The Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee and a bipartisan group of his colleagues on Tuesday wrote Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson about a proposed reorganization of one of his department’s directorates, decrying a lack of transparency with Congress in the process.
Photo: U.S. House of Representatives.
DHS is reportedly considering a proposal to reorganize its National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD), which has responsibility for the cyber security of federal civilian networks, a round-the-clock cyber watch center, the Office of Biometric Identity Management, the Federal Protective Service, and several other offices.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the committee, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), the ranking member, and eight other Republicans and Democrats on the panel, said in the letter that they haven’t received any details on the reorganization and “are concerned with the lack of transparency” on the matter.
The committee is drafting legislation regarding the NPPD and has already passed a measure that would rename the agency Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection. McCaul in a statement said the committee will host a hearing on NPPD’s reorganization.
“As the committee continues to work to fulfill its oversight responsibilities and strengthen the department, we will lead further efforts to reorganize NPPD,” the letter said. “We value your perspective on this process,” including the prompt receipt of the department’s recommendation on the reorganization.
In his statement on Thursday, McCaul said that DHS has given Congress little information on the restructuring plans, adding that his committee has taken a bipartisan approach to DHS and NPPD, pointing to legislation to strengthen the department’s roles and responsibilities regarding cyber security.
Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas), chairman of the committee’s panel on cyber security, in a statement was critical of the DHS’ handling of the NPPD plans.
“The department has persisted in its ‘go it alone’ mentality and has ignored Congress’ requests for information, despite a record that demonstrates its need for oversight and accountability,” Ratcliffe stated. “I’d certainly like to see DHS enhance and prioritize NPPD’s cyber mission. But I hope DHS will recognize that NPPD’s mission is critical and that partnering with Congress, rather than obstruction, will produce a stronger, more effective outcome.”
Asked for a comment, A DHS spokesman told Defense Daily that “We will respond directly to the committee.” He said NPPD is in the planning process to reorganize to be a “more unified, agile, and effective organization to better meet stakeholders’ needs not only today, but in the future.” The official also said these efforts are being “closely coordinated with internal and external stakeholders.”