H.R. 3106, (Mr. Kennedy of New York) the “Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025”; H.R. 5109, (Mr. Carter of Louisiana) To require the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration of the United States to develop guidelines to improve returning citizens' access to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program, to assist individuals in custody of Federal, State, and local prisons in pre-applying or preparing applications for Transportation Worker Identification Credential cards, and to assist individuals requesting an appeal or waiver of preliminary determination of ineligibility, and for other purposes; H.R. 5517, (Mr. Langworthy) the “Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act”; H.R. 7427, (Ms. Goldman of New York) the “SAFE VISITS Act”; H.R. 7436, (Mr. Magaziner) the “Department of Homeland Security Intelligence and Analysis Training Act”; H.R. 7443, (Mr. Pfluger) the “I&A Mission Reorientation Act of 2026”; H.R. 7448, (Ms. Pou) the “Modernizing and Improving the National Terrorism Advisory System Act of 2026”; H.R. 7574, (Mr. Evans of Colorado) the “ELO Realignment and Strategic Engagement Reform Act of 2026”; H.R. 8168, (Mr. Van Epps) the “Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act”; H.R. 8535, (Mr. Walkinshaw) the “Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act”; H.R. 8770, (Mr. Strong) the “SAFEGUARDS Act of 2026"; H.R. 8874, (Mr. Carter of Louisiana) the “Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Reporting Act of 2026”; H.R. 8897, (Mr. Mackenzie) the “Improving Travel for American Families Act”; H.R. 9327, (Mr. Joyce of Ohio) the “PEARL Act”; H.R. 9328, (Mrs. Biggs of South Carolina) the “Improving Travel for Military Members Act”; H.R. 9382, (Mr. Kennedy of New York) the “NEXUS for Families Act”; H.R. 9388, (Mr. Gimenez) the “One-Stop Pilot Program Extension Act”; H.R. 9391, (Mr. Garbarino) the “Reimbursable Screening Services Program Extension Act of 2026”; H.R. 9394, (Mr. Strong) the “Civil Preparedness for Agroterrorism Exercise Act of 2026”
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House Homeland Security U.S. House of Representatives
Follow its sittingsBennie Thompson
His bill also requires DHS to establish matrix measuring the department's effectiveness. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting these important measures. Before I yield back, Mr. Chairman, I want to note that we have just 190 days left in the 119th Congress.
Only a quarter of those are currently scheduled to be session days, so we must make them count. I encourage you to bring up H.R. 2086, the Rights for the TSA Workforce Act, as soon as possible. As the avoidable Trump-Republican DHS shutdown proved, TSA's employees bear the biggest burden during a lapse in funding. It is well past time for them to be given the same protections as other federal workers under Title 5 of the U.S. Code. I had requested to have H.R. 2086 considered during this markup, and I'm disappointed that my request was summarily dismissed by the Republican majority without even a discussion.
I'm proud that you've been a long-time co-sponsor of my legislation, Mr. Chairman, and I hope we can use some of our precious remaining time in this Congress to get this important bill across the finish line. I'll also note that I continue to have reservations about H.R. 8770, the SAFEGUARDS Act of 2026. I agree with the bill's sense of Congress that 9/11 passenger security fees should not be diverted for purposes other than commercial aviation security. Unfortunately, however, H.R. 8770 does not advance that goal, as the bill does not immediately stop the fee diversion. Instead, the bill mandates 750 million in annual technology investments, a large unpaid increase in TSA's technology funding.
I'm concerned that paying for the increase would require cuts in funding for TSA's workforce salaries and benefits if TSA's overall budget does not increase. I appreciate that this bill would not take effect until fiscal year 2028, when the diversion of security fees is scheduled to end. However, this is extremely important: bringing those fees back to TSA does not mean the agency's top-line budget will increase, since the fees are treated as offsetting collections by law. A great deal more work remains to end the fee diversion, but also increase TSA's budget accordingly. We'll have to continue our conversations to come up with a solution that ensures increases to TSA's technology funding do not negatively impact TSA's workforce we rely on to keep our skies safe and secure.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back.
Andrew Garbarino
Gentleman yields back, and I want to thank the ranking member. Again, we are doing 19 bipartisan bills today, and I do recognize that the gentleman, about his TSA Workforce Protection Act, the bills that we are trying to do today are supposed to be, we're trying to get done on suspension. All of them will have broad bipartisan support. As the ranking member knows, when he was chairman, that bill also could not pass under suspension when they were in the majority. So today the focus is on getting these bills done quickly because they have bipartisan support, they will make our country safer, and I thank the ranking member for his comments.
Other members of the committee are reminded that opening statements may be submitted for the record. Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 7443, the I&A Mission Reorientation Act of 2026. The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. The clerk shall designate the resolution.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and is considered read and open to amendment at any point. I now recognize the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Pfluger, for the purpose of offering an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
August Pfluger
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 7443.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the reading is dispensed with and the amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered base text for the purpose of further amendment. Gentleman from Texas is now recognized for five minutes to speak on his amendment.
Speaker 5
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. While it's small and often overlooked, the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Intelligence and Analysis carries one of the most operationally important missions of the intelligence community. Of the 18 IC members, I&A is the only agency with a statutory obligation to share intelligence with state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners, a responsibility that sits at the core of securing our homeland. And with thousands of law enforcement agencies across the country, I&A is the most effective when its personnel are embedded with those partners working directly in environments where threats surface and decisions must be made. The I&A Mission Reorientation Act reflects this fundamental truth.
It refocuses its efforts on its foundational responsibility: delivering timely, actionable, and operationally relevant intelligence to the front line. This reorientation is urgently needed. Persistent challenges in the broader information sharing ecosystem continue to hinder our partners' ability to act quickly. At a roundtable with law enforcement last month, we were reminded that gaps remain in the timelines of threat dissemination and in the interoperability of the federal, state, and local systems. These issues are compounded by uneven information flow between the agencies and fusion centers and partners, and by the need for intelligence products that are tailored to operational realities rather than broad strategic assessments.
In recent years, too much of I&A's workforce has been concentrated at headquarters, with too few personnel deployed in the field. That shift has weakened the two-way flow of intelligence, leaving our partners too often providing more actionable information upward than they receive in return. Several of the bills we are marking up today aim to correct this imbalance by sharpening the mission, improving training and oversight, and ensuring the agency fully embodies its unique stakeholder-facing role. I seek unanimous consent, Mr. Chairman, to enter a letter from the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies, Major County Sheriffs of America, and the National Fusion Center Association dated June 24th, 2026, into the record.
Speaker 5
This letter calls out the great work that the committee has done so far to engage with fusion center leaders, state and local law enforcement agencies, and homeland security stakeholders on several pieces of legislation to reform DHS's Office of I&A, including six bills that we are voting on today. Meaningful reform to this agency has been a long time coming, and I'm proud to have a bill on today's markup that refocuses their mission where it belongs, to put field personnel back into a position of being supported. There are several other pieces of legislation related to I&A reform that I'm hopeful we will be able to move in a future markup, including Field Integration of Homeland Intelligence Act, which will codify and reinforce support to those partners in two-way information sharing that is so critical to homeland security. The work is especially important now as we see the World Cup and the 250th anniversary of our country taking place. There's massive crowds and an increased risk all across the country, and field officers are the ones who make the security of our country possible.
