HR-8791 : Still Just a Bill

Department of Homeland Security Reform Act of 2020 or the DHS Reform Act of 2020

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

Specifically, the bill, among other things

  • creates a new Associate Secretary responsible for overseeing DHS's law enforcement functions;
  • modifies the responsibilities of the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, including to engage with individuals and communities whose civil rights and liberties may be affected by DHS programs and activities;
  • 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;
  • requires that DHS's use-of-force policy be updated to emphasize de-escalation;
  • requires DHS to carry out an intelligence and cybersecurity diversity fellowship program;
  • grants rights to Transportation Security Administration officers under the federal personnel system; 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.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2020-11-20CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.House committee actions
2020-11-20CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.House committee actions
2020-11-19IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Reform, 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.House floor actions
2020-11-19IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Reform, 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.House floor actions
2020-11-19IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Reform, 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.House floor actions
2020-11-19IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Reform, 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.House floor actions
2020-11-19IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Sponsor :

Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
See Cosponsors

Policy Area :

Government Operations and Politics
See Subjects
  • Accounting and auditing
  • Administrative law and regulatory procedures
  • Administrative remedies
  • Advisory bodies
  • Aviation and airports
  • Buy American requirements
  • Cardiovascular and respiratory health
  • Child health
  • Child safety and welfare
  • Coast guard
  • Computer security and identity theft
  • Computers and information technology
  • Congressional oversight
  • Contracts and agency
  • Crime prevention
  • Crimes against property
  • Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
  • Criminal justice information and records
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • Disaster relief and insurance
  • Due process and equal protection
  • Education programs funding
  • Elementary and secondary education
  • Emergency medical services and trauma care
  • Employee hiring
  • Employee leave
  • Employee performance
  • Employment and training programs
  • Employment discrimination and employee rights
  • Executive agency funding and structure
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  • Federal officials
  • Federal-Indian relations
  • Firearms and explosives
  • Foreign language and bilingual programs
  • Government buildings, facilities, and property
  • Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
  • Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
  • Government information and archives
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Health promotion and preventive care
  • Higher education
  • Homeland security
  • Infectious and parasitic diseases
  • Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
  • Intergovernmental relations
  • Internet and video services
  • Internet, web applications, social media
  • Labor-management relations
  • Law enforcement administration and funding
  • Law enforcement officers
  • Mental health
  • Military personnel and dependents
  • Minority and disadvantaged businesses
  • Minority education
  • Minority employment
  • Natural disasters
  • Performance measurement
  • Preschool education
  • Public contracts and procurement
  • Public-private cooperation
  • Research administration and funding
  • Research and development
  • Right of privacy
  • School administration
  • Small business
  • State and local government operations
  • Student aid and college costs
  • Telephone and wireless communication
  • Terrorism
  • Transportation employees
  • Transportation safety and security
  • Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
  • Women in business
  • Worker safety and health

Related Bills

See Related Bills