Lost amid the scuffle of fiscal cliff negotiations and holiday preparations was the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) December 20 statement confirming that only 13 states were deemed REAL ID compliant and that the remaining states would receive another extension. Unfortunately, that means DHS isn’t sure whether 37 states are …
Despite serving as the U.S.’s only defense against biological weapons, the BioWatch program is on the cutting board because of high cost and a large number of “false positives.” These concerns, though real, should also be weighed against the very real threats in the world and the benefits brought by …
In his oversight report, “Safety at Any Price: Assessing the Impact of Homeland Security Spending in U.S. Cities,” Senator Tom Coburn (R–OK) highlights several examples of cities using homeland security grants for ill-advised expenses. Senator Coburn’s report is an important one and a must read for the media and policymakers. …
In testimony delivered on September 12, Brandon Wales, director of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Infrastructure Threat and Risk Analysis Center, admitted that DHS remains unprepared for the possibility of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) event or attack. Wales testified that the nation’s power grid is more vulnerable now than …
Tomorrow, the House Appropriations subcommittee for Homeland Security will delve into the problems surrounding the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program. The program has been beset by difficulties: a lack of transparency, confusing standards, and the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) failure to finalize security plans. Though widely considered a …
In an Issue Brief published yesterday, Heritage raised some questions about the wording of funding language in the continuing resolution (CR) pending before the House of Representatives that might permit President Obama to fund the implementation of his proposed cybersecurity executive order, instead of more clearly necessary and appropriate activities, …
Reports are circling again this week that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to overstate its deportation numbers. After boasting the highest number of removals of illegal immigrants in agency history late last year, DHS was criticized by Representative Lamar Smith (R–TX) for artificially inflating its deportation numbers by …
The Coast Guard needs to call more attention to its undersized fleet, according to Congressional Research Service expert Ron O’Rourke. While the sea service has publicized its requirement list, “the other part [of the discussion] is the extent to which that program of record will permit the Coast Guard to …
The Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program, for less than $15 a flight, certifies firearms-trained volunteer pilots as a last line of defense against would-be hijackers and terrorists. On March 23, Heritage’s James Carafano hosted an event with a panel of pilots and Representative Chip Cravaack (R–MN) to discuss this …
