Full Committee Markup

Committee on Homeland Security

2025-09-03

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Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The meeting of the committee was convened to consider and advance seven pieces of legislation focused on enhancing homeland security, cybersecurity, and public safety across various sectors, including critical infrastructure and schools [ 00:13:46-00:14:42 ]

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. The bills addressed topics ranging from information sharing and grant programs to risk assessments and oversight .

Themes

Cybersecurity Information Sharing (WMWG Act)

The Widespread Information Management for the Welfare of Infrastructure and Government Act (WMWG Act) aims to reauthorize the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (CISA 2015), a crucial framework for voluntary cyber threat information sharing between public and private sectors [ 00:17:08-00:17:12 ]

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. This reauthorization is essential for maintaining cyber resilience, updating definitions for new tactics, encouraging secure AI use, and improving bidirectional information sharing while preserving privacy protections, extending the authorization for 10 years . Some concerns were raised regarding the truncated vetting process for changes to the legislation and the potential for CISA to be involved in political censorship, with commitments made to address these issues and ensure privacy protections are strong [ 00:19:43-00:20:00 ]

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State and Local Cybersecurity Grants (PILLAR Act)

The Protecting Information by Local Leaders for Agency Resilience Act (PILLAR Act) reauthorizes the state and local cybersecurity grant program, which invests in strengthening the cyber defenses of state, local, tribal, and territorial governments . This program helps vulnerable communities, many of which operate below the "cyber poverty line," defend against cyber criminals and nation-state actors targeting critical services like power, water, and emergency systems . The bill extends the program for 10 years, stabilizes cost-sharing, incentivizes multi-factor authentication, and encourages outreach to rural and small communities .

Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment

The Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct annual assessments on the terrorism threats posed by foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) using or attempting to use generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) [ 00:51:30-00:51:38 ]

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. The legislation addresses concerns that FTOs use Gen AI for online radicalization, propaganda, and manipulating potential recruits, acknowledging the rising use of AI and providing DHS with flexibility and time for coordination [ 00:51:31-00:51:47 ]

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DHS Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program

The DHS Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program and Law Enforcement Support Act mandates that analysts within the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis (INA) participate in the Intelligence Community Civilian Joint Duty Program [ 00:56:02-00:56:04 ]

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. This initiative aims to strengthen interagency understanding, integration, and cooperation across intelligence agencies, fostering workforce development and comprehensive intelligence sharing to counter terrorism and other homeland security challenges [ 00:56:04-00:56:17 ]

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Strengthening Oversight of DHS Intelligence

The Strengthening Oversight of DHS Intelligence Act ensures that information and intelligence distributed by DHS do not infringe upon Americans' constitutional rights . The bill mandates that all DHS intelligence products are reviewed by the DHS Chief Privacy Officer and the DHS Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and requires training for senior intelligence personnel on privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties protections .

National Strategy for School Security

The National Strategy for School Security Act addresses the critical need for better federal coordination in school security, particularly in the wake of tragic events such as the Robb Elementary shooting in Uvalde and the Annunciation Catholic School shooting in Minneapolis [ 01:00:35-01:00:38 ]

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. This bill requires the establishment of a national strategy to secure elementary and secondary schools, especially in rural and underserved areas, helping school districts develop and improve emergency plans against shootings and other acts of terrorism [ 01:00:42-01:00:46 ]

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Pipeline Security Act

The Pipeline Security Act aims to codify the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) longstanding role in protecting pipelines from terrorist and cybersecurity threats . This legislation was prompted by the 2021 Colonial Pipeline cyber attack, which exposed vulnerabilities in the nation's critical energy infrastructure and led to widespread fuel shortages [ 00:19:15-00:19:15 ]

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[ 01:11:04-01:11:08 ]

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. The bill requires TSA to issue guidelines, conduct risk assessments, inspect facilities, and develop a workforce strategy with cybersecurity expertise, without imposing new regulations [ 01:11:59-01:12:02 ]

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Tone of the Meeting

The overall tone of the meeting was one of collaborative bipartisanship, with members frequently expressing appreciation for cross-party efforts and commitment to working together [ 00:16:32-00:17:03 ]

