Homeland Security: Side-by-Side Comparison of H.R. 5005 and S. 2452, 107th Congress

Publication Date: August 2002

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Government

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Abstract:

Leaders within the United States are involved in developing a strategy for the prevention of further terrorist attacks and for effective response and recovery should the eventuality arise. One aspect of the strategy is to consider how the federal government should be most effectively organized in order to carry out its role.

H.R. 5005 and S. 2452 have emerged as the lead legislative proposals for the related reorganization of the federal government. H.R. 5005 would create a Department of Homeland Security. In addition to establishing a department, S. 2452 would also create the National Office for Combating Terrorism, a unit within the Executive Office of the President, and the National Strategy for Combating Terrorism and the Homeland Security Response.

Both proposals would transfer the functions, responsibilities, personnel, and other assets of existing agencies into the departmental structure. Congress is considering the scope and efficacy of the proposals.

This report provides a comparison of the two bills. The comparison briefly sets out the provisions in each title. It uses H.R. 5005, as passed by the House July 26, as an organization base for the side-by-side comparison. Committee action on S. 2452 was completed July 25. That text is used for comparison with the other measure1. Each bill has provisions not present in the other. The table of contents is a guide for the location of specific divisions, titles, and subtitles. H.R. 5005 has been presented to the Senate. The Senate will, after the August recess, take under consideration the Lieberman amendment, as amended, to which the committee agreed.

Appendix A, a second comparison, is on the positions proposed to be created.

Finally, in Appendix B, the report identifies the Homeland Security Team, CRS analysts who have been researching and analyzing homeland security issues. These staff are available to assist congressional staff in addressing questions and issues. That information follows the report text. General questions about the report may be addressed to Sharon Gressle (7-8677), and questions about the overall proposal may be addressed to Harold Relyea (7-8679), both of the Government and Finance Division.

The report will be revised as legislative action dictates.