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1 [1] (June 22, 2023)

handle is hein.crs/govembi0001 and id is 1 raw text is: 2023 Quadrennial Homeland Security Review: Evolution of a Strategic Review Overview In April 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued its third Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR). DHS states that the QHSR is a comprehensive examination of the homeland security strategy of the Nation, including recommendations regarding the long-term strategy and priorities of the Nation for homeland security. The QHSR report delivered to Congress provides an explanation of this process. Neither the review process nor the report to Congress is itself the strategy. Instead, the 2023 QHSR (both the process and the report) are part of the executive branch's continuous reevaluation of the nation's homeland security posture. Broadly, the 2023 QHSR confirms national homeland security goals established in previous reports, but also adds a new goal related to combatting crimes of exploitation, such as human trafficking. This In Focus provides additional context for interpreting the 2023 QHSR, as well as relevant policy considerations. History of the QHSR Congress originally tasked the National Homeland Security Council to assess homeland security objectives, commitments, and risks in Section 904 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA; P.L. 107-296). Additionally, the council was to oversee and review homeland security policies. With the enactment of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (9/11 Act; P.L. 110- 53), Congress required DHS to conduct a quadrennial homeland security review. Congress required both the QHSR review and report to include * prioritized missions; * a description of the interagency cooperation, preparedness of federal response assets, infrastructure, budget plan, and other homeland security elements; and * an assessment of DHS's organizational structure with the national homeland security strategy. Congress specifically required the DHS Secretary to consult with other federal entities, and required the review process to include * a delineated and updated national homeland security strategy; and * a review and assessment of the effectiveness of DHS mechanisms for meeting the QHSR's requirements, and Updated June 22, 2023 turning those requirements into an acquisition strategy and expenditure plan within the department. Additionally, Congress required the QHSR report to * summarize the results of the homeland security review process; * describe national homeland security threats; * discuss the status of cooperation among all levels of governments in preventing terrorist attacks and responding to emergencies; and * explain any underlying assumptions used in conducting the review. Meeting QHSR Process and Report Requiremnents Congress specifically tasked DHS with the QHSR process and established reporting requirements through Section 707 of the HSA (as amended). It appears that DHS met a significant number of the review and report requirements with the 2023 QHSR. DHS, however, only partially met the requirement to prioritize missions because the department only identified cross-cutting priorities rather than truly prioritizing missions. DHS also did not provide an assessment of DHS mechanisms for meeting the QHSR's requirements, or for turning those requirements into an acquisition strategy and expenditure plan, as required by the HSA. DHS delivered QHSR reports as expected in 2010 and 2014. In 2010, the Obama Administration combined the national and homeland security strategies with its 2010 issuance of the National Security Strategy. DHS did not issue a statutorily required QHSR in 2018. 2eland Security Missions and In the 2023 QHSR, DHS states that the five homeland security missions identified in the 2010 and 2014 editions are still pertinent: * securing against the evolving terrorism threat; * safeguarding and securing cyberspace; * countering biological threats and hazards; * securing and managing flows of people and goods; and * strengthening the execution of DHS's mission through public-private partnerships. The 2023 QHSR added a sixth national homeland security mission: to combat crimes of exploitation and protect victims. DHS states that this mission reflects a need to

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