Homeland Security Committee Introduces Crucial Technology Legislation
Today, Rep. James R. Langevin (D-RI), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, Science and Technology, and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, introduced the "SAFETY Act Reform Bill," bipartisan legislation that will make improvements to the "Support for Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act " (or "SAFETY Act"), which was enacted in 2002. Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member Peter T. King (R-NY), Rep. Christopher Carney (D-PA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, and Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), Ranking Member of the Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, Science and Technology are original cosponsors of the legislation.
The SAFETY Act was designed to encourage the development and deployment of anti-terrorism technologies. While successful, the application and distribution process has experienced significant delays and backlogs. The legislation introduced today will ensure that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) devotes the necessary personnel and resources to properly and efficiently oversee the program.
Rep. Langevin issued the following statement regarding the legislation:
"The SAFETY Act marked a good starting place for the government to begin encouraging the development of advanced technologies to help keep our nation safe. However there is now an obvious need for improvement. With passage of this legislation, I am optimistic we will be able to streamline the application process and encourage participation in this program across all levels of government and the private sector."
"This bipartisan bill will help improve implementation and further streamline the Safety Act in order to spur the development and deployment of new technologies from the private sector to help better safeguard our nation," Rep. Mike Rogers added.
"While the aims of the 2002 SAFETY Act were necessary, implementation of them have proven to be burdensome and inefficient. This bill improves many of these issues while ensuring that staffing levels, coordination with state and local governments, and implementation of the SAFETY Act is as seamless as possible," said Chairman Thompson
"By speeding the deployment of anti-terrorism technologies nationwide, we will better protect the American people from potential terrorist attacks. In the 109th Congress, the Committee on Homeland Security took bipartisan action to advance this important measure, and I am pleased that spirit will continue in the 110th Congress," Ranking Member Peter T. King said.
"It's time to make the SAFETY Act work. To do so, we need to maintain continued oversight on the issue and create incentives for the development and deployment of anti-terrorism technologies. If we are going to keep America safe we need a system that is organized, effective and accountable to the people," commented Rep. Christopher Carney.
"This legislation will make America safer," Rep. Michael McCaul said. "These improvements to the SAFETY Act will ensure that important homeland security innovations-from technology hubs such as Austin, Texas-can be implemented from coast to coast. In my home district alone, we"re seeing incredible advances in security technology, and we need to make sure these advances are readily available across the country."
# # #
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please contact Dena Graziano or Todd Levett at (202) 226-2616.
