The House of Representatives today unanimously passed U.S. Representative Martha McSally's legislation to improve the management and accountability of new border technology projects. The Border Security Technology Accountability Act, H.R. 1634, follows numerous reports showing Department of Homeland Security acquisition programs are a "high-risk" for waste, fraud, and abuse and is Rep. McSally's second bill to pass the House.
"Southern Arizonans are demanding better border security, and they expect us to do it in the most cost-effective and efficient way possible," said Rep. McSally. "My bill requires cost control mechanisms for new border technology projects, safeguarding taxpayer dollars and improving the oversight of major DHS acquisition programs. I'm glad to see the House act in bipartisan support of my bill, and look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to send this commonsense legislation to the President's desk."
"I applaud Representative McSally for her leadership in addressing border security and for passing her second homeland security bill through the House within her first session of Congress," said chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Michael McCaul. "This critical legislation increases DHS's accountability regarding border security technology and ensures the Department is meeting cost, schedule, and performance standards. Today, the House took a significant step in the Congressional oversight of DHS and I encourage our counterparts in the Senate to pass this important legislation."