The future of DHS (according to the Senate Homeland Security Committee’s leaders)

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee’s chairman and ranking member, Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME), respectively, have laid out their vision for a “more effective and efficient” Department of Homeland Security, in proposed legislation intended as a “guide” for the next administration.

Highlights of the recent bill they jointly introduced include:

• The creation of an under secretary for policy, “to ensure policy coordination” across DHS;

• The creation of a test, evaluation and standards division inside the Science & Technology Directorate, “to ensure thorough testing” of new technology before acquisition;

• The requirement of a “formal investment review process” that includes “formal testing and evaluation” before making investments with a “significant” technological challenge: More highlights * The creation of a director for operational testing, “to enhance oversight of high-risk” acquisition programs;

• The establishment of a national cyber security center and the authorization of an office of bombing prevention with a budget of $25 million;

• The authorization of the metropolitan medical response system, “to help state and localities prepare for mass-casualty events, and the reauthorization of the pre-disaster hazard mitigation program, which provides state grants “to take advanced measures” to minimize disaster damages.

The bill also calls for an increase in the number of Customs and Border Protection officers, and the creation of “mobile teams” to help border residents obtain passport cards at reduced rates.

The bill also includes provisions to “strengthen” a number of areas, including the authority of the DHS chief information officer to control IT investments; the authority of the DHS office of international affairs to improve coordination among international activities; and the contract oversight of DHS program managers for all major acquisitions.