FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2007
Contact:  Joy Fox
(401) 732-9400 
 
Langevin Supports Homeland Security Authorization

 
(Warwick, R.I.) Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) today will vote with his Democratic colleagues to pass a $39.8 billion authorization for the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2008. This funding level is $2.1 billion over the President’s request.

“I am proud that this Democratic Congress is well on its way to seeing the first-ever DHS Authorization bill signed into law,” said Langevin, Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity and Science and Technology. “In four years, Congress has not been able to successfully pass an authorization measure into law. Today the Democratic majority is changing course by making homeland security and appropriate oversight a priority for Congress.”

H.R. 1684 would restore funding for many vital first responder programs either eliminated or reduced by the President’s proposed budget. This bill will also provide resources for a number of other critical homeland security activities.

While Langevin supports many of the provisions of H.R. 1684, he worked specifically to have the following measures included in the bill:

  • A measure establishing the National Biosurveillance Integration Center (NBIC) to develop, maintain, and operate an information technology system that would monitor biological events in real time
  • A measure to improve the Project BioShield Material Threats process to accelerate and prioritize the DHS’ performance of Material Threat Assessments and Material Threat Determinations
  • A measure to improve the SAFETY Act eligibility process to ensure that a sufficient number of personnel trained to apply economic, legal and risk analyses are involved in the review of anti terrorism technologies
  • A measure to create a Strategic Plan Report to Congress to enhance the Science and Technology Directorate's workforce
  • $50 million in increased funding to invest in cybersecurity research and development

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