Speech #1140045503

Initial plans developed in 2005 and 2006 called for the SBInet to extend across the entire U.S.-Mexico land border. However. SBInet deployment in my home State of Arizona was fraught with management problems. including a failure to adequately set requirements so the system would meet the needs of its usersour border patrol agents. After spending nearly $1 billion of the taxpayers money with minimal results. DHS canceled SBInet in 2011. SBInet is not the only example. as DHS does not seem to be learning its lesson. The Government Accountability Office recently reported to the Committee on Homeland Security that Customs and Border Protections Strategic Air and Marine Planor StAMPinitiated in 2006. with a cost of $1.8 billion to date. still does not have an approved acquisition program baseline. This means that. despite CBPs plans to acquire boats and aircraft through 2035. they have not yet estimated how much it would cost to operate and maintain these systems. How can we ensure programs like StAMP are on time. on budget. and are fiscally sound if DHS fails to follow sound management procedures? We cannot afford to waste another minute or another dollar. We must put in place strong. effective technology programs to secure our borders. This bill requires that border security technology programs at the Department have an acquisition program baselinea critical document that lays out what a program will do. what it will cost. and when it will be completed. The bill also requires programs to adhere to internal control standards and have a plan for testing and evaluation as well as the use of independent verification and validation resources. My district includes over 80 miles of our U.S. border with Mexico. and I have spent countless hours at the border meeting with border residents and our Border Patrol. I know firsthand that. when our border technology project lacks the proper oversight and accountability. it is bad for the taxpayers. those who defend our border and those who live along our border. The Committee on Homeland Security approved my legislation by a unanimous voice vote last month.