Speech #1140045504

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 1634. the Border Security Technology Accountability Act of 2015. Over the past several years. the Government Accountability Office has examined the various Department of Homeland Security programs and concluded that DHS has not followed standard best practices for acquisitions management. Though DHS has taken steps to improve its performance. specific deficiencies in how the Department carries out major acquisitions remain. When a DHS acquisition program falls short in terms of effectiveness or efficiency. it not only risks undermining that program. but also risks wasting limited Homeland Security dollars. For example. DHS spent hundreds of millions of dollars on the SBInet border security program before it was ultimately canceled. No doubt. this funding could have been put to far better use along our Nations border. The Border Security Technology Accountability Act would require each of the Departments major acquisitions for border security technology to have written documentation reflecting a baseline approved by the relevant acquisition decision authority and demonstrate that the program is meeting agreedupon cost. schedule. and performance thresholds before moving into the next phase of the acquisition cycle. The bill also requires the Under Secretary for Management. in coordination with the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection. to submit to Congress a plan for testing and evaluation as well as the use of independent verification and validation resources for border security technology. There is need for improving acquisitions management at the Department of Homeland Security as a whole. and addressing border security technology acquisitions is an important step. We owe it to the American taxpayers to make sure we are managing these investments wisely and preventing wasteful spending. Mr. Speaker. H.R. 1634 aims to focus and improve the way we invest in and manage border security technology by providing a specific framework for accountability and oversight on behalf of the American taxpayer. I thank Congresswoman MCSALLY for her leadership in bringing this bill forward. and I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.