Pete Hoekstra

Homeland Security

Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, President Bush and Congress have worked hard to improve the government's performance of its most important role: to protect and defend the American people.

On November 25, 2002, President Bush signed into law H.R. 5005, the Homeland Security Act of 2002. This legislation created the Department of Homeland Security, which combines 22 government agencies from a wide range of departments into one, with its sole mission to protect the homeland.

Some of the major agencies that were transferred to the DHS include the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Customs Service, Coast Guard, Transportation Security Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Infrastructure Protection Center and the Secret Service.

By combining these agencies into one department, the current patchwork of homeland security responsibilities are coordinated in one central location. This results in less redundancy, improved information sharing and a stronger, more efficient and effective security infrastructure for our nation.

As the Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on Intelligence, I will continue to work with the Department of Homeland Security to provide them with the tools to stop terrorism and secure the American people.