WASHINGTON, D.C. –– This week, House Committee on Homeland Security member Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO), Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence Chairman August Pfluger (R-TX), and Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL) introduced the “DHS Intelligence and Analysis Oversight and Transparency Act,” legislation requiring the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) to conduct an annual audit of I&A’s information systems and bulk data, in a manner consistent with I&A’s intelligence oversight guidelines. The office then must provide the findings and results of such audits to Congress. This legislation was first introduced in the 118th Congress and was passed by the House of Representatives in December. 
 
I&A is already required to audit bulk data transferred to or from the office to assess whether personnel’s access to, and searches conducted, are appropriately limited to protect Americans’ civil liberties. However, a 2023 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that the office has not fully implemented oversight guidelines regarding bulk data collection activities and has not conducted an audit of the bulk data collections that are outlined in the Intelligence Oversight Guidelines. 
 
“As a veteran and former law enforcement officer, I understand the importance of optimizing systems to better protect our communities,” Rep. Evans said. “A significant portion of the Department of Homeland Security’s data does not have intelligence or operational value, which bogs down the efficiency of operations and distracts from the larger mission of protecting our nation. This bipartisan effort will improve government efficiency and direct resources to better protect Americans.” 
 
Background:
 
The Committee has conducted extensive oversight of I&A in an effort to address the shortcomings of the office in providing intelligence and information to state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) law enforcement partners. In June 2024, the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence held a hearing featuring testimony from then-Undersecretary for I&A Ken Wainstein, in which members examined the office’s mission amid increased threats to the homeland.  
 
Following reports of potential violations of Americans’ civil liberties in the office’s Overt Human Intelligence Collection Program in 2023, Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) and Subcommittee Chairman Pfluger were joined by then-chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability, Rep. Dan Bishop, in sending a letter to then-DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, demanding answers and a Congressional briefing on the department’s possible overreach of its statutory mandate. This investigation followed a February 2023 letter from the Committee, which requested a status update and any preliminary findings regarding DHS’ ongoing “360” review of the office. The Committee continues to engage with the department on our important oversight work concerning I&A.
 
In June 2024, Chairmen Green and Pfluger sent a letter to Secretary Mayorkas, questioning the apparent rebranding of the defunct “Homeland Security Experts Group” as the “Homeland Intelligence Advisory Board.” The previous group was disbanded after public outcry, oversight by the Committee, and a lawsuit.

In August 2023, Subcommittee Chairman Pfluger and then-chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology, Anthony D’Esposito, sent a letter to Secretary Mayorkas to conduct oversight on the limited number of security clearances issued by the Office of Intelligence and Analysis to SLTT law enforcement partners in communities across the country. 
 

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