Homeland Security Legislation

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Reauthorizing DHS: Aligning Requirements, Research, Development and Acquisition

As part of the discussion about reauthorizing the Department of Homeland Security, Congress might want to consider how to improve acquisitions. Rather than focusing only on the steps in the acquisition process, that discussion could also include consideration of pre and post-acquisition activities.

Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein

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Reauthorizing DHS: Improving Operational Control

One area of focus in the debate on reauthorizing the Department of Homeland Security should be its role in directing homeland security operations. The debate should include a comprehensive discussion of the future role for the department headquarters.

Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein

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Reauthorizing DHS: The Case for Reauthorization

Reauthorization of the Department of Homeland Security is vital to clarifying responsibilities and setting expectations for the continued evolution of the department. Policymakers might also wish to conduct an external review, which could help inform a broader future reform bill.

Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein

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Kelly as DHS Chief Should Focus on Improving Employee Morale

Building the morale of the Department of Homeland Security workforce should be a priority of the incoming leadership team. Strong communication with career employees, team building, and demonstrating respect for work that has already been done is needed.

Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein

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In Greater Alignment: Public and Policymakers on Cyber

For the first time, Gallup included cyberterrorism in its annual survey of Americans' concerns about threats to U.S. interests, and 73 percent of respondents said they felt it was a critical threat. The survey results come amid a flurry of activity on the issue on Capitol Hill and at the White House.

Michael A. Brown

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Oregon Standoff Shouldn't Have an Anti-Terrorism Twist

Dwight and Steven Hammond were charged under a law enacted to fight terrorism, not rein in wayward ranchers. Anti-terrorist laws should not be used to strengthen prosecutors' hands in nonterrorist prosecutions—it makes national security needs look like an instrument of oppression.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

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Go Back to Basics to Reform Homeland Security

The Goldwater-Nichols Act in 1986 made the broadest and most sweeping changes to the Pentagon since its establishment in 1947. With the Department of Homeland Security in a similar state just over a decade after its hurried creation, it's time for DHS to have a Goldwater-Nichols of its own.

Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein

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A Summer Reading List for Congress

No matter how policymakers spend their break—meeting with home-state constituents, traveling abroad with congressional delegations, or spending time with family—this summer reading list contains policy ideas that can help them hit the ground running when they return.

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RAND Research Influences Debate on Terrorism Insurance

To inform the debate on whether the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) should be continued or allowed to expire, RAND prepared policy briefs on three topics of central concern to policymakers: national security perspectives, the impact on federal spending, and the impact on workers' compensation markets.

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3 Terrorism Risk Insurance Act Facts for Congress to Consider

With the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act set to expire this year, Congress is currently revisiting a crucial question: What is the appropriate government role in terrorism insurance markets? As the debate unfolds on Capitol Hill, policymakers should consider three key research findings.

Lloyd Dixon, Michael Dworsky, et al.

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The Breach of Security at San Jose's Airport Raises Broader Issues

Those charged with security must think in terms of 360-degree security—not only screening passengers coming through the terminal, but also preventing unauthorized access to the aircraft from the air operations side of airport.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

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Improving DHS Accountability for Acquisitions

While management at the Department of Homeland Security progressed in many areas during the past decade, there is still plenty of room for growth and improvement, especially in the area of acquisition management.

Henry H. Willis @HenryHWillis, Jeffrey A. Drezner, et al.

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What Might Terrorists Do Next?

No one can predict with any certainty what terrorists might do next. If there is one lesson America learned about counterterrorism on 9/11, it's that the coming attack may look nothing like those that preceded it.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

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Experts Are Working to Develop Evidence-Based Ways to Measure Anti-Terrorism Efforts

The effects of security measures ought not to be measured solely in terms of prevention. Different types of countermeasures produce different effects, such as deterrence, making it easier for security to intervene during an attempted attack, and providing visible security that reassures the public.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

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The Real Homeland Security Issues for 2014

Americans should be able to discuss the terrorist threat and how best to meet it, how much of the country’s precious resources should be devoted to homeland security, and the impact intelligence efforts can have on personal privacy and freedom.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

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Challenges and Opportunities Ahead for New Homeland Security Secretary

To ensure the Department of Homeland Security makes progress in the current constrained budget environment, its new secretary must put in place a strategic perspective to guide priorities for how to address the country's most pressing problems in disaster management, immigration reform, cybersecurity, violent extremism, and nuclear terrorism.

Henry H. Willis @HenryHWillis

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Reacting to Boston

Basing public safety decisions on risk analysis allows authorities to devote public resources to those counterterrorism measures that have the potential to do the most good, writes Henry Willis.

Henry H. Willis @HenryHWillis

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A Final Word on the NDAA

While I have no doubt of Levin's determination to protect the constitutional rights of American citizens, incremental adjustments and seemingly small compromises, each sensible under the circumstances, can have a cumulative effect that erodes the very liberty we are trying to protect, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

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The NDAA Makes It Harder to Fight Terrorism

Much of the debate over this bill has focused on the political issue of executive authority versus rule of law. In doing so it has overlooked the indirect and insidious effects the new law may have on the United States' largely successful counterterrorist campaign, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins