Updated October 9, 2020
2014 Quadrennial Homeland Security Review:
Evolution of a Strategic Review
Overview
Additionally, Congress required the DHS report on the
In June 2014, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
review to:
reported the second iteration of the Quadrennial Homeland
Security Review (QHSR) to Congress. DHS states that the
provide a result of the review process;
QHSR is a “comprehensive examination of the homeland
describe national homeland security threats;
security strategy of the Nation, including recommendations
regarding the long-term strategy and priorities of the Nation
discuss the status of cooperation among all levels of
for homeland security.” DHS never issued a statutorily-
governments in preventing terrorist attacks and
required QHSR in 2018.
responding to emergencies; and
explain any underlying assumptions used in conducting
The QHSR is a process in which DHS examines the
nation’s homeland security strategy; the r
the review.
eport delivered to
Congress provides an explanation of this process. Neither
Meeting QHSR Process and Report
the review process nor the report to Congress is the
Requirements
strategy, instead the 2014 QHSR (both the process and the
report) are part of the constant reevaluation of the nation’s
Congress specifically tasked DHS with the QHSR process
and report requirements in Section 707 of the HSA (as
homeland security and part of the process by which the
amended). It could be said that DHS met a significant
combined National and Homeland Security Staff develops
number of the review process and report requirements with
the next iteration of the national security strategy. In 2010,
the FY2014 QHSR. DHS, however, only partially met the
the Obama Administration combined the national and
requirement to prioritize missions because the department
homeland security strategies with its 2010 issuance of the
only identified cross-cutting priorities instead of prioritizing
National Security Strategy.
missions. DHS did not provide a review and assessment of
DHS mechanisms and programs for meeting the QHSR’s
Congress originally tasked the National Homeland Security
requirements, or for turning those requirements into an
Council and staff to assess homeland security objectives,
acquisition strategy and expenditure plan. Finally, DHS has
commitments, and risks in Section 904 of the Homeland
not provided an updated national homeland security
Security Act of 2002 (HSA). Additionally, the council was
strategy, but instead provided the review, and its
to oversee and review homeland security policies. Review
corresponding congressional report, of the nation’s
and Report Requirements
homeland security strategy as embodied in the 2010
National Security Strategy.
With the enactment of the Implementing Recommendations
of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (9/11 Act), Congress
DHS Response to FY2010 QHSR
required DHS to conduct a quadrennial homeland security
Shortcomings
review. Congress required both the QHSR review and
In 2010, DHS issued the first QHSR, and it was criticized
report to include:
for not communicating the nation’s homeland security
priorities, not comparing favorably to the Department of
prioritized missions;
Defense’s Quadrennial Defense Review, and not identifying
a description of the interagency cooperation,
a budget plan or resources to secure the nation. One of the
preparedness of federal response assets, infrastructure,
primary criticisms of the 2010 QHSR was the absence of
budget plan, and other homeland security elements; and
homeland security strategic priorities.
an assessment of DHS’s organizational structure with
In the 2014 QHSR, DHS states it will adopt strategic shifts
the national homeland security strategy.
and renewed emphases on the following priorities:
Congress specifically required the DHS Secretary to consult
with other federal entities, and required the review process
securing against the evolving terrorism threat;
to include:
safeguarding and securing cyberspace;
a delineated and updated national homeland security
countering biological threats and hazards;
strategy; and
securing and managing flows of people and goods; and
a review and assessment of the effectiveness of DHS
mechanisms for meeting the QHSR’s requirements, and
strengthening the execution of DHS’s mission through
turning those requirements into an acquisition strategy
public-private partnerships.
and expenditure plan within the department.
https://crsreports.congress.gov
2014 Quadrennial Homeland Security Review: Evolution of a Strategic Review
The 2014 QHSR updated the missions and goals originally
the continued absence of prioritized national homeland
identified in the 2010 QHSR. DHS states that this reflects
security missions; and
changes in the strategic environment where it; other federal,
the continued absence of an acquisition, budget, or fiscal
state, local, and tribal government entities; private sector
plan associated with national homeland security
partners; and other members of the homeland security
enterprise have “matured, evolved, and enhanced” their
missions.
Congress may wish to address the core issue of requiring
homeland security capabilities. The 2014 QHSR has a
DHS to review the nation’s homeland security considering
section that provides an in-depth framework of the nation’s
basic homeland security missions. DHS’s examination and
the nation’s homeland security encompasses an endeavor
that is more than the activities of DHS. In FY2014, the
work on missions and priorities is an attempt to address
Office of Management and Budget reported that DHS was
some of the 2010 QHSR shortcomings.
appropriated 49% of total “homeland security” funding,
with 51% being appropriated to a number of other federal
Another attempt to address criticism of the 2010 QHSR is
entities.
the identification of federal, state, local, and tribal entities
and private sector partners with homeland security
responsibilities. Some of these partners include the
Departments of Justice, State, Defense, Health and Human
Services, Treasury, Agriculture, Commerce, Education, and
Shawn Reese, Analyst in Emergency Management and
Energy, and businesses and industry. Included in the 2014
Homeland Security Policy
QHSR is a table that identifies federal entities with
IF10024
National Response Framework responsibilities.
Potential 2014 QHSR Issues for
Congressional Concern
Congress may wish to address these two potential issues
with the QHSR:
https://crsreports.congress.gov
2014 Quadrennial Homeland Security Review: Evolution of a Strategic Review
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff to
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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF10024 · VERSION 7 · UPDATED