Department of Homeland Security

Nomination of Hon. Janet A. Napolitano to be Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Prepared Statement of Hon. Janet Napolitano

Homeland Security Agenda of the Obama Administration

"Barack Obama and Joe Biden's strategy for securing the homeland against 21st century threats is focused on preventing terrorist attacks on our homeland, preparing and planning for emergencies and investing in strong response and recovery capabilities. Obama and Biden will strengthen our homeland against all hazards -– including natural or accidental disasters and terrorist threats -- and ensure that the federal government works with states, localities, and the private sector as a true partner in prevention, mitigation, and response."

Immigration Agenda of the Obama Administration

"For too long, politicians in Washington have exploited the immigration issue to divide the nation rather than find real solutions. Our broken immigration system can only be fixed by putting politics aside and offering a complete solution that secures our border, enforces our laws, and reaffirms our heritage as a nation of immigrants."

Secretary Napolitano Issues First in a Series of Action Directives, Jan. 21, 2009

The action directives Secretary Napolitano issued on January 21, 2009 on protection instruct specific offices and agencies to gather information, review existing strategies and programs, and to provide oral and written reports back to her by a time certain. The areas in which these action directives were issued are: critical infrastructure protection; risk analysis; state and local intelligence sharing; transportation security; and state, local and tribal integration.

“The Last Word From FEMA’s Paulison and Johnson.”

“When R. David Paulison took over the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, it was an agency in tatters. Last week, Paulison and his No. 2, Harvey E. Johnson Jr., said goodbye to the agency they helped revitalize, making way for President Obama’s new leadership team, which has not yet been named. In an exit interview with CQ Homeland Security at FEMA’s headquarters last week, Paulison and Johnson reflected on their tenures and offered some advice to the next administrator.” Subscription Required to Read this Article.

Testimony of Secretary Janet Napolitano before the House Committee on Homeland Security on DHS, The Path Forward

"Chairman Thompson, Ranking Member King, and members of the Committee: I am pleased to appear before the Committee for the first time as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and I thank you for this opportunity to discuss how DHS will work in the future to keep Americans safe. At its core, I believe DHS has a straightforward mission: to protect the American people from threats both foreign and domestic, both natural and manmade – to do all that we can to prevent threats from materializing, respond to them if they do, and recover with resiliency. Government does nothing more fundamental than protecting its citizens. But the execution of this mission can be very complex."

Testimony of Secretary Janet Napolitano before Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Southern Border Violence: Homeland Security Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Responsibilities

"Chairman Lieberman, Senator Collins, and members of the Committee: I appreciate this opportunity to testify about the Department of Homeland Security's role in the U.S. effort to combat the campaign of violence waged by drug cartels in Mexico, and about the Department's efforts to keep Americans safe from this security threat. The violence in Mexico is not only an international threat. It is a homeland security issue in which all Americans have a stake. America has a significant security stake in the success of Mexico's efforts against drug cartels. The cartels that Mexican authorities are battling are the same criminal organizations that put drugs on our streets and use violence as a tool of their trade."

Secretary Napolitano Highlights Illegal Immigration Enforcement, Appoints Alan Bersin as Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and Special Representative For Border Affairs

"Secretary Napolitano also announced the appointment of Alan Bersin as DHS Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and Special Representative for Border Affairs. Bersin previously served as U.S. Department of Justice Southwest Border Representative." "Bersin’s responsibilities at DHS will include improving relationships with the Department's partners in the international community, as well as those at the state and local level including elected officials, law enforcement, community organizations and religious leaders. He will lead the Department’s efforts to crack down on violence along the Southwest border highlighted in Secretary Napolitano’s March 24 announcement including the deployment of additional personnel and enhanced technology to help Mexico target illegal guns, drugs and cash."

FEMA's Disaster Declaration Process: A Primer

"The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (referred to as the Stafford Act - 42 U.S.C. 5721 et seq.) authorizes the President to issue “major disaster” or “emergency” declarations before or after catastrophes occur."

Fact Sheet: Southwest Border: The Way Ahead

"The United States depends on a secure Southwest border in order to ensure the safety of its citizens and those of Mexico, facilitate legal trade and transit, support lawful immigration and prevent illegal smuggling of guns, drugs, money, and people. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to meet recent increases of cartel violence in Mexico with strong action and solidified coordination with federal, state, local, tribal and Mexican authorities." "DHS has formalized the following operational enhancement plan, building from last month’s announcement, which lays out specific information about how each initiative will be implemented."

Homeland Security 100-Day Progress Report

"In the first 100 days of President Obama’s administration, Secretary Janet Napolitano has begun charting a bold and ambitious new course for the Department of Homeland Security." "This new vision involves five major priorities for the Department", for more information please follow the link.