[国会记录第161卷第162号（2015年11月2日，星期一）][众议院][H7355-H7357页]2015年融合中心增强法案BARLETTA先生。议长先生，我动议暂停规则，并通过修正2002年《国土安全法》的法案（H.R.3598），以加强国土安全部与国家融合中心网络之间的伙伴关系，并出于其他目的，通过修正案。秘书宣读了议案的标题。法案内容如下：H.R.3598，由美利坚合众国参众两院在国会通过，第1节。简称。该法案可被称为“2015年融合中心增强法案”。秒。2.国土安全部融合中心合作计划。（a） 一般而言。--《2002年国土安全法》第210A节（《美国法典》第6卷第124h节）进行了修订——（1）将该节标题修改如下：``第。210A。国土安全部融合中心合作计划；（2） 在第（a）小节中，在结尾处添加以下新句子：“自2015年《融合中心增强法案》颁布之日起，该倡议应称为‘国土安全部融合中心合作倡议’。”；（3） 将第（b）小节修改为：`（b）机构间支持和协调。--通过国土安全部融合中心伙伴关系倡议，在与国家核聚变中心网络中核聚变中心的主要官员以及被指定为各州国土安全顾问的官员协调下，部长应--`（1）与其他联邦部门和机构的负责人协调，为国家融合中心网络提供操作和情报建议和协助``（2） 支持融合中心融入信息共享环境``（3） 支持国家融合中心网络的成熟和维持``（4） 降低低效率，最大限度地提高联邦资源支持国家融合中心网络的效率``（5） 向国家融合中心网络提供分析和报告建议及协助``（6） 审查由国家融合中心网络收集的信息共享环境范围内的信息，包括国土安全信息、恐怖主义信息和大规模毁灭性武器信息，并酌情将此类信息纳入国防部自身的此类信息中``（7） 提供信息共享环境范围内的信息向国家融合中心网络的有效传播``（8） 促进国家融合中心网络与国防部和其他联邦部门和机构之间的密切沟通和协调``（9） 为全国融合中心网络提供部门资源和运营方面的专业知识``（10） 协调向国家融合中心网络提供培训和技术援助，并鼓励这些融合中心参加该部进行的与恐怖主义威胁有关的演习``（11） 确保在可行的最大程度上，将对国家融合中心网络的支持作为国家优先事项纳入适用的国土安全拨款指南``（12） 确保全国融合中心网络中的每个融合中心都有一份由该部门首席隐私官批准的隐私政策和一份由该部门民权和民权官员批准的民权和民权政策``（13） 协调全国可疑活动报告倡议，确保酌情纳入国家融合中心网络收集的信息``（14） 领导部门努力确保国家融合中心网络中的融合中心成为与州和地方实体最大程度共享国土安全信息、恐怖主义信息和大规模杀伤性武器信息的主要联络点``（15） 制定和传播国家融合中心网络融合中心人员配备的适当级别的最佳实践，融合中心由州、地方、部落和地区执法部门、消防、应急医疗和应急管理服务部门以及公共卫生部门的合格代表组成，以及私营机构,；以及`（16）执行部长认为适当的其他职责。`；（4） 在第（c）小节中—（A）在第（3）（B）段之前删去以下内容并插入：`（c）资源分配。-`（1）信息共享和人员分配。-`（A）信息共享。-`（i）情报和分析部副部长应确保在适当情况下--`（i）Nat中的融合中心ional Network of Fusion Centers have access to homeland security information sharing systems; and ``(ii) Department personnel are deployed to support fusion centers in the National Network of Fusion Centers in a manner consistent with the Department's mission and existing statutory limits. ``(B) Personnel assignment.--Department personnel referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii) may include the following: ``(i) Intelligence officers. ``(ii) Intelligence analysts. ``(iii) Other liaisons from components and offices of the Department, as appropriate. ``(C) Memoranda of understanding.--The Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis shall negotiate memoranda of understanding between the Department and a State or local government, in coordination with the appropriate representatives from fusion centers in the National Network of Fusion Centers, regarding the exchange of information between the Department and such fusion centers. Such memoranda shall include the following: ``(i) The categories of information to be provided by each entity to the other entity that are parties to any such memoranda. ``(ii) The contemplated uses of the exchanged information that is the subject of any such memoranda. ``(iii) The procedures for developing joint products. ``(iv) The information sharing dispute resolution processes. ``(v) Any protections necessary to ensure the exchange of information accords with applicable law and policies. [[Page H7356]] ``(2) Sources of support.-- ``(A) In general.--Information shared and personnel assigned pursuant to paragraph (1) may be shared or provided, as the case may be, by the following Department components and offices, in coordination with the respective component or office head and in consultation with the principal officials of fusion centers in the National Network of Fusion Centers: ``(i) The Office of Intelligence and Analysis. ``(ii) The Office of Infrastructure Protection. ``(iii) The Transportation Security Administration. ``(iv) U.S. Customs and Border Protection. ``(v) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ``(vi) The Coast Guard. ``(vii) Other components or offices of the Department, as determined by the Secretary. ``(B) Coordination with other federal agencies.--The Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis shall coordinate with appropriate officials throughout the Federal Government to ensure the deployment to fusion centers in the National Network of Fusion Centers of representatives with relevant expertise of other Federal departments and agencies. ``(3) Resource allocation criteria.-- ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall make available criteria for sharing information and deploying personnel to support a fusion center in the National Network of Fusion Centers in a manner consistent with the Department's mission and existing statutory limits.''; and (B) in paragraph (4)(B), in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting ``in which such fusion center is located'' after ``region''; (5) in subsection (d)-- (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the end; (B) in paragraph (4)-- (i) by striking ``government'' and inserting ``governments''; and (ii) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(5) utilize Department information, including information held by components and offices, to develop analysis focused on the mission of the Department under section 101(b).''; (6) in subsection (e)-- (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: ``(1) In general.