Gary Peters Leads Senate Homeland Security Committee Consideration Of Key Legislation

last month

The Senate Homeland Security Committee held a hearing to markup pending legislation.

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Transcript

00:00Good morning. This business meeting will come to order. We are reconvening the business meeting from July

00:0724th

00:082024. Today the committee will consider additional legislative measures, nominations,

00:13postal naming bills. There are some bills on our initial agenda that we won't get to today,

00:20including Ranking Member Paul's bill to increase oversight of risky research.

00:26I want the committee members to know that I am fully committed to finding a path forward

00:32on this very important bill. My team looks forward to working on this

00:37with Senator Paul's staff through August,

00:41but it is something that I believe we need to take action on and we will hopefully

00:47with our work

00:49make it a priority to put it on our September markup, so please stay tuned.

00:55We will also continue to work on some other bills that we won't consider today

00:59and we will look forward to considering them at a future date, probably that September markup.

01:05As I said last week, this committee scaled back our initial agenda since we have been focused on our bipartisan

01:12investigation into the assassination attempt of former President Trump. In the 18 days since this shocking

01:19attack, this committee has taken action to get answers about the inexcusable failures of that day. In the past week

01:27we have brought in officials from the Secret Service and FBI to answer members' questions in a briefing, as well as a public hearing that

01:34we had yesterday. A bipartisan team of committee investigators has also interviewed local law enforcement officers on the ground in Butler,

01:42Pennsylvania, and we will be interviewing Secret Service personnel and agents involved in securing the rally.

01:48And as you recall from our hearing yesterday, the director agreed to do that in a matter of days, not weeks,

01:53so we'll have those interviews shortly.

01:56We are also obtaining and reviewing planning documents and communications from federal, state, and local agencies.

02:04Please know that we will continue to work tirelessly to get answers and provide transparency to the American people.

02:11But now we turn to several important bills and nominations, and I thank everyone for your engagement and for being here today.

02:17To advance the committee's wide-ranging work. I note the presence of a quorum. Ranking Member Paul,

02:24do you have any opening remarks?

02:27Today we will address nine nominations,

02:3119 pieces of legislation, and

02:3418 post offices. I think the time would be better spent continuing our investigation of the assassination attempt.

02:41I think it was a good beginning this week, but we already have

02:45members of local law enforcement that are willing to give transcribed interviews.

02:49We have now members of the Secret Service that are willing to give

02:53interviews as well, and I think we need to devote and focus our priority to that.

02:58With regard to

03:02legislation and determining, you know, where we're going to go and what we should do here, you know,

03:06I'm sure the legislation is well intended, but they're very, very narrowly focused,

03:11you know, bills that cover very, very small snippets of what we are,

03:17you know, dealing with with this enormous government, but

03:22we had a pandemic that killed 15 million people around the world and killed a million people in the United States.

03:29The scientific community is divided, but increasingly leaning towards the belief that this virus originated in a lab.

03:37We've done nothing.

03:39You know, we've had a couple of hearings. Finally, after years and years, we finally had a couple hearing. We have a bill,

03:46but the bill really has to have teeth, and in the discussion so far, we're having trouble

03:51finding, you know, sort of common ground because it needs to be an independent

03:57agency. It will be appointed by a president.

03:59That's the only way you can set these things up, but it has to have the power to look into all

04:04gain-of-function research, even classified gain-of-function research, because

04:08taking Ebola, which has a 50% mortality and aerosolized, is bad whether it's classified or not classified.

04:15It risks endangering the world.

04:18We're talking about something that

04:20literally could kill

04:22hundreds of millions of people if we get a worse virus that leaks the next time,

04:26so I think it really needs to be our priority,

04:28and we need to really work through and see if we can get to something that will work,

04:33and I still hope that there's a possibility for that, but it actually has to be people that are outside the

04:41conflict of interest zone. Right now, we have,

04:44you know, Anthony Fauci was in charge for 40-some-odd years,

04:47but he was a strong believer that there really shouldn't be limits on gain-of-function.

04:51He gave waivers to everything, but also the people that were making the decisions were also receiving the NIH funds,

04:57so you had people that he was convincing to say,

05:00oh, no problem here, nothing to see here, it came from animals, and then they're getting nine million dollar grants.

05:05Those people can't be part of the decision-making process.

05:08It needs to be taken away, and it needs to be a body up above that, and a body concerned with

05:14biosecurity as well, the national security threat to these kind of viruses, so I hope that we'll

05:20think long and hard about spending more time on the assassination and more time on

05:25trying to prevent a lab leak-induced pandemic in the future.

05:30Very good. As I mentioned, I'm committed to working. You're absolutely right.

05:33It's an issue that is of utmost importance, both of them, and we'll be working on both.

05:38We will now proceed to the consideration of the post office naming bills.

05:41I ask unanimous consent that the committee consider on block the 18 post office naming bills as itemized on the agenda.

05:49Seeing no objections, so ordered.

05:52If there's no further debate or amendment, the questions on the motion to report 18 post office naming bills as itemized on the agenda,

05:58the clerk will call the roll. Senator Carper? Aye.

06:01Senator Hassen? Aye.

06:03Senator Sinema? Aye, by proxy. Senator Rosen? Aye.

06:06Senator Ossoff? Aye.

06:08Senator Blumenthal? Aye.

06:10Senator Butler? Aye.

06:12Senator Paul? Aye.

06:14Senator Johnson? Aye, by proxy.

06:16Senator Lankford? Aye.

06:18Senator Romney? Aye, by proxy.

06:20Senator Scott? Aye.

06:22Senator Hawley? Aye, by proxy.

06:25Senator Marshall? Aye, by proxy.

06:27Senator Peters? Aye.

06:32Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present, the yeas are 10, the nays are 0.

06:36On the vote by proxy and for the record only, the yeas are 5, the nays are 0.

