Federal Emergency Management and Homeland Security Organization: Historical Developments and Legislative Options (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised Aug. 1, 2006 |
| Report Number |
RL33369 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Henry B. Hogue and Keith Bea, Government and Finance Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
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Summary:
Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast states of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi on August 29, 2005, resulting in severe and widespread damage to the region. The response of the federal government, especially the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in the aftermath of the storm has been a matter of considerable controversy among elected officials and in the media. Some of the criticism has focused on FEMAâs organizational arrangements at the time of the disaster. Prior to these events, in July 2005, Secretary Michael Chertoff had announced a reorganization of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including FEMA. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Administration proceeded with the reorganization initiative after Congress signaled its approval.1 As a result of concerns about the effectiveness of the federal response after Hurricane Katrina, Congress is continuing to rethink the organizational arrangements for carrying out federal emergency management functions. The release of reports by the House, Senate, and White House on the response to Hurricane Katrina may lead to further examination of these issues. Legislation has been introduced in Congress bearing upon these arrangements. As of July 17, 2006, 15 such bills had been introduced. Prior to its incorporation into DHS in 2003, FEMA was an independent agency, and eight of the 15 bills would reestablish FEMA as such. The seven remaining bills would reorganize emergency management functions within DHS, bringing preparedness and response functions under one directorate, as they were prior to the 2SR reorganization. This report provides background information about the establishment and evolution of federal emergency management and related homeland security organization since 1950.
