United States House Committee on Homeland Security

Last updated
House Committee on Homeland Security
Standing committee
Active
Seal of the United States House of Representatives.svg
United States House of Representatives
118th Congress
House Committee on Homeland Security logo.jpg
Logo of the House Committee on Homeland Security Republicans
History
FormedJune 19, 2002
Leadership
Chair Mark Green (R)
Since January 9, 2023
Ranking member Bennie Thompson (D)
Since January 3, 2023
Vice chair Michael Guest (R)
Structure
Seats33
Political partiesMajority (18)
  •   Republican (18)
Minority (15)
Jurisdiction
Oversight authority Department of Homeland Security
Senate counterpart Senate Homeland Security Committee
Subcommittees
Website
Republican Website: homeland.house.gov Democratic Website: democrats-homeland.house.gov

    The U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. Its responsibilities include U.S. security legislation and oversight of the Department of Homeland Security.

    Contents

    Role of the committee

    The committee conducts oversight and handles legislation (and resolutions) related to the security of the United States. The committee may amend, approve, or table homeland security related bills. It also has the power to hold hearings, conduct investigations, and subpoena witnesses. Additionally, the committee has authorization and policy oversight responsibilities over the Department of Homeland Security.

    Rules of the committee

    The committee meets on the first Wednesday of each month while the House is in session. It is not permitted to conduct business unless a quorum is present, which the rules define as one third of its members. A majority of members are required for certain actions including: issuing a subpoena, entering executive session, and immunizing a witness. Committee members have access to classified information but must adhere to stringent access control procedures.

    History of the committee

    In the 109th Congress, the House Select Committee on Homeland Security was established on June 19, 2002, pursuant to H. Res. 449 (adopted by voice vote). The committee was composed of nine members of the House: Mr. Armey, chairman; Mr. DeLay; Mr. Watts of Oklahoma; Ms. Pryce of Ohio; Mr. Portman; Ms. Pelosi; Mr. Frost; Mr. Menendez; and Ms. DeLauro.

    The mandate of the Select Committee in the 107th Congress was to “develop recommendations and report to the House on such matters that relate to the establishment of a department of homeland security.” The Select Committee accomplished its mandate on November 22, 2002, when the House concurred in the Senate amendment to H.R. 5005 by unanimous consent and cleared H.R. 5005 for the President. The bill was presented to the President on November 22, 2002, and was signed on November 25, 2002, becoming Public Law number 107-296, the "Homeland Security Act of 2002".

    The termination date of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security was “after final disposition of a bill including the final disposition of any veto message on such bill,” which occurred on November 25, 2002.

    The second select committee was formed in 2003 at the beginning of the 108th Congress as a select committee with Rep. Christopher Cox of California as its chairman and Jim Turner of Texas as its ranking member. The creation of the committee was necessitated by the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. As an executive branch department, the newly formed Department of Homeland Security required congressional counterparts to facilitate legislative action and oversight.

    The committee was made permanent when it was elevated to standing status by a vote of the House of Representatives on January 4, 2005, on the opening day of the 109th Congress, again with Rep. Chris Cox as its first permanent chairman. Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi was the committee's first permanent ranking member. After Chairman Cox resigned from Congress in July 2005 to become the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Rep. Peter King of New York served as chairman for the remainder of the 109th Congress.

    As Congress switched parties at the beginning of the 110th Congress, Rep. Thompson became the chairman of the committee and Rep. King the ranking member. House control switched parties again at the beginning of the 112th Congress in 2011, and King again became the chairman, and Thompson the ranking member. As the House switched parties at the beginning of the 116th Congress, Thompson again assumed the chair. The committee continues to operate in a bipartisan manner, passing almost all of its legislation out of the committee unanimously.

