Selected Homeland Security Issues in the 115th Congress (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
May 11, 2017 |
| Report Number |
R44847 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Painter, William L. |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
In 2001, in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, “homeland security” went from
being a concept discussed among a relatively small cadre of policymakers and strategic thinkers
to a broadly discussed issue among policymakers, including those in Congress. Debates over how
to implement coordinated homeland security policy led to the passage of the Homeland Security
Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296) and the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS). Evolution of America’s response to terrorist threats has continued under the leadership of
different Administrations, Congresses, and in a shifting environment of public opinion.
DHS is currently the third-largest department in the federal government, although it does not
incorporate all of the homeland security functions at the federal level, even if one constrains the
definition of homeland security to the narrow field of prevention and response to domestic acts of
terrorism. In policymaking terms, homeland security is a very broad and complex network of
interrelated issues. For example, in its executive summary, the Quadrennial Homeland Security
Review issued in 2014 delineates the missions of the homeland security enterprise as follows:
prevent terrorism and enhance security; secure and manage the borders; enforce and administer
immigration laws; safeguard and secure cyberspace; and strengthen national preparedness and
resilience.
This report outlines an array of homeland security issues that may come before the 115th
Congress. After a brief discussion of the definitions of homeland security, the homeland security
budget, and the role of homeland security actors in the intelligence community, the report divides
the specific issues into five broad categories:
Counterterrorism and Security Management;
Border Security and Trade;
Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery;
Cybersecurity; and
DHS Management Issues.
Each of those areas contains a survey of topics briefly analyzed by Congressional Research
Service experts. The information included only scratches the surface of most of these selected
issues. More detailed information on these topics and others can be obtained by consulting the
CRS reports referenced herein, or by contacting the relevant CRS expert.
