An Overview of Science and Technology Research and Development Programs and Priorities to Effectively Protect Homeland Security

Opening Statement By Ranking Member David Wu

Opening Statement

Ranking Member David Wu

U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation

March 15, 2011

Thank you, Chairman Quayle.  As this is our first hearing of the Congress, I want to take a moment to welcome you.  I am confident that we will find common ground on many of the important issues that fall within this subcommittee's jurisdiction, and look forward to working with you.  

I also want to thank our first panel, Under Secretary O’Toole and Director Stern, for appearing before us today.  I believe this marks the first time that either of you have appeared before this subcommittee, so welcome.  I look forward to hearing your testimony.  In fact, I couldn’t be more pleased that our first hearing is on research and development at the Department of Homeland Security.  The work that you do is critically important – literally, life and death.  It is work to keep us, our constituents, and our first responders safe.   

Precisely because the work you do is so important, we hold you to the highest of standards.  We can’t – and shouldn’t – ignore the problems that have plagued both the Science & Technology Directorate and the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office in the past.  However, I believe that both of you are taking the steps that need to be taken to get your components on the right track, and I commend each of you for that.  

That being said, we need to do everything we can to make sure that things continue to improve.  When I was chairman of this subcommittee, I repeatedly expressed concern that the S&T Directorate did not effectively prioritize its research activities and questioned whether its investments were targeted to the most critical threats.  I also criticized the Directorate for not being sufficiently responsive to the needs of its customers, particularly first responders, when developing new technologies and making research decisions.

I recognize that efforts are well underway to address these problems, including the reorganization that was implemented late last year and the creation of the First Responder IPT. I want to know when we can expect the rubber to hit the road with respect to these efforts and start seeing results.  I also want to get an update on the status of your strategic planning efforts.  When the Directorate last testified

Witnesses

Panel

0 - Dr. Tara O'Toole
Under Secretary for Science and Technology U.S. Department of Homeland Security U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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0 - Mr. Warren Stern
Director, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office U.S. Department of Homeland Security U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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0 - Dr. James Carafano
Director, Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies The Heritage Foundation The Heritage Foundation
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0 - Mr. Marc Pearl
President and Chief Executive Officer Homeland Security & Defense Business Council Homeland Security & Defense Business Council
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0 - Mr. David Maurer
Director Homeland Security and Justice Team, U.S. Government Accountability Office Homeland Security and Justice Team, U.S. Government Accountability Office
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