--To the greatest extent practicable, the Secretary shall make it a priority to allocate resources, including deployed personnel, under this section from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Coast Guard to support fusion centers in the National Network of Fusion Centers located in jurisdictions along land or maritime borders of the United States in order to enhance the integrity of and security at such borders by helping Federal, State, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement authorities to identify, investigate, and otherwise interdict persons, weapons, and related contraband that pose a threat to homeland security.''; and (B) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``participating State, local, and regional''; (7) in subsection (j)-- (A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the end; (B) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and (C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph: ``(5) the term `National Network of Fusion Centers' means a decentralized arrangement of fusion centers intended to enhance individual State and urban area fusion centers' ability to leverage the capabilities and expertise of all fusion centers for the purpose of enhancing analysis and homeland security information sharing nationally; and''; and (8) by striking subsection (k). (b) Accountability Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter through 2022, the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security shall report to the Committee on Homeland Security and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate on the efforts of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department and other relevant components and offices of the Department to enhance support provided to fusion centers in the National Network of Fusion Centers, including meeting the requirements specified in section 210A of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124h), as amended by subsection (a) of this section. (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by striking the item relating to section 210A and inserting the following new item: ``Sec. 210A. Department of Homeland Security Fusion Centers Initiative.''. (d) Reference.--Any reference in any law, rule, or regulation to the ``Department of Homeland Security State, Local, and Regional Fusion Center Initiative'' shall be deemed to be a reference to the ``Department of Homeland Security Fusion Center Initiative''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Barletta) and the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania. General Leave Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Pennsylvania? There was no objection. Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3598, the Fusion Center Enhancement Act of 2015. The purpose of this legislation is to clarify and enhance the partnership between the Department of Homeland Security and the National Network of Fusion Centers. The bill amends the existing statute to update the Department's responsibilities for sharing information with State and local law enforcement and other emergency personnel within the National Network of Fusion Centers. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, State and local governments created fusion centers as a way to communicate Federal homeland security information to State and local law enforcement officials as well as to fuse State and locally collected information with Federal intelligence. Congress supported this partnership by mandating that the Office of Intelligence and Analysis within the Department of Homeland Security coordinate and share information with fusion centers. There are now 78 State and locally owned fusion centers across the country. H.R. 3598 amends existing law to improve the relationship and flow of information between the Federal Government and fusion centers. The bill includes language updating the responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security related to support and coordination within the National Network. This includes improving coordination with other Federal departments to provide better operational intelligence, reducing inefficiencies, and coordinating nationwide suspicious activity reporting. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee and a former mayor, a concern I have heard from law enforcement in my district is a lack of information and coordination from ICE, CBP, and other DHS component agencies. I have seen this problem firsthand and know that more can be done to help our local law enforcement get the support that they need from the Federal Government. This bill is one small step to make that fusion center a better resource for the people who know our communities the best: our local law enforcement officers. The bill includes language to direct DHS to ensure that each component is providing information and personnel to work with the fusion centers. To address the need for better accountability, language is included throughout the bill requiring DHS to coordinate with fusion centers and State Homeland Security advisers in carrying out the assigned responsibilities. {time} 1630 Additionally, I added a requirement for the Department to submit a report to Congress on their efforts, including the components, to support fusion centers and specifically report on how they are meeting the requirements set forth in this bill. I want to thank House Intelligence Committee Chairman Nunes, Committee on Homeland Security Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Thompson, and Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence Chairman King and Ranking Member Higgins for working with me to bring this bill to the floor. The bill went through regular order and received bipartisan support during subcommittee and full committee consideration. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill so we can add important requirements and accountability [[Page H7357]] in how the Department of Homeland Security interacts and shares information with key State and local stakeholders. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Washington, DC, October 28, 2015. Hon. Michael McCaul, Chairman, House Committee on Homeland Security, Ford Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman McCaul: On September 30, 2015, your committee ordered H.R. 3503, the ``Department of Homeland Security Support to Fusion Centers Act of 2015,'' reported. Additionally, on that same day, your committee ordered H.R. 3598, the ``Fusion Center Enhancement Act of 2015,'' reported. As you know, both H.R. 3503 and H.R. 3598 contain provisions within the jurisdiction of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. On the basis of your consultations with the Committee and in order to expedite the House's consideration of both bills, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence will not assert a jurisdictional claim over either bill by seeking a sequential referral. This courtesy is, however, conditioned on our mutual understanding and agreement that it will in no way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of the Permanent Select Committee with respect to the appointment of conferees or to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in the bills or any similar legislation. I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming this understanding and would request that you include a copy of this letter and your response in the committee reports for both bills and in the Congressional Record during their floor consideration. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Sincerely, Devin Nunes, Chairman. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC, October 29, 2015. Hon. Devin Nunes, Chairman, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, The Capitol, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Nunes: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 3503, the ``Department of Homeland Security Support to Fusion Centers Act of 2015,'' and H.R. 3598, the ``Fusion Center Enhancement Act of 2015.'' I appreciate your support in bringing both of these measures before the House of Representatives, and accordingly, understand that the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence will not seek a sequential referral on either bill. I acknowledge that by foregoing a sequential referral on these two pieces of legislation, your Committee is not diminishing or altering its jurisdiction with respect to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in these bills or any similar legislation. Additionally, should a conference on either bill be necessary, I would support your request to have the Permanent Select Committee represented on the conference committee. I will include copies of this exchange in the reports for H.R. 3503 and H.R. 3598 and in the Congressional Record during consideration of these bills on the House floor. I thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Sincerely, Michael T. McCaul, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security. Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3598, the Fusion Center Enhancement Act of 2015. First of all, let me compliment Mr. Barletta for his bill. Those of us who have been around kind of know the confusion that exists among fusion centers throughout the country, and any effort to streamline that confusion is much appreciated. Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan bill seeks to update the law to reflect the evolution of the Department of Homeland Security's National Network of Fusion Centers as well as the relationship of the Department's Office of Intelligence and Analysis with the fusion centers in the network. H.R. 3598, as introduced by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Barletta), clarifies that fusion centers are State- and locally owned and operated and requires the Department's Office of Intelligence and Analysis to provide support to centers in its network through the deployment of appropriate personnel and providing access to information. Importantly, H.R. 3598 also adds several new responsibilities to the Under Secretary of Intelligence and Analysis related to grant guidance, coordinating nationwide suspicious activity reports, and ensuring that fusion centers are the focal points for sharing information. This bill makes several technical changes to existing statutory language to help ensure increased information-sharing resources are made available to Federal, State, and local law enforcement officials at our National Network of Fusion Centers. If enacted, H.R. 3598 will go a long way to providing States and localities that have invested significant resources in standing up fusion centers to participate in DHS' National Network with the support they need to keep their communities and, ultimately, the Nation secure. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to express my support again for this bill and commend the leaders of the committee's Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee, Mr. King and Mr. Higgins, for working together to advance this timely and important piece of legislation. Again, let me thank Mr. Barletta and talk about the longstanding confusion that has existed with fusion centers around the country. When created, it was Congress' hope that everybody would be singing from the same sheet of music. Hopefully this gets us real close to that performance. I urge the passage of H.R. 3598 and look forward to its passage. