Counterterrorism Subcommittee Advances Bipartisan Legislation Refocusing DHS’s Office of Intelligence & Analysis Back to Core Mission

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence Chairman August Pfluger (R-TX) led a Subcommittee markup that advanced seven bipartisan bills aimed at reforming the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A).

I&A was created in 2004 to serve as the hub for intelligence information sharing between the federal government and state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector (SLTTP) partners. I&A has unique authorities, making it the only Intelligence Community (IC) element statutorily required to deliver intelligence to SLTTP partners and develop intelligence from those partners for DHS and the IC. However, politicization risks and concerns regarding the protection of civil liberties under previous administrations have warranted continued oversight and reform. According to a 2025 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), I&A has failed to consistently complete policy requirements "due to a lack of leadership focus."

This morning, the Subcommittee held a closed-door roundtable for Police Week, bringing together national law enforcement organizations, fusion centers, community-based security partners, and DHS I&A. The discussion focused on strengthening collaboration, preparing for major national events, and advancing ongoing reforms within I&A.

In his opening statement for the markup, Subcommittee Chairman Pfluger said:

"This is a major first step in a series of crucial reforms. Every piece of legislation we'll consider today is bipartisan, and I want to thank Ranking Member Magaziner and his staff for their partnership in this important effort. For the past year, a major focus of this Committee has been conducting oversight and learning as much as we can about the threat landscape ahead of major national events, including the World Cup, which is just a few short weeks away. As we were reminded in our Police Week roundtable that we held this morning, the bad guys only have to be right once, but we have to be right every time. And DHS I&A is on the frontlines. It's no secret that I&A has had challenges in the past. Concerns around mission overreach, political bias, and other hurdles have hurt this agency's reputation. Yet, everyone here recognizes how important I&A's mission is to securing the homeland, which is why we're here today considering seven bipartisan bills that aim to refocus the agency's mission and improve efficiency, training, and oversight, so that I&A can fully realize and embody its unique stakeholder-facing role. I strongly support all of the bills under consideration into today's markup."

Subcommittee Chairman Pfluger introduced the bipartisan "I&A Mission Reorientation Act of 2026," which would update I&A's statutory responsibility to clearly define its focus, reinforce accountability, and improve operational effectiveness. The legislation would strengthen information sharing with state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) partners. The legislation is cosponsored by Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI). Upon introduction of H.R. 7443, Subcommittee Chairman Pfluger said:

"The threats to our homeland are evolving, and it is critical that our intelligence posture keeps pace. The I&A Mission Reorientation Act refocused DHS's Office of Intelligence and Analysis on its core mission to deliver timely, actionable intelligence to state and local partners on the front lines. By strengthening information sharing and expanding our forward-deployed capabilities, this bill will close critical gaps and ensure intelligence flows swiftly to decision-makers on the ground."

Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO) introduced the "National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Program Reassignment and Funding Reform Act of 2026," which would move the National Threat Evaluation and Reporting (NTER) program to the DHS Office of State and Local Law Enforcement (OSLLE). The NTER program bridges federal and SLTT efforts to identify threats of targeted violence. The legislation is cosponsored by Rep. Nellie Pou (D-NJ) and Rep. Matt Van Epps (R-TN).

Rep. Evans also introduced the "ELO Realignment and Strategic Engagement Reform Act of 2026," which would eliminate duplication within I&A and streamline engagement with law enforcement partners. The legislation is cosponsored by Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY). Upon introduction of H.R. 7764 and H.R. 7574, Rep. Evans said:

"As a former cop for over a decade, there is no better way to pay tribute to our officers during police week than ensuring our local and state partners have the resources and intelligence they need to serve and protect. My bipartisan bills - the National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Program Reassignment and Funding Reform Act of 2026 and the ELO Realignment and Strategic Engagement Act of 2026 - do exactly that. We cannot wait until the next act of terrorism to deliver the support to the men and women on the front lines who need it to keep our communities safe. I am proud to lead on these important pieces of legislation."

Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA) introduced the "Special Events Program Alignment Act of 2026," which would move all functions, personnel, and assets in connection with the Special Events Program to the DHS Office of Situational Awareness (OSA) for clearer operational alignment. The legislation is cosponsored by Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-VA). Upon introduction of H.R. 8142, Rep. Mackenzie said:

"With our nation hosting major events this year, it's more important than ever that programs and agencies within the Department of Homeland Security have optimal coordination and efficiency. As a co-chair of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Caucus, I'm committed to ensuring that this year's public gatherings are as safe as possible. Transferring SEP to its more appropriate home under OSA will help to ensure that DHS will be well-positioned to respond to risks and threats at public gatherings."

Additional legislation advanced by the Subcommittee today includes:

• Rep. Pou introduced H.R. 7448, the "Modernizing and Improving the National Terrorism Advisory System Act of 2026," which would require DHS to develop clearer criteria, protocols, and standard operating procedures for issuing and sunsetting of National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) alerts. Rep. Van Epps is the lead cosponsor.
• Rep. Goldman introduced H.R. 7574, the "Securing Access from Foreign Entities Visiting Internal Sites in the States (SAFE VISITS) Act," which would enhance threat assessments and information sharing about foreign visitors seeking access to SLTT officials and facilities. Rep. Evans is the lead cosponsor.
• Subcommittee Ranking Member Magaziner introduced H.R. 7436, the "Department of Homeland Security Intelligence and Analysis Training Act," which would help strengthen the I&A workforce by codifying standardized training for I&A employees, including on intelligence collection and analysis functions. Subcommittee Chairman Pfluger is the lead cosponsor.

Background:

Subcommittee Chairman Pfluger has long advocated for I&A reform to ensure that the office is best serving the nation the way it was intended.

In March, Subcommittee Chairman Pfluger also introduced the "Field Integration of Homeland Intelligence Act of 2026," which requires the DHS secretary to transition I&A from a headquarters-based model to a field-based model within two years, better integrating fusion centers and law enforcement partners across the country.

Earlier this Congress, Subcommittee Chairman Pfluger cosponsored Rep. Evans' "DHS Intelligence and Analysis Oversight and Transparency Act, " which mandates an annual audit of I&A's information systems and bulk data, in accordance with I&A's intelligence oversight guidelines.

In February, Mike Sena, President of the National Fusion Center Association, testified before the Committee on World