House advances four bills to improve homeland security

The U.S. House of Representatives advanced four bills this week designed to protect the country from external threats and foreign adversaries.

The four different measures include the Public-Private Cybersecurity Cooperation Act, introduced by Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA); Border Tunnel Task Force Act, introduced by Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX); Secure Border Communications Act, introduced by Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL); and Protecting Critical Infrastructure Against Drones and Emerging Threats Act, introduced by Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA).

“These bills will strengthen the security of DHS information systems by creating a vulnerability disclosure program, enhance DHS’ ability to detect tunnels across our borders and identify criminal networks, support interoperability by providing secure radio communication devices for CBP officers and Border Patrol agents, and address the evolving threat from drones and other aerial systems,” Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said.

The House has passed 109 bills from the House Homeland Security Committee this Congress.

“This Congress, the Homeland Security Committee has directly confronted the most pressing national security threats to the United States with bipartisan, legislative action,” McCaul said. “The House has now passed 109 Committee bills aimed at bolstering our efforts to secure and defend our borders, protect our digital networks from cyber intruders, improve information sharing and support America’s first responders, and fight terror at home and abroad.”