06:39On this vote, the yeas are 10, the nays are 0, and the motion is agreed to.

06:42Motion is agreed to. The committee will now proceed for the consideration of Sherry B.T. Arthur

06:48to be an associate judge of the Superior Court of District of Columbia.

06:52The questions on whether to favorably report the nomination, the clerk will call the roll.

06:55Senator Carper? Aye.

06:57Senator Hassen? Aye.

06:59Senator Sinema? Aye, by proxy.

07:01Senator Rosen? Aye.

07:03Senator Ossoff? Aye.

07:05Senator Blumenthal? Aye.

07:07Senator Butler? Aye.

07:08Senator Paul? No.

07:10Senator Johnson? No, by proxy.

07:12Senator Lankford? No.

07:14Senator Romney? No, by proxy.

07:17Senator Scott? No.

07:18Senator Hawley? No, by proxy.

07:20Senator Marshall? No, by proxy.

07:23Senator Peters? Aye.

07:30Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present, the yeas are 7 and the nays are 3.

07:34On the vote by proxy and for the record only, the yeas are 1, the nays are 4.

07:37On this vote, the yeas are 7, the nays are 3, and the motion to report the nominee is agreed to.

07:41The nomination to report is agreed to.

07:44The committee will now proceed to consideration of Raquel Boucher to be the Associate Judge

07:48in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

07:50The questions on favorably reporting the nomination, the clerk will call the roll.

07:54Senator Carper? Aye.

07:55Senator Hassen? Aye.

07:57Senator Sinema? Aye, by proxy.

08:00Senator Rosen? Aye.

08:02Senator Ossoff? Aye.

08:03Senator Blumenthal? Aye.

08:05Senator Butler? Aye.

08:07Senator Paul? No.

08:09Senator Johnson? No, by proxy.

08:11Senator Lankford? Yes.

08:12Senator Romney? Yes, by proxy.

08:15Senator Scott? No.

08:18Senator Hawley? No, by proxy.

08:20Senator Marshall? No, by proxy.

08:22Senator Peters? Aye.

08:29Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present, the yeas are 7, the nays are 3.

08:33On the vote by proxy and for the record only, the yeas are 2, the nays are 3.

08:36On this vote, the yeas are 7, the nays are 3, and the motion to report the nominee is agreed to.

08:41Motion to report the nominee is agreed to,

08:43and we will now proceed the consideration of Aaron Johnston

08:46to be an associate judge of the Superior Court of District of Columbia.

08:49Questions on whether it's favorable to report the nomination,

08:51the clerk will call the roll.

08:53Senator Carper? Aye.

08:55Senator Hassen? Aye.

08:56Senator Sinema? Aye, by proxy.

09:01Senator Rosen? Aye.

09:02Senator Ossoff? Aye.

09:04Senator Blumenthal? Aye.

09:06Senator Butler? Aye.

09:07Senator Paul? No.

09:09Senator Johnson? No, by proxy.

09:12Senator Lankford? Aye.

09:14Senator Romney? No, by proxy.

09:16Senator Scott? No.

09:19Senator Hawley? No, by proxy.

09:21Senator Marshall? No.

09:24Senator Peters? Aye.

09:29Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present, the yeas are 7, the nays are 4.

09:33On the vote by proxy and for the record only, the yeas are 1, the nays are 3.

09:35On this vote, the yeas are 7, the nays are 4,

09:37and the motion to report the nominee is agreed to.

09:39Motion to report the nominee is agreed to,

09:41and the committee will now proceed to consideration of Ray McKenzie

09:44to be the associate judge on the Superior Court District of Columbia.

09:48The questions on whether to favorably report the nomination,

09:50the clerk will call the roll.

09:51Senator Carper? Aye.

09:53Senator Hassen? Aye.

09:54Senator Sinema? Aye, by proxy.

09:57Senator Rosen? Aye.

09:58Senator Ossoff? Aye.

10:00Senator Blumenthal? Aye.

10:02Senator Butler? Aye.

10:04Senator Paul? No.

10:06Senator Johnson? No, by proxy.

10:08Senator Lankford? No.

10:10Senator Romney? No, by proxy.

10:13Senator Scott? No.

10:15Senator Hawley? No, by proxy.

10:17Senator Marshall? Yes.

10:20Senator Peters? Aye.

10:22Senator Sinema? Aye.

10:33Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present, the yays are 8, the nays are 4.

10:36On the vote by proxy, and for the record,

10:37only the yays are 0, the nays are 3.

10:39In this vote, the yays are 8, the nays are 4.

10:41And the motion to report the nominee is agreed to.

10:43Motion to report the nominee is agreed to,

10:45and now the committee will proceed to consideration of John Truong

10:48to be an associate judge of the Superior Court of District of Columbia.

10:51The questions on whether to favorably report the nomination,

10:54the clerk will call the roll.

10:55Senator Carper? Aye.

10:56Senator Hassen? Aye.

10:58Senator Sinema? Aye.

10:59Senator Rosen? Aye.

11:01Senator Ossoff? Aye.

11:02Senator Blumenthal? Aye.

11:04Senator Butler? Aye.

11:06Senator Paul? No.

11:09Senator Johnson? No, by proxy.

11:11Senator Lankford? Aye.

11:14Senator Romney? Aye, by proxy.

11:16Senator Scott? No.

11:19Senator Hawley? No, by proxy.

11:21Senator Marshall? No, by proxy.

11:24Senator Peters? Aye.

11:30Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present, the yays are 9, the nays are 2.

11:33On the vote by proxy, and for the record,

11:35only the yays are 1, the nays are 3.

11:37On this vote, the yays are 9, the nays are 2,

11:39and the motion to report the nominee is agreed to.

11:41Motion to report the nominee is agreed to.

11:43The committee will now proceed to consideration of Carmen Aguina

11:46to be an associate judge on the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.

