This bill would clarify the responsibilities of the Department of
Homeland Security's Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs as they
relate to the DHS' responsibilities under the Homeland Security
Presidential Directive 9, entitled: ``The Defense of U.S. Agriculture
and Food.''
The bill includes language offered by Representative Donald Payne,
Jr., my colleague on the committee, directing the Assistant Secretary
for Health Affairs to coordinate with all departmental components with
responsibilities related to food and agriculture security and screening
procedures. Such coordination will include Customs and Border
Protection, which has historically struggled to maintain agriculture
inspection staffing levels at ports of entry. Mr. Speaker, agriculture and agriculture-related businesses
constitute a major portion of California's economy.
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