Rep. Bennie Thompson Holds a Markup of Legislation to Authorize Appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for Fiscal Year 2008

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Rep. Bennie Thompson Holds a Markup of Legislation to Authorize Appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for Fiscal Year 2008

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY HOLDS A MARKUP OF LEGISLATION TO AUTHORIZE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008

MARCH 28, 2007

SPEAKERS: REP. BENNIE THOMPSON, D-MISS. CHAIRMAN REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ, D-CALIF. REP. EDWARD J. MARKEY, D-MASS. REP. NORM DICKS, D-WASH. REP. JANE HARMAN, D-CALIF. REP. PETER A. DEFAZIO, D-ORE. REP. NITA M. LOWEY, D-N.Y. DEL. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, D-D.C. REP. ZOE LOFGREN, D-CALIF. REP. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE, D-TEXAS DEL. DONNA M.C. CHRISTENSEN, D-VIRGIN IS. REP. BOB ETHERIDGE, D-N.C. REP. JIM LANGEVIN, D-R.I. REP. HENRY CUELLAR, D-TEXAS REP. CHRIS CARNEY, D-PA. REP. YVETTE D. CLARKE, D-N.Y. REP. AL GREEN, D-TEXAS REP. ED PERLMUTTER, D-COLO.

REP. PETER T. KING, R-N.Y. RANKING MEMBER REP. LAMAR SMITH, R-TEXAS REP. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS, R-CONN. REP. MARK SOUDER, R-IND. REP. THOMAS M. DAVIS III, R-VA REP. DAN LUNGREN, R-CALIF. REP. MIKE D. ROGERS, R-ALA. REP. BOBBY JINDAL, R-LA. REP. DAVE REICHERT, R-WASH. REP. MICHAEL MCCAUL, R-TEXAS REP. CHARLIE DENT, R-PA. REP. GINNY BROWN-WAITE, R-FLA. REP. MARSHA BLACKBURN, R-TENN. REP. GUS BILIRAKIS, R-FLA. REP. DAVID DAVIS, R-TENN.

[*] THOMPSON: A quorum being present, the committee will come to order.

Today, we are meeting to consider H.R. 1684, the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008.

I'm pleased that the committee is considering H.R. 1684, a bill to authorize the Department of Homeland Security.

In true committee form, this is a bipartisan bill. Staff on both sides worked long and hard to craft a bill that does go for more than authorize appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security. It puts the department on a path to becoming what Congress envisioned and the American people deserve.

The bill provides $39.8 billion to the department, $2.1 billion more than the president requested. This funding goes a long way to restoring much-needed assistance to our communities so they can meet the challenges of a post-9/11 world.

We started this process by giving some thought to the state of the Department of Homeland Security. There's been some noticeable progress in the management and operations of the newest federal agency, but there has not been enough.

We simply cannot ignore that, four years into its existence, the department remains on the GAO's "High Risk" list and is rated the worst workplace in the federal government.

With that in mind, we crafted a well-focused bill that accomplished a few critical goals. It established greater oversight of the department. It brings more transparency and accountability in the department's procurement activities. It provides the department's workforce with the resources, the training and respect they deserve. And it enhances strategic planning throughout the department.

I could review the bill title by title, but in an effort to move things along, I will highlight just a few key provisions. The bill authorizes the Directorate of Policy, in hopes that the department will finally develop a strategic vision.

The bill creates comprehensive homeland security review, similar to the Defense Department QDR process. This assessment will allow each president to determine whether the department's assets are properly aligned to achieve its mission.

H.R. 1684 also provides enhanced funds to the department's inspector general to execute its audits and investigations mission and undertake enhanced security of the Secure Border Initiative.

The I.G. is a valued partner to the secretary and the Congress. He needs to have the people and resources to do oversight right.

In 2005, DHS spent about 43 percent of its budget on contractors and on goods and services. In 2006, DHS spent 40 percent of its budget on goods and services. That means that nearly half of the money to be appropriated to the agencies will be put in the hands of contractors and vendors.

We need assurances that the department gets what it pays for and that the procurement process is open and fair. To that end, the bill requires the chief procurement officer to establish a procurement training program. It also gives her authority to bring retirees with substantial contracting experience on board to help with acquisitions.

The bill also makes great strides in opening doors for small businesses. It enhances support for the mentor-protege program. The legislation also requires the department to take a hard l...

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