AROUND D.C.

Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:30 PM

Panel Warns Of DHS Oversight Overkill

By AMY HARDER

While the incoming administration has its work cut out for itself in terms of revamping the Department of Homeland Security, the new 111th Congress isn't off the hook, either.

At a discussion this morning hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, current and former congressional staffers called for more cohesive oversight of DHS, which now answers to more than 100 committees or subcommittees throughout Congress. The discussion was part of a two-day conference, concluding today, on how the incoming Congress and new president should deal with domestic security issues.

David Olive, onetime chief of staff to former Rep. Asa Hutchinson, R-Ark., and co-founder of government relations firm Olive, Edwards & Cooper, noted that the name of the panel, "Congressional Chaos," was fitting for the state of DHS congressional oversight.

"That's exactly what it seems like for people on the outside looking in," Olive said. "And that's exactly how it seems for the people in the inside looking out."

Olive called upon House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to address the issue, which he said was a bipartisan problem. "It was created under Republican leadership and has continued under Democratic leadership. It will continue to be a problem until the Speaker herself weighs in," Olive said. "Thus far, she's not willing to do that."

Mike Russell, minority staff for the House Committee on Homeland Security, cited data suggesting that the large number of oversight committees is hindering, not helping DHS communicate with lawmakers. Since the beginning of the 110th Congress, Department officials have testified at 377 hearings, written nearly 5,000 briefings to Congress and recorded thousands of interviews, Russell said. The Department is getting "conflicting guidance from these myriad committees," he added. "It also hamstrings the legitimate legislative role of Congress."

So, why the oversight overkill for the five-year-old DHS? According to Olive, it's because of the seemingly ubiquitous nature of the Department. "The reason there are so many congressional committees that want to play a role is because of how it is currently defined in the White House strategy," Olive explained. "It touches nearly every single aspect of our lives. It's only natural that a member of Congress would want to weigh in on that."

Part of the problem lies with DHS itself, said Jessica Herrera-Flanigan, a partner at the Monument Policy Group and a former majority staff director and general counsel for the House Committee on Homeland Security. Herrera-Flanigan said the Department's mission needs to be clarified. "That's been one of the issues of jurisdiction," she said. "What should our committees be looking at?" When DHS' mission is better illuminated, then the appropriate committees could oversee it, she said.