Department of Homeland Security Policy Issuance Review Act

Floor Speech

The Department of Homeland Security Policy Issuance Review Act will codify the Department of Homeland Security's policy issuance and review process to ensure DHS provides up-to-date policy guidance for its more than 260,000 employees.

Policies provide important clarity on what is expected of DHS employees as they carry out the critical work of the Department. These policies outline how to uphold civil liberties and civil rights while conducting criminal investigations, how to ensure grant funds are used in accordance with congressional intent, and how to incorporate new technology into the agency operations.

Some DHS policies have not been reviewed or updated for many years in accordance with the Department's requirements. H.R. 6231 will address this by providing Congress greater insight into the issuance, review, and revision of the Departmentwide policies.

This bipartisan bill is a commonsense way for Congress to ensure that DHS policies are updated on time, and if they are not updated, that Congress will hear about it and take appropriate action.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6231, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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