To amend the National Security Act of 1947 to include school security as an element of the National Security Strategy, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 6964 aims to amend the National Security Act of 1947 by including school security as an element of the National Security Strategy. It mandates a comprehensive assessment of threats to schools by the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Homeland Security. The bill also requires a report to be submitted to Congress on the findings of this assessment.
Expected Effects
The bill would likely lead to increased focus and resources directed towards school security at the federal level. This could result in new strategies and capabilities designed to protect schools. The assessment would inform policy and funding decisions related to school safety.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced school safety through a national security framework.
- Improved coordination between the Department of Education and Department of Homeland Security.
- Data-driven policy decisions based on a comprehensive threat assessment.
- Increased awareness and preparedness for potential threats to schools.
- Potential for increased federal funding for school security measures.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased federal oversight of local school security policies.
- Risk of over-securitization of schools, creating a potentially hostile learning environment.
- Possible unfunded mandates for states and local school districts.
- Concerns about data privacy related to threat assessments.
- Potential for misallocation of resources if the threat assessment is not accurate.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's broad mandate to "insure domestic Tranquility" and "provide for the common defence," as stated in the Preamble. Congress has the power to legislate for the general welfare, and this bill falls under that purview. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, and school administration is traditionally a state function, so care must be taken to avoid federal overreach.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).