Committee on Homeland Security

Congressman Meek's expertise and experience in law enforcement, public safety and state government were recognized when he was chosen as the first freshman Member of 108th Congress on the then newly-created House Select Committee on Homeland Security.

This important Committee, made permanent in the 109th Congress, is charged with fighting terrorism and securing our homeland in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The committee has jurisdiction over the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the federal agencies responsible for port and aviation security, immigration, and emergency preparedness and response issues.

These issues are of particular importance to Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Miami International and Ft. Lauderdale International Airport are two of the busiest passenger and cargo airports in the nation. The Port of Miami and Port Everglades are by far the busiest cruise ports in the world and among the busiest in the nation for container cargo. The U.S. Coast Guard base on Miami Beach is the largest in the country, and the DHS’ Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is crucially important to the hundreds of Miami-Dade and Broward businesses. In addition, immigration issues are of tremendous concern in South Florida, where a large proportion of the population is foreign-born.

In February 2005, Congressman Meek was selected as Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and Oversight, making him one of the youngest Ranking Members of any committee in the 109th Congress.

Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and Oversight

Oversight of Department of Homeland Security progress in implementing the management and organizational directives of the Homeland Security Act and other homeland security-related mandates; Department of Homeland Security offices responsible for the provision of department-wide services, including the Under Secretary for Management, the Chief Information Officer, and the Chief Financial Officer; cross-directorate, Department-wide standardization and programmatic initiatives; investigations and reports by the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security; standardization and security of Department of Homeland Security communications systems and information technology infrastructure; harmonization and effectiveness of Department of Homeland Security budgeting, acquisition, procurement, personnel, and financial management systems; incentives and barriers to hiring that affect Department components; Department of Homeland Security-initiated internal reorganizations; conducting relevant oversight; and other matters referred to the Subcommittee by the Chairman.

Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment

Intelligence and information sharing for the purpose of preventing, preparing for, and responding to potential terrorist attacks on the United States; the responsibility of the Department of Homeland Security for comprehensive, nationwide, terrorism-related threat, vulnerability, and risk analyses; the integration, analysis, and dissemination of homeland security information, including the Department of Homeland Security’s participation in, and interaction with, other public and private sector entities for any of those purposes; communications of terrorism-related information by the federal government to State, local, and private sector entities; issuance of terrorism threat advisories and warnings (including administration of the Homeland Security Advisory System); liaison of the Department of Homeland Security with U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies; information gathering, analysis, and sharing by Department of Homeland Security entities; the role of intelligence in terrorism threat prioritization; conducting relevant oversight; and other matters referred to the Subcommittee by the Chairman.

Web site of Congressman Kendrick Meek
Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy