H.R. 4578: Counter Terrorist Network Act

This was a vote to pass H.R. 4578 in the House.

This bill was one element of a series of congressional efforts to strengthen the Department of Homeland Security’s ability to conduct terror threat assessments, increase sharing of data collected on persons associated with terrorist organizations and reduce the vulnerability of computer systems. H.R. 4578 requires the National Targeting Center to collaborate with federal, state and international organizations to improve border security through operations that seek to disrupt and dismantle groups that threaten the United States, including foreign terrorists.

Passed.

S. 139: Rapid DNA Act of 2017

This was a vote to pass S. 139 in the House.

Rapid DNA is a new technique that can analyze DNA samples in about 90 minutes, instead of the previous delay of days or weeks. This bill would expand the use of the technology. The Rapid DNA Act establishes a system for coordinating use of Rapid DNA nationwide among law enforcement agencies. The FBI’s Combined DNA Index System would be the clearinghouse for the information. Former FBI Director James Comey said in congressional testimony to support passage of the bill, “[It will] allow us, in booking stations around the country, if someone’s arrested, to know instantly – or near instantly – whether that person is the rapist who’s been on the loose in a particular community before they’re released on bail and get away or to clear somebody, to show that they’re not the person.” Supporters of the bill say it would save time and taxpayer money by speeding up the DNA analysis process without reducing effectiveness. Critics of the legislation said it risks a privacy violation by giving the government too much information about private citizens.

Passed.

H.R. 4567: DHS Overseas Personnel Enhancement Act of 2017

This was a vote to pass H.R. 4567 in the House.

This bill would require Homeland Security Department officials to update Congress about the activities of their personnel posted overseas. Congress wants assurances the overseas personnel are assigned to locations and job duties that promote counterterrorism. They also want to know about their training and how they communicate information about potential threats to their headquarters and other agencies. In particular, the bill seeks to improve coordination among the U.S. counterterrorism agencies and foreign governments that might face similar terrorism risks.

Passed.

H.R. 4581: Screening and Vetting Passenger Exchange Act of 2017

This was a vote to pass H.R. 4581 in the House.

This bill is designed to keep travelers safe through improved vetting procedures. It would require the Department of Homeland Security to develop a list of best practices for using passenger information to detect threats and dangers for travel on airlines and other public transportation. The bill was introduced by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-PA, who said in a statement, “Advanced passenger information, or biographic information about a traveler, and passenger name record data, or data about a traveler’s reservation and itinerary, are valuable tools used for screening and vetting potential criminals and terrorists. Department of Homeland Security, especially Customs and Border Patrol and the Transportation Security Administration, utilize these data sets to confirm the identities and travel patterns of travelers before they are able to enter the U.S.” The legislation authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate efforts with other nations that adopt similar procedures for identifying threats.

Passed.

H.R. 4564: Post-Caliphate Threat Assessment Act of 2017

This was a vote to pass H.R. 4564 in the House.

This bill require the Homeland Security Department, the State Department and the Director of National Intelligence to cooperate in assessing threats to the United States by foreign terrorists. The threat assessment is supposed to include a summary of foreign terrorist fighter travel and trends, including countries of origin, travel destinations and means of travel. It also is supposed to include an analysis of any country with a significant increase in foreign terrorist fighter activity as well as an analysis of foreign terrorist fighter travel trends in and out of Iraq and Syria. The agencies’ report is supposed to be submitted to Congress.

Passed.