James R. Walkinshaw · TranslatePolitics.com

House of Representatives

Put American Families First

2026-09-03

“Inflation is high. Gas costs a lot. I want to blame Donald Trump and a war for these problems. I think families have it hard. I want to end the war. I say the other party broke promises.”

House of Representatives

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027

2026-07-22

“I want the Department of Defense to use FedRAMP. It is a program that checks if technology is secure. I want the Department of Defense to use this program too. It will save time and money. We should use the same standards for everyone. The Department of Defense and other agencies should use the same program. I want taxpayers to spend less. I want the government to use the same process for all agencies. I want to make it easier for the Department of Defense to use secure technology. I want to help our military. There are many cyber threats. We need to use secure technology. My amendment will help do that. Please support my amendment.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of Amendment No. 309 to the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act. My amendment would establish a pilot program to enable the Department of Defense (DoD) to more efficiently deploy modern cybersecurity solutions by accelerating the security verification of solutions that have already received FedRAMP High certification. FedRAMP is a standardized approach to certifying and assessing the security of cloud computing technologies used across federal agencies, and a FedRAMP High certification is the strictest cloud security authorization level within FedRAMP. This level of certification ensures compliance with the standards needed to securely handle and process the federal government's most sensitive unclassified information and data. FedRAMP seeks to create a ``certify once, reuse many times'' model for cloud products and services that provides a secure and cost- effective approach to federal cloud service adoption. The idea behind this concept of ``certify once, reuse many times'' or ``reciprocity'' as I like to refer to it, is that if a cloud service's security controls have already been certified at a basic level, multiple federal agencies should be comfortable with adopting the service for their own purposes. For years, DoD has relied on its own assessment and verification process for cloud-based services, separate and distinct from FedRAMP-- however, both DoD's and FedRAMP's assessment and verification processes rely on the same NIST standards and have the same goal, which is to certify that a cloud-based product meets security standards for federal use. What this means in practice is that both the government and our private sector partners must invest significant time and resources to verify security controls for cloud service deployment not just once, but twice if they hope to make that service available to both Federal Civilian and DoD customers. Additionally, maintaining two parallel certification pathways has created bottlenecks in deploying modern commercial cloud capabilities, including critical cybersecurity tools, within the DoD--even when those solutions have already been certified for civilian agency use under the same NIST standards through the FedRAMP program. This amendment would save the federal government time and resources by encouraging reciprocity between the parallel FedRAMP and DoD cloud security assessment processes. It establishes a pilot program to accelerate the DoD's assessment of cloud-based cybersecurity solutions that have already been authorized under the same underlying NIST standards that the Department's existing assessment process relies on. In doing so, this pilot will help deliver innovative commercial cybersecurity capabilities to the warfighter more quickly, at a time when cyber threats from our adversaries are growing more sophisticated. I urge my collegues to support this amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendments en bloc offered by the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Rogers). The en bloc amendments were agreed to.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

House of Representatives

National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027

2026-07-15

“I don't like this bill. It cuts foreign aid. I want taxpayers to spend money on aid programs like USAID. Aid protects us from diseases. It's the right thing to do. Cutting foreign aid won't balance the budget. Aid is a small part of spending. I think foreign aid is important for American values and security.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Chairman, America's strength in the world has never been that we are perfect. It is that, unlike our adversaries, we have consistently aspired to lead by example and with our values. Building the capacity of a local community abroad to combat deadly diseases like malaria, Ebola, tuberculosis, and HIV is not just the right and just thing to do. It serves American interests. Disease outbreaks do not respect borders, and investments in global health protect Americans at home. That is why the dismantling of USAID is so dangerous. USAID isn't a charity. It was boots on the ground, a force multiplier for the CDC and our broader national security efforts. Let's be honest. Slashing foreign aid will not balance the Federal budget. Anyone with a calculator knows you are not going to address the skyrocketing deficit by cutting programs that amount to a rounding error in Federal spending. This is about American values and American security. Mr. Chairman, that is why I cannot support this bill. It ignores the reality of what has already been lost.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

House of Representatives

Elo Realignment and Strategic Engagement Reform Act of 2026

2026-07-13

“I want to make sure this bill doesn't cut funding for my preferred program. If it doesn't cut funding, I agree with the bill.”