They build and sustain trusted human networks and serve as the local face of intelligence sharing and provide subnational context that headquarters simply cannot replicate. Emerging technologies including drones, artificial intelligence, and others are being rapidly exploited, and we have to find a way to combat those threats. Meeting this moment demands seamless coordination across jurisdictions, real-time intelligence sharing, and strong regional partnerships capable of rapid prevention and response. To achieve that, I&A must be structurally aligned with its mission, and that's what this bill does. It appropriately advances the reorientation.
And Mr. Chairman, I'd also say that this has been a bipartisan work that we have come together with many roundtables and discussions. And I thank my colleagues for that work, and especially want to thank Representative Fedorchak and Ranking Member Magaziner and Representative Pou for their partnership in advancing this legislation.
I yield back.
Andrew Garbarino
Gentleman yields back. Does anyone wish to speak on the amendment? Are there any amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute? Hearing none, the question is on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of the substitute offered by Mr. Pfluger. All those in favor say aye.
All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment in the nature of the substitute is agreed to. Question now occurs on reporting the bill H.R. 7443 as amended to the House with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor say aye.
Andrew Garbarino
A recorded vote has been requested. Let's take the vote and then we'll request the ayes and nays after that. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, the motion is agreed to.
A recorded vote has been requested. Pursuant to committee rule 7D, further proceedings on this question are now postponed. Thank you. Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 7436, the Department of Homeland Security Intelligence and Analysis Training Act. The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available.
The clerk shall designate the resolution.
H.R. 7436, offered by Mr. Magaziner.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and it is considered read and open to amendment at any point. I now recognize the gentleman from Rhode Island, Mr. Magaziner, for the purpose of offering an amendment in the nature of the substitute.
An amendment in the nature of a substitute.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the reading is dispensed with and the amendment in the nature of the substitute shall be considered base text for the purpose of further amendment. Gentleman from Rhode Island is recognized for five minutes to speak on his amendment.
Seth Magaziner
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I applaud the committee members on both sides for working together to move forward this bipartisan package of legislation today. I look forward to supporting and voting in favor of all of it because I do believe that these bills, including my bill which I will speak on, are going to make the American people safer. However, of course, we cannot talk about the Department of Homeland Security without acknowledging the damage that the Trump administration has done. The administration has promised, excuse me, to go after quote the worst of the worst, dangerous criminals.
Instead, by their own data, by their own admission, they have targeted children, the sick, the elderly, and working people just trying to make a living. The vast majority of the people that they have detained and deported have no criminal record at all. There has still not been accountability for the chaos unleashed in Minneapolis and elsewhere in the country that brutalized innocent people and led to the killing of Americans. Furthermore, the president's appointment of Bill Polti as the acting Director of National Intelligence and his elevation of figures like Seb Gorka within the national security apparatus makes the American people less safe. Polti in particular has no experience in intelligence work and was chosen because he has shown he will use the levers of government to target the president's political rivals, not because of any particular merit.
So it's extremely difficult to find bipartisan consensus in this context. But I do believe that when we have an opportunity to pass good bills, we have a responsibility to do it. My bill, the Department of Homeland Security Intelligence and Analysis Training Act, will require a standardized entry-level basic training curriculum for all new I&A hires at the Office of Intelligence and Analysis. DHS's Office of Intelligence and Analysis plays a critical role in protecting the American people from violence by collecting, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence products to state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector law enforcement.
But there have been numerous incidents, frankly across administrations, of I&A employees failing to adhere to best practices in intelligence work, including at times by inappropriately violating the civil rights of individuals being targeted. So importantly, my bill ensures that the standardized training that all I&A new hires will receive includes mandatory training on civil rights, civil liberties, privacy rights, regulations, and information practices. We need intelligence professionals to not only do their jobs effectively, but in a manner that upholds people's rights. So I'm focused on keeping the American people safe by protecting their fundamental rights and holding DHS employees and all federal employees to high standards of conduct and accountability, which is exactly what this bill will do. I want to thank Chairman Pfluger for his collaboration on this bill.
We worked together on several of these bills that came out of the I&A, the Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee. I want to thank him for co-sponsoring this bill as well, and thank all of my colleagues on the committee for your support. I urge adoption of the bill and I yield back.
Andrew Garbarino
Gentleman yields back. Thank you. Does anyone wish to speak on the amendment? Are there any amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute? Hearing none, the question is on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Magaziner of Rhode Island.
All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment in the nature of the substitute is agreed to. The question now occurs on reporting the bill H.R. 7436 as amended to the House with a favorable recommendation.
All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the motion is agreed to.
Chairman, I request the yeas and nays.
Andrew Garbarino
A recorded vote is requested pursuant to committee rule 7D. Further proceedings on this question are postponed. Thank you. Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 7574, the ELO Realignment and Strategic Engagement Reform Act of 2026. The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available.
The clerk shall designate the bill.
H.R. 7574.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and is considered read and open to amendment at any point. I am now recognizing the gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Evans, for five minutes to speak on the measure.
Gabe Evans
Thank you, Chairman. Thank you, Ranking Member, for hosting this markup. And I'm proud today to speak in support of my bill, H.R. 7574, the Engagement Liaison and Outreach, or ELO, Realignment and Strategic Engagement Reform Act, which advanced through the Counterterrorism Subcommittee unanimously last month. This bill's simple. It consolidates the functions of two existing Department of Homeland Security offices tasked with public safety coordination into one centralized point of contact.
For anyone unfamiliar with the Department's Office of Intelligence and Analysis, also known as I&A, I&A is the only entity in the US intelligence community charged with delivering intelligence directly to state and local law enforcement agencies. I was a cop for a little over ten years in the Denver metro area, and so I know there's nothing more critical to law enforcement operations than communication between local, state, and federal agencies. Information sharing between the men and women on the front lines and federal intelligence counterparts allows for a smooth process when local law enforcement encounters threats on the streets that have national or global threat roots. And this is what H.R. 7574 does. By reorganizing the ELO office and realigning its essential functions within I&A's Partner Engagement Directorate, we're able to streamline that coordination between law enforcement agencies and drive that information all the way down to the boots-on-the-ground level of local law enforcement.
This enhances information sharing mechanisms and reduces duplicative actions, and it ensures responsible stewardship of tax dollars. And it helps get federal resources to places like Colorado, where foreign terrorist organizations are continuing to peddle poison in our communities and where overdose death rates in Colorado are still going up. I want to thank Representative Goldman for helping to lead this bill with me, and to you all for considering this bipartisan piece of legislation in today's markup. I urge all the members of the committee to join us in supporting these efforts so that we can better protect our communities and drive resources to our state and local partners when they're facing national and internationally fueled and resourced threats. And I yield back.
Andrew Garbarino
Gentleman yields back. Does anyone wish to speak on the bill? Are there any amendments to the bill? Hearing none, the question is on reporting the bill H.R. 7574 to the House with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor say aye.
Aye. All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the motion is agreed to.
Andrew Garbarino
A recorded vote is requested pursuant to committee rule 7D, the further proceedings on this question are postponed. Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 7427, the SAFE VISITS Act. This bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. Clerk shall designate the resolution.
H.R. 7427.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and is considered read and open to the amendment at any point. I now recognize the gentleman from Mississippi, Mr. Thompson, for the purpose of offering an amendment in the nature of the substitute.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the reading is dispensed with and the amendment in the nature of substitute shall be considered base text for the purpose of further amendment. Gentleman from Mississippi is recognized for five minutes to speak on the amendment.
