Hearing of the Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies Subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee and the Research and Technology Subcommittee on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee - Strategy and Mission of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate

Hearing

Chairman Bucshon: Thank you Chairman Meehan. I am happy to welcome everyone to this joint hearing on the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate (S&T Directorate).

As we work on the potential reauthorization of the S&T Directorate, this hearing will provide us with background and information needed from the Under Secretary for Science and Technology who recently took on his post at the Department, and the Government Accountability Office that has produced a number of reports focused on the Directorate.

In July, the Research and Technology Subcommittee held a hearing looking at the S&T Directorate's work related to border security technology. That hearing, as well as today's, should offer valuable details to inform our work.

Established in 2002 in the Homeland Security Act, the Directorate for Science and Technology has primary responsibility for bringing new technologies to full readiness at DHS.

The mission of the S&T Directorate is "to strengthen America's security and resiliency by providing knowledge products and innovative technology solutions for the Homeland Security Enterprise."My district in southwest Indiana is home to Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane, whose personnel and facilities provide the Department of Defense with state-of-the-art technology.

Given this, I am particularly interested in learning how existing technologies, perhaps used for Department of Defense purposes, are being and can be utilized in different ways for securing the Homeland.

Twelve years ago, the Homeland Security Act tasked the S&T Directorate with the coordination and integration of the research, development, demonstration, and testing and evaluation activities of DHS. Unfortunately, the S&T Directorate has not yet been able to accomplish this task. I look forward to hearing from both of our witnesses about how the Directorate can move forward to carry out this
important role.

Today's hearing should provide us with invaluable insights and oversight of the S&T Directorate. I look forward to hearing from both of our witnesses. Thank you Chairman Meehan and I yield back.

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