Homeland authorization bill headed to markup

The top lawmakers on the House Homeland Security Committee expect the first-ever authorization bill for the Homeland Security Department to become law next year.

"Our long-term vision is that [the bill] might become law in late spring," Homeland Security Chairman Chris Cox, R-Calif., told reporters Monday.

Senate Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, has indicated she would not draft a companion measure this legislative session.

Cox said the panel would mark up its authorization bill Thursday or Friday, depending on the House floor schedule. Homeland Security ranking member Jim Turner, D-Texas, said Democrats on the panel would offer amendments addressing rail, port and aviation security loopholes and other security items that were not included in the bill.

Cox and Turner said the two sides could not agree on certain provisions nor was Cox able to reach deals with committees that share jurisdiction on those issues. After the panel approves the bill, Cox said he would "work hard" with the other committees to bring the bill to the House floor for a vote. But the chairman conceded limited time remains in this legislative session to pass the bill.

"The main threat in the House is the schedule," he said.