House Select Committee Approves
Homeland Security Bill
July 26, 2002 - The House Select Committee on Homeland
Security, chaired by Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Tex.),
marked up and passed a bill (H.R.
5005) creating a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
July 19. The bill passed the committee by a 5-4 party line
vote and is being considered on the House floor on July 25,
with a vote scheduled for July 26. The Senate Committee on
Governmental Affairs was scheduled to mark up its version
of the proposal (S.
2452) on July 25 and 26.
The committee-approved bill largely mirrors the president's
proposal for the new department, but includes some revisions
suggested by House committees. It includes a provision suggested
by the Energy and Commerce Committee that the Secretary of
Health and Human Services will set priorities and goals, and
develop a coordinated strategy for civilian human health-related
research activities relating to bioterrorism, in collaboration
with the Secretary of Homeland Security. Another recommendation
included in the bill is that HHS will retain control of state,
local and hospital bioterrorism preparedness activities, and
create a strategy in collaboration with the DHS Secretary.
The bill also moves the oversight of select agents and toxins
from both HHS and the Department of Agriculture to the new
department. Additionally, only the border security responsibilities
of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
will be moved to the new department.
Information:
Erica Froyd, Director, Public Health and Research Legislative Affairs
AAMC Office of Governmental Relations
efroyd@aamc.org
(202) 828-0525
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