Congressman Gabe Evans Advances Three Homeland Security and Public Safety Bills Through Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Gabe Evans helped advance three homeland security and public safety bills through the House Homeland Security Committee, marking a significant step toward consideration by the full House of Representatives.

The bipartisan legislation would strengthen coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, improve security guidance for local governments facing foreign threats, and ensure aviation security fees paid by travelers are invested in airport security upgrades.

The bills approved by the committee include:

• H.R. 7574 - ELO Realignment and Strategic Engagement Reform Act

• H.R. 7427 - SAFE VISITS Act

• H.R. 8770 - SAFEGUARDS Act

"As a former cop, I know that keeping our communities safe requires strong partnerships, timely intelligence-sharing, and making sure law enforcement has the tools they need to do their jobs. These three bills will help strengthen coordination between federal, state, and local agencies, protect our communities from emerging threats, and ensure taxpayer dollars are being used for their intended purpose. I'm proud to see these commonsense, bipartisan solutions advance through committee and look forward to getting them across the finish line." -- Congressman Gabe Evans

Congressman Evans' bipartisan ELO Realignment and Strategic Engagement Reform Actwould streamline coordination between the Department of Homeland Security and state and local law enforcement agencies by consolidating duplicative outreach functions into a single point of contact. The legislation strengthens information-sharing mechanisms between frontline law enforcement officers and federal intelligence officials, while improving efficiency and reducing redundancy.

The bipartisan SAFEGUARDS Act, which Congressman Evans helped introduce, ensures revenue generated through the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee is invested in aviation security rather than diverted to unrelated government spending. Every passenger pays this fee on every plane ticket they buy and its intention is to fund security infrastructure for TSA in commercial airports across the U.S. Unfortunately, over the years Congress has diverted billions of dollars of that funding away from security. The legislation would stop that fee diversion to help modernize airport screening technology, strengthen security infrastructure, improve checkpoint efficiency, and enhance the travel experience for millions of Americans.

The bipartisan SAFE VISITS Act, which Congressman Evans is co-leading, would require regular threat analyses and provide security guidance related to foreign nationals seeking access to state and local government facilities. The legislation helps ensure smaller communities and local governments have the information necessary to identify potential threats and safeguard sensitive facilities from foreign adversaries seeking to undermine American security interests.

Since taking office, Congressman Evans has made public safety, homeland security, and support for law enforcement central priorities of his work in Congress. As a member of the House Homeland Security Committee and former police officer, he continues advancing legislation focused on securing the homeland, supporting law enforcement, and protecting Colorado communities.