11:49The question is on whether to favorably report the nomination.

11:52The clerk will call the roll.

11:54Senator Carper? Aye.

11:56Senator Hassen? Aye.

12:02Senator Sinema? Aye.

12:04Senator Rosen? Aye.

12:05Senator Alsop? Aye.

12:07Senator Blumenthal? Aye.

12:09Senator Butler? Aye.

12:11Senator Paul? No.

12:13Senator Johnson? No, by proxy.

12:15Senator Lankford? No.

12:17Senator Romney? No, by proxy.

12:19Senator Scott? No.

12:21Senator Hawley? No, by proxy.

12:24Senator Marshall? No, by proxy.

12:26Senator Peters? Aye.

12:32Mr. Chairman, on the vote that is present,

12:34the yays are 8, the nays are 3.

12:35On the vote by proxy and for the record only,

12:37the yays are 0, the nays are 4.

12:39On this vote, the yays are 8, the nays are 3,

12:40and the motion to report the nominee is agreed to.

12:45The motion is agreed to to report the nomination.

12:49The committee will now proceed to the consideration of Joseph Palmore

12:53to be associate judge on the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.

12:55The questions on whether to favorably report the nomination,

12:58the clerk will call the roll.

12:59Senator Carper? Aye.

13:01Senator Hassan? Aye.

13:02Senator Sinema? Aye.

13:04Senator Rosen? Aye.

13:05Senator Alsop? Aye.

13:07Senator Blumenthal? Aye.

13:09Senator Butler? Aye.

13:11Senator Paul? No.

13:13Senator Johnson? No, by proxy.

13:15Senator Lankford? No.

13:17Senator Romney? No, by proxy.

13:19Senator Scott? No.

13:21Senator Hawley? No, by proxy.

13:24Senator Marshall? No, by proxy.

13:26Senator Peters? Aye.

13:30Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,

13:32the yays are 8, the nays are 3.

13:33On the vote by proxy and for the record only,

13:35the yays are 0, the nays are 4.

13:36On this vote, the yays are 8, the nays are 3,

13:38and the motion to report the nominee is agreed to.

13:41Motion to report the nominee is agreed to.

13:43Next, we'll proceed to consider a bipartisan pair of nominations

13:46to the Postal Regulatory Commission.

13:48I'm pleased to support both of these well-qualified nominees

13:51to serve additional terms as commissioners

13:53and hope my colleagues join me in supporting them.

13:57The committee will now proceed to the consideration of Ann Fisher

14:00to be a commissioner on the Postal Regulatory Commission.

14:03The questions on whether to favorably report the nomination.

14:06Clerk will call the roll.

14:06Senator Carper? Aye.

14:08Senator Hassen? Aye.

14:10Senator Sinema? Aye.

14:11Senator Rosen? Aye.

14:13Senator Ossoff? Aye.

14:15Senator Blumenthal? Aye.

14:16Senator Butler? Aye.

14:18Senator Paul? Aye.

14:20Senator Johnson? Aye, by proxy.

14:23Senator Lankford? Aye.

14:24Senator Romney? Aye, by proxy.

14:27Senator Scott? Aye.

14:28Senator Hawley? Aye, by proxy.

14:30Senator Marshall? Aye, by proxy.

14:32Senator Peters? Aye.

14:38Mr. Chairman, on the vote present,

14:40the yays are 11, the nays are 0.

14:42On the vote by proxy, and for the record,

14:43only the yays are 4, the nays are 0.

14:46On this vote, the yays are 11, the nays are 0,

14:49and the motion to report the nominee is agreed to.

14:51Motion to report the nominee is agreed to.

14:53The committee will now proceed to the consideration

14:54of Ashley Poling to be a commissioner

14:57on the Postal Regulatory Commission.

14:58The questions on whether to favorably report

15:00the nomination, the clerk will call the roll.

15:02Senator Carper? Aye.

15:03Senator Hassen? Aye.

15:05Senator Sinema? Aye.

15:07Senator Rosen? Aye.

15:08Senator Ossoff? Aye.

15:10Senator Blumenthal? Aye.

15:12Senator Butler? Aye.

15:13Senator Paul? No.

15:17Senator Johnson? No, by proxy.

15:19Senator Lankford? Aye.

15:21Senator Romney? Aye, by proxy.

15:23Senator Scott? No.

15:25Senator Hawley? No, by proxy.

15:28Senator Marshall? No, by proxy.

15:30Senator Peters? Aye.

15:36Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,

15:37the yays are 9, the nays are 2.

15:39On the vote by proxy, and for the record,

15:41only the yays are 1, the nays are 3.

15:42On this vote, the yays are 9, the nays are 2,

15:44and the motion to report the nominee is agreed to.

15:47The motion to report the nominee is agreed to.

15:50We will now proceed to consideration of S4630.

15:53I ask unanimous consent that the committee consider

15:55the Peters' substitute amendment as modified

15:58to S4630 as the underlying bill.

16:00Without objection, so ordered.

16:03Does anyone wish to speak on the bill

16:05or offer an amendment?

16:07I'd like to speak briefly.

16:10Raise your member, Paul.

16:11Just in general, I think for anybody

16:14who is concerned about the debt,

16:16we looked at all the bills we've passed so far,

16:19and many of these are, you know,

16:21any more tens of millions or hundreds of millions

16:24are really considered, oh, that's no money at all.

16:26But we decided to add them all up.

16:28All the bills passed out of HSGAC this year,

16:31and they add up to $10.5 billion.

16:34So, you know, million here, million there.

16:37We're talking real money eventually.

16:39But there's not many of these bills that actually reduce it.

16:42In fact, I don't know of any of them

16:43that have actually ever reduced any spending.

16:45But that'll be largely one of the reasons

16:48why we'll oppose several of these bills.

16:51If there's no further debate or amendment,

16:53the questions on final passage of S4630 is amended.

16:56The clerk will call the roll.

16:57Senator Carper. Aye.

16:58Senator Hassen. Aye.

16:59Senator Sinema. Aye.

17:01Senator Rosen. Aye.

17:02Senator Ossoff. Aye.

17:04Senator Blumenthal. Aye.

17:05Senator Butler. Aye.

17:07Senator Paul. No.

17:08Senator Johnson. Aye, by proxy.

17:11Senator Linkford. Aye.

17:12Senator Romney. Aye, by proxy.

17:15Senator Scott. Aye.

17:17Senator Hawley. Aye, by proxy.

17:19Senator Marshall. Aye, by proxy.

17:22Senator Peters. Aye.

17:28Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,

17:30the yeas are 10, the nays are one.

17:32On the vote by proxy, and for the record,

17:33only the yeas are four, the nays are zero.

17:34On this vote, the yeas are 10, the nays are one,

17:37and the motion is agreed to.

17:39The motion is agreed to.

17:40We'll now proceed to consideration of S4716.

17:43I ask unanimous consent the committee consider

17:46the Peters-Johnson substitute amendment

17:48as modified to S4716 as underlying bill.

17:52Without objection, would anyone like to speak on this bill

17:54or offer an amendment?

17:57Seeing no further debate or amendment,

18:00the questions on final passage of S4716 as amended,

18:03the clerk will call the roll.

18:04Senator Carper. Aye.

18:05Senator Hassen. Aye.

18:07Senator Sinema. Aye.

18:08Senator Rosen. Aye.

18:09Senator Ossoff. Aye.

18:11Senator Blumenthal. Aye.

18:12Senator Butler. Aye.

18:14Senator Paul. Aye.

18:16Senator Johnson. Aye, by proxy.

18:18Senator Lankford. Aye.

18:19Senator Romney. Aye, by proxy.

18:22Senator Scott. Aye.

18:23Senator Hawley. Aye, by proxy.

18:25Senator Marshall. Aye, by proxy.

18:27Senator Peters. Aye.

18:32Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,

18:34the yeas are 11, the nays are zero.

18:35On the vote by proxy, and for the record,

18:37only the yeas are four, the nays are zero.

18:38On this vote, the yeas are 11, the nays are zero,

18:40and the motion is agreed to.

18:43Motion is agreed to.

18:46We will now proceed to consideration of S4495.

18:49I ask unanimous consent the committee consider

18:51the Peters substitute amendment as modified

18:53to S4495 as the underlying bill.

18:56Without objection, so ordered.

18:58Would any member like to speak

19:00or offer an amendment on this bill?

19:03There's no further debate on the amendment.

19:05The question is on its adoption.

19:07Oops, sorry, here is no further debate.

19:09The question is on final passage of S4495 as amended.

19:15The clerk will call the roll.

19:16Senator Carper. Aye.

19:17Senator Hassen. Aye.

19:19Senator Sinema. Aye.

19:20Senator Rosen. Aye.

19:22Senator Ossoff. Aye.

19:23Senator Blumenthal. Aye.

19:25Senator Butler. Aye.

19:27Senator Paul. No.

19:29Senator Johnson. No, by proxy.

19:31Senator Lankford. No.

19:33Senator Romney. No, by proxy.

19:35Senator Scott. No.

19:37Senator Hawley. No, by proxy.

19:39Senator Marshall. No, by proxy.

19:41Senator Peters. Aye.

19:46Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,

19:47the yeas are eight, the nays are three.

19:49On the vote by proxy and for the record,

19:51only the yeas are zero, the nays are four.

19:52On this vote, the yeas are eight, the nays are three,

19:55and the motion is agreed to.

19:56Motion is agreed to.

19:58We will now proceed to consideration of S4654.

20:01I ask unanimous consent the committee consider

20:03the Peters substitute amendment to S4654's underlying bill.

20:07Without objection, would any member like to speak

20:10or offer an amendment on this bill?

20:12There's no further debate or amendment.

20:14The questions on final passage of S4654 is amended.

20:17The clerk will call the roll.

20:18Senator Carper. Aye.

20:19Senator Hassan. Aye.

20:20Senator Sinema. Aye.

20:22Senator Rosen. Aye.

20:23Senator Ossoff. Aye.

20:25Senator Blumenthal. Aye.

20:27Senator Butler. Aye.

20:29Senator Paul. No.

20:30Senator Johnson. Aye, by proxy.

20:34Senator Lankford. Aye.

20:35Senator Romney. Aye, by proxy.

20:38Senator Scott. Aye.

20:40Senator Hawley. Aye, by proxy.

20:44Senator Marshall. Aye, by proxy.

20:46Senator Peters. Aye.

20:51Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,

20:52the yeas are 10, the nays are one.

20:54On the vote by proxy and for the record,

20:55only the yeas are four, the nays are zero.

20:57On this vote, the yeas are 10, the nays are one,

20:59and the motion is agreed to.

21:01Motion is agreed to.

21:02We'll now proceed to consideration of H.R. 6174.

21:06Without objection, does any member wish to speak

21:08or offer an amendment?

21:11If there's no further debate or amendment,

21:13the questions on final passage of H.R. 6174,

21:16the clerk will call the roll.

21:17Senator Carper. Aye.

21:18Senator Hassan. Aye.

21:20Senator Sinema. Aye.

21:21Senator Rosen. Aye.

21:23Senator Ossoff. Aye.

21:24Senator Blumenthal. Aye.

21:26Senator Butler. Aye.

21:27Senator Paul. No.

21:29Senator Johnson. Aye, by proxy.

21:31Senator Lankford. Aye.

21:32Senator Romney. Aye, by proxy.

21:35Senator Scott. Aye.

21:37Senator Hawley. Aye, by proxy.

21:39Senator Marshall. Aye, by proxy.

21:41Senator Peters. Aye.

21:45Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,

21:46the yeas are 10, the nays are one.

21:48On the vote by proxy and for the record,

21:49only the yeas are four, the nays are zero.

21:51On this vote, the yeas are 10, the nays are one,

21:52and the motion is agreed to.

21:54Motion is agreed to.

21:55We'll now proceed to consideration of S.4698.

21:58Does any member wish to offer an amendment?

22:01Yes. Senator Paul.

22:02I'd like to call it my amendment,

22:03Paul 1, as modified.

22:06The current bill text reauthorizes DHS's joint task force

22:09for another five years,

22:11which I don't think allows for sufficient review

22:13of its missions or activities.

22:15My amendment modifies the sunset to two years.

22:20I would ask members to reject this amendment.

22:23Five years is an adequate time or a necessary time.

22:28I'm sorry.

22:30Just that you support the amendment.

22:33Oh, this one here?

22:33Yeah, we're good, I'm sorry.

22:36We're good with the two years.

22:38Yeah, although it's adequate time,

22:39we will be willing to accept a two-year amendment.

22:42I love the bipartisan process of this committee.

22:52So all those in favor of the amendment will say aye.

22:55Aye. Aye.

22:56Opposed will say nay.

22:59The ayes appear to have it.

23:01Does any other member wish to offer an amendment?

23:05Seeing none, the question is now on final passage

23:07of S.4698 as amended.

23:10The clerk will call the roll.

23:11Senator Carper.

23:12Aye.

23:13Senator Hassen.

23:14Aye.

23:14Senator Sinema.

23:15Aye.

23:16Senator Rosen.

23:17No problem.

23:18Senator Ossoff.

23:19Aye.

23:19Senator Blumenthal.

23:20Aye.

23:21Senator Butler.

23:22Aye.

23:23Senator Paul.

23:24Aye.

23:24Senator Johnson.

23:26Senator Lankford.

23:27Aye.

23:28Senator Romney.

23:30Aye, by proxy.

23:31Senator Scott.

23:33Senator Hawley.

23:34Aye, by proxy.

23:35Senator Marshall.

23:35Aye, by proxy.

23:36Senator Peters.

23:37Aye.

23:40Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,

23:42the yays are 11, the nays are zero.

23:43On the vote by proxy and for the record,

23:45only the yays are four, the nays are zero.

23:46On this vote, the yays are 11, the nays are zero,

23:48and the motion is agreed to.

23:50Motion is agreed to.

23:51We will now proceed to the consideration of HR 3254

23:56without objection.

23:56Does any member wish to offer an amendment

23:59or make a comment?

24:02If no further debate or amendment,

24:03the question's now on final passage of HR 3254.

24:07The clerk will call the roll.

24:08Senator Carper.

24:09Aye.

24:10Senator Hassan.

24:11Aye.

24:11Senator Sinema.

24:12Aye.

24:13Senator Rosen.

24:14Aye.

24:15Senator Ossoff.

24:16Aye.

24:16Senator Blumenthal.

24:17Aye.

24:18Senator Butler.

24:19Aye.

24:20Senator Paul.

24:21No.

24:21Senator Johnson.

24:22Aye, by proxy.

24:23Senator Lankford.

24:24Aye.

24:26Senator Scott.

24:27Aye.

24:28Senator Hawley.

24:29Aye, by proxy.

24:30Senator Marshall.

24:31Aye, by proxy.

24:32Senator Peters.

24:33Aye.

24:36Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,

24:38the yays are 10, the nays are one.

24:39On the vote by proxy, and for the record,

24:41only the yays are four, the nays are zero.

24:42On this vote, the yays are 10, the nays are one,

24:44and the motion is agreed to.

24:46The motion is agreed to.

24:49We will now proceed to S59.

24:51I ask unanimous consent that the committee consider

24:54the Sinema substitute amendment as modified

24:56to S59 as the underlying bill.

24:58Without objection, does any member wish

25:00to offer an amendment?

25:04Seeing no further debate or amendment,

25:07the questions on final passage of S59 as amended,

25:10the clerk will call the roll.

25:11Senator Kerper.

25:12Aye.

25:13Senator Hassen.

25:13Aye.

25:14Senator Sinema.

25:15Aye.

25:16Senator Rosen.

25:17Aye.

25:18Senator Ossoff.

25:18Aye.

25:19Senator Blumenthal.

25:20Aye.

25:21Senator Butler.

25:22Aye.

25:23Senator Paul.

25:24Senator Johnson.

25:25Aye, by proxy.

25:26Senator Lankford.

25:27Aye.

25:27Senator Romney.

25:28Aye, by proxy.

25:30Senator Scott.

25:31Aye.

25:32Senator Hawley.

25:33Aye, by proxy.

25:34Senator Marshall.

25:34Aye, by proxy.

25:35Senator Peters.

25:36Aye.

25:39Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,

25:41the yays are 11, the nays are zero.

25:42On the vote by proxy, and for the record,

25:44only the yays are four, the nays are zero.

25:46On this vote, the yays are 11, the nays are zero,

25:48and the motion is agreed to.

25:50The motion is agreed to.

25:51We will now proceed to consideration of S4697.

25:54I ask unanimous consent that the committee

25:56consider the Rosen substitute amendment

25:58as modified to S4697 as the underlying bill.

26:02Without objection, so ordered.

26:04Would any member wish to speak on this bill?

26:05Senator Rosen.

26:07Yes, thank you, Chairman Peters,

26:08Ranking Member Paul, for holding today's markup,

26:11which includes my bill,

26:12the Healthcare Cybersecurity Act of 2024,

26:15my bipartisan legislation I introduced with Senator Young.

26:19I appreciate the chairman and his staff dedication

26:21to working with my staff and Senator Young's

26:24to get this bill across the finish line.

26:27Our bill is an important step to bolstering

26:29the healthcare and public health sector cybersecurity.

26:32The legislation would direct CISA and HHS

26:35to collaborate on improving cybersecurity

26:37and create a special liaison to coordinate

26:40during cybersecurity incidents.

26:42I look forward to seeing this bipartisan legislation advance

26:45so we can ensure federal agencies are equipped

26:48with the tools they need to protect

26:50this critical infrastructure sector.

26:54Any other member?

26:55Senator Alsop.

26:55Chairman, I want to thank Senator Rosen

26:57for her leadership on this legislation,

26:59as well as Senator Young.

27:01And I co-sponsored this bill because hospital systems

27:04and healthcare in Georgia are besieged by cyber attacks.

27:09It puts the personal health data of Georgians at risk.

27:12It puts the functioning of these hospital systems at risk.

27:17And I respectfully ask all members of the committee

27:21to vote for the legislation.

27:24No further debate or amendment.

27:25The questions now on final passage of S4697 as amended.

27:29The clerk will call the roll.

27:29Senator Carper.

27:30Aye.

27:31Senator Hassen.

27:32Aye.

27:33Senator Sinema.

27:34Aye.

27:34Senator Rosen.

27:35Aye.

27:36Senator Alsop.

27:37Aye.

27:38Senator Blumenthal.

27:39Aye.

27:39Senator Butler.

27:40Aye.

27:41Senator Paul.

27:42No.

27:43Senator Johnson.

27:44Aye by proxy.

27:44Senator Lankford.

27:45Aye.

27:47Senator Ritchie.

27:47Aye by proxy.

27:48Senator Scott.

27:49Aye.

27:50Senator Hawley.

27:51Aye by proxy.

27:52Senator Marshall.

27:52Aye by proxy.

27:53Senator Peters.

27:54Aye.

27:58Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,

28:00the yays are 10, the nays are one.

28:01On the vote by proxy and for the record,

28:02only the yays are four, the nays are zero.

28:04On this vote, the yays are 10, the nays are one.

28:06And the motion is agreed to.

28:08Motion is agreed to.

28:09We will now proceed to consideration of S4715.

28:12I ask unanimous consent that the committee consider

28:14the Rounds-Ossoff substitute amendment

28:17to S4715 as the underlying bill.

28:19Without objection, so ordered.

28:21Would any member like to speak?

28:23Senator Ossoff.

28:24Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

28:25It was a pleasure working with Senator Rounds

28:27on this legislation to strengthen

28:30our federal cyber workforce.

28:32And in Georgia, for example, what's happening in Augusta,

28:36where you have Augusta University's Georgia Cyber Center,

28:41you have the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence

28:45at Fort Eisenhower.

28:46Augusta, Georgia is proving to be a national capital

28:51for cyber workforce development.

28:53And then you look at the HBCUs in Atlanta

28:57that are rapidly scaling cyber workforce curricula

29:01and training programs.

29:02This bipartisan legislation will support those efforts

29:06and efforts across the country

29:07to strengthen our cyber workforce.

29:09These are not just good paying jobs,

29:11they're good paying jobs that are essential

29:13to our national security.

29:15And I thank you, Mr. Chairman,

29:16for bringing this before the committee today.

29:18If there's no further debate or amendment,

29:20the question is on final passage of S4175 as amended.

29:24The clerk will call the roll.

29:25Senator Carper.

29:26Aye.

29:26Senator Hassen.

29:27Aye.

29:28Senator Sinema.

29:29Aye.

29:30Senator Rosen.

29:31Aye.

29:31Senator Ossoff.

29:32Aye.

29:33Senator Blumenthal.

29:34Aye.

29:35Senator Butler.

29:36Aye.

29:36Senator Paul.

29:37No.

29:38Senator Johnson.

29:39Aye, by proxy.

29:40Senator Lankford.

29:41Aye.

29:41Senator Romney.

29:42Aye, by proxy.

29:44Senator Scott.

29:45Aye.

29:46Senator Hawley.

29:47Aye, by proxy.

29:48Senator Marshall.

29:49Aye, by proxy.

29:50Senator Peters.

29:51Aye.

29:54Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,

29:56the yeas are 10, the nays are one.

29:57On the vote by proxy, for the record,

29:59only the yeas are four, the nays are zero.

30:00On this vote, the yeas are 10, the nays are one,

30:03and the motion is agreed to.

30:04Motion's agreed to.

30:05We will now proceed to consideration of S4631.

30:08I ask unanimous consent that the committee

30:10adopt the Lankford-Peters substitute amendment

30:13as modified to S4631 as the underlying bill.

30:16Without objection, so ordered.

30:18Would any member wish to speak on the bill?

30:21If there's no further debate or amendment,

30:23the question is on final passage of S4631.

30:25The clerk will call the roll.

30:26Senator Carper.

30:27Aye.

30:28Senator Hassen.

30:29Aye.

30:30Senator Sinema.

30:31Aye.

30:31Senator Rosen.

30:32Aye.

30:33Senator Ossoff.

30:34Aye.

30:35Senator Blumenthal.

30:36Aye.

30:36Senator Butler.

30:37No.

30:38Senator Paul.

30:39Aye.

30:40Senator Johnson.

30:42Aye, by proxy.

30:43Senator Lankford.

30:44Aye.

30:45Senator Romney.

30:46Aye, by proxy.

30:47Senator Scott.

30:48Aye.

30:49Senator Hawley.

30:50Aye, by proxy.

30:51Senator Marshall.

30:52Aye, by proxy.

30:53Senator Peters.

30:54Aye.

30:56Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,

30:58the yays are 10, the nays are one.

30:59On the vote by proxy, and for the record,

31:01only the yays are four, the nays are zero.

31:02On this vote, the yays are 10, the nays are one,

31:04and the motion is agreed to.

31:06Motion is agreed to.

31:07We will now proceed to consideration of S4656.

31:10Without objection, does any member wish

31:13to offer an amendment or speak?