Bennie Thompson
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Here in Washington, federal officials often meet with foreign officials to discuss policy and trade, among other things, but these exchanges require a balancing act. We know that meetings with our international partners fosters economic exchange and promotes cooperation during global events. We also know that we must host these exchanges in a way that ensures the protection of sensitive government information and facilities. Historically, foreign intelligence services focused on gaining access to government personnel, systems, and information here in the Washington area.
But recently, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and others in intelligence community have been warning about a rise in attempts by foreign adversaries like the People's Republic of China to establish relationships with state and local officials to gain access to U.S. government information, influence policy, and advance their own interests. So I commend Representative Goldman of New York for introducing H.R. 7427, the Securing Access for Foreign Entities Visiting Internal Sites in the States Act, also known as the SAFE VISITS Act, which is responsible to these warnings. The SAFE VISITS Act will require the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a threat analysis regarding foreign nationals who seek to meet with state, local, tribal, and territorial government officials or seek access to their government information, facilities, programs, or systems. It requires DHS to include trends related to such visits and descriptions of high-risk targets and share its findings with state, local, tribal, and territorial partners. Under the bill, DHS would have to conduct tailored outreach to any identified high-risk state, local, tribal, or territorial government and provide identified governments with assistance vetting foreign nationals, guidance on specific actions that may be taken to mitigate homeland security threats and connections with the visit.
H.R. 7427 authorizes DHS to request debriefings from state, local, tribal, and territorial governments that accepted DHS vetting assistance to maintain awareness of tactics and techniques used by foreign nationals. Finally, the bill requires that DHS report to Congress on the outreach and vetting assistance conducted under the bill and carry out research and development to improve sharing information with state and local partners. I commend this bill as state and local governments do not always have the resources to adequately vet foreign nationals to pay a visit. I urge my colleagues to support Representative Goldman's bill, and I yield back.
Speaker 11
Gentleman yields back. Does anyone wish to speak on the amendment? Gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Evans, is recognized.
Gabe Evans
Thank you, Chairman, Ranking Member, and I'm also proud to co-lead this piece of legislation with my colleague, Rep Goldman. As you just heard, the bill requires these routine threat assessments of foreign nationals that want to have meetings with state and local government officials and making sure that our smaller government entities are receiving proper guidance from the Department of Homeland Security to protect sensitive information during such visits. In my area, I have several small rural cities and towns that regularly engage in diplomatic visits, academic exchanges, or international business and trade visits, especially in agriculture and manufacturing. And while most of these visits and opportunities are mutually beneficial, the SAFE VISITS Act gives us, gives smaller governments the information necessary to protect themselves and their sensitive facilities from potential threats, intelligence collection, or interference from some of America's foreign adversaries. Because we know these malicious foreign actors will stop at nothing to infiltrate our defense systems, our critical infrastructure, steal our trade secrets, and ultimately undermine our national security.
And unfortunately, smaller governments often times do not have the financial resources or capacity to implement preventative security systems to protect themselves from this foreign collection. I saw this both during my tenures in law enforcement and during my 12 years in the US Army, some of which I served in an intelligence capacity. And so that's why I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation to help mitigate homeland security threats, protect our local and state governments from bad actors, protect our critical infrastructure, and I yield back.
Andrew Garbarino
Gentleman yields back. Does anyone else wish to speak on the amendment? Are there any amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute? Hearing none, the question is on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Goldman of New York. All those in favor say aye.
Aye. Aye.
All those opposed say no. In opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. A recorded vote is requested pursuant to committee rule 7D. Further proceedings on this question are postponed. Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 8168, the Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act.
The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. The clerk shall designate the bill.
H.R. 8168.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and it is considered read and open to amendment at any point. I now recognize the gentleman from Tennessee, Mr. Van Epps, for five minutes to speak on the measure.
Matt Van Epps
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. When the United States designates a nation as a major non-NATO ally, or MNNA, it comes with real benefits, like security cooperation and defense trade eligibility.
But the threats we face today are adept at moving beyond borders, and it's critical that Congress has insight into terrorist organizations that may be operating within our partner nations. This legislation strengthens coordination between DHS and Congress to better assess and support MNNA partners as they confront threats within their own borders. It requires the administration to provide Congress with a comprehensive assessment, identifying foreign terrorist organizations operating within MNNA countries, as well as each partner's capacity to counter those threats. These partnerships are important, but we must also ensure our own national interests and security are being protected. I would like to thank Representative Pou for her support of the bill.
I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of this bill and yield back.
Andrew Garbarino
Aye. All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. A recorded vote is requested pursuant to committee rule 7D. Further proceedings on this question are postponed.
Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 7448, the Modernizing and Improving the National Terrorism Advisory System Act of 2026. The bill was circulated in advance and as printed copies are available. The clerk shall designate the resolution.
H.R. 7448, offered by Ms. Pou.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and is considered read and open to amendment at any point. I now recognize the gentlewoman from New Jersey, Ms. Pou, for the purpose of offering an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without objection, the reading is dispensed with and the amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered base text for the purpose of further amendment. Gentlewoman from New Jersey is recognized for five minutes to speak on her amendment.
Nellie Pou
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to Ranking Member Thompson and to Congressman Van Epps for co-leading this important legislation with me. The goal of my bill is simple: to better inform the public and law enforcement about terrorist threats. In 2011, the Department of Homeland Security moved away from its old color-coded security alerts and created the National Terrorism Advisory System, or the NTAS. The goal of the NTAS was to more effectively report information about terrorist threats by giving the public, government agencies, first responders, transportation hubs, and the private sector with timely, detailed communication. We now face an increasingly complex and modern landscape for terror threats.
DHS should update and modernize this system to reflect this new reality. The American public deserves clear, reliable notification of terrorist threats. As the ranking member of the Task Force for Special Events in the United States, I have been working closely, I have been closely involved in security preparations for the World Cup alongside Representative McCaul. My district in New Jersey will host eight matches, including the finals. I've seen firsthand the extensive planning required to protect large-scale events like the World Cup from threats.
A key aspect of defending against terrorist attacks is making sure the public is well-informed. If attendees and others know to be vigilant and know what precautions to take, then we can reduce the impact of an attack.
Speaker 19
That is exactly what my bill would do by requiring the DHS Secretary to develop a strategy to modernize the NTAS. This strategy would account for factors such as public accessibility, use and effectiveness of bulletins and alerts, and whether they are actually making it to law enforcement in a timely fashion. My bill also directs DHS to engage with law enforcement partners, the private sector, and other stakeholders to ensure alerts reach as many people as possible. I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
Andrew Garbarino
Gentlelady yields back. Does anyone wish to speak on the amendment? Are there any amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute? Hearing none, the question is on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Ms. Pou of New Jersey. All those in favor say aye.
Mr. Chairman, I request a recorded vote.
Andrew Garbarino
A recorded vote is requested pursuant to committee rule 7D, further proceedings on this question are postponed. Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 5517, the Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act. The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. Clerk shall designate the bill.
H.R. 5517, offered by Mr. Langworthy.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and is considered read and open to amendment at any point. I now recognize myself for five minutes to speak on the measure. This legislation requires Northern Border threat analysis reports established under Northern Border Security Review Act to be submitted to the Congress on a biennial basis and for DHS Secretary to update Department's Northern Border strategy as needed. Additionally, this bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations to develop performance measures to secure the Northern Border between ports of entry within six months of enactment. The Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act takes meaningful steps towards strengthening U.S. Northern Border security, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.
