficking and Human Smuggling Partnership Act of 2025 (H.R. 4071) authorizes CBP’s Air and Marine Operations (AMO) to provide support to foreign governments in combating trafficking, aiming to enhance international cooperation and interdict illicit activities before they reach U.S. borders. This measure was lauded for its potential to improve operational capabilities and increase the safety of American communities by disrupting criminal networks at their source.

Improving Preparedness Grant Outreach

H.R. 4058, the Enhancing Stakeholder Support and Outreach for Preparedness Grants Act, was considered to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of FEMA's grant programs. The bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator to ensure continuous engagement and technical assistance for stakeholders involved in the State Homeland Security Program and the Urban Area Security Initiative grant programs.[ 00:18:29 ]

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 It also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on the effectiveness of FEMA's outreach, aiming to help communities better access and utilize these vital resources for disaster preparedness and security.[ 00:18:34 ]

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 The Chairman expressed strong support for the bill, offering to co-sponsor it, emphasizing the importance of informing communities about available grant opportunities.

Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) Extension

The Ranking Member conveyed his disappointment that legislation to extend the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (CISA 2015) was not included in the day's markup, highlighting its approaching sunset on September 30th. He stressed the critical role of CISA 2015 in facilitating information sharing between the government and the private sector, especially during periods of heightened risk, and urged its swift and clean extension. The Chairman acknowledged the importance of CISA and committed to working towards its extension.[ 00:18:39 ]

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Tone of the Meeting

The meeting maintained a largely cooperative and constructive tone regarding the legislative items on the agenda, with several bills passing due to broad bipartisan agreement and being characterized as "common sense" initiatives.[ 00:16:35 ] Many speakers recognized and thanked colleagues from both parties for their collaborative efforts, particularly concerning bills related to canine programs and international trafficking. However, a notable point of contention arose during the discussion of the Trendyagua Border Security Threat Assessment Act, where some members expressed serious concerns about the bill's potential for racial profiling and the trustworthiness of its implementation by the administration. Towards the conclusion, the meeting became more tense with a debate over a proposed censure resolution for Representative McIver and a motion to subpoena Secretary Noem, highlighting underlying partisan divisions regarding congressional oversight and due process principles. The Chairman's concluding remarks, which were personal and reflective, emphasized the ideological divergence within the country while affirming the shared commitment to national service among members.[ 01:14:40 ]

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Participants

Transcript

A quorum being present, the committee will be in order.
The committee is meeting today for consideration of H.R.  3965, the Providing Emotional Assistance with Relief and Love, or PEARL Act.  H.R.  4070, the Trendyagua Border Security Threat Assessment Act.  H.R.  4071, the Combating International Drug Trafficking and Human Smuggling Partnership Act of 2025.   H.R.  4057, the CBP K-9 Home Kenneling Pilot Act.  H.R.  4058, the Enhancing Stakeholder Support and Outreach for Preparedness Grants Act.  Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare the committee in recess at any point pursuant to Committee Rule 7C.  Any requests for recorded votes may be postponed.  I now recognize myself for an opening statement.   Good morning, everyone, and thank you for being here.  I look forward to today's markup.  We have five bills under consideration today, of which all have broad bipartisan support and are the product of a lot of hard work and discussion between our staffs and our members.  I'm proud to say that these bills reflect our shared commitment to improving the operations of DHS and promoting transparency.  I commend my Republican colleagues, Representative Gonzalez, Knott, and Guest, for bringing forth important measures to strengthen DHS and safeguard the homeland.   The PEARL Act initiates a pilot program in which CBP will adopt local shelter dogs and train them for support canine programs.  This will benefit not only CBP's mission, but also the mental health of our brave frontline personnel.  The Trende Agua Border Security Threat Assessment Act requires DHS to conduct a threat assessment regarding the criminal threats posed by members of the violent transnational criminal organization Trende Agua.   It also requires DHS to develop a strategic plan to counter the threats identified through its assessment.  This legislation will be vital in helping to identify and mitigate transnational criminal threats.  I will say I am deeply disappointed that we don't have some co-sponsors on that one, but we move on.
This issue demands bipartisan unity, and I hope someone will consider and that the bill will be supported today.   The Combating International Drug Trafficking and Human Smuggling Partnership Act amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize officers and agents of air and marine operations to offer support to governments of foreign countries if an arrangement has been entered by the United States government.  This is an important change that will improve our ability to work with foreign partners to stop human and drug trafficking at its source, and importantly, before these evils reach our borders and communities.   I also want to thank our minority counterparts, Representatives Correa for offering common sense legislation that would benefit CBP canine handlers and canines by establishing training and best practices, and Representative Goldman for his bill to improve stakeholder outreach engagement, education, technical assistance, and support prior to the awarding of grants.   I strongly support all of the bills under consideration in today's markup, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.  I now recognize the ranking member to make an opening statement.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  Today, the committee is considering five bills to improve the operations of the Department of Homeland Security.  Representative Correa, the ranking member of the Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee, leads H.R.  4057, the Bipartisan CBP Canine Home Kindling Pilot Act,   which authorizes a pilot program for Customs and Border Protection's Office of Field Operations canine handlers to keep their service dogs with them at night and when off duty.  CBP-OFO is currently the only DHS component that does not permit officers to keep their working dogs at home kindled   Home kenneling is better for dogs, better for canine handling, bonding, and better for DHS's bottom line, as it is more cost-effective than contracted kennels.  I urge all my colleagues to join me in advancing HR 4057 today.   Representative Goldman is a lead sponsor of HR 4058, the Enhancing Stakeholder Support and Outreach of Preparedness Grants Act, which was favorably reported by this committee last year by voice vote.   H.R.  4058 directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide continuous engagement with stakeholders along the Educational, Material, and Technical Assistance for the State Homeland Security Program and the Urban Area Security Initiative key grant programs administered by FEMA.   The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to submit a report to Congress on the effectiveness of FEMA's outreach and support efforts related to these grant programs.  Our communities need the State Homeland Security Program and Urban Area Security Initiative, especially in light of the assassinations in Minnesota and the U.S.
attack on Iran.   Increased threats mean our first responders at home need more federal assistance.  It is essential that these grant programs work well and deliver for our constituents.  Before I yield back, Mr. Chairman, I'd like to note my disappointment that legislation to extend the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 was not included in this markup.   despite its fast approaching sunset on September 30th.  CISA 2015 underpins essential information sharing activities between the government and private sector.

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