House panel aims for fresh look at homeland security

As the new Congress revs into gear, Democrats and Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee are likely to take a fresh look at programs dealing with biometrics, cyber security, technology innovation, communications, cargo-scanning equipment and border security, according to sources, aides and lawmakers.

Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, for example, continues to champion the need for Congress to provide state and local governments with billions of dollars in new funds to purchase and deploy emergency communications equipment that can work across jurisdictions.

Thompson, D-Miss., told the U.S. Conference of Mayors on Wednesday that "the interoperability problem costs well into the billions," and Congress must "be willing to provide the long-term sustainable funding necessary to develop interoperable communication networks."

Republicans on the committee agree that more needs to be done to improve interoperability, but they argue that Congress already established a $1 billion grant program for the effort under the Commerce Department. That program is expected to start awarding grants later this year.

A key Republican on the issue is Dave Reichert of Washington, who has been named the ranking member of the Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment Subcommittee.

Reichert said he supports creating a new grant program but added that "more money alone will not solve the problem." He authored a 2006 law that requires states to complete interoperability strategic plans in order to receive funds.

Other members of the committee who are expected to push technology-related issues include Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Jim Langevin, D-R.I., and ranking Republican Michael McCaul of Texas, as well as Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif. Langevin also is a member of the House Intelligence Committee.

A GOP aide said key areas that Republicans hope to focus on this year include explosives-detection technology; systems to defeat improvised explosive devices; biometrics; cyber security; and detection and surveillance systems for biological agents. Rep. Peter King of New York will serve as the committee's top Republican.

Democrats appear to agree that oversight is needed in some of those areas. Langevin said he plans to work to strengthen the Homeland Security Department's nuclear detection office; improve oversight of the science and technology directorate; ensure the most effective vaccinations for emerging threats; and deploy the best radiation monitors as quickly as possible.

"I am eager to expand my subcommittee's work to combat new and emerging threats, and would particularly like to explore efforts to strengthen cyber security," he added.

Langevin and Mike Rogers of Alabama, the ranking Republican on the Management, Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee, also introduced a bill last week requiring the department to improve a program that gives liability protection to private companies that offer counter-terrorism technologies. The House passed the bill Wednesday.

Lofgren said she plans to push the department to improve its cyber-security capabilities and science and technology directorate. She added that Congress needs to establish uniform standards for the various government programs that use biometrics.

In other areas, though, Democrats and Republicans appear to have deep divisions.

Democrats, for example, are pushing for a new law that would require the department to ensure that all sea cargo destined for the United States is scanned at foreign ports for weapons of mass destruction. Republicans say technology does not exist to meet that requirement, and they believe the committee should hold hearings on the subject, according to an aide.

Republicans also want more border fencing and controls put in place before Congress allows temporary guest workers from countries below the southern U.S. border. The GOP beefed up its conservative muscle on the committee by adding Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, an outspoken hawk for border controls.

"In order to control illegal entry, we should build a border wall or the like, install surveillance technology, hire more border agents, enforce employer hiring laws, and cut off social services to those who have chosen to be here illegally," Blackburn said last year.

Democratic newcomers to watch on the committee are Christopher Carney of Pennsylvania, who was tapped to chair the Management, Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee; and Henry Cuellar of Texas who was named chairman of the Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response Subcommittee.

Carney, a freshman, is a lieutenant commander in the Navy Reserve and a former Pentagon senior adviser on intelligence and counter terrorism. Cuellar was elected in 2004 and has been active on matters related to border security.