WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bill authored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) to reauthorize Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Joint Task Forces (JTF) authority has advanced in the Senate. Joint Task Forces allow DHS to establish joint operations using DHS personnel and resources to secure U.S. land and maritime borders, address homeland security threats, and establish regional operations to tackle ongoing homeland security challenges like drug smuggling and trafficking. Peters’ bill extends this authority for an additional two years to enable DHS to maintain the existing Joint Task Force and continue efforts to protect the homeland. The bill was passed by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee where Peters serves as Chair, and now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
“Joint Task Forces are an important tool to help DHS protect the homeland and combat transnational crime,” said Senator Peters. “My bill will ensure DHS can continue to coordinate effectively across agencies, and with critical international partners, to address these complex security challenges.”
Congress codified DHS Joint Task Forces as part of its yearly National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in fiscal year 2017. DHS currently uses this authority through its Joint Task Force-East, which works to strengthen coordination of U.S. government agencies as well as international partners to combat transnational criminal organizations and address maritime migration. Joint Task Force-East has led efforts to improve intelligence and information sharing among these partners to coordinate operations more effectively, better identify suspicious vessels, such as those potentially involved in drug trafficking, and target pathways used for smuggling.
The DHS Joint Task Force Reauthorization Act would extend the authority of the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish and operate Joint Task Forces for two more years. The bill would require the Secretary to develop a staffing plan for these JTFs and include it in reports to Congress. The bill would also require the Secretary to give Congress an annual briefing on Joint Task Force-East’s staffing and resource needs and submit a report to Congress analyzing the cost and effectiveness report on JTF-East’s headquarters location.
###