    Hearings

    Airport computed tomography (CT) scanners

    In November 2017, the full Homeland Security Committee held a hearing to understand how fast the U.S. government could install CT scanners into every airport in the country in order to fight threats to airlines. The hearing focused on the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) role in keeping the country secure. The hearing was scheduled because a classified security briefing that was held earlier revealed vulnerabilities to the aviation system that concerned committee members. The latest threats, according to committee Chairman Michael McCaul, "were terrorists using electronic devices and laptops as bombs, and exploding the device on an airplane while the plane is in flight." [1]

    DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office

    Logo used by Committee Democrats House Homeland Security Committee Democrats.png
    Logo used by Committee Democrats

    On December 7, 2017, the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications held a hearing about the creation of a new office within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) called the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office. “The purpose of the CWMD is to work every day to prevent another catastrophic attack, one using weapons or materials that have the potential to kill our citizens in numbers that dwarf previous attacks,” [2] said James McDonnell, assistant secretary for countering weapons of mass destruction and director of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office for within DHS. In his remarks, the subcommittee chairman Rep. Dan Donovan (R-NY) said that the threat of weapons of mass destruction "has changed and become more diverse." [2] One witness discussed drone delivery of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons as one of the newest threats to homeland security. [2]

    Fiscal year 2018 budget oversight

    In June 2017, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly testified before the committee regarding DHS's piece of President Trump's Fiscal Year 2018 Budget. [3] During the hearing, members of the committee from both parties "expressed opposition to the Trump administration's proposed budget that would cut funding for training and deployment for local security programs by as much as 30 percent next year [2018]." The overall funding for the department, however, under Trump's budget would increase by almost seven percent. Congressman Peter King (R-NY) said the cuts would affect security programs for New York's first responders, and Congressman Donald Payne (D-NJ) questioned how the cuts would help keep safe the ports of Elizabeth and Newark. [4]

    The president's budget for 2018 would: [4]

    In November 2017, in an annual oversight hearing called “World Wide Threats: Keeping America Secure in the New Age of Terror”, leaders of the U.S. government's national security agencies “offered troubling assessments of the growing threats from terrorism, both internationally and domestically.” [5]

    Members, 118th Congress

    MajorityMinority

    Resolutions electing members: H.Res. 14 (Chair), H.Res. 15 (Ranking Member), H.Res. 79 (D), H.Res. 80 (R), H.Res. 1034 (Suozzi)

    Subcommittees for the 118th Congress

    SubcommitteeChair [6] Ranking Member [7]
    Border Security and Enforcement Clay Higgins (R-LA) Lou Correa (D-CA)
    Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement and Intelligence August Pfluger (R-TX) Seth Magaziner (D-RI)
    Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
    Emergency Management and Technology Anthony D'Esposito (R-NY) Troy Carter (D-LA)
    Oversight, Investigations and Accountability Dan Bishop (R-NC) Glenn Ivey (D-MD)
    Transportation and Maritime Security Carlos A. Giménez (R-FL) Shri Thanedar (D-MI)

    Committee chairs

    Historical membership rosters

    115th Congress

    MajorityMinority

    Sources: H.Res. 6 (chair), H.Res. 7 (Ranking Member), H.Res. 45 (D) and H.Res. 51 (R)

    116th Congress

    MajorityMinority

    Sources: H.Res. 24 (chair), H.Res. 25 (Ranking Member), H.Res. 67 (D), H.Res. 68 (R), H.Res. 596 (R), H.Res. 801 (R), H.Res. 1072 (R)

    Subcommittees
    SubcommitteeChairRanking Member
    Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations Kathleen Rice (D-NY) Clay Higgins (R-LA)
    Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation Lauren Underwood (D-IL) John Katko (R-NY)
    Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ) Peter King (R-NY)
    Intelligence and Counterterrorism Max Rose (D-NY) Mark Walker (R-NC)
    Oversight, Management, and Accountability Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM) Dan Crenshaw (R-TX)
    Transportation and Maritime Security Lou Correa (D-CA) Debbie Lesko (R-AZ)

    117th Congress

    MajorityMinority

    Resolutions electing members: H.Res. 9 (chair), H.Res. 10 (Ranking Member), H.Res. 62 (D), H.Res. 63 (R), H.Res. 1197 (R)

    Subcommittees
    SubcommitteeChair [8] Ranking Member [9]
    Border Security, Facilitation and Operations Nanette Barragán (D-CA) Clay Higgins (R-LA)
    Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Innovation Yvette Clarke (D-NY) Andrew Garbarino (R-NY)
    Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery Val Demings (D-FL) Kat Cammack (R-FL)
    Intelligence and Counterterrorism Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) August Pfluger (R-TX)
    Oversight, Management and Accountability Lou Correa (D-NM) Peter Meijer (R-MI)
    Transportation and Maritime Security Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) Carlos A. Giménez (R-FL)