31:16Seeing no further debate or amendments,

31:17the questions on final passage of S4656,

31:20the clerk will call the roll.

31:21Senator Carper.

31:22Aye.

31:23Senator Hassan.

31:24Aye.

31:25Senator Sinema.

31:26Aye.

31:26Senator Rosen.

31:27Aye.

31:28Senator Ossoff.

31:29Aye.

31:30Senator Blumenthal.

31:31Aye.

31:31Senator Butler.

31:32Aye.

31:33Senator Paul.

31:35No.

31:37Senator Johnson.

31:39I have a proxy.

31:40Senator Lankford.

31:41Aye.

31:42Senator Romney.

31:43I have a proxy.

31:44Senator Scott.

31:45Aye.

31:46Senator Hawley.

31:47I have a proxy.

31:48Senator Marshall.

31:50I have a proxy.

31:50Senator Peters.

31:51Aye.

31:54Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,

31:55the yays are 10, the nays are one.

31:57On the vote by proxy, and for the record,

31:58only the yays are four, the nays are zero.

32:00On this vote, the yays are 10, the nays are one,

32:02and the motion is agreed to.

32:04Motion is agreed to.

32:04We'll now proceed to consideration of S4651.

32:08I ask unanimous consent the committee

32:09adopt the Peters Substitute Amendment

32:11as modified to S4651 as the underlying bill.

32:14Without objection, would any member wish to speak?

32:16Mr. Chairman?

32:17Senator Ossoff.

32:18I would ask consent to be added as a co-sponsor.

32:22Without objection.

32:24If there, or you will be added.

32:26There is no way to object to that.

32:28You will be added as a co-sponsor.

32:29If there is no further debate or amendment,

32:34the question is on final passage of 4651.

32:38The clerk will call the roll.

32:39Senator Carper.

32:39Aye.

32:40Senator Hassen.

32:41Aye.

32:42Senator Sinema.

32:43Aye.

32:44Senator Rosen.

32:44Aye.

32:45Senator Ossoff.

32:46Aye.

32:47Senator Blumenthal.

32:48Aye.

32:49Senator Butler.

32:49Aye.

32:50Senator Paul.

32:51No.

32:52Senator Johnson.

32:53Aye, by proxy.

32:54Senator Lankford.

32:55Aye.

32:56Senator Romney.

32:56Aye, by proxy.

32:57Senator Scott.

32:58Aye.

33:00Senator Hawley.

33:04Aye, by proxy.

33:06Senator Marshall.

33:08Aye, by proxy.

33:09Senator Peters.

33:09Aye.

33:12Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,

33:13the yays are 10, the nays are one.

33:15On the vote by proxy and for the record,

33:16only the yays are four, the nays are zero.

33:18On this vote, the yays are 10, the nays are one,

33:19and the motion is agreed to.

33:21Motion's agreed to.

33:22We'll now proceed to consideration of HR 5527.

33:26Without objection.

33:27Does anyone wish to offer an amendment or debate?

33:30Seeing no further debate or amendment,

33:32the question is on final passage of HR 5527.

33:35The clerk will call the roll.

33:37Senator Carper.

33:38Aye.

33:39Senator Hassen.

33:39Aye.

33:40Senator Sinema.

33:41Aye.

33:42Senator Rosen.

33:43Aye.

33:44Senator Ossoff.

33:44Aye.

33:45Senator Blumenthal.

33:46Aye.

33:47Senator Butler.

33:48Aye.

33:49Senator Paul.

33:49No.

33:50Senator Johnson.

33:51No, by proxy.

33:52Senator Lankford.

33:53Aye.

33:54Senator Romney.

33:54Aye, by proxy.

33:56Senator Scott.

33:57Aye.

33:58Senator Hawley.

33:59Aye, by proxy.

34:00Senator Marshall.

34:02Aye, by proxy.

34:03Senator Peters.

34:04Aye.

34:07Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,

34:08the yeas are 10, the nays are one.

34:10On the vote by proxy and for the record,

34:11only the yeas are three, the nays are one on this vote.

34:13The yeas are 10, the nays are one,

34:14and the motion is agreed to.

34:16Motion's agreed to.

34:17We'll now proceed to consideration of HR 7525.

34:21Without objection.

34:22Does any member wish to speak or offer an amendment?

34:25Seeing no further debate or amendment,

34:29the question's on final passage of HR 7525.

34:32The clerk will call the roll.

34:33Senator Carper.

34:34Aye.

34:35Senator Hassen.

34:36Senator Sinema.

34:38Senator Rosen.

34:40Senator Ossoff.

34:42Senator Blumenthal.

34:43Senator Butler.

34:45Senator Paul.

34:46No.

34:47Senator Johnson.

34:49Aye, by proxy.

34:50Senator Lankford.

34:51Aye.

34:52Senator Romney.

34:53Aye, by proxy.

34:55Senator Scott.

34:55Aye.

34:57Senator Hawley.

34:58Aye, by proxy.

34:59Senator Marshall.

35:00Aye, by proxy.

35:01Senator Peters.

35:02Aye.

35:06Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,

35:07the yays are 10, the nays are one.

35:09On the vote by proxy, and for the record only,

35:10the yays are four, the nays are zero.

35:12On this vote, the yays are 10, the nays are one,

35:14and the motion is agreed to.

35:16Motion is agreed to.

35:17We will now proceed to consideration of S4294.

35:20I ask unanimous consent that the committee consider

35:23the Hassen substitute amendment as modified to S4294

35:27as the underlying bill.

35:28Without objection.

35:29Does any member wish to speak?

35:31Senator Hassen.

35:32Well, thank you, Mr. Chair,

35:33and thanks to you and the Ranking Member for this markup.

35:36S4294, the Cross-Border Aerial Law Enforcement

35:40Operations Act, is a bipartisan bill that I introduced

35:43with Senator Lankford, and I appreciate working

35:46with him on this bill.

