Summary

With these four critical pieces of legislation, the Congress established a foundation and mandate for all current and emerging Homeland Security activities and initiatives. These statutes profoundly affect pursuant Executive Branch vision, policies, directives, executive orders, national strategies, plans, programs and emerging initiatives. Particularly noteworthy is the State Homeland Security Grant Program, a sub-program of the overall Homeland Security Grant Program, which provides the basis for funding mechanisms to enable supporting state-designated Homeland Security strategies and associated plans and programs.

The importance of these four acts cannot be overly stressed. As a student now, and later as a potential practitioner, you will continually return to these shapers of Homeland Security strategy for clarity, intent and an even greater sense of understanding regarding what the term Homeland Security encompasses – and what it does not.

If you have never studied federal statutes previously, then this has been a difficult lesson indeed. You are studying new subjects, written in a different, professional language by Congressional staffers. It is understandable to be somewhat overwhelmed at this point. Relax and be assured that by the end of the course, you will feel comfortable with these types of documents.