A Homeland Security Outlook for 2017: Jurisdictional Gridlock

November 30, 2016 10:00 AM | Bipartisan Policy Center, 1225 Eye St. NW, Suite 1000

From preventing terrorist attacks to thwarting cyber election tampering, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has an expansive and difficult mission. As the 9/11 Commission warned, that mission is made even more complicated by fractured oversight of DHS among many different congressional committees. Nearly 100 congressional committees and subcommittees currently have jurisdiction over DHS. This fragmented system of oversight detracts from the department’s mission and makes it difficult for Congress to conduct cohesive supervision and provide the agency with useful strategic guidance. Streamlining oversight of DHS is the most important unfulfilled recommendation of the 9/11 Commission.

Despite gridlock on this issue for many years, there have been positive indications that leaders on Capitol Hill may be willing to tackle reform of DHS oversight in a new Congress. Chairman Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) announced this fall that he intends to work with his colleagues in Congress to reduce the number of committees with jurisdiction over the department.

Given that the terrorist threat shows no sign of abating, ensuring proper oversight over the agency tasked with keeping our homeland safe is more critical than ever. Join us at the Bipartisan Policy Center as McCaul discusses his plan for streamlining congressional oversight of DHS, as well as his thoughts on other security challenges facing the United States.

Featuring: 

Chairman Michael McCaul 
House Homeland Security Committee

Secretary Jeh Johnson
Department of Homeland Security

Jane Harman
Director, President, and CEO, Wilson Center

The event will be streamed live here.

Join the conversation on Twitter @HouseHomeland  and @BPC_Bipartisan #BPClive