“I don't object to this bill. It might cost money. I hope it makes things more efficient. But don't use it to fire people. We need a big DHS staff to keep us safe.”

Official Congressional Record

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, engagement with State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement is essential to the Department of Homeland Security's mission to secure the homeland. State and local law enforcement partners must have clear points of contact within DHS to maximize information sharing and collaboration on issues like emergency and cybersecurity incident response. H.R. 7574 aims to ensure this by directing the Secretary of Homeland Security to realign the functions and personnel within the Office of Intelligence and Analysis' Engagement, Liaison, and Outreach office. Madam Speaker, while it is important for State and local officials to have clear points of contact at DHS for information sharing and collaboration, H.R. 7574's requirement to identify redundancies at the Office of Intelligence and Analysis should not, I hope, be viewed as a pretext to reduce I&A's workforce. I&A is charged with delivering timely and actionable intelligence to our law enforcement on the front lines and unnecessarily slashing their capacity could unintentionally create security gaps and make our communities more vulnerable to cyber terror attacks and other threats. While I understand that H.R. 7574 seeks to improve DHS relationships with law enforcement agencies by establishing clear communication protocols and centralizing points of contact for law enforcement engagement, I urge DHS to consult with Congress on the implementation of this bill and before any staffing changes or reductions are made. We need to strengthen, not undermine I&A's ability to protect the homeland. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

House of Representatives

Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act

2026-07-13

“I want this bill to pass. It is based on recommendations. The recommendations say our government should make a program. The program will collect data and measure how effective we are against fentanyl. It will make our government talk to itself about fentanyl. It will set goals for our government. Fentanyl is very bad. Many people die from it. Our government must fight it. We must work together to fight fentanyl. I want to thank the people who worked on this legislation.”

Official Congressional Record

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, H.R. 8535, the bipartisan Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act, is based on the nonpartisan research and recommendations of the Government Accountability Office, which last year examined the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to detect, deter, and seize illicit fentanyl. GAO identified critical gaps in DHS efforts against fentanyl trafficking: a lack of coordination, information sharing, and measures to assess DHS' effectiveness. As a result, GAO made three straightforward recommendations: first, establish a program to collect data and measure effectiveness; second, ensure access to information across DHS components; and, third, develop performance goals and measures aligned with DHS' strategic objectives. Our bill simply would put into law those commonsense recommendations. Fentanyl remains one of the most devastating public safety and public health challenges facing our Nation. The scourge of fentanyl trafficking is sobering. CDC data showed that fentanyl accounted for over 69 percent of all drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2025. Last year alone, in the D.C. metropolitan region, there were nearly 1,000 deaths due to fentanyl overdose. With lives, resources, and time on the line, it is important for DHS personnel to not only work hard in the fight against illicit fentanyl but to also work smart against this enormous challenge. That requires collaboration and the ability to assess how their operations are having an impact. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. McCaul, who was my co-lead on this legislation. I thank the chairman, Ranking Member Thompson, and Mr. Correa, as well, who worked hard on it. As I said, this bipartisan legislation would put three GAO recommendations for combating illicit fentanyl into law. It would require the establishment of a program to collect data and measure the effectiveness of current efforts to counter illicit fentanyl, ensure information sharing across DHS components, and require the development of performance goals and measures. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting H.R. 8535, and I yield back the balance of my time.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

House of Representatives

Major Non-Nato Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act

2026-07-13

“I want this bill to pass. It will make the government assess threats from terrorist groups in some countries. These countries are allies but not in NATO. The bill will give the government more oversight.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8168, the Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act. This bill directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, to provide an assessment of the threats to the United States posed by foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists present in countries that the State Department designates as ``major non-NATO allies.'' The assessment required under the bill will give Congress a more comprehensive view of terrorist threats to the homeland, which will inform Congress of authorities and resources needed to combat those threats. Mr. Speaker, I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

House of Representatives

Improving Travel for American Families Act

2026-07-13

“I don't have much to add. I agree with the other guy. Airports are hard for parents. I want this small program to pass to help families a little. It won't change security. Everyone should vote yes.”

