Special Reports

What does homeland security mean for Andrew Garbarino?

The new chair of the House Homeland Security Committee talked with City & State about disaster preparedness as his party’s president considers dismantling FEMA.

Rep. Andrew Garbarino leaves a confidential House Ethics Committee meeting in 2024.

Rep. Andrew Garbarino leaves a confidential House Ethics Committee meeting in 2024. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Long Island Rep. Andrew Garbarino was elected chair of the House Homeland Security Committee in July. The third-term member of Congress now helms a panel with a wide ranging jurisdiction including cybersecurity, counterterrorism, emergency management, transportation security, border security and special event security. Garbarino has taken on the committee as a New Yorker, noting that he is well-aware of the threats facing the state and nation. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.    

What are your top priorities for the Homeland Security Committee as the new chair?

My top priorities will be strengthening our nation’s cybersecurity, defending against terrorism and enhancing disaster preparedness and resiliency. As a New Yorker, I know firsthand the threats we face from those who wish us harm. As chairman, I’ll ensure our state and local partners have the resources they need to defend against threats to public safety, while continuing to deliver on our national security commitments at the federal level.

What are your top priorities for the Homeland Security Committee in the areas of emergency management?

We all remember the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, and many communities are still dealing with its effects. Moving forward, we must ensure help gets where it's needed, when it's needed. This means reducing red tape and streamlining the delivery of resources and aid. We'll continue working with affected communities to identify their needs and ensure federal assistance is targeted and effective.

You and New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer have introduced the bipartisan Flood Loss Offset and Affordability Tax Credit Act, or FLOAT Act. Why is this legislation needed and what will it accomplish? What are the chances of it advancing in this Congress?

This legislation provides a critical incentive for homeowners to protect their properties without breaking the bank. With instances of severe weather on the rise, the FLOAT Act would ensure that families in my district can afford flood insurance coverage, enabling them to recover quickly and avoid devastating financial losses.

As a member of Congress from Long Island, what have been your biggest accomplishments in the areas of emergency management and disaster preparedness?

I’ve worked closely with state and local partners to strengthen community resilience efforts. One of my biggest accomplishments was including language in the 2024 Water Resources Development Act to reduce the emergency assistance threshold for coastal renourishment on Fire Island and South Shore communities. Before this, Delaware was the only place in the country with a lowered assistance threshold.

You previously chaired the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Subcommittee, which covers key parts of disaster preparedness. What needs to be done to protect the nation’s technology systems, energy grids and other critical infrastructure from cybersecurity risks and physical storm damage?

There’s much work ahead to strengthen U.S. cybersecurity. Key actions include improving public-private partnerships, reducing regulatory burdens and strengthening the cybersecurity workforce. In the near term, we must support U.S. cybersecurity by extending key authorities and programs. The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (CISA 2015) implemented crucial information-sharing authorities and protections, which underpin the last decade’s cybersecurity reporting, response and mitigation frameworks. It’s up for reauthorization this September. The State and Local Cybersecurity Grants Program has increased support for state and local entities to strengthen their cybersecurity efforts, develop frameworks and secure critical infrastructure. This program will also need extension this September.

What new technologies or other innovative changes can be employed to improve the government response to severe storms or other natural disasters?

I’m encouraged by continued developments in artificial intelligence to support federal homeland security efforts. This technology can serve as both a force multiplier and efficiency measure, better directing efforts and resources during large-scale events. Strengthening interagency communication and coordination is also essential.

You serve on the Financial Services Committee and as vice chair of the Capital Markets Subcommittee. The financial services industry has made resiliency, cyber security and offsite offices key priorities in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and Superstorm Sandy. This includes the creation of the Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council, to provide sector wide coordination with federal homeland security officials. What more can be done to address resiliency and security issues in this sector to prevent large scale market shutdowns?Strengthening cybersecurity in the financial sector is essential. Many of the challenges the securities industry faces, such as threats from state-sponsored actors and the need to grow the cybersecurity workforce, are similar to those in other sectors. As I’ve stated before, Congress must continue strengthening public-private partnerships, improving regulatory harmonization, and increasing cybersecurity staffing. Specifically for the securities sector, we need to address the shortfalls of the SEC’s cyber rule, which was duplicative, burdensome and exposed the financial services sector to security threats in the name of transparency. Improving U.S. cybersecurity will require a responsible and measured approach.

What are your thoughts on U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s review and possible restructuring of FEMA? How would this impact the federal government’s role in emergency management, in particular supporting state and local government efforts?

DHS is currently reviewing how to best structure FEMA to ensure help gets where it’s needed. I remain committed to ensuring our communities have the resources they need to respond to and mitigate natural disasters. Moving forward, I’ll continue working with the Department to ensure we effectively use taxpayer dollars without compromising public safety.

Reps. Jared Moskowitz and Byron Donalds of Florida introduced the bipartisan FEMA Independence Act, which would move FEMA out of the Department of Homeland Security and make it an independent Cabinet level agency. Do you support this idea? 

As the Executive Branch works to determine the future of FEMA, I’m sure various options are being considered. I look forward to having conversations about this as we move forward.