The first-ever Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reauthorization bill cleared the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday with bipartisan support.
The Department of Homeland Security Reauthorization Act, H.R. 2825, would establish a framework for regular DHS reauthorizations and restructure the National Protection and Programs Directorate into the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
“Establishing an agency within DHS to focus on cyber and infrastructure security will help DHS achieve its missions,” U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), the committee’s chairman, said. “This bill also codifies and authorizes key roles and responsibilities for the department’s headquarters offices, strengthens the department’s approach to managing its acquisition programs, and addresses recommendations from watchdogs like the Government Accountability Office and the Inspector General to improve the department’s management and performance. It is my hope that my Senate colleagues will quickly take up and pass this important legislation.”
The House of Representatives approved H.R. 2825 on June 20. Established in 2002 in response to the 9/11 attacks, U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), the committee’s ranking member, said DHS has played a “critical role” in national security, including counterterrorism efforts and disaster preparedness.
“When it comes to keeping Missourians and all Americans safe, there’s no room for politics — and I was glad that the committee worked together (on Wednesday) on a bipartisan and responsible basis to reauthorize the department for the first time,” McCaskill said.