Research Security and Accountability in DHS Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 901
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-11: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2025-03-14T03:38:16Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Research Security and Accountability in DHS Act" (H.R. 901) aims to protect sensitive information in research and development (R&D) projects within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by requiring the creation of department-wide security policies and ensuring oversight through reports and briefings. It focuses on preventing unauthorized access or disclosure of sensitive data during R&D acquisitions (the process of obtaining goods or services for research).
Key Provisions
- Policy Development: Directs the Under Secretary of DHS's Science and Technology Directorate to create a unified policy and process across DHS to safeguard R&D from unauthorized access or leaks of sensitive information.
- GAO Report: Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO, an independent agency that audits federal operations) to submit a report to congressional committees within one year of enactment. The report must evaluate:
- DHS's compliance with National Security Presidential Memorandum-33 (NSPM-33, a 2021 executive directive on protecting U.S. research from foreign threats) and the National Science and Technology Council's 2022 guidance.
- How DHS handles disclosure requirements and reports violations to other agencies, including the intelligence community (U.S. agencies involved in gathering and analyzing national security information).
- DHS's coordination with entities like the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and other federal bodies on research security.
- The Science and Technology Directorate's role in building a security framework for DHS R&D projects.
- Congressional Briefing: Mandates that the DHS Secretary provide a briefing to congressional committees within 90 days of enactment, detailing progress on developing the required security policies and processes.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 302 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (which outlines responsibilities of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology) by adding a new paragraph (15). This explicitly requires department-wide R&D security measures, expanding the Under Secretary's duties beyond existing general responsibilities for science and technology coordination.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Strengthens DHS's internal security protocols for R&D, potentially increasing administrative burdens on the Science and Technology Directorate and requiring better coordination with other federal entities like NSF and OSTP. It promotes accountability by mandating reports and briefings, which could lead to improved compliance with national security guidelines.
- On Citizens: Indirectly benefits U.S. citizens by enhancing protection of sensitive government research, reducing risks of intellectual property theft or national security breaches that could affect public safety or economic interests.
- On International Relations: May heighten scrutiny of foreign involvement in DHS R&D, aligning with broader U.S. efforts to counter foreign influence (e.g., from adversarial nations), but it does not directly alter diplomatic policies.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- DHS and Its Components: Primarily the Science and Technology Directorate and the Secretary, who must implement policies and provide briefings.
- Congressional Committees: House Committee on Homeland Security and Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, which receive reports and briefings for oversight.
- GAO: Tasked with auditing and reporting on DHS compliance.
- Other Federal Entities: NSF, NSTC, OSTP, and intelligence community agencies, involved in coordination and violation reporting.
- R&D Contractors and Researchers: Those involved in DHS acquisitions, who may face new security requirements to access or handle sensitive information.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces executive branch directives (like NSPM-33) through statutory requirements, ensuring DHS aligns with federal research security standards without creating new enforcement mechanisms. It promotes transparency via GAO audits but does not impose penalties for non-compliance.
- Constitutional: Supports Congress's oversight role over executive agencies (under Article I) by mandating briefings and reports, without raising separation-of-powers concerns.
- Political: Encourages bipartisan focus on national security in science, potentially influencing future funding or policies for federal R&D. It highlights ongoing U.S. priorities to protect innovation from external threats, but remains narrowly focused on DHS without broader partisan implications evident in the text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Green, Mark E. [R-TN-7], Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-11: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2025-03-10: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-03-10: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 - 1 (Roll no. 64). (text: CR H1051) (Roll call 64)
- 2025-03-10: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 - 1 (Roll no. 64). (text: CR H1051) (Roll call 64)
- 2025-03-10: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1058-1059)
- 2025-03-10: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- 2025-03-10: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 901.
- 2025-03-10: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1051-1052)
- 2025-03-10: Mr. Green (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-01-31: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.
- 2025-01-31: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
- 2025-01-31: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-31: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Research Security and Accountability in DHS Act — issued 2025-03-10 — PDF (6 pages)
- Research Security and Accountability in DHS Act — issued 2025-01-31 — PDF (4 pages)
- Research Security and Accountability in DHS Act — issued 2025-03-11 — PDF (4 pages)