Clarke Amendment To Modernize DHS Counterespionage Process Passes House
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-Crown Heights, Flatbush, East Flatbush, Brownsville, Sheepshead Bay) yesterday announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Overseas Personnel Enhancement Act (H.R. 2590) passed the House, which includes Clarke’s amendment requiring the Department’s overseas personnel strategy to include briefings on combating emerging espionage risks, including cyber-threats.
The original bill only called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to maintain its existing counterintelligence practices for overseas personnel. Clarke’s amendment strengthens DHS practices by requiring strategy briefings to protect itself from foreign intelligence services attacks that target overseas Department personnel.
Clarke sits on the Homeland Security Committee and previously served as Chairwoman of the Cybersecurity Subcommittee. The bill passed by suspension.
“Our adversaries’ tactics are shifting and we need to be able to adequately respond to their methods, which is why I amended the DHS Overseas Personnel Enhancement Act to ensure America can properly ward off all attacks,” said Clarke.
“Espionage is no longer just about spies recruiting human assets; it’s also about malicious computer code infiltrating government networks. We can all feel safer now knowing that the Department of Homeland Security will have a comprehensive strategy to combat modern-day attacks against the Department’s employees, and the classified information they safeguard, which would put America’s national security at risk,” added Clarke.
BK State Lawmakers Pass Legislation Protecting LGBTQ Rights
State Senators Julia Salzar (D-Bushwick, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Cypress Hills, East New York, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville), Zellnor Myrie (D-Central Brooklyn), Velmanette Montgomery (D-Fort Greene, Boerum Hill, Red Hook, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Sunset Park, Gowanus, Park Slope), Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend) and Kevin Parker (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, Park Slope) yesterday along with the Senate Democratic Majority, passed legislation to change the lives in the LGBTQ communities of New York State.
The bills passed by the Senate Majority will institute the Modern Family Act, eradicate the so-called “Gay Panic or Trans Panic” defense, and constitute a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth and young adult suicide prevention task force.
Along with improved demographic data collection, the Senate Majority also passed the New York State Restoration of Honor Act that will correct the records of veterans discharged from the military because of their sexual orientation.
“Suicide is the second most common cause of death for young people up to 24 years old, and the higher rate of suicide attempts among LGBTQ youth is especially alarming. This is not inevitable; we must take decisive steps to reduce the risk of suicide among LGBTQ youth, and that’s what we’re doing today,” said Salazar.
“At the start of the legislative session, the Senate passed historic LGBTQ rights reforms, and today our conference is standing up for our LGBTQ communities once again. All New Yorkers deserve equal protection under the law, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity,” said Myrie.
“I am proud to join my colleagues in support of this package of bills to address major inequities in the law as it relates to members of the LGBTQ community and create an opportunity for us to look at how our systems are serving LGBTQ youth across New York State,” said Montgomery.
“It’s well past time that New York State recognize the fundamental rights of LGBTQIA people to become parents through surrogacy. Though we still have a long ways to go to combat discrimination, this legislation represents meaningful steps, and I am proud to vote in favor,” said Gounardes.
“No one should be discriminated against due to their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in the Senate Democratic Majority and support legislation that will benefit and offer support to our constituents throughout New York State who identify themselves as part of the LGBTQ community,” said Parker.
Colton To Honor Men of Distinction For Outstanding Contributions To Community
Assembly member William Colton (D-Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights) alongside with United Progressive Democratic Club President Nino Magali and 47th Assembly District Leaders Charlie Ragusa and Nancy Tong will hold the first Men of Distinction Awards this week.
The event will honor men from the district who have made outstanding contributions to their local community.
“For many years my office has been recognizing a number of distinguished women in our neighborhood. This year UPDC club president came up with an idea to do something different and to honor those men who have contributed to our community on a daily basis. The purpose of the Men of Distinction is to recognize men who have distinguished themselves through excellence in the community,” said Colton.
The event is slated for 12:30 p.m., Saturday, June 15th, at 29 Bay 25th Street (Between 86 Street and Benson Avenue) in Bath Beach.
Rose Applauds House Committee’s Increase In Counterterrorism Funding
Congressman Max Rose (D-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) announced yesterday that the House Committee on Appropriations passed funding legislation that increases funding levels for counterterrorism programs New York City by $170 million.
Passage of the bill comes following the Trump Administration’s proposed $587 million in cuts to critical counterterrorism programs across the city. In a hearing last month, Rose pressed the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security on the Administration’s proposed budget cuts to counterterrorism programs. The Acting Secretary responded, “Especially in major cities we need to continue to work on it, continue to partner, and hopefully we can manage through the cuts.”
The passage also comes just a week after an individual under surveillance by the New York FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force who allegedly wanted to shoot up Times Square was arrested by federal authorities for trying to buy illegal, unregistered “ghost guns.” Rose has introduced legislation that has passed committee to crack down on ghost guns by providing local law enforcement with annual updates on the threat posed by the availability of these weapons.
On Tuesday, the House Committee on Appropriations passed the funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that includes:
- $700 million for the for the Urban Area Security Initiative, compared to $662 million requested by Rose, current funding level of $640 million, and $426 million requested in the Administration’s budget proposal;
- $110 million for both the Port Security and Transit Security Programs, compared to $250 million for each requested by Rose, current funding level of $100 million for each program, and $36 million requested in the Administration’s budget proposal for each program;
- $625 million for the State Homeland Security Grant, compared to $562.9 million requested by Rose, current funding level of $525 million, and $331 million requested in the Administration’s budget proposal; and
- $41 million for the Presidential Residence Protection Grant, compared to $50 million requested by Rose, current funding level of $41 million, and zero funding in the Administration’s budget proposal.
“It’s outrageous that even though New York City remains a top target for terrorists, this Administration’s policy is literally just hoping ‘we can manage through the cuts. Just last week we saw how real the threats we face as a city are when authorities arrested someone who was planning an attack on Times Square. Cutting resources is not the answer, which is why I’m thankful the committee heard our bipartisan concerns and voted to give us the funding necessary to keep New York City safe,” said Rose, Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism.