35:47It directs DHS to create an aerial ride-along program

35:51with Canadian law enforcement to better secure

35:54our northern border, similar to a program

35:57used by our Coast Guard.

35:59Specifically, the bill allows for a bilateral agreement

36:03between the United States and Canada

36:04so that U.S. federal law enforcement aircraft

36:06can patrol on both sides of the northern border

36:09as long as it has authorized federal law enforcement

36:13personnel from both nations aboard.

36:16This will more effectively and efficiently utilize

36:19law enforcement who surveil the border

36:21and coordinate with ground units to interdict

36:23drug smuggling and other illegal cross-border activities.

36:27This bill will also require DHS to report to Congress

36:31on threats to the northern border posed

36:32by the unauthorized use of drones.

36:35I urge my colleagues to support this legislation

36:38because it will help DHS more efficiently

36:40and effectively protect our northern border

36:42and cooperate with our Canadian partners.

36:45If there is no further debate or amendment,

36:47the question is on final.

36:48Mr. Chairman.

36:49Senator Ossoff.

36:50Please add me as a co-sponsor.

36:52You will be added as a co-sponsor, Senator Ossoff.

36:56If there is no further debate or accolades or amendment.

37:09Just to be clear, I believe I said we're gonna be

37:12considering the Hassan Substitute Amendment

37:14as modified to S-4294 as the underlying bill.

37:19No further debate or amendment.

37:20The question's on final passage of S-4294 as amended.

37:23The clerk will call the roll.

37:24Senator Carper.

37:25Senator Hassan.

37:27Senator Sinema.

37:28Senator Rosen.

37:30Senator Ossoff.

37:31Senator Blumenthal.

37:33Senator Butler.

37:35Senator Paul.

37:36Senator Johnson.

37:38I have a proxy.

37:39Senator Lankford.

37:41Senator Romney.

37:42I have a proxy.

37:44Senator Scott.

37:46Senator Hawley.

37:47I have a proxy.

37:48Senator Marshall.

37:49I have a proxy.

37:50Senator Peters.

37:51Aye.

37:53Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,

37:55the yeas are 10, the nays are one.

37:56On the vote by proxy and for the record,

37:58only the yeas are four, the nays are zero.

37:59On this vote, the yeas are 10, the nays are one,

38:01and the motion is agreed to.

38:04Motion's agreed to.

38:05We will now proceed to consideration of S-4672.

38:08I ask unanimous consent that the committee

38:09consider the Sinema Substitute Amendment

38:12as modified to S-4672 as the underlying bill.

38:16Without objection, does any member wish

38:19to speak on the bill?

38:20Senator Sinema.

38:21Thank you, Mr. Chair.

38:22I just wanted to say thank you to Senator Paul

38:24for working with us to help make the substitute better

38:29so we can move forward, and again,

38:30thanks to Senator Lankford for all of his help

38:32and the work we've done on this issue together.

38:34Thanks.

38:36Seeing no further debate or amendment,

38:37the question's now on final passage of S-4672.

38:40As amended, the clerk will call the roll.

38:41Senator Carper.

38:42Aye.

38:43Senator Hassen.

38:43Aye.

38:44Senator Sinema.

38:45Aye.

38:46Senator Rosen.

38:47Aye.

38:48Senator Ossoff.

38:48Aye.

38:49Senator Blumenthal.

38:50Aye.

38:52Senator Paul.

38:53No.

38:54Senator Johnson.

38:56Aye, by proxy.

38:58Senator Lankford.

38:59Aye.

39:00Senator Romney.

39:01Aye, by proxy.

39:02Senator Scott.

39:03Aye.

39:04Senator Hawley.

39:05Aye, by proxy.

39:07Senator Marshall.

39:07Aye, by proxy.

39:09Senator Peters.

39:10Aye.

39:13Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,

39:15the yeas are 10, the nays are one.

39:16On the vote by proxy, and for the record,

39:18only the yeas are four, the nays are zero.

39:20On this vote, the yays are 10, the nays are one,

39:22and the motion is agreed to.

39:23Motion's agreed to.

39:24We will now proceed to consideration of HR 4467,

39:28and without objection, does any member wish to speak

39:32or offer an amendment?

39:33Seeing no further debate or amendment,

39:35the question now is on final passage of HR 4467.

39:38The clerk will call the roll.

39:39Senator Carper.

39:40Aye.

39:41Senator Hassen.

39:42Aye.

39:43Senator Sinema.

39:43Aye.

39:44Senator Rosen.

39:45Aye.

39:46Senator Ossoff.

39:47Aye.

39:48Senator Blumenthal.

39:48Aye.

39:50Senator Husserl.

39:51Aye.

39:52Senator Paul.

39:53Aye.

39:53Senator Johnson.

39:55Aye, by proxy.

39:56Senator Lankford.

39:57Aye.

39:57Senator Romney.

39:58Aye, by proxy.

40:00Senator Scott.

40:00Aye.

40:01Senator Hawley.

40:02Aye, by proxy.

40:03Senator Marshall.

40:06Aye, by proxy.

40:07Senator Peters.

40:08Aye.

40:11Mr. Chairman, on the vote of those present,

40:12the yays are 11, the nays are zero.

40:14On the vote by proxy, and for the record,

40:17only the yays are four, the nays are zero.

40:18On this vote, the yays are 11, the nays are zero,

40:20and the motion is agreed to.

40:22Motion's agreed to.

40:23I'd like to thank all of our members

40:24for joining us today in this markup.

40:26We still have other bills that we will recess

40:28to take in September, and work on additional bills

40:32that will be coming forward.

40:33So thank you again, everybody.

40:35And with that, this meeting is now recessed

40:38to a date to be determined by the chair.

Gary Peters Leads Senate Homeland Security Committee Consideration Of Key Legislation

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