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, one of the most critical responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security is to share threat information with State and local first responders. Fusion centers are a key mechanism for that process. The original requirements directing DHS' responsibilities towards fusion centers were enacted in 2007. In the past 8 years, there have been significant changes to the information- sharing environment and the fusion centers across the country. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 3598 in order to bolster the information-sharing environment within the Department and between the Department and State and local stakeholders. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Barletta) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3598, 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. ____________________ [Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 162 (Monday, November 2, 2015)] [House] [Pages H7357-H7360] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SUPPORT TO FUSION CENTERS ACT OF 2015 Ms. McSALLY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3503) to require an assessment of fusion center personnel needs, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3503 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 Support to Fusion Centers Act of 2015''. SEC. 2. FUSION CENTER PERSONNEL NEEDS ASSESSMENT. Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct an assessment of Department of Homeland Security personnel assigned to fusion centers pursuant to subsection (c) of section 210A of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124h), including an assessment of whether deploying additional Department personnel to such fusion centers would enhance the Department's mission under section 101(b) of such Act and the National Network of Fusion Centers. The assessment required under this subsection shall include the following: (1) Information on the current deployment of the Department's personnel to each fusion center. (2) Information on the roles and responsibilities of the Department's Office of Intelligence and Analysis' intelligence officers, intelligence analysts, senior reports officers, reports officers, and regional directors deployed to fusion centers. (3) Information on Federal resources, in addition to personnel, provided to each fusion center. (4) An analysis of the optimal number of personnel the Office of Intelligence and Analysis should deploy to fusion centers, including a cost-benefit analysis comparing deployed personnel with technological solutions to support information sharing. [[Page H7358]] (5) An assessment of fusion centers located in jurisdictions along land and maritime borders of the United States, and the degree to which deploying personnel, as appropriate, from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Coast Guard to such fusion centers would enhance the integrity and security at such borders by helping Federal, State, local, and tribal law enforcement authorities to identify, investigate, and interdict persons, weapons, and related contraband that pose a threat to homeland security. (6) An assessment of fusion centers located in jurisdictions with large and medium hub airports, and the degree to which deploying, as appropriate, personnel from the Transportation Security Administration to such fusion centers would enhance the integrity and security of aviation security. SEC. 3. PROGRAM FOR STATE AND LOCAL ANALYST CLEARANCES. (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that any program established by the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security to provide eligibility for access to information classified as Top Secret for State and local analysts located in fusion centers shall be consistent with the need to know requirements pursuant to Executive Order 13526 (50 U.S.C. 3161 note). (b) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate a report on the following: (1) The process by which the Under Secretary of Intelligence and Analysis determines a need to know pursuant to Executive Order 13526 to sponsor Top Secret clearances for appropriate State and local analysts located in fusion centers. (2) The effects of such Top Secret clearances on enhancing information sharing with State, local, tribal, and territorial partners. (3) The cost for providing such Top Secret clearances for State and local analysts located in fusion centers, including training and background investigations. (4) The operational security protocols, training, management, and risks associated with providing such Top Secret clearances for State and local analysts located in fusion centers. SEC. 4. