Download Locations:
Summary:
The Administration's proposal to create a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would transfer the Coast Guard from the Department of Transportation (DoT) to DHS. Whether to transfer the Coast Guard to DHS was one of the more significant items of congressional debate on the merits of the Administration's reorganization proposal. The two principal homeland security reorganization bills H.R. 5005 (passed by the House on July 26, 2002) and Senate Amendment SA4471 (filed on September 3, 2002) would transfer the Coast Guard to DHS. The Coast Guard's homeland security operations raise other potential issues for Congress as well. This report will be updated as events warrant.