Legislative Activity

The Vicksburg National Military Park Boundary Modification Act authorizes the transfer of two parcels of federal land from the National Park Service to the State of Mississippi. This legislation adjusts the park's boundaries to exclude these areas, which will be repurposed to improve public access and enhance the visitor experience while remaining consistent with the park's educational mission.

This bill, the Nonprofit Security Grant Program Transparency Act, enhances oversight of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program by requiring FEMA to submit detailed pre-award and annual reports to Congress. These reports will provide comprehensive data on grant applications, awards by state and high-risk area, and how recipient funds are ultimately spent. The goal is to increase transparency regarding the distribution and use of security grant funds for eligible nonprofits.

This resolution condemns current and proposed staffing cuts at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), arguing they undermine national preparedness and disaster response capabilities. It highlights that workforce reductions endanger the ability to effectively manage increasingly severe disasters and critical counterterrorism programs. The bill expresses concern that these cuts compromise institutional knowledge and slow vital assistance to communities recovering from events like recent hurricanes. Ultimately, it commits Congress to supporting a stable and adequately resourced FEMA workforce.

This bill, the Realigning Mobile Phone Biometrics for American Privacy Protection Act, restricts the Department of Homeland Security's use of specific facial recognition mobile applications to identifying individuals only at ports of entry. It prohibits sharing these applications with other agencies and mandates the destruction of U.S. citizen biometric data captured by them. The law requires immediate removal and deactivation of these applications from non-essential systems and remote disabling of downloaded copies.

This act establishes the DHS Suicide Prevention and Resiliency for Law Enforcement Act to create a comprehensive mental health and wellness program for Department of Homeland Security law enforcement officers. The program will focus on establishing best practices, collecting confidential data, promoting training, and reducing stigma surrounding mental health. It mandates specific requirements for DHS components to ensure robust support systems, including safeguards against adverse actions for seeking help.

This resolution officially honors the victims, survivors, and all those impacted by the September 11, 2001, attacks. It reaffirms the critical importance of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in maintaining national security and preparedness. Furthermore, it expresses concern over potential weakening of counterterrorism efforts and urges full support for DHS's mission to protect the homeland.

The Terrorist Watchlist Data Accuracy and Transparency Act mandates rigorous quality assurance reviews by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) before and after submitting names to terrorist watchlists. This legislation requires annual checks and random audits of DHS nominations, particularly for U.S. persons, to ensure data accuracy and proper inclusion criteria. If errors are found, DHS must promptly request corrections from the FBI or NCTC and report annually to Congress on the process.

The FEMA Cybersecurity Improvement Act amends the Homeland Security Act to explicitly require the Department of Homeland Security, particularly FEMA, to focus on mitigating cybersecurity risks that could impede agency operations. The bill mandates that the FEMA Administrator submit a progress report to Congress within one year detailing these cybersecurity improvements, developed in coordination with CISA.

This resolution commemorates the 40th anniversary of Entergy's Grand Gulf Nuclear Station in Port Gibson, Mississippi. It recognizes the plant's vital role in providing safe, clean, and affordable electricity to Mississippi residents for four decades. The bill also highlights the station's significant economic contributions to the state through employment and tax revenue.

This Act officially establishes the **Department of Homeland Security Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Act**. It clarifies the appointment process for the DHS Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security provide the Officer with necessary permanent staff and resources. The changes ensure the Officer has the support required to fulfill their duties within the department.

The Bolstering Security Against Ghost Guns Act directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a comprehensive strategy to counter threats posed by unserialized, privately made firearms, commonly known as "ghost guns." This legislation mandates specific actions across DHS components, including threat assessments on cross-border smuggling and research on preventing targeted violence involving these weapons. Furthermore, the bill requires regular reporting from the TSA on airport firearm violations and mandates intelligence sharing regarding terrorist threats linked to ghost guns.

The Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act transitions TSA personnel to standard federal employment rules under Title 5 of the U.S. Code by a set date no later than December 31, 2025. This mandates the freezing of current personnel policies during the transition while protecting current employee pay and benefits. The bill also requires extensive reviews by the Comptroller General on hiring, diversity, and workplace safety, and mandates consultation with employee representatives regarding labor relations. Finally, it ensures that screening agents retain collective bargaining rights and addresses specific concerns for Federal Air Marshals.

This resolution mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit documents to the House of Representatives within 14 days, detailing the Department's policies and actions concerning domestic preparedness, terrorism response, and cybersecurity. The documents must include information on any pauses of financial aid, the implementation of specific Executive Orders and a Memorandum, and risk evaluations related to these actions. It also requires disclosure of communications with outside organizations regarding these matters.

This bill mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to furnish the House of Representatives with documents pertaining to the security of the Department's information, workforce recruitment and retention, and interactions with the Department of Government Efficiency regarding data access. The bill also seeks information on the implementation of President Trump's January 20, 2025, memorandum ordering a freeze on hiring Federal civilian employees. The Secretary is required to submit these documents within 14 days of the resolution's adoption.