Does anyone else wish to speak on the bill? Are there any amendments to the bill? Hearing none, the question is now on reporting the bill H.R. 5517 to the House with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor say aye. Aye.
Andrew Garbarino
A recorded vote is requested pursuant to committee rule 7D, further proceedings on this question are postponed. Thank you. Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 8535, the Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act. The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. The clerk shall designate the resolution.
H.R. 8535, offered by Mr. Walkinshaw.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and is considered read and open to amendment at any point. I now recognize the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Walkinshaw, for the purposes of offering an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the reading is dispensed with and the amendment in the nature of substitute shall be considered base text for the purpose of amendment. The gentleman from Virginia is now recognized for five minutes to speak on his amendment.
Walkinshaw
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First, I want to thank Representatives McCaul, Guest, and Correa for working with me on this bipartisan initiative. The Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act is based on the nonpartisan findings and recommendations of the Government Accountability Office. GAO recently examined the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to detect, deter, and seize illicit fentanyl.
Review identified a critical gap in DHS's approach, a lack of coordination, information sharing, and meaningful performance measures to assess the effectiveness of their efforts. As a result, GAO made three straightforward recommendations. First, establish a program to collect data and measure effectiveness. Second, ensure information is shared across DHS components. And third, develop performance goals aligned with DHS's strategic objectives.
This bill simply codifies these recommendations into law. Fentanyl remains one of the most devastating public health and public safety challenges facing our nation. It touches every community, large and small, urban and rural, in every corner of the country. The scope of the crisis is staggering. According to CDC, fentanyl was involved in more than 69% of all US overdose deaths in 2025, making it by far the leading cause of overdose deaths.
With lives on the line, DHS personnel must not only work hard to combat illicit fentanyl trafficking, they must work smart. That requires coordination, information sharing, and the ability to evaluate whether their efforts are producing the desired results. This bipartisan legislation will help ensure DHS has the tools and accountability mechanisms necessary to better combat the flow of illicit fentanyl into our communities. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation and I yield back.
Does anyone else wish to speak on the amendment?
Mr. Chairman.
Gentleman from Texas, Mr. McCaul is recognized.
Michael McCaul
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank my friend from Virginia for introducing this important legislation. I also want to thank you for this bipartisan markup. In my 22 years in chairing this committee and Foreign Affairs, that's the way it's supposed to be. That's us at our best.
Fentanyl is the number one killer of young Americans between the ages of 18 and 45. My children have witnessed five funerals. One took fentanyl on Christmas Eve, did not wake up on Christmas Day. Every single day, moms and dads across Texas and across this entire nation are burying their children. This isn't just a law enforcement crisis, it's a generational crisis.
It's a national security threat to our youth and a moral failure if we do not use every tool at our disposal to crush it. I was proud to introduce the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, which was signed into law to target illicit supply chains and sanction the dangerous cartels. And it goes after the chemical suppliers in China and money launderers in Mexico. But stopping the supply abroad is only half the battle. We must be just as coordinated within our own borders, which is why I'm proud to be a cosponsor of this bill, the Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act.
It's essential to strengthening information sharing across the department and establishing clear performance metrics within the Department of Homeland Security. I believe that we owe this to every single American family that has been shattered by this epidemic to get this thing right. And I want to again thank my colleagues for their bipartisan support on this, and with that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
Andrew Garbarino
Gentleman yields back. Does anyone else wish to speak on the amendment? Are there any amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute? Hearing none, the question is on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Walkinshaw of Virginia. All those in favor say aye.
Aye. Aye.
Mr. Chairman, I ask for a recorded vote.
Andrew Garbarino
Recorded vote is requested. Pursuant to committee rule 7D, further proceedings on this question are postponed. Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 9382, the NEXUS for Families Act. The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. The clerk shall designate the bill.
H.R. 9382.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and is considered read and open to amendment at any point. I now recognize the gentleman from New York, Mr. Kennedy, for five minutes to speak on the measure.
Kennedy
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Seamless, regular travel between the United States and our friend, closest ally, and neighbor directly to the north, Canada, is essential. It bolsters the economy, supports local businesses, and allows binational families to visit one another, and for others, it allows convenient, safe access for work, leisure, a holiday, or Buffalo Bills or Sabres game. NEXUS, a joint effort between the United States and Canada to make regular travel easier, allows pre-approved, vetted travelers expedited processing when entering the United States and Canada. Currently, over 2.2 million people benefit from this program, similar to Global Entry, where those with NEXUS status enjoy designated lanes at ports of entry.
While DHS has made some adjustments to improve the NEXUS program over the years, prospective and current members still face obstacles to enrollment, especially when families are trying to enroll or renew. Families still have to submit separate applications for each family member, including minors. Parents still have to bring their children, including infants, for an interview by CBP. Interviews also cannot be conducted together. This often means families in states along the northern border have to make multiple trips to different NEXUS enrollment centers, sometimes months apart.
The bill we're considering today, the NEXUS for Families Act, ensures that this program is working for families while preserving the safe, secure, and seamless travel that's the foundation of NEXUS. By allowing families to link their NEXUS application together, conduct joint interviews, and exempt children under 14 from an interview where appropriate, this bill promotes lawful travel, uplifts small businesses and local communities that benefit from this cross-border relationship, and ensures that we keep families safe and together when traveling to and from Canada. I'd like to thank Representative LaLota, a fellow New Yorker, for supporting this legislation, and I'm proud to have the endorsement of over 20 organizations, including US Travel, the Canadian American Business Council, the New York Restaurant Association, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, and Visit Buffalo. With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
Andrew Garbarino
Does anyone else wish to speak on the bill? Are there any amendments to the bill? Hearing none, the question is on reporting the bill HR 9382 to the House with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor say aye.
Mr. Chairman, request the ayes and nays.
Andrew Garbarino
A recorded vote is requested, pursuant to committee rule 7D, further proceedings on this question are postponed. Pursuant to notice, I now call up HR 9388, the One-Stop Pilot Program Extension Act. The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. The clerk shall designate the bill.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and is considered read and open to amendment at any point. I now recognize the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Gimenez, for five minutes to speak on the measure.
Gimenez
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This morning, I request to move HR 9388, the One-Stop Security Pilot Program Extension Act of 2026.
This legislation, which I introduced yesterday alongside with the gentleman from Louisiana, Mr. Carter, extends this TSA pilot program for four more years past its upcoming expiration. TSA's one-stop pilot program provides expedited screening for inbound travelers entering the United States from approved last point of departure airports by allowing for passengers to make their connections within the United States without being subject to rescreening. Participating foreign airports must meet certain standards deemed commensurate to TSA standards, and as a result, TSA can screen passengers and their baggage along with partnerships with US Customs and Border Protection ahead of the incoming flight landing in the United States. This allows for enhanced aviation security, reduced costs, and improved passenger experience for those traveling through those one-stop security locations. Especially ahead of upcoming special events in the United States this summer and across the next few years, Congress must respond to this great demand to expand these one-stop security agreements with additional last point of departure airports.
Currently, the pilot program operates with a limited number of these agreements, specifically London Heathrow to Dallas and Atlanta respectively, with new agreements and participating airports soon on the way. MIA, Miami International Airport, is also being considered as a participating airport and should be included in the outgrowth of this successful program. This extension also includes important security language from TSA to ensure the last point of departure airports comply with TSA security agreements and checked baggage screening technology when screening baggage heading inbound to the US. I am proud to lead this legislation moving forward today as part of the committee's efforts to modernize the TSA, encourage investment in new screening technology, and improve security partnerships across the globe. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back.
