Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

H.R.es114 - Directing the Secretary of Homeland Security to transmit to the House of Representatives certain documents relating to Department of Homeland Security policies and activities related to domestic preparedness and collective response to terrorism and the Department’s cybersecurity activities. (119th Congress)

Summary

H.Res.114 directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide the House of Representatives with documents related to DHS policies and activities concerning domestic preparedness, terrorism response, and cybersecurity. The resolution seeks documentation pertaining to the pause of Department grants, loans, or other financial assistance after January 20, 2025. It also requests documents related to the implementation of several Executive Orders and an OMB memorandum within the Department.

Expected Effects

The immediate effect would be increased oversight of the Department of Homeland Security by the House of Representatives. This could lead to greater transparency regarding the Department's actions in the specified areas. The resolution may also reveal potential impacts of recent policy changes on national security and domestic preparedness.

Potential Benefits

  • Increased transparency and accountability of the Department of Homeland Security.
  • Potential for improved oversight of government spending and policy implementation.
  • Opportunity for Congress to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in national security and cybersecurity.
  • Informed decision-making by Congress regarding future legislation and appropriations related to homeland security.
  • Greater public awareness of the Department's activities and policies.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Potential for the release of sensitive information that could compromise national security.
  • Increased workload for the Department of Homeland Security in gathering and transmitting the requested documents.
  • Possibility of political disputes and gridlock if the information is used for partisan purposes.
  • Risk of misinterpretation or misuse of the documents by the public or media.
  • Potential chilling effect on internal deliberations within the Department of Homeland Security.

Constitutional Alignment

This resolution aligns with the principle of congressional oversight, which is implied in Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution, granting legislative powers to Congress. The request for documents falls under Congress's power to investigate and legislate on matters related to national security and domestic affairs. The resolution does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.

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).