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Summary:
Questions concerning whether the government is adequately prepared to conduct research and development (R&D) to counter terrorism have focused on priority-setting, coordination, and the need to link R&D to terrorist threats. Since September 11, 2001, planning and coordination mechanisms have been developed in the White House's Office of Homeland Security (OHS) and Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and in individual agencies. P.L. 107-296, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (H.R. 5005) consolidates some federal R&D programs in a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS's R&D funding responsibilities are estimated to total over $800 million annually. Funds have not yet been appropriated for DHS for FY2003. P.L. 107-305 (H.R. 3394), funds new cybersecurity R&D to deal with terrorist attacks. Current policy issues focus on implementation, and deal with coordination of prioritysetting between DHS, other agencies, and existing R&D coordination bodies; and mechanisms for congressional oversight of homeland security and counterterrorism R&D. This report will be updated as events warrant.