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT. The Under Secretary of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security, in collaboration with the Chief Information Officer of the Department and representatives from the National Network of Fusion Centers, shall conduct an assessment of information systems (as such term is defined in section 3502 of title 44, United States Code) used to share homeland security information between the Department and fusion centers in the National Network of Fusion Centers and make upgrades to such systems, as appropriate. Such assessment shall include the following: (1) An evaluation of the accessibility and ease of use of such systems by fusion centers in the National Network of Fusion Centers. (2) A review to determine how to establish improved interoperability of departmental information systems with existing information systems used by fusion centers in the National Network of Fusion Centers. (3) An evaluation of participation levels of departmental components and offices of information systems used to share homeland security information with fusion centers in the National Network of Fusion Centers. SEC. 5. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with each fusion center in the National Network of Fusion Centers regarding the type of information fusion centers will provide to the Department and whether such information may be subject to public disclosure. SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Fusion center.--The term ``fusion center'' has the meaning given such term in subsection (j) of section 210A of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124h). (2) National network of fusion centers.--The term ``National Network of Fusion Centers'' means a decentralized arrangement of fusion centers intended to enhance individual State and urban area fusion centers' ability to leverage the capabilities and expertise of all such fusion centers for the purpose of enhancing analysis and homeland security information sharing nationally. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Arizona (Ms. McSally) and the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Arizona. General Leave Ms. McSALLY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Arizona? There was no objection. Ms. McSALLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3503, the Department of Homeland Security Support to Fusion Centers Act of 2015. We have made improvements since the 9/11 attacks, the Boston Marathon bombings, and Fort Hood to increase and enhance the Nation's ability to detect and prevent terrorist attacks. However, the elevated potential for attacks carried out by individuals either directed or inspired by radical violent extremism reinforces that there is more work to be done, especially breaking down information-sharing stovepipes. Ensuring that the Federal Government is sharing intelligence and homeland security information with State and local officials is a vital component to that effort. In June, I visited the Arizona Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Center, or the ACTIC, my State's fusion center. I saw firsthand how fusion centers are disseminating Federal threat and intelligence information out to emergency responder providers, as well as collecting State and local information, and fusing it with Federal intelligence to enhance terrorist investigations and create a more complete picture. While fusion centers are continuing to mature, I am concerned about the lack of small cities' and rural areas' representation in fusion centers. As we continue to enhance the Nation's ability to share intelligence information, we need to ensure that all emergency service providers have access to this vital information. To help break down the information-sharing stovepipes, the ACTIC and 77 other fusion centers across the country need greater access to intelligence and information from the Department of Homeland Security and its components. Mr. Speaker, I introduced H.R. 3503 along with Chairman McCaul, Chairman King, and Representatives Barletta and Loudermilk to ensure that the Department is providing fusion centers with the resources needed to protect our Nation from terrorist attacks and other emergencies. This bill passed the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence and the full Committee on Homeland Security by voice vote with bipartisan support. I want to thank the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Loudermilk) for adding two important provisions to this bill during the full committee markup. These provisions ensure that the Department of Homeland Security's information technology systems are user-friendly for State and local analysts, and require the Under Secretary of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis to sign a memorandum of understanding with each fusion center to ensure that each center is aware of what information can be publicly disclosed. Also, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Nunes of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and his staff for working with me and the Committee on Homeland Security to get this bill to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3503, as amended, requires the Government Accountability Office, GAO, to conduct an assessment of the Department of Homeland Security personnel detailed to fusion centers and whether deploying additional personnel from several of the departmental components will enhance threat and homeland security information sharing. Having an unbiased assessment of staffing levels and responsibilities for Department of Homeland Security personnel deployed to fusion centers will be valuable in making decisions moving forward on the appropriate