HOUSE PANELS APPROVE AMENDED HOMELAND SECURITY BILL

Amendment to homeland security bill (HR-5005) that would have removed state and local matching requirements for counterterrorism equipment and training grants was rejected by the House Science Committee Wed. Amendment by Rep. Larson (D-Conn.) would have exempted fire departments and other emergency service providers from contributing equivalent of 30% of grant funds received. Larson said money could be used for functions including interoperability of first responder communications equipment. Although Committee Chmn. Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.) and others said measure was well- intentioned, he said it would be counterproductive and successfully urged members to reject it. It narrowly failed, 15-17, while manager’s amendment to HR-5005 by Boehlert and ranking Democrat Hall (Tex.) passed by voice vote.

Larson said nation’s local emergency crews already were financially strapped as result of counterterrorism-related investments made since last year’s terrorist attacks. He said: “I don’t know how they're going to come up with the 30%” match needed before receiving federal funding. However, Boehlert said matching requirement was designed to ensure fiscal responsibility and had succeeded in reaching large numbers of first responders across nation. Elimination of requirement would mean that fewer departments would participate in such enhanced equipment and training initiatives, he said. Boehlert said matching grant program “is operating as intended. It’s working well… We have to be prudent as we go forward.”

Transfer of NIST’s Computer Security Division (CSD) to proposed Dept. of Homeland Security would be blocked under Boehlert-Hall measure. Inclusion of that provision was cheered by Congressional Internet Caucus Co-Chmn. Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Boucher (D-Va.). Amended bill also would create an Undersecy. for Science & Technology position in cabinet- level department, measure that committee supporters said would enhance domestic security research & development efforts.

Goodlatte, Boucher and 14 other Caucus members said in letter dated July 9 that they supported overall thrust of White House plan to consolidate numerous entities responsible for infrastructure protection and cybersecurity, but opposed President Bush’s recommendation to transfer CSD out of NIST and Dept. of Commerce. Goodlatte said following committee’s referral of bill that “together we can work to make our nation more secure in the face of increased terrorist threats, while not jeopardizing confidence in computer security and encryption software, which the CDC and the private sector have tirelessly worked to build.” Boehlert agreed that preservation of CSD’s role within NIST would enable unit “to interact easily both with the other research divisions of [NIST] and with private industry.”

Creation of Undersecy. for Science & Technology position is necessary so proposed Dept. “will have a robust and effective research and development effort, led by someone who truly understand science and technology,” Boehlert said. He said supporters of provision “will work tirelessly to ensure that in the final bill the Dept. has a clear and central [R&D] mission.”

Separately, House Armed Services Committee marked up HR- 5005. Although it didn’t propose creation of an additional Undersecy. slot, Chmn. Stump (R-Ariz.) said manager’s amendment would “ensure that the new department extends proper priority and focus to [R&D] efforts to meet threats against the homeland.” Among other committees this week that will mark up the bill is the House Commerce Committee, which placed HR-5005 on its calendar for today (Thurs.). Markup will begin 9:30 a.m., Rm. 2123, Rayburn Bldg.