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H.R.4357 / 117th Congress

DHS Reform Act of 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, and Accountability.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 6, 2021

Department of Homeland Security Reform Act of 2021 or the DHS Reform Act of 2021

This bill makes extensive changes to the structure of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and to the responsibilities of DHS components.

Specifically, the bill, among other things

Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.

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creates a new Associate Secretary responsible for overseeing DHS's law enforcement functions; modifies the responsibilities of the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, including to require engagement with individuals and communities whose civil rights and liberties may be affected by DHS programs and activities; establishes within DHS's Office of Intelligence and Analysis an analytic unit to serve as a focal point for intelligence and analysis of domestic terrorism threats; directs DHS to establish an employee engagement steering committee to identify factors that have a negative impact on employee engagement, morale, and communications within DHS; establishes within DHS a school security coordinating council; directs DHS to develop and disseminate a strategy with respect to biometric technology and identity management enterprise pilot programs and programs; requires DHS to develop, disseminate, and implement a DHS-wide directive to update or replace the strategic framework relating to countering terrorism and targeted violence; requires that DHS's use-of-force policy be updated to emphasize de-escalation; and requires DHS to issue a DHS-wide strategy to enhance partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutes that includes yearly goals.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2] · D–MS

Committees

  • Homeland Security Committee
  • Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  • Judiciary Committee
15 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, and Accountability.

  2. Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  3. Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  4. Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  5. Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

  6. Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

  7. Introduced in House

  8. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Jan 3, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.4357 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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