staffing levels. Additionally, this bill applauds the effort of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis in establishing a program to provide top secret clearances to appropriate State and local analysts in fusion centers. To ensure that this initiative is carried out efficiently and in a manner that ensures operational security, the bill requires DHS to submit a onetime report to Congress. The committee has received testimony from State and local law enforcement about the value additional clearances will provide. The need for top secret clearances was also a key finding [[Page H7359]] of the committee's Foreign Fighter Task Force, of which I was proud to be a member. It is especially timely that we are considering this bill today. This week is the annual conference held by the National Fusion Center Association. This bill will help ensure that our State and local law enforcement officers, as well as fire and EMS personnel, are getting access to the information they need to protect our communities. Since the summer, our country has been at its highest threat posture since 9/11, given the large number of foreign fighters and ISIS- inspired plots. It is essential that Congress ensure that all of the dots are being connected. I urge all Members to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, October 28, 2015. Hon. Michael McCaul, Chairman, House Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman McCaul: On September 30, 2015, your committee ordered H.R. 3503, the ``Department of Homeland Security Support to Fusion Centers Act of 2015,'' reported. Additionally, on that same day, your committee ordered H.R. 3598, the ``Fusion Center Enhancement Act of 2015,'' reported. As you know, both H.R. 3503 and H.R. 3598 contain provisions within the jurisdiction of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. On the basis of your consultations with the Committee and in order to expedite the House's consideration of both bills, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence will not assert a jurisdictional claim over either bill by seeking a sequential referral. This courtesy is, however, conditioned on our mutual understanding and agreement that it will in no way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of the Permanent Select Committee with respect to the appointment of conferees or to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in the bills or any similar legislation. I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming this understanding and would request that you include a copy of this letter and your response in the committee reports for both bills and in the Congressional Record during their floor consideration. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Sincerely, Devin Nunes, Chairman. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC, October 29, 2015. Hon. Devin Nunes, Chairman, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Nunes: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 3503, the ``Department of Homeland Security Support to Fusion Centers Act of 2015,'' and H.R. 3598, the ``Fusion Center Enhancement Act of 2015.'' I appreciate your support in bringing both of these measures before the House of Representatives, and accordingly, understand that the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence will not seek a sequential referral on either bill. I acknowledge that by foregoing a sequential referral on these two pieces of legislation, your Committee is not diminishing or altering its jurisdiction with respect to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in these bills or any similar legislation. Additionally, should a conference on either bill be necessary, I would support your request to have the Permanent Select Committee represented on the conference committee. I will include copies of this exchange in the reports for H.R. 3503 and H.R. 3598 and in the Congressional Record during consideration of these bills on the House floor. I thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Sincerely, Michael T. McCaul, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security. Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3503, the Department of Homeland Security Support Fusion Centers Act of 2015. Mr. Speaker, this bill was passed unanimously by the committee last month, and I am pleased that it is being considered on the House floor today. After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, there was broad recognition that the traditional stovepipes to the sharing of homeland security information needed to be cleared and that the Federal Government needed to do more to share timely information with State and local partners. A key mechanism to fostering such information sharing has been the development of a network of fusion centers across the Nation. These centers allow Federal intelligence and homeland security information to be shared with State and local law enforcement and other key stakeholders. As of today, 77 fusion centers have been stood up by State and local governments and participate in the Department of Homeland Security's National Network of Fusion Centers. For fusion centers to realize their full promise, it is critical that personnel assigned to fusion centers be able to access Department of Homeland Security information, data, and personnel. In the