About / History

The Committee on Homeland Security was established in 2002 to provide Congressional oversight for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and better protect the American people against a possible terrorist attack. In 2005, The House of Representatives granted the Committee on Homeland Security permanent status; that same year, U.S. Rep. Peter T. King (NY), was named Chairman of the Committee. Under Chairman King’s leadership, Committee Republicans passed several landmark pieces of bipartisan homeland security legislation, including the SAFE Port Act, Chemical Plant Security legislation, and FEMA reform. On December 7, 2006, King was named Ranking Member for the 110th Congress.

The Committee was chartered to hold hearings and craft legislation for issues specific to homeland security. The Committee on Homeland Security has six Subcommittees; each specializing in a subset of the Full Committee’s jurisdiction:

Ranking Member King and Committee on Homeland Security Republicans remain committed, day in and day out, to ensuring that the American people stay safe and secure—evaluating security issues, conducting oversight, and enacting legislative measures to help protect our nation.