Department of Homeland Security
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Related Resources
AAMC Documents
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The President signed into law (P.L. 107-296) on Nov. 25,
2002, legislation creating the new Department of Homeland
Security (DHS). He simultaneously released a reorganization
proposal
setting deadlines and outlining the functions that fall under
the four directorates in the department: Information Analysis
and Infrastructure Protection; Science and Technology; Border
and Transportation Security; and Emergency Preparedness and
Response. According to the document, additional details will
be available in the coming weeks and "the President will
work closely with Congress to modify this plan consistent
with the Act."
In the final bill, the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) retains responsibility for civilian human health-related
research relating to bioterrorism and priority setting and
coordination of the public health and hospital preparedness
programs. The HHS Office of Emergency Preparedness, the pharmaceutical
stockpile and the National Medical Disaster System are to
be transferred to DHS. The oversight of select agents is transferred
from HHS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to DHS. Only
the border security responsibilities of the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will be moved to the new
department.
It is proposed in the president's reorganization plan that
the Office of the Secretary and all directorates should be
established by Jan. 24, 2003. The plan also directs that the
Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (SARPA)
and its Acceleration Fund for Research and Development should
be created by January, as well as the Office of National Laboratories
within the Science and Technology Directorate. By March 1,
the transfer of functions now under the Department of Health
and Human Services, such as the Office of Emergency Preparedness,
should be completed. As of June 1, the Homeland Security Science
and Technology Advisory Committee should be established.
The president also announced his intention to nominate current
Director of the Office of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge, to
be Secretary of the new department. He also will nominate
Secretary of the Navy, Gordon England, to be Deputy Secretary,
and Drug Enforcement Administration head Asa Hutchinson to
serve as Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security.
Contact
Erica Froyd, Director, Public Health and Research Legislative Affairs
AAMC Office of Governmental Relations
efroyd@aamc.org
(202) 828-0525
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