Andrew Garbarino
Gentleman yields back. Does anyone wish to speak on the bill? Gentleman from Louisiana, Mr. Carter, is recognized for five minutes.
Buddy Carter
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm proud to support the One-Stop Pilot Program Extension Act, a straightforward way to modernize our aviation systems, reduce unnecessary delays, and strengthen our security partnership. Today, international passengers connecting to domestic connecting to domestic flights must often retrieve checked bags, clear customs, and then undergo yet another screening process through TSA before reentering the terminal, creating congestion, longer connection times, and avoidable operational strain on our airports and our staff. The one-stop security program streamlines this process for travelers arriving from trusted foreign airports that meet strict US security standards, allowing them and their baggage to connect directly to domestic flights without duplicative screening. Extending this pilot for four more years gives TSA, CBP, and participating airports time to scale the program, expand international partnerships, and elevate the infrastructure needed for broader implementation.
This extension will not only improve efficiency and reduce costs, but will also strengthen the competitiveness of our domestic travel and tourist industries. Cities like New Orleans, where tourism is a major economic engine, stand to benefit from smoother international-to-domestic connections to make the US a more attractive destination and keep visitor spending flowing into our local economies. I would like to thank my friend Representative Gimenez for his incredible work on this bill, and I urge your favorable passage.
Andrew Garbarino
Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 3106, the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025.
The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. The clerk shall designate the bill.
HR 3106.
Kennedy
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I represent the Buffalo-Niagara region in New York, a place that's no stranger to cold weather. And while the snowy season may not be top of mind at the moment, particularly for anyone that steps out today and feels the 80-plus degree weather, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't be actively planning on how to best equip our Department of Homeland Security with the resources to respond to an ever-evolving threat landscape. My legislation, the Weatherization Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness, or WINTER Act, requires DHS to develop and run a training exercise that prepares for a scenario where terrorism disrupts critical energy infrastructure during extreme winter weather. In 2021, an extreme winter storm caused a massive, unprecedented disruption to Texas' electricity grid.
In 2022, a historic blizzard known as Winter Storm Elliott hit Buffalo, compromising electricity generation that coincided with peak demand and sub-freezing temperatures and the deaths of 47 souls. Since then, extreme winter weather has continued to expose vulnerabilities in even our strongest critical infrastructure sectors, including healthcare, telecommunications, and water systems. Perhaps most concerning, terrorist organizations and bad actors will look to exploit these vulnerabilities if DHS is not prepared to respond to a targeted infrastructure attack during a winter weather event. We must be prepared. My legislation is simple.
It requires the department to conduct a collective terrorism response exercise that manages the cascading effects of an attack on critical services, infrastructure, or emergency managers' ability to respond. It also requires DHS to report to Congress on the successes and potential pitfalls of this exercise to ensure we understand where our vulnerabilities remain. This bill ensures state and local governments can rely on DHS to protect our critical infrastructure during extreme cold, ensuring homes are heated, phone lines stay active, and the lights stay on. The insights gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers, state officials, and community partners, helping better anticipate and mitigate the consequences of an attack. I want to thank the ranking member for his support on this legislation, and I urge all fellow members of the committee to join me in voting to advance this bill.
With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
Andrew Garbarino
The gentleman yields back. Does anyone else wish to speak on the bill? Are there any amendments to the bill? Hearing none, the question is on reporting the bill, HR 3106, to the House with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor say aye.
Aye. All those opposed say no. No. No, wait, no, I'm an aye. Sorry.
Further proceedings on this question are postponed. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. Pursuant to notice, I now call up HR 9391, the Reimbursable Screening Services Program Extension Act of 2026. A recorded vote is requested pursuant to Committee Rule 7D. The motion is agreed to.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and it is considered read and open to amendment at any point. I now recognize myself for five minutes to speak on the measure. The Reimbursable Screening Services Program is a pilot program that allows screening services to be conducted outside of the primary passenger terminal screening area, staffed by TSA personnel.
This pilot program has helped provide TSA with reliable streams of revenue while also maintaining a safe and efficient screening environment. The Reimbursable Screening Services Program Extension Act extends this program through fiscal year 2031 and increases the number of allowable participating entities from 8 to 14. I would like to thank the ranking member for his staff's collaboration and willingness to extend the duration and size of this program, and I encourage my colleagues to support this bill. Does anyone else wish to speak on the bill? Are there any amendments to the bill?
Hearing none, the question is on reporting the bill H.R. 9391 to the House with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, the measure is agreed to.
I'm requesting a recorded vote, and pursuant to committee rule 7D, further proceedings on this question are postponed. Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 8874, the Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Reporting Act of 2026. This bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. The clerk shall designate the bill.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and is considered read and open to amendment at any point. I now recognize the gentleman from Louisiana, Mr. Carter, for five minutes to speak on the measure.
Buddy Carter
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Following the September 11 attacks, it was clear that urban centers would be targeted in the future and that cities did not have the resources to develop core capabilities to prevent, protect against, and respond to terrorist attacks and other catastrophic events on their own. Since 2003, cities across the nation began receiving dedicated counterterrorism grant funding from the Department of Homeland Security through the Urban Area Security Initiative. For more than two decades, it has been providing funding for first responders with specialized equipment and training they need to help keep their communities safe. But these highly specialized regional capabilities cannot be sustained by local taxpayers alone.
They require reliable, predictable federal funding so we do not lose the investment made over the last 20 years. Unfortunately, changes to DHS's risk formula have created year-to-year uncertainty for many cities about whether their funding will suddenly disappear. Sometimes these changes are political and appear to certainly be arbitrary. We saw this danger firsthand last year when under the leadership of former Secretary Kristi Noem, the Department of Homeland Security attempted to abruptly remove historically funded cities, including my district of New Orleans, from the program. That threat was not theoretical.
They tried to cut our federal counterterrorism support the same year the community suffered a horrific New Year's Day attack where a truck attack on Bourbon Street killed 14 people and injured dozens more. And it took being sued to stop these cuts. Expecting locals to indefinitely finance the massive security required for everyday safety, let alone high-profile events like Mardi Gras, Super Bowl, and America 250 and the upcoming World Cup matches, is unrealistic, and to abruptly turn off these resources is dangerous, reckless, and irresponsible. Congress previously acknowledged the value of this funding to communities by requiring a one-time report in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act on how DHS could help cities transition when they lose grant eligibility. However, a one-time report leaves Congress in the dark going forward without any ongoing data we need to monitor vulnerable communities once they are removed from the program and the security capabilities begin to downgrade.
That's why I introduced Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Act of 2026, which closes this oversight gap by requiring FEMA to submit recurring transition reports over three years, every three years, giving Congress the information we need to ensure our communities are never left defenseless. I thank the Major Cities Chiefs Association, U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Urban, National League of Cities for endorsing this important effort strengthening public safety across our nation.
I also want to thank Ranking Member Thompson and Representative Ivey for their participation in this bill and urge all of my colleagues to please join in supporting this bipartisan common sense measure. With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Andrew Garbarino
Aye. All opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Recorded vote is requested pursuant to Committee Rule 7D, further proceedings on this question are postponed. Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 8897, the Improving Travel for American Families Act.
H.R. 8897.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and is considered read and open to amendment at any point. I now recognize the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Mackenzie, for the purpose of offering an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
Ryan Mackenzie
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 8897.
