Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS): White Paper
In 2004, BENS partnered with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) to form a Task Force to investigate difficulties and shortcomings in the congressional oversight regime for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Utilizing the knowledge and skills of co-chairs former Senator Warren Rudman and former Speaker of the House Tom Foley, the Task Force issued a white paper that highlighted the detrimental impact the complicated oversight structure had on the department – and ultimately on the nation’s security. At the time of the paper’s publication, Congress had no permanent standing committees with oversight over homeland security, but scores of others that claimed a piece of the puzzle. For example, in the 108 th Congress, 79 committees and subcommittees had some amount of jurisdiction over DHS, including all 100 Senators and 412 out of 435 House members.
BENS members of the Task Force included Norman Augustine, Chairman, Executive Committee, Lockheed Martin Corp.; Jeff Bergner, Sr. Fellow, German Marshall Fund of the United States; Ray Chambers, Chairman, Amelior Foundation; Hank Greenberg, Chairman & CEO, American International Group; and Fred Smith, Chairman, President & CEO, FedEx
As a result of the White Paper’s publication and other related advocacy efforts, the 109 th Congress on has seen an increase in tangible oversight of homeland security issues and a slight decrease in the number of committees and subcommittees with oversight responsibility. Most notably, the House created a permanent standing committee dedicated to homeland security, and the Senate delegated somewhat less authority to a re-named Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Many issues facing DHS that the White Paper outlines still exist, and BENS continues to monitor developments within Congress.
Link to White Paper.
