House passes six homeland security-related bills

The U.S. House of Representatives passed six bipartisan bills on Tuesday to enhance national security efforts within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“I commend the work of my committee on the passage of these important pieces of legislation which seek to provide necessary tools and flexibility to state and local first responders while improving DHS’ coordination and information sharing efforts,” U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, said. “It is imperative that we support those working in defense of our nation and these bills do just that.”

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. The bill was introduced by U.S Rep. Dan Donovan (R-NY).

The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Act, H.R. 5065, introduced by U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), directs the secretary of homeland security to notify airlines and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel of the guidelines regarding permitting baby formula, breast milk and juice on airplanes.

U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan’s (R-NY) Cyber Preparedness Act of 2016, H.R. 5459, seeks to strengthen preparedness and response capabilities for cyber attacks and enhances the dissemination of homeland security-related information on potential cyber threats.

The Gains in Global Nuclear Detection Architecture Act, H.R. 5391, amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance certain duties of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office. The bill was introduced by U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA).

The Securing Our Agriculture and Food Act, H.R. 5346, introduced by David Young (R-IA), gives the assistant secretary of homeland security for health affairs the responsibility of coordinating efforts of DHS in relation to food, agriculture and veterinary defense.

U.S. Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr.’s (D-NJ) First Responder Access to Innovative Technologies Act, H.R. 5460, establishes a process to review applications for certain grants to purchase equipment that do not meet national voluntary consensus standards.