PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.4289 / 113th Congress

DHS Interoperable Communications Act

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 24, 2014

Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responsible for policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among DHS components.

Requires the Under Secretary to submit to the House and Senate homeland security committees a strategy for achieving and maintaining such communications, including for daily operations, planned events, and emergencies, that includes:

an assessment of interoperability gaps in radio communications among the DHS components;

Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.

Read full official summaryShow less

information on DHS efforts and activities, since November 1, 2012, and planned, to achieve and maintain interoperable communications;

an assessment of obstacles and challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications;

information on, and an assessment of, the adequacy of mechanisms available to the Under Secretary to enforce and compel compliance with interoperable communications policies and directives of DHS;

guidance provided to DHS components to implement such policies and directives;

the total amount of DHS expenditures, since November 1, 2012, and projected, to achieve interoperable communications; and

dates upon which DHS-wide interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications, respectively, and interim milestones.

Directs the Under Secretary to submit with such strategy information on any intra-agency effort or task force that has been delegated responsibilities relating to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications by such dates and on who, within each component, is responsible for implementing policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications.

Directs the Under Secretary to submit biannual reports on the status of efforts to implement such strategy, including information on any additional resources or authorities needed.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. Payne, Donald M., Jr. [D-NJ-10] · D–NJ

Committees

  • Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
  • Homeland Security Committee
2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

  2. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 393 - 0 (Roll no. 370). (text: CR H5857)

    House roll call 370 · Individual votes
  3. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 393 - 0 (Roll no. 370).(text: CR H5857)

    House roll call 370 · Individual votes
  4. Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5861)

  5. At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  6. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4289.

  7. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5856-5859)

  8. Mrs. Brooks (IN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  9. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 360.

  10. Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 113-484.

  11. Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 113-484.

  12. Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

  13. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  14. Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .

  15. Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  16. Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications.

  17. Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

  18. Introduced in House

  19. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4289 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4289 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4289 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4289 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources