Johnson Applauds Passage of Defense Bill Provisions to Strengthen Border Security, Hold DHS Accountable

WASHINGTON — Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, applauded the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2016. The NDAA included provisions authored by Chairman Johnson that will keep our nation safe and enhance the security of our borders. After passage, he said:

“Our nation faces serious threats to homeland security. When I became chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I created a mission statement: to protect the economic and national security of America.  To address border security, I worked with stakeholders to establish baseline metrics for the Department of Homeland Security to measure the security along all of our borders. These metrics will help inform the administration and Congress in the coming months and years on where resources are most needed.  For the first time, information collected by the department to inform these metrics will be consistent and available to the public. I have said all along, this bill is truly the first step in securing our borders.  

“Significant portions of the committee’s DHS Accountability Act have also been included, a great stride in making the department more effective and efficient. Language in the defense authorization act will allow the next administration to use joint task forces to direct the department and its components to secure the border and the nation. 

“The committee’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Act, also included in the defense bill, takes important steps in addressing threats to our electrical grid. 

“I am pleased to see the inclusion of my committee’s paid administrative leave legislation.  Paying government employees to stay at home not only robs taxpayers, it allows agencies to drag their feet in disciplinary action.  This commonsense legislation will save taxpayers millions of dollars every year.

“The passage of defense authorization act, including many bills passed by my committee to address homeland security, will now head to the president’s desk, and I urge him to sign it quickly.”

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