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November 19, 2021

Chairman Thompson Lauds Homeland Security Provisions in Build Back Better Act

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding House passage of H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act, which includes $1.5 billion in investments at the Department of Homeland Security that address three pressing national security challenges:

  • improving our national cybersecurity posture.
  • helping to secure places of worship against domestic terrorist and other threats.
  • intensifying DHS’ efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

“I could not be prouder that the House Democratic Majority came together today, with a sense of urgency, to deliver for the people and to tackle climate change and a wide-range of other challenges that put our communities at risk.   

“I am particularly appreciative that the Build Back Better Act invests $1.5 billion in the Department of Homeland Security to provide crucial resources to three challenges confronting the Nation, including: cybersecurity, domestic terrorism and other threats to houses of worship, and reducing the Department of Homeland Security’s carbon footprint.

“The Homeland Security provisions of this bill provides $100 million in new funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which help DHS take necessary action to help secure churches, synagogues, mosques, and other nonprofits from domestic terrorism and other threats. It has been just three years since the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in U.S. history when 11 lives were lost in a mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The funding the House provides today can help prevent such a tragedy from happening again.

“It also invests in the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to help State and local governments develop secure and resilient critical infrastructure networks by, among other things, accelerating State and local governments’ transition to the .gov domain and increasing capacity to hire network defenders.

“Finally, the Homeland Security title provides $900 million in strategic investments to help DHS reduce its carbon footprint and mitigate the ongoing effects of climate change that have a direct impact on our national security.

“I thank Chairman Yarmuth, my fellow committee chairs, and House Democratic leaders for their months of hard work to produce this once-in-a-generation legislation which includes so many important investments in our homeland security. I look forward to swift passage by the Senate so that it can be signed by President Biden and begin to improve the lives of our constituents across the country.”

Fact sheet on BBB Title V provisions

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