[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 27 (Monday, February 10, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H991-H993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY CLIMATE CHANGE RESEARCH ACT
Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the
rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4737) to amend the Homeland Security Act
of 2002 to require the Under Secretary for Science and Technology of
the Department of Homeland Security to research and evaluate existing
Federal research regarding approaches to mitigate climate change on
homeland security to identify areas for further research within the
Department, research and develop approaches to mitigate the
consequences of climate change on homeland security, and for other
purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4737
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Homeland
Security Climate Change Research Act''.
SEC. 2. CLIMATE CHANGE PLANNING, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT,
AND PROTECTION AND PREPAREDNESS.
(a) In General.--Title III of the Homeland Security Act of
2002 is amended by adding at the end the following new
section:
``SEC. 321. CLIMATE CHANGE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary for Science and
Technology--
``(1) shall evaluate existing Federal research regarding
approaches to mitigate the consequence of climate change on
homeland security to identify areas for additional research
and development pursuant to paragraph (2) with respect to--
``(A) any connection between climate change and homeland
security, including
[[Page H992]]
how the resulting competition for resources, economic
distress, and social discontent has contributed to, among
other outcomes, acts of terrorism;
``(B) the degree to which climate change is reflected in
terrorism preparedness and emergency planning and policies,
including with respect to preparedness, response to, and
recovery from natural disasters; and
``(C) the degree to which the Federal funding structure to
respond to major disaster declarations and emergency
declarations is adequately structured to meet the demands of
responding to and recovering from acts of terrorism and
natural disasters that are aggravated by climate change; and
``(2) shall, to the extent practicable, conduct research
and development on approaches to mitigate the consequences of
climate change on homeland security in response to finding
pursuant to paragraph (1).
``(b) Scope.--The scope of the research and development
under subsection (a)(2) shall include the following:
``(1) Any connection between climate change and homeland
security, including how the resulting competition for
resources, economic distress, and social discontent can
contribute to, among other outcomes, acts of terrorism.
``(2) The degree to which climate change is reflected in
terrorism preparedness and emergency planning and policies,
including with respect to preparedness, response to, and
recovery from natural disasters.
``(3) The degree to which the Federal funding structure to
respond to major disaster declarations and emergency
declarations is adequately structured to meet the demands of
responding to and recovering from acts of terrorism and
natural disasters that are aggravated by climate change.
``(c) Consultation.--In carrying out this section, the
Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall consult with
the heads of other relevant agencies and departments of the
Federal Government, first responders, and relevant owners and
operators of critical infrastructure.
``(d) Climate Change Defined.--The term `climate change'
refers to detectable changes in one or more climate system
components that is directly or indirectly attributed to--
``(1) human activity; and
``(2) altering the composition of the global atmosphere.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 320 the
following new item:
``Sec. 321. Climate change research and development.''.
SEC. 3. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of
this Act and annually thereafter for three years, the Under
Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of
Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland
Security and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on
any research and development activities carried out pursuant
to section 321 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added
by this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
New Mexico (Ms. Torres Small) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Crenshaw) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New Mexico.
General Leave
Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their
remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from New Mexico?
There was no objection.
Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4737, the Department of
Homeland Security Climate Change Research Act.
Mr. Speaker, we know that climate change is happening, and it is
affecting every country around the globe. Moreover, we know that
climate change is leading to increased instability in developing
countries.
Not only has the Department of Defense written about it, Congress
acknowledged this in the fiscal year 2018 National Defense
Authorization Act, which included in its finding that ``as global
temperatures rise, droughts and famines can lead to more failed states,
which are breeding grounds of extremist and terrorist organizations.''
While DOD has researched the implications of climate change on
national security, DHS is best positioned to research and respond
climate change on homeland security. There are already reports of
extremist groups overseas using extreme weather events as a recruitment
tool, targeting farmers whose crops were lost to drought or other
weather events.
As these groups recruit more members, gaining strength, the threat
they pose to homeland security increases. DHS must be proactive, not
simply reactive in this threat.
H.R. 4737 will ensure that DHS is using its resources efficiently,
evaluating what we already know about climate change's effects on
homeland security, and, where practical, developing tactics to mitigate
those effects critical to the Department's mission. With this
knowledge, the good people at DHS will be able to better perform their
job and keep our country safe.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my House colleagues to support this legislation,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives, Committe on Science, Space, and
Technology,
Washington, DC, January 9, 2020.
Chairman Bennie G. Thompson,
Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Thompson, I am writing to you concerning H.R.
4737, the ``Department of Homeland Security Climate Change
Research Act,'' which was referred to the Committee on
Homeland Security on October 18, 2019.
I agree to work cooperatively on H.R. 4737 and in order to
expedite consideration of the bill the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology (``Science Committee'') will waive
formal consideration of the bill. This is, however, not a
waiver of future jurisdictional claims by the Science
Committee over the subject matter contained in H.R. 4737 or
similar legislation.
Thank you for agreeing to support the appointment of
Science Committee conferees during any House--Senate
conference convened on this legislation. Additionally, thank
you for your assurances to include our exchange of letters in
the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the
bill.
Sincerely,
Eddie Bernice Johnson,
Chairwoman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Homeland Security,
Washington, DC, January 8, 2020.
Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson,
Chairwoman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairwoman Johnson: Thank you for your letter
regarding H.R. 4737, the ``Department of Homeland Security
Climate Change Research Act.'' I recognize that the Committee
on Science, Space and Technology has a jurisdictional
interest in H.R. 4737, and appreciate your effort to allow
this bill to be considered on the House floor.
I concur with you that forgoing action on the bill does not
in any way prejudice the Committee on Science, Space and
Technology with respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives on
this bill or similar legislation in the future, and I would
support your effort to seek appointment of an appropriate
number of conferees to any House--Senate conference involving
this legislation.
I will include our letters on H.R. 4737 in the
Congressional Record during floor consideration of this bill.
I look forward to working with you on this legislation and
other matters of great importance to this nation.
Sincerely,
Bennie G. Thompson,
Chairman.
Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4737, the Department of
Homeland Security Climate Change Research Act.
Numerous Federal studies have been conducted that summarize the
impacts of climate change on the United States and discuss the nexus
between climate change and terrorism.
This bill directs DHS' Science and Technology Directorate to evaluate
the current Federal research regarding the connection between climate
change and homeland security to identify any research gaps and, to the
extent practical, conduct additional research to fill those gaps.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage Members to support this bill, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the
balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, effectively combating terrorism is a bipartisan issue,
and we have a duty to our constituents to support smart legislative
proposals.
Passage of the DHS Climate Change Research Act would ensure that the
Department of Homeland Security is proactively addressing and
attempting to mitigate the risks that climate change poses to our
homeland security.
Mr. Speaker, I ask for my colleagues to support H.R. 4737, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
[[Page H993]]
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Torres Small) that the House suspend
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4737, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________