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[ 00:17:47-00:17:57 ]

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. While some concerns were raised regarding legislative processes and potential privacy implications, these were met with assurances of continued discussion and engagement [ 00:19:43-00:20:05 ]

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. The discussions were respectful, focused on national security imperatives, and marked by a shared resolve to address evolving threats to the homeland [ 00:16:22-00:16:46 ]

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Participants

Transcript

Quorum being present, the committee will be in order.  Committee is meeting today for consideration of HR 5079, the Widespread Information Management of the Welfare of Infrastructure and Government Act.  HR 5078, the Pillar Act.  HR 1731, Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act.  HR 2212, the DHS Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program and Law Enforcement Support Act.  HR 2259, the National Strategy for School Security Act.   HR 2261, the Strengthening Oversight of DHS Intelligence Act.  HR 5062, the Pipeline Security 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.  Morning, everyone.  Thank you for being here.   I'd like to begin by saying how honored I am to serve as chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security.  Before we begin, I would like to address the horrific targeted shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minnesota.  My prayers are with the people of Minneapolis, the Annunciation Parish community, the grieving families, and all those injured in this unacceptable act of violence at a house of worship.  With that, I ask that you all please join me in a moment of silence.   Thank you.  I'd also like to point out, if you had not heard, our colleague on this committee, Mr. Swalwell, his mother unexpectedly passed, so he will not be with us today.  So if you can reach out to him and offer your condolences, that would be great.  He's a very active member of this committee.  When I was chair of the Cyber Committee, he was a great member to work with.   As a lifelong New Yorker who represents a district forever marked by the September 11th attacks, my tenure as chairman and our path forward for this committee will be guided by the phrase, never forget.
Securing the homeland is an American imperative.  I hope for productive partnership where possible.  Every member of this committee has shared a mission that the American people are counting on us to succeed in, and that is strengthening our homeland security for generations to come.  This vital partnership continues with our markup today   We will consider and hopefully advance seven pieces of legislation, all which have bipartisan support.  My bill, the Widespread Information Management for the Welfare and Infrastructure and Governance Act, or the WMWG, reauthorizes a vital tool for our nation's collective cyber defense, the cybersecurity information sharing act of 2015.  Over the last decade, the law has provided a framework for voluntary information sharing across the public and private sectors and between private sector entities regarding cyber threats facing our networks.   Reauthorizing this law and ensuring the relevance of this framework before it expires is essential for maintaining our cyber resilience.  The Protecting Information by Local Leaders for Agency Resilience Act, or PILLER Act, introduced by Congressman Ogles, reauthorizes the state and local cybersecurity grant program.  This program invests in our future of our communities by helping state, local, and tribal and territorial governments build their cyber defenses.   To strengthen DHS's core counterterrorism mission amid evolving threats, we will consider legislation introduced by Chairman Pflueger of the Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee.  The Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act works to examine how foreign terrorist groups could weaponize artificial intelligence to recruit and radicalize individuals, both on U.S.  soil and globally.  The act of evil committed at Annunciation Catholic School last week is another stark reminder of the threats facing the most vulnerable in our communities.   That's why Congressman Gonzalez's National Strategy for School Security Act aims to create a whole-of-government effort to help American school districts develop and improve emergency plans to keep our kids safe.  Information sharing between DHS components is key to enhancing public safety efforts and the mission of the department as a whole.
Rep.  McKenzie's DHS Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program and Law Enforcement Support Act   would require DHS personnel in the Office of Intelligence and Analysis to participate in a program that increases collaboration across the intelligence community.  As part of the committee's oversight efforts, Resident Commissioner Hernandez's strengthening oversight of DHS Intelligence Act will help improve how DHS handles intelligence to better protect privacy and civil liberties.  Defending our nation's critical infrastructure is essential to safeguarding our way of life.   The Pipeline Security Act introduced by Rep.  Johnson will codify the Transportation Security Administration's role in protecting pipelines from terrorist or cybersecurity threats.  I support every bill under consideration in today's markup, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.  Thank you again for joining me today.  I look forward to getting started.  I now recognize the ranking member, Ms.

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