LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - First Rep. Rutherford Bill Unanimously Passes U.S. House

Bill Would Stop Wasteful Spending at DHS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States House of Representatives voted unanimously (408-0) to pass H.R.1294, the Reducing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acquisition Cost Growth Act. This bill, introduced by Congressman John Rutherford earlier this month, would prevent wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars by agencies like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), by holding DHS agencies more accountable in administering their major acquisition programs and granting Congress greater oversight over troubled programs.

Congressman Rutherford said, ""The passing of H.R.1294 is great news for preventing wasteful spending at the Department of Homeland Security. Department of Homeland Security's acquisition programs represent hundreds of billions of dollars in spending, but they repeatedly face cost overruns and schedule delays. This will help provide necessary tools for FEMA, the U.S. Coast Guard, and Customs and Border Protection to do their jobs – keeping Americans safe. It will also ensure Congress can provide greater oversight of major acquisition programs and can implement solutions to quickly address any setbacks. I thank the House of Representatives for voting to stop wasteful spending."

H.R. 1294 is the first bill Congressman Rutherford introduced as a member of the House of Representatives. It now advances to the Senate for further consideration.