“This bill will make the TSA keep testing faster security lines at some airports for families with kids. I want it to pass. Long airport lines are hard for kids. I know because I am a parent. This program will help families who fly. It will also be good for other travelers.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8897, the Improving Travel for American Families Act. Every day, thousands of families across our Nation take to the skies, many of them with small children who are not always the easiest of travel companions. I can attest to that. Any parent knows that long lines at checkpoints can make a long day of travel even worse for a kid. That is why since last year, the TSA has started pilot programs at select airports with special lines reserved for families which help decrease wait times while keeping screening efficient for other travelers, as well. H.R. 8897 would codify the ongoing pilot program and ensure appropriate security protocols are upheld. The bill would help advance this initiative to help traveling families. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

House of Representatives

Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025

2026-07-13

“I like the bill. I want Congress to pass it. You should vote yes.”

House of Representatives

One-Stop Pilot Program Extension Act

2026-07-13

“I want this bill to pass. It will make travel faster for some passengers. The government should spend money on this program.”

“I want to extend a program that lets some passengers from foreign airports skip screening on their next flight in the U.S. This will make travel easier for them. The airports have to meet our standards. I want this bill to pass.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9388. TSA's one-stop pilot program enables passengers arriving from certain foreign airports to be exempt from rescreening by TSA prior to connecting to domestic flights. The one-stop program requires those foreign airports to meet certain standards deemed comparable to TSA's, which helps improve aviation security at those airports. As more international airports start participating in the program, H.R. 9388 will ensure the program can continue to operate until December 2032, while Congress evaluates and makes any necessary changes to improve the program for the traveling public. These changes will help advance this pilot program to improve the travel experience for passengers. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

House of Representatives

Reimbursable Screening Services Program Extension Act of 2026

2026-07-13

“I support this TSA program too. I want more places to use it. It screens passengers away from the main terminal. The TSA gets money from it. My bill will help the TSA develop this program. I want it to run until 2031. That will give more airports time to start using it. Everyone should vote for my bill.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9391, the Reimbursable Screening Services Program Extension Act of 2026. The TSA Reimbursable Screening Services Program, or RSSP, is a pilot program that permits TSA to conduct passenger screening outside primary airport terminal screening areas under reimbursable agreements with up to eight TSA-regulated entities, such as an airport operator. RSSP facilities are located at airports across the country, including in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York City, and the newest location recently opened in Boston. The pilot program is set to expire at the end of September 2026. H.R. 9391 would extend the pilot program until the end of September 2031 and expand the number of pilot program locations to 14 to allow the program to grow and bring new RSSP concepts online. Passing this bill would provide important clarity for a program that has been operating under repeated short-term extensions. Mr. Speaker, as I said, this bill ensures the RSSP at TSA can continue to operate and develop additional passenger screening locations at airports across the country to improve the travel experience. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

House of Representatives

Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Reporting Act of 2026

2026-07-13

“I want to cheer for a program that spends money in my district. I want more reports about spending money. I hope the reports say we should keep spending money. I thank my friend for making a bill to get those reports.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Carter) for his work on this legislation. I also thank the chairman for his work. UASI grants have played a critical role in my region, the D.C. metropolitan region, in protecting Northern Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, including this Capitol complex. This bill that will improve transparency, strengthen congressional oversight, and ensure that important security investments made over many years are not lost is a wonderful piece of legislation. Passage of H.R. 8874 will ensure that Congress has the information needed to understand the impact of UASI transitions and help preserve the critical Homeland Security capabilities our communities rely on. It will strengthen oversight, support our local partners, and help ensure that years of Federal investment and preparedness are not lost. I applaud Congressman Carter for his leadership on this issue and strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8874. I yield back the balance of my time.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

House of Representatives

Improving Travel for Military Members Act

2026-07-13

“I support this bill. It will help military families fly. We should help military families in small ways when we can. I thank the gentlewoman for this bill.”