course of conducting oversight of fusion centers, the committee has learned that not enough State and local analysts and officials assigned to these centers have the TS/SCI clearances necessary to foster the timely sharing of homeland security information and intelligence. H.R. 3503, for the first time, authorizes DHS to sponsor State and local analysts for security clearances. All of us, as the chairwoman has said, have heard from our State and locals that this is, indeed, a problem. The approach taken is consistent with ongoing DHS efforts to sponsor TS and SCI clearances on appropriate State, local, tribal, as well as territorial partners' levels. In the 14 years since 9/11, there has been progress across the Federal Government at breaking down institutional stovepipes and moving away from a ``need to know'' to a ``need to share'' culture. Certainly with the right support and buy-in at the Federal level, the Department's National Network of Fusion Centers holds great promise for fostering more opportunities to interdict would-be terrorists before they attack and contributing to better awareness, preparedness, and responses at all levels. Mr. Speaker, again, I thank the gentlewoman from Arizona for this legislation. Again, this is getting us all on the same sheet of music. We absolutely have to have fusion centers operating in uniformity, and we should not have fusion centers doing their own thing. We are fighting this together. The stovepiping of information is not good, and it is not healthy. We have problems identifying bad actors, terrorists, and what have you. So I urge passage of H.R. 3503, the Department of Homeland Security Support to Fusion Centers Act of 2015. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. {time} 1645 Ms. McSALLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. One of the core missions of the Department of Homeland Security is to share threat information with State and local first responders. Fusion centers are a key mechanism for that process. As fusion centers continue to mature into national assets, Congress must ensure the Department of Homeland Security is supporting fusion centers with the resources needed to keep our communities safe. Once again, I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 3503. I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, I rise in support of H.R. 3503, the ``Homeland Security Support Fusion Centers Act of 2015.'' State and major urban area fusion centers serve as central points within the state and local environment for the receipt, analysis, gathering, and sharing of threat-related information between the federal government and state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners. H.R. 3503 will require the Under Secretary of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in coordination with the homeland security advisors of the states to provide an assessment of fusion center personnel needs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security. H.R. 3503 will amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to improve the management and administration of the security clearance processes throughout the Department of Homeland Security. Homeland Security advisors must conduct a needs assessment of Department personnel assigned to fusion centers pursuant to subsection (c) of section 210A of the Homeland Security Act of 2002. The assessment must include information on: the current deployment of DHS personnel to each fusion center; the roles and responsibilities of Office of Intelligence and Analysis intelligence officers, intelligence analysts, senior reports officers, reports officers, and regional directors deployed to fusion centers; federal resources, in addition to personnel, [[Page H7360]] provided to each fusion center; whether deploying additional personnel would enhance intelligence and information sharing between DHS and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners; fusion centers located in jurisdictions along land and maritime borders of the United States and the degree to which deploying personnel from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Coast Guard to such centers would enhance the integrity and security at such borders; and fusion centers located in jurisdictions with large and medium hub airports and the degree to which deploying personnel from the Transportation Security Administration to such centers would enhance aviation security. The Under Secretary must submit such assessment to specified congressional committees, together with a report on: the number of personnel assigned to fusion centers from the Office of Intelligence and Analysis; the number of personnel assigned to the National Network of Fusion Centers from components and offices of DHS and the methodology for determining the fusion centers to which such personnel are assigned; and an implementation plan for determining how DHS's personnel resources will be allocated to fusion centers in the future. H.R. 3503 will help to ensure the safety of our fusion centers and the personnel that work within these centers. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for H.R. 3503. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from Arizona (Ms. McSally) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3503, 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. ____________________