Ryan Mackenzie
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to support the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 8897, the Improving Travel for American Families Act. As the father of two young children, I know firsthand how traveling with young children can be challenging. Parents of babies and toddlers have to juggle strollers, diaper bags, car seats, carry-on luggage, and everything else that keeps with keeping children safe and comfortable while navigating crowded airports. It's time to give parents a helping hand while they're traveling.
And that's why I have worked to identify practical ways to reduce travel-related stress and challenges for families. Earlier this Congress, I introduced bipartisan legislation, the Babies on Board Act, to better protect families traveling with strollers and other essential equipment. Today, we're building on that work. This amendment would allow TSA to establish a pilot program focused on making the security screening process easier for adults traveling with children 12 years of age and younger, and building on TSA's existing Families on the Fly initiative. For many parents, the security checkpoint can be one of the most stressful parts of a trip.
Families often need additional time and space to fold strollers, organize belongings, and help young children through the screening process. This legislation recognizes those realities and gives TSA the flexibility to test ways to better accommodate families. But the benefits also extend beyond just parents and children. When families can move more easily through security, the experience becomes better for all travelers, reducing congestion and improving the flow of screening checkpoints. Solo travelers at airports included in the program will no longer have to wait for parents to unload piles of baby supplies into plastic trays.
At the same time, security remains paramount and nothing in this legislation weakens security requirements or screening standards. In short, it's a win-win, reducing the stress for parents and solo travelers while also keeping essential screening procedures fully intact. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment and with that, I yield back.
Andrew Garbarino
Gentleman yields back. Does anyone else wish to speak on the amendment? Are there any amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute? Hearing none, the question is on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Mackenzie of Pennsylvania.
All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment in the nature of a substitute is agreed to. The question now occurs in reporting bill, the bill H.R. 8897 as amended to the House with a favorable recommendation.
All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Recorded votes requested pursuant to committee rule 7D, further proceedings on this question are postponed.
Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 5109, the TWICE Act. Bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. The clerk shall designate the bill.
Buddy Carter
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I've long believed that our criminal justice system must be more than just punishment. It has to create pathways back to society. That's why H.R. 5109, the TWICE, the TWIC Efficiency or TWICE Act, just does just that. It's a simple common sense fix to help returning citizens get to get the Transportation Workers Identification Credential, known as TWIC card.
They need to work at ports, terminals, refineries, and maritime facilities. I'm proud to have introduced this bipartisan bill with my Louisiana colleague, Representative Clay Higgins, and thank my colleagues who have co-sponsored this bill, including Ranking Member Thompson, Representative Morgan Luttrell, Dan Goldman, and Mike Ezell. Right now, people are training for in-demand jobs inside of prisons, jobs inside of prisons such as welders, electricians, pipefitters, and truck drivers. But the moment they walk out, they hit bureaucratic walls. TSA won't allow people to even get the TWIC application while they're still incarcerated.
When they get out, they're motivated to work, yet they're stuck waiting for waiting months for redress. Even though 98% of applicants ultimately receive TWIC cards, the delay costs them jobs and costs employers the skilled workers they deserve and so desperately need. The TWICE Act doesn't lower the bar. It doesn't change who qualifies or disqualifies. It simply directs TSA to develop guidelines so that incarcerated individuals can pre-apply before they're released and get help navigating appeals if needed.
Get the paperwork done while they're still inside so the day they are released, they can begin working. The day they come home, they can begin earning a living and ensuring that they don't revisit a life of crime. And these are the type of good-paying careers that will help keep people out of prison. American industries are begging for these workers. Nationally, there are 2 million persons gap between job openings and available workers in these sectors.
Ports, shipyards, barge companies, they need qualified people. We have thousands of Louisianians released every year who want to fill these jobs. This bill connects them. That's why this bill has the support from the American Trucking Association, American Waterways Operators, American Association of Port Authorities, National Ocean Industries Association, Transportation Institute, World Trade Center New Orleans, Greater New Orleans, Inc. Mr. Chairman, I'd ask that unanimous consent be authorized to enter this record, this letter into the record from the National Ocean Industries Association, which outlines how the TWICE Act will support the full spectrum of offshore energy.
Without objection.
Buddy Carter
Amen. Employment is one of the greatest predictors of whether someone stays out of the criminal justice system. This bill reduces recidivism, fills workforce shortages, and strengthens our supply chain all at once. And it gives individuals an opportunity to have a true second shot, to go to work, to provide for themselves, and stay out of the penal system.
Mr. Chairman, I urge passage of this bill.
Speaker 41
Gentleman yields back. Does anyone wish to speak on the bill? Gentleman from Texas, Mr. Luttrell.
Morgan Luttrell
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Transportation Worker Identification Credential, or TWIC program, was created by the Maritime Transportation Security Act in 2002 as a response to September 11th and extenuating concerns over national security. The program allows workers who are vetted by TSA access to ports, ships, refineries, power plants, and other sensitive transportation facilities. While the program is important for national security, many industries that require the TWIC cards are struggling to find enough qualified workers. This legislation creates a clear, more reliable process for workers and employers alike.
It also expands access to a qualified workforce, strengthens our supply chains, and helps ensure these critical industries have the personnel they need to keep America moving forward. Mr. Carter, it's been an absolute pleasure to work alongside you these past few years. And as I leave this wonderful place, moving with you on this piece of legislation has been an absolute honor. So thank you. And I wish Mr. Goldman was here to say the same thing, and Mr. Higgins, but Mr. Chairman, thank you, I yield back.
Andrew Garbarino
Gentleman yields back and I thank him for speaking on the bill and his great service on this committee. Does anyone else wish to speak on the bill? Are there any amendments to the bill? Hearing none, the question is on reporting the bill H.R. 5109 to the House with favorable recommendation. All those in favor say aye.
Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 9328, the Improving Travel for Military Members Act. Bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. The clerk shall designate the resolution.
H.R. 9328.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and it's considered read and open to amendment at any point. I now recognize the gentlewoman from South Carolina, Ms. Biggs, for the purpose of offering an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
Sheri Biggs
Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 9328.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the reading is dispensed with and the amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered base text for the purpose of further amendment. Gentlewoman from South Carolina is recognized for five minutes to speak on her amendment.
Sheri Biggs
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. More than 1.3 million Americans serve on active duty. They answer the call with little notice, shipping out on deployment orders, relocating their families across the country on PCS moves, or rushing to emergency assignments at a moment's notice. They don't get to plan ahead. They don't get to choose their travel dates.
They simply do this because that's what service requires. And when they move, their families move with them. Nearly 889,000 children are part of active duty military families. Children who have already said goodbye to friends, to schools, and to the only homes they've known. For these families, navigating a crowded airport terminal isn't a minor inconvenience.
It's one more burden stacked on top of all the others that come with military life. My legislation, the Improving Travel for Military Members Act, proposes a common sense solution. A pilot program at a minimum of five airports, prioritizing those near major military installations, to provide dedicated TSA screening lanes for active duty service members and their accompanying families. This bill is targeted and practical. A few minutes saved at a security line may seem insignificant, but to a military spouse managing three kids and a cross-country move on 48 hours' notice, it is anything but.
It is a message that says to every service member and their families that America sees them. We value them, and we respect the time they sacrifice in service to our country. I want to close by thanking Representative Goldman and committee staff for their partnership in advancing this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill for service members and their families. And with that, I yield back.