“I want this bill to pass. Military families should have an easier time traveling. The government should spend money for them to skip security lines. I am restating what the bill does. I support the bill.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9328, the Improving Travel for Military Members Act. Our military servicemembers and their families are required to travel regularly, uprooting their lives to move to new locations. Last year, TSA initiated a pilot program at select airports to provide Active-Duty military and their families front-of-line access to security screening. H.R. 9328 would cement TSA's ongoing pilot program and codify requirements for appropriate security protocols. Expediting wait times for servicemembers and their families makes travel a little bit easier and a little bit less stressful for them, and I support advancing this effort. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

House of Representatives

Spending Aviation Fees for Equipment, Guaranteeing Upgraded and Advanced Risk Detection and Safety Act of 2026

2026-07-13

“I want more money for my district's TSA workers. I hope this bill gives them money quickly. I don't want any problems for the workers. I want everyone to support this bill.”

“I want the latest x-ray machines at airports. I worry this bill will cut other things I like. I don't want workers to lose money. We should talk about workforce more. Thanks.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, since the Transportation Security Administration was created after the 9/11 attacks, the agency has been working to deploy the latest innovative security screening technology to ensure prohibited items carried inside bags and on individuals do not make it past a security checkpoint and onto an aircraft. However, with thousands of TSA screening lanes across the country in need of technology, Congress has at times struggled to provide funding to recapitalize technology expeditiously across all airports. H.R. 8770, the SAFEGUARDS Act, would ensure there are increased dedicated funds available to TSA to procure the latest screening technology so that the agency can replace aging technology deployed at airports at a more rapid pace. Although speeding up the deployment of new screening technology is an important goal, I do have some reservations about the bill. The increased investments in technology are not paid for, and I am concerned that these increases could result in cuts to funding for TSA workforce salaries and benefits if TSA's overall budget does not increase. Although the bill does contain language reinforcing the sense of Congress that diversions of passenger security fees away from TSA's coffers should end, the bill does not actually do anything to end those diversions sooner than already scheduled under current law or otherwise to bring in more money to TSA. House Democrats have long been supportive of investments in new and innovative security technologies, but we must also make sure that we are supporting the workforce that operates those technologies. To start, the House should take up Ranking Member Thompson's bill, H.R. 2086, the Rights for the TSA Workforce Act, which would codify fair pay and collective bargaining rights for this critical workforce. This bill has more than 185 bipartisan cosponsors, and the Republican majority should bring it to this floor. In the meantime, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, as well as our colleagues in the Senate, to ensure that the SAFEGUARDS Act, if enacted, drives investments in technology without causing cuts to pay, benefits, or staffing at TSA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

House of Representatives

Ulysses S. Grant Post Office Building

2026-07-13

“I support naming a post office in Ohio after Ulysses S. Grant. He was an important military leader and president. This bill is good. I want it to pass.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, some of my Virginia ancestors are rolling over in their graves today, but I am very happy to be here to speak in support of H.R. 7809 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 201 East Grant Avenue in Georgetown, Ohio, as the Ulysses S. Grant Post Office Building. Ulysses S. Grant was an American hero who helped lead the United States Army to victory against the Confederacy in the Civil War before serving as President of the United States. After graduating from West Point, Grant served in the Mexican- American war under the leadership of General Zachary Taylor, who would later become the 12th President of the United States. Grant initially resigned from the Army in 1854, but at the outbreak of the Civil War, he served as commander of a volunteer regiment and was quickly promoted to brigadier general. Throughout the war, he fought and won numerous battles. His victories included the capture of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson and the defeat of rebel forces at Shiloh and Vicksburg. As the war progressed, his military leadership played an instrumental role in enforcing President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and advancing the United States' commitment to ending slavery. In March 1864, President Lincoln designated Grant as the general-in- chief of the U.S. Army Forces, ultimately leading to a Union victory in April 1865 with the surrender of Confederate General Lee at Appomattox in Virginia. After the war, Ulysses S. Grant served two terms as President of the United States. During his time in office, he pushed forward the Reconstruction agenda, advocating for civil rights and protection from political violence for Black Americans. I encourage my colleagues to join us in honoring the life and legacy of President Grant by naming this post office in his hometown of Georgetown, Ohio, after him. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

House of Representatives

Congressman Gerald E. Connolly Post Office Building

2026-07-13

“I want to thank people. I want to name a post office after my friend. This naming will mean a lot to his family and the community. He served for a long time.”