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Return to Article: GOP lawmakers say Congress sapping DHS' energy

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  At least five years prior to 9/11 congress did not have the votes to blend the agencies for the same reasons it can't get on the same page with whats happening in DHS today. Continued discussion and oversite is the only way we can to fix this plane while it's in flight.

  Wayne E Burke Posted June 20, 2007 7:26 AM
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  If all this oversight by 88 committees of Congress is such a great thing, then why is DHS still so screwed up? You'd think that by now, all this Congressional attention would have cracked the whip and moved things right along!

  One other question, though. Where were all these Senators and Congressmen when DHS was created? How come nobody questioned the composition, mission, and funding of this organization beforehand? How come no one expressed any reservations about eliminating the U.S. Customs Service, America's oldest law enforcement agency (since 1789), and mixing it's pieces with the remnants of INS and other agencies with absolutely nothing in common to form CBP and ICE? Where was the Congressional oversight then, when it was needed the most and could have done a lot of good? The silence is deafening!

  Senior Special Agent Posted June 8, 2007 10:12 PM
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  This is unbelievable. King was the CHAIRMAN of the committee. He is complaining about a system he left to the Democrats. He blames them for not cleaning up his mess fast enough!

  John Posted June 3, 2007 6:13 PM
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  DHS is critical to protecting the safety of American citizens and our country. DHS must ensure proper oversight and administration, and while many efforts have been made in this direction, much remains to be done. One place I would recommend starting would be with federal funds provided to states where "their hands are in the cookie jars." Independent oversight is vital! Independent administration is critical to ensure that the federal DHS funds are being appropriated properly, not misused, and proper accounting and eligibility assurances are in place and being followed. Not the case in some instances. DHS is far too important, the cause to protect American citizens and our nation is paramount. Please....do what's necessary to put these important practices in place. Thanks & God bless!

  Laurie Posted June 2, 2007 2:04 PM
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  I am still concerned about the inability of the USCIS to do their jobs. They have employees conducting criminal activities with management turning the other way. They are processing applications with no regard to national security. Their mandate is to reduce backlog as fast as they can without conducting the background checks.

  When is GovExec going to write about it?

  Frank Livingston Posted May 31, 2007 11:36 AM
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  DHS is the largest and most complicated bureaucracies ever created and they're saying that Congress is sapping their budget and ability to do their job? Please.

  How can such a diverse organization ever not be questioned by Congress? Repeatedly.

  Michelle Posted May 31, 2007 10:43 AM
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  I agree having 88 different committee is a bit much. Yet I wonder, were these committees not set up during the Republican watch?

  ronald syrko Posted May 31, 2007 10:00 AM
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  Yeah, I mean who does Congress think it is? Forcing DHS to justify its boondoggle spending spree on rare occasion? How dare they! (Don't they know who works for who around here?)

  Things were so much easier when we had a compliant Congress that would roll over and/or sweep all problems under the rug.

  Vet Posted May 31, 2007 9:35 AM
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  Reporting to 88 different committees may be a bit much but if there is no oversight to our leadership, one can only imagine what astrocities would occur!

  It is always a "a great" justifications as to why things are not accomplished or the "mission" gets lost when accountability is in question.

  Implementing legislatinon for DHS doesn't take a rocket scientist; maybe there are too many in the top positions who do not know or lack experience in moving forward on "necessary" legislation and are inept and therefore are ineffective in their jobs.

  Those of us in the field see a lot of "putting the horse" before the cart implimeted.

  Could it be that current administration does not agree? Does our current administration think that "they should not be held accountable by anyone? It seems to me that one of the key responsibilities of Congress is to ensure that the "law" of the land is upheld! Just because DHS and many of its components are "law enforcement" agencies does not mean they are excluded. Why is it that after four years, ICE-OI still suffering a greater morale problem than ever before their merger? Why does FEMA still face such momumental up-hill battles to fufill their mission? Why are we no further along in our "culture" change since the many mergers under DHS? It is apparent the current administration of DHS and perhaps our nation, is not receiving the message; Congress may be the only avenue for enforcing the changes necessary for DHS to carry out their "mission" that many seems to have forgotten! Congress is the lawmakers of our country and should be involved; better more involvement than less involvement!

  Brenda Ray-Nayfeh Posted May 31, 2007 8:25 AM