Andrew Garbarino
Gentlelady yields back. Does anyone else wish to speak on the amendment? Are there any amendments to the amendment in nature substitute? Hearing none, the question is on agreeing to the amendment in nature substitute offered by Ms. Biggs of South Carolina. All those in favor say aye.
Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 9327, the PEARL Act. The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. Clerk shall designate the bill.
H.R. 9327.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and it's considered read and open to amendment at any point. I now recognize the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Joyce, for five minutes to speak on the measure.
Joyce
I'm just going to point out... is your microphone on? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Speaker 46
No, we need to still hit buttons here on the Homeland Security Committee.
Speaker 36
For years, our Customs and Border Protection agents have been experiencing an alarming mental health crisis. From seeing the scourge of illicit fentanyl crossing the border to seeing the heartbreaking toll of human trafficking, especially concerning unaccompanied minors, these officers deal with some of the most difficult emotional stress that can be imagined. And they do it every single day. We owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude. In 2023, CBP launched a support canine program to boost morale and improve officers' mental health through therapy dogs.
These canine teams, along with the Border Patrol chaplains and peer support staff, help with the daily trauma and grief these frontline heroes deal with each day. The program, unsurprisingly, has been a widespread success. The PEARL Act is named after Pearl, a yellow lab who was the first canine to join the support canine program in the Laredo Border Patrol sector. This bill builds on the program's success by creating a three-year pilot program to allow dogs from local animal shelters to enter the program and be trained as therapy dogs. Not only will the pilot program help the men and women of the CBP, but it'll also give shelter dogs a new lease on life.
I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting me in the introduction of this bill and encourage you all to join me in passing this bill to the floor. Thank you, and I yield.
Andrew Garbarino
Gentleman yields back. Does anyone wish to speak on the bill? Gentleman from California, Mr. Correa, is recognized.
Gentleman's recognized.
Correa
Thank you. And first, let me thank Rep. Joyce for his work on this legislation. My time as ranking member of the Subcommittee of Border Security, I've seen the importance of investing in programs that strengthen our border security and keep our communities safe. But also, through many of my trips to the border, I've seen firsthand the importance of investing in programs that support the health and resilience of our federal workforce. This is especially true for programs supporting those who work in high-stress areas, like the men and women of CBP.
This bill invests in CBP's support canine program by creating a pilot program that authorizes CBP to adopt dogs from local animal shelters and give them to new homes and train them as support dogs. Studies have shown that even short-term interactions with support dogs can reduce anxiety and stress. Not only will this bill help our CBP officers, but it'll also help dogs in need of a home across our communities.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure and with that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
Andrew Garbarino
Aye. All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Mr. Chairman, I request a recorded vote. A recorded vote is requested pursuant to committee rule 7D, further proceedings on this question are postponed.
Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 9394, the Civil Preparedness for Agroterrorism Exercise Act of 2026. The bill was circulated in advance and printed copies are available. The clerk shall designate the bill.
H.R. 9394.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and is considered read and open to amendment at any point and I now recognize the gentleman from Alabama, Mr. Strong, for five minutes to speak on the measure.
Strong
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the committee's consideration on my bill, the Civil Preparedness for Agroterrorism Exercise Act of 2026. The threats facing the nation continue to evolve and we must ensure that federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners are all equipped to stay ahead. As chairman of the subcommittee on emergency management and technology, I led two hearings earlier this Congress to examine the threat that agroterrorism poses to America's food and agriculture sector and the steps that government and industry are taking to strengthen the preparedness. Those hearings underscored a troubling reality: our adversaries recognize the strategic value of targeting the systems that feed, fuel, and sustain our country.
Just within the past year, multiple foreign nationals have been charged or convicted in connection with efforts to smuggle dangerous biological agents and materials from China into the United States. If successfully deployed, these agents could cause significant harm to our economy, food security, and public health. Coupled with ongoing concerns surrounding the spread of New World screwworm, these incidents highlight the vulnerability facing our food and agriculture sector and the need for key stakeholders to be prepared to detect, respond to, and recover from an agroterrorism incident. My bill would direct the Department of Homeland Security to conduct an exercise with appropriate stakeholders to establish best practices in detecting and managing agroterrorism incidents and incorporate lessons learned into existing operations. Preparedness is most effective when it occurs before a crisis, not after one.
This bill takes a common sense step towards strengthening the security and resilience of one of our nation's most vital critical infrastructure sectors. I urge my colleagues to support the bill and with this, I yield back.
Andrew Garbarino
All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Mr. Chairman, I request a recorded vote. A recorded vote is requested pursuant to committee rule 7D, further proceedings on this question are postponed. Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 8770, the SAFEGUARDS Act.
H.R. 8770.
Andrew Garbarino
Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with and is considered read and open to amendment at any point. I now recognize the gentleman from Alabama, Mr. Strong, for the purpose of offering an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
Strong
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 8770.
An amendment in the nature of a substitute to...
Strong
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm pleased to speak today in support of my bill, the SAFEGUARDS Act. Every day, millions of Americans pay the 9/11 passenger security fee when purchasing an airline's ticket with the expectation that those dollars will be used to strengthen aviation security.
Unfortunately, since 2014, billions of dollars collected through that fee have been diverted away from aviation security purposes. As a result, passengers have continued paying a fee intended to enhance security while critical moderniza- modernization needs have gone unmet. As millions of visitors currently travel through America's airports during the FIFA World Cup, we're reminded that a secure and modern aviation system is essential to both public safety and our economic success. The SAFEGUARDS Act restores the original intent of the 9/11 passenger security fee by ensuring those funds are reinvested in aviation and airport security. Specifically, the bill invests in modern baggage screening and checkpoint technology that help TSA detect threats more effectively, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen the safety of the publ- of the traveling public.
This legislation does not create a new fee or increase costs to travelers. Again, this legislation does not create a new fee or increase costs to travelers. It simply ensures that the fees passengers already pay are used for the purpose Congress intended: to keep our airports safe, secure, and our aviation system safe. The SAFEGUARDS Act has earned broad support from airports, airlines, and aviation stakeholders because they understand that maintaining a modern, secure aviation system requires sustained investment in proven security technologies. This common-sense bipartisan measure that strengthens aviation security, improves the transparency, and honors the commitment made to the traveling public.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and with that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
Andrew Garbarino
Gentleman yields back. Does anyone else wish to speak on the bill? Are there any amendments to the amendment in the nature of substitute? Hearing none, the question is on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of substitute offered by Mr. Strong of Alabama. All those in favor say aye.
Andrew Garbarino
All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment in the nature of substitute is agreed to.
Mr. Chairman, I request a roll call.
Andrew Garbarino
The second the question is now request- the question now occurs on reporting the bill H.R. 8770 as amended to the House with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor say aye.
Mr. Chairman, I request a recorded vote.
