The existence of multiple, overlapping and inconsistent definitions of the
term "homeland security" reflects and reinforces confusion in the homeland
security mission, according to a newly updated report from the
Congressional Research Service.

"Ten years after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the U.S.
government does not have a single definition for 'homeland security.'
[Instead,] different strategic documents and mission statements offer
varying missions that are derived from different homeland security
definitions."

Most official definitions of homeland security include terrorism
prevention.  Many but not all encompass disaster response. Most do not
include border security, or maritime security, or immigration matters, or
general resilience, though some do.

"An absence of consensus about the inclusion of these policy areas may
result in unintended consequences for national homeland security
operations," the CRS report said. "For example, not including maritime
security in the homeland security definition may result in policymakers,
Congress, and stakeholders not adequately addressing maritime homeland
security threats, or more specifically being able to prioritize federal
investments in border versus intelligence activities."

"The competing and varied definitions in these documents may indicate that
there is no succinct homeland security concept. Without a succinct homeland
security concept, policymakers and entities with homeland security
responsibilities may not successfully coordinate or focus on the highest
prioritized or most necessary activities."

"At the national level, there does not appear to be an attempt to align
definitions and missions among disparate federal entities," CRS said.

Without a uniform definition, a coherent strategy cannot be formulated and
homeland security policy is rudderless.  "Potentially, funding is driving
priorities rather than priorities driving the funding."

Speaking of funding, there are thirty federal departments, agencies, and
entities receiving annual homeland security funding excluding the
Department of Homeland Security, the CRS report said.  In fact,
approximately 50% of homeland security funding is appropriated for agencies
other than the Department of Homeland Security.

See "Defining Homeland Security: Analysis and Congressional
Considerations," January 8, 2013:

        http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R42462.pdf

DESALINATION, DNA TESTING, AND MORE FROM CRS

New and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service that have
not been made available to the public include the following.

Desalination and Membrane Technologies: Federal Research and Adoption
Issues, January 8, 2013:

        http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40477.pdf

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting: Federal Funding and Issues,
January 8, 2013:

        http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RS22168.pdf

DNA Testing in Criminal Justice: Background, Current Law, Grants, and
Issues, December 6, 2012:

        http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41800.pdf

Environmental Considerations in Federal Procurement: An Overview of the
Legal Authorities and Their Implementation, January 7, 2013:

        http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41297.pdf

Responsibility Determinations Under the Federal Acquisition Regulation:
Legal Standards and Procedures, January 4, 2013:

        http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40633.pdf

Social Security: The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), January 8,
2013:

        http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/98-35.pdf

Social Security: The Government Pension Offset (GPO), January 8, 2013:

        http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL32453.pdf

Economic Growth and the Unemployment Rate, January 7, 2013:

        http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42063.pdf

Overview and Issues for Implementation of the Federal Cloud Computing
Initiative: Implications for Federal Information Technology Reform
Management, January 4, 2013:

        http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42887.pdf

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA):
Issues for the 113th Congress, January 3, 2013:

        http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42886.pdf

Military Medical Care: Questions and Answers, January 7, 2013:

        http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL33537.pdf

Israel: 2013 Elections Preview, January 8, 2013:

        http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/R42888.pdf

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Steven Aftergood
Project on Government Secrecy
Federation of American Scientists
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email:  saftergood@fas.org
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