HOUSE PASSES U.S. REP. MCSALLY BILL TO IMPROVE ACCOUNTABILITY OF BORDER PROJECTS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 28, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — 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.”

The Border Security Technology Accountability Act is Rep. McSally’s second bill to pass the House of Representatives. Last month, the House passed H.R. 2200, legislation Rep. McSally introduced to improve intelligence and information sharing on the threat posed by terrorist attacks. The House also has passed her amendments to protect the A-10 Warthog and EC-130H Compass Call in the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act and Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Appropriations Act.

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) will introduce this week companion legislation in the Senate to H.R. 1634.

Specifically, the Border Security Technology Accountability Act would improve accountability by requiring DHS border technology programs:

• Implement Acquisition Program Baselines before moving to the next phase of the acquisition cycle;
• Adhere to internal controls identified by the Comptroller General of the United States, and;
• Have a plan for testing and evaluation as well as use independent verification and evaluation resources.

For the full bill text, click HERE.