Andrew Garbarino
A recorded vote is requested. Pursuant to committee rule 7D, for the proceedings on this- further proceedings on this question are postponed. Okay. 11:30, great. Pursuant to committee rule 7D, the proceedings will now resume on questions previously postponed in the following order: H.R. 7443, the I&A Mission Reorientation Act of 2026; H.R. 7436, the Department of Homeland Security Intelligence and Analysis Training Act; H.R. 7574, the ELO Realignment Strategic Engagement Reform Act of 2026; H.R. 7427, the SAFE VISITS Act; H.R. 8168, the Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act; H.R. 7448, the Modernizing and Improving National Terrorism Advisory System Act of 2026; H.R. 5517, the Northern Border Security Enhancement Review Act; H.R. 8535, the Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act; H.R. 9327, the PEARL Act; H.R. 9382, the NEXUS for Families Act; H.R. 9394, the Civil Preparedness Agroterrorism Exercise Act of 2026; H.R. 3106, the Weatherizing Infrastructure in North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025; H.R. 8770, the SAFEGUARDS Act of 2026; H.R. 8874, the Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Reporting Act of 2026; H.R. 9388, the One-Stop Pilot Program Extension Act; H.R. 5109, the TWICE Act; H.R. 9391, the Reimbursable Screening Services Program Extension Act of 2026; H.R. 8897, the Improving Travel for American Families Act; and H.R. 9328, the Improving Travel for Military Members Act.
Committee postponed further proceedings on the recorded vote to report H.R. 7443 as amended to the House with a favorable recommendation on which ayes had prevailed by voice vote. The question occurs on agreeing to the motion.
Speaker 39
Are there other members in the room who wish to have their vote recorded? Clerk will report the tally.
Andrew Garbarino
The ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Committee postpone further proceedings on the recorded vote to report H.R. 7436 as amended to the House with a favorable recommendation, on which the ayes have prevailed by voice vote. The question occurs on agreeing to the motion. Clerk will open the vote. Are there other members in the room who wish to have their vote recorded?
Clerk will report the tally.
Mr. Chairman, on that vote, there were 30 ayes and 0 noes.
Andrew Garbarino
The ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Committee postpone further proceedings on the recorded vote to report H.R. 7574 to the House with a favorable recommendation, on which the ayes have prevailed by voice vote. Question occurs on agreeing to the motion. Clerk will open the vote. Are there other members in the room who wish to have their vote recorded?
Clerk will report the tally.
Andrew Garbarino
The ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Committee postpone further proceedings on the recorded vote to report H.R. 7427 as amended to the House with a favorable recommendation, on which the ayes have prevailed by voice vote. Question occurs on agreeing to the motion. Clerk will open the vote. Are there other members in the room who wish to have their vote recorded?
Clerk will report the tally.
Andrew Garbarino
The ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Committee postpone further proceedings on the recorded vote to report H.R. 8168 to the House with a favorable recommendation, on which the ayes have prevailed by voice vote. Question occurs on agreeing to the motion. The clerk will open the vote. Are there other members in the room who wish to have their vote recorded?
Clerk will report the tally.
On that vote, there were 28 ayes and 2 noes.
Andrew Garbarino
The ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Committee postpone further proceedings on the recorded vote to report H.R. 7448 as amended to the House with a favorable recommendation, on which the ayes have prevailed by voice vote. The question occurs on agreeing to the question occurs on agreeing to the motion. The clerk will open the vote. Are there other members in this room who wish to have their vote recorded?
Clerk will report the tally.
Andrew Garbarino
Ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Committee postpone further proceedings on the recorded vote to report H.R. 5517 to the House with a favorable recommendation, on which the ayes have prevailed by voice vote. Question occurs on agreeing to the motion.
Speaker 45
Clerk will open the vote. Are there other members in the room who wish to have their vote recorded? Clerk will report the tally.
Andrew Garbarino
The ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Committee postponed further proceedings on the recorded vote to report H.R. 8535 as amended to the House with a favorable recommendation, on which the ayes had prevailed by voice vote. Question occurs on agreeing to the motion. Clerk will open the vote. Are there other members in the room who wish to have their vote recorded?
Clerk will report the tally.
Andrew Garbarino
The ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Committee postponed further proceedings on the recorded vote to report H.R. 9327 to the House with a favorable recommendation, on which the ayes had prevailed by voice vote. The question occurs on agreeing to the motion. Clerk will open the vote. Are members in the room who wish to have their vote recorded?
Clerk will report the tally.
Andrew Garbarino
The ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Committee postponed further proceedings on the recorded vote report H.R. 9382 to the House with a favorable recommendation, on which the ayes had prevailed by voice vote. The question occurs on agreeing to the motion. Clerk will open the vote. Are there other members in the room who wish to have their vote recorded?
Clerk will report the tally.
Mr. Chairman, on that vote, there were 30 ayes and zero noes.
Andrew Garbarino
The ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Committee postponed further proceedings on the recorded vote to report H.R. 9394 to the House with a favorable recommendation, on which the ayes had prevailed by voice vote. Question occurs on agreeing to the motion. Clerk will open the vote. Gotta get some new batteries.
Andrew Garbarino
The ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The committee postponed further proceedings on the recorded vote to report H.R. 3106 to the House with a favorable recommendation, on which ayes had prevailed by voice vote. The question occurs on agreeing to the motion. Clerk will open the vote.
Andrew Garbarino
The ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Committee postponed further proceedings on the recorded vote to report H.R. 8770 as amended to the House with a favorable recommendation on which the ayes had prevailed by voice vote. Question occurs on agreeing to the motion. The clerk will open the vote. Are there other members in the room who wish to have their vote recorded?
The clerk will report the tally.
Speaker 35
Mr. Chairman, on that vote, there were 26 ayes, three noes, and one present.
Andrew Garbarino
The ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Committee postponed further proceedings on the recorded vote to report H.R. 8874 to the House with a favorable recommendation on which the ayes had prevailed by voice vote. Question occurs on agreeing to the motion. The clerk will open the vote. Are there other members in the room who wish to have their vote recorded?
The clerk will report the tally.
Andrew Garbarino
The ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Committee postponed further proceedings on the recorded vote to report H.R. 9388 to the House with a favorable recommendation on which the ayes had prevailed by voice vote. Question occurs on agreeing to the motion. The clerk will open the vote. Come on, clerk, we're on a roll here.
Andrew Garbarino
The ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. You didn't wipe out everything there, did you? We don't have to redo these, do we, now?
Andrew Garbarino
All right. Committee postponed further proceedings on the recorded vote to report H.R. 5109 to the House with a favorable recommendation on which the ayes had prevailed by voice vote. Question occurs on agreeing to the motion. The clerk will open the vote. Are there other members in the room who wish to have their vote recorded?
The clerk will report the tally.
Andrew Garbarino
The ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Committee postponed further proceedings on the recorded vote to report H.R. 9391 to the House with a favorable recommendation on which the ayes had prevailed by voice vote. Question occurs on agreeing to the motion. The clerk will open the vote. Are there other members in the room who wish to have their vote recorded?
The clerk will report the tally.
Andrew Garbarino
The ayes have it and the motion is agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Committee postponed further proceedings on the recorded vote to report H.R. 8897 as amended to the House with a favorable recommendation on which the ayes had prevailed by voice vote. Question occurs on agreeing to the motion.
Clerk will open the vote. Are there other members in the room who wish to have their vote recorded? Clerk will report the tally. Clerk will report the tally. The ayes have it and the motion is agreed to.
That's all postponed votes, correct? Without objection, the staff is authorized to make any required technical or conforming changes to reflect the action of this committee. This concludes the consideration of bills noticed by the committee for today. Mr. Chairman. Yes, gentleman, the ranking member.
Bennie Thompson
Mr. Chairman, pursuant to clause 2L of rule 11, I request that members have two calendar days to file with the clerk of the committee supplemental, additional, or minority views on the measures ordered reported by the committee today.
Andrew Garbarino
So ordered, there being no further business, without objection, the committee stands adjourned.