    See also

    Related Research Articles

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">108th United States Congress</span> 2003–2005 U.S. Congress

    The 108th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives from January 3, 2003, to January 3, 2005, during the third and fourth years of George W. Bush's presidency.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Bennie Thompson</span> American politician (born 1948)

    Bennie Gordon Thompson is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Mississippi's 2nd congressional district since 1993. A member of the Democratic Party, Thompson served as the chair of the Committee on Homeland Security from 2019 to 2023 and from 2007 to 2011. He was both the first Democrat and the first African American to chair the committee. He is the dean of Mississippi's congressional delegation.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House Committee on the Judiciary</span> Standing committee of the United States House of Representatives

    The U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, also called the House Judiciary Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. It is charged with overseeing the administration of justice within the federal courts, federal administrative agencies, and federal law enforcement entities. The Judiciary Committee is often involved in the impeachment process against federal officials. Because of the legal nature of its oversight, committee members usually have a legal background, but this is not required.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs</span> Standing committee of the United States Senate

    The United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is the chief oversight committee of the United States Senate. It has jurisdiction over matters related to the Department of Homeland Security and other homeland security concerns, as well as the functioning of the government itself, including the National Archives, budget and accounting measures other than appropriations, the Census, the federal civil service, the affairs of the District of Columbia and the United States Postal Service. It was called the United States Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs before homeland security was added to its responsibilities in 2004. It serves as the Senate's chief investigative and oversight committee. Its chair is the only Senate committee chair who can issue subpoenas without a committee vote.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Candice Miller</span> American politician (born 1954)

    Candice Sue Miller is an American politician serving as the Public Works Commissioner of Macomb County, Michigan since 2017. A member of the Republican Party, Miller previously served as the U.S. representative for Michigan's 10th congressional district from 2003 to 2017, the Michigan Secretary of State from 1995 to 2003, and the Macomb County Treasurer from 1993 to 1995. She also served as the Harrison Township Supervisor. She was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 2015.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House Committee on Agriculture</span> Standing committee of the United States House of Representatives

    The United States House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, or Agriculture Committee is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. The House Committee on Agriculture has general jurisdiction over federal agriculture policy and oversight of some federal agencies, and it can recommend funding appropriations for various governmental agencies, programs, and activities, as defined by House rules.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House Committee on Armed Services</span> Standing committee of the U.S. House of Representatives

    The U.S. House Committee on Armed Services, commonly known as the House Armed Services Committee or HASC, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. It is responsible for funding and oversight of the Department of Defense (DoD) and the United States Armed Forces, as well as substantial portions of the Department of Energy. Its regular legislative product is the National Defense Authorization Act, which has been passed by Congress and signed into law each year since 1962.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael McCaul</span> American politician & lawyer (born 1962)

    Michael Thomas McCaul Sr. is an American attorney, politician and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Texas's 10th congressional district. A member of the Republican Party, he chaired the House Committee on Homeland Security during the 113th, 114th, and 115th Congresses. His district stretches from Austin to Houston.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce</span> Standing committee of the United States House of Representatives

    The Committee on Energy and Commerce is one of the oldest standing committees of the United States House of Representatives. Established in 1795, it has operated continuously—with various name changes and jurisdictional changes—for more than 200 years. The two other House standing committees with such continuous operation are the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Rules Committee. The committee has served as the principal guide for the House in matters relating to the promotion of commerce and to the public's health and marketplace interests, with the relatively recent addition of energy considerations among them. Due to its broad jurisdiction, it is considered one of the most powerful committees in the House.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability</span> Standing committee of the United States House of Representatives

    The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the main investigative committee of the United States House of Representatives.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House Committee on House Administration</span> Standing committee of the United States House of Representatives

    The United States House Committee on House Administration deals with the general administration matters of the United States House of Representatives, the security of the United States Capitol, and federal elections.

    The Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), stood up in March 1941 as the "Truman Committee," is the oldest subcommittee of the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, the Committee broadened its title to Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. PSI led the Committee's broad mandate to "investigate inefficiency, mismanagement, and corruption in Government."

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House Committee on Education and the Workforce</span> Standing committee of the United States House of Representatives

    The Committee on Education and the Workforce is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. There are 50 members of this committee. Since 2023, the chair of the Education and the Workforce committee is Virginia Foxx of North Carolina.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">109th United States Congress</span> 2005–2007 meeting of U.S. legislature

    The 109th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, from January 3, 2005, to January 3, 2007, during the fifth and sixth years of George W. Bush's presidency. House members were elected in the 2004 elections on November 2, 2004. Senators were elected in three classes in the 2000 elections on November 7, 2000, 2002 elections on November 5, 2002, or 2004 elections on November 2, 2004. The apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the 2000 United States census.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">United States House Committee on Small Business</span> Standing committee of the United States House of Representatives

    The United States House Committee on Small Business is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. It was established in 1941 as the House Select Committee on Small Business.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Pat Meehan</span> American politician (born 1955)

    Patrick Leo Meehan is a former American Republican Party politician and federal prosecutor from Pennsylvania who represented parts of Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and Lancaster counties in the United States House of Representatives from 2011 until his resignation in 2018. He succeeded Democrat Joe Sestak, who ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate.

    United States Intelligence Community Oversight duties are shared by both the executive and legislative branches of the government. Oversight, in this case, is the supervision of intelligence agencies, and making them accountable for their actions. Generally oversight bodies look at the following general issues: following policymaker needs, the quality of analysis, operations, and legality of actions.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Caryn Wagner</span>

    Caryn Wagner was the Department of Homeland Security’s Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Intelligence and Analysis from February 11, 2010, to December 21, 2012. As such, she was DHS's Chief Intelligence Officer (CINT), in charge of the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis with responsibilities over the DHS component intelligence services. She was the first woman to serve in this position, after extensive experience in the U.S. Intelligence Community and on Capitol Hill.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Duncan (politician)</span> American politician (born 1966)

    Jeffrey Darren Duncan is a United States representative for South Carolina's 3rd congressional district since 2011. His district comprises nine counties, two of these counties being manufacturing centers for the state. On January 17, 2024, Duncan announced that he would not run for re-election. Duncan previously served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2002 to 2010 when he retired to run for the U.S. House of Representatives.

    National Urban Security Technology Laboratory is a United States government-owned, government-operated laboratory, part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate. It is located in the Federal Office Building at 201 Varick Street in the Hudson Square neighborhood, Manhattan, New York.

    References

    1. ↑ Carey, Liz (2017-11-08). "House Homeland Security Committee pushes for CT scanning at all airports after briefing on terror threats". HomelandPrepNews.com. Retrieved 2017-12-27.
    2. 1 2 3 Carey, Liz (2017-12-08). "Congress probes new office within DHS to counter diverse threat of weapons of mass destruction". HomelandPrepNews.com. Retrieved 2017-12-27.
    3. ↑ Mali, Meghashyam (2017-06-05). "Week ahead: Comey to testify publicly on Trump, Russia | DHS chief talks cyber budget". The Hill . Retrieved 2017-06-26.
    4. 1 2 "House Homeland Security Committee opposes Trump's budget cuts to local first responders at hearing". Homeland Preparedness News. 2017-06-07. Retrieved 2017-06-26.
    5. ↑ "National security executives offer dire forecasts during Homeland Security Committee hearing". Homeland Preparedness News. 2017-11-30. Retrieved 2017-12-04.
    6. ↑ Fulop, Lesley (2023-01-27). "Chairman Green Announces Homeland Security Subcommittee Leaders & Membership for the 118th Congress". Committee on Homeland Security | Republicans. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
    7. ↑ Full Committee Organizational Meeting 118th Congress , retrieved 2023-02-20
    8. ↑ Chairman Thompson announces Homeland Security Democratic members and subcommittee chairs
    9. ↑ Ranking Member Katko Announces Homeland Security Republican Subcommittee Leaders
    This page is based on this Wikipedia article
    Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
    Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.