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About

Committee On Homeland Security

Congress formally established the Homeland Security Committee as a standing committee in 2005 to ensure that the American people were protected from terrorist attacks. The committee focuses on legislation and oversight related to the security of the United States.
The Committee Rules can be found here.

History

The Committee on Homeland Security was created by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002 in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. The Committee was first formed as a Select, non-permanent Committee to provide Congressional oversight over the development of the Department of Homeland Security. The Committee was made permanent when it was designated as a Standing Committee of the House on January 4, 2005, the first day of the 109th Congress.

Chairman
Mark E. Green, MD (R‑TN)

Chairman Mark Green’s commitment to defending the homeland began long before his swearing-in to Congress, as he served our nation as a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran. Under Chairman Green’s leadership, the committee will proactively and aggressively combat authoritarian nation states that seek to strategically undermine our way of life, rightfully recognize cybersecurity as the pre-eminent national security threat of our time, and protect the sovereignty and integrity of our territorial borders.

The Committee on Homeland Security will stand strong against all forms of terrorism – both abroad and here at home. Breakdowns in the sharing of intelligence will not be tolerated. This work will require a thoughtful, not knee-jerk, debate to addressing domestic misinformation to prevent radicalization while still respecting civil liberties.

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Committee Jurisdiction

Pursuant to clause 1(j) of House Rule X, the Committee has the following legislative jurisdiction:

(1) Overall homeland security policy.

(2) Organization, administration, and management of the Department of Homeland Security.

(3) Functions of the Department of Homeland Security relating to the following:

  1. Border and Port Security (except immigration policy and non-border enforcement)
  2. Customs (except customs revenue)
  3. Integration, analysis, and dissemination of homeland security information
  4. Domestic preparedness for and collective response to terrorism
  5. Research and development
  6. Transportation Security
  7. Cybersecurity

Pursuant to clause 3(g) of House Rule X, the Committee has the following special oversight functions:

(1) The Committee on Homeland Security shall review all Government activities relating to homeland security, including interaction of all departments and agencies with the Department of Homeland Security.

(2) In addition, the Committee shall review and study on a primary and continuing basis all Government activities, programs, and organizations related to homeland security that fall within its primary legislative jurisdiction.