House passes two Donovan-sponsored homeland security bills

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed two homeland security-related bills introduced by U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-NY) with a bipartisan voice vote.

“Your government’s chief responsibility is to protect you and your family from attack,” Donovan said. “Last weekend’s bombings in New York and New Jersey, as well as attacks on mass transit systems in Europe and the Iranian hack of a U.S. dam, remind us that oceans no longer insulate us from threats. Congress must constantly reevaluate federal policies to allow agencies and law enforcement to most effectively secure the homeland. That’s what I’ve done with the bills passed today.”

The Cyber Preparedness Act, H.R. 5459, strengthens preparedness and response capabilities for cyber attacks and enhances the dissemination of security information for potential cyber threats, while the Transit Security Grant Program Flexibility Act, H.R. 5943, clarifies allowable uses of grant funds for transportation security projects and establishes periods of performance for such grants.

Both bills are now under consideration by the Senate.

Donovan chairs the House Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications, which focuses on counterterrorism and natural disaster-related policies. He has represented New York’s 11th Congressional District since May 2015.