The Homeland Security Act of 2002

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 and the Department of Homeland Security

Benjamin K. Hickman

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

ABSTRACT

This paper explores The Homeland Security Act of 2002 and its effect on the security landscape of the United States of America. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 created a new cabinet level department within the executive branch that would be called The Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Since its inception, the Department of Homeland Security has absorbed numerous agencies that had previously fallen under other departments for their importance in performing national security functions. Some of the agencies absorbed by DHS perform minor peripheral national security functions. Others, however, are very well-known agencies that stand on the front lines of American national security, like the United States Coast Guard (USCG), the Secret Service, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In this paper, we will examine some of these departments and discuss their roles in national security. Additionally, we will analyze the DHS in the context of successful and unsuccessful national security operations since the Homeland Security Act of 2002 was passed.

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 and the Department of Homeland Security

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the US Congress determined the need for a new department within the U.S. government. This department would be responsible for overseeing the protection of American soil, or the American homeland, with a specific emphasis on preventing future terrorist attacks. Senator Joe Lieberman, a democrat from Connecticut and Senator Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican, presented legislation one month after the terrorist attacks of September 11th with just that purpose in mind (Wallechensky, 2015). Despite initial resistance from the administration of President George W. Bush, the legislation was passed...