[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 151 (Thursday, November 29, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1841]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     DHS ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2012

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 27, 2012

  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 5913, the ``DHS Accountability Act of 2012,'' which establishes an 
independent advisory panel in the legislative branch to: (1) 
comprehensively assess the management structure and capabilities 
related to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and (2) make 
recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of DHS 
management.
  Moreover, the advisory panel is tasked with directing the panel to 
examine: (1) the efficiency and effectiveness of the management 
structure and capabilities (2) the extent to which unnecessary 
duplication exists in such management structure and capabilities and 
how any such duplication negatively affects the mission of protecting 
the United States; (3) the extent to which management of key homeland 
security missions is centralized under DHS; (4) options to reduce or 
eliminate harmful waste and duplication of effort in DHS; and (5) 
measures to evaluate DHS's progress in reducing and eliminating waste 
and duplication from its management structure and capabilities.
  As the Ranking Member of Homeland Security Subcommittee on 
Transportation, I am familiar with the challenges facing the Department 
of Homeland Security (DHS) as the various agencies within the 
Department work to ensure the safety of all Americans. Like most other 
agencies, DHS and the agencies within it are facing budget cuts amidst 
the rising cost of ever present threats.
  I want to recognize the outstanding work and progress that this body, 
in cooperation with the United States Senate and the executive branch, 
has made in learning from the events of 9/11. Together, we have taken 
steps toward the implementation of policies that have made our nation 
more secure from terrorism, including the creation of the Department of 
Homeland Security in 2002.
  With over 200,000 employees and encompassing numerous agencies and 
various other components, DHS is the 3rd largest cabinet level 
department.
  There were certain flaws in our security apparatus that failed us on 
9/11 which include the lack of information-sharing between agencies 
charged with determining who should and should not be permitted to 
enter our borders, as well as friction and difficulties that resulted 
from some of the overlapping responsibilities of those agencies.
  DHS was created to resolve some of those difficulties, and although 
it has made great strides, more work remains to be done.
  The advisory panel created by the H.R. 5913 will be instrumental in 
assisting Congress and the Department of Homeland Security in achieving 
missions vital to America while trimming waste and improving its 
efficiency and efficacy.
  It is essential that this Congress work in tandem with the Department 
of Homeland Security to ensure that the nation is protected from 
threats to our homeland. Because it will help to facilitate this 
important process, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5913, the ``DHS 
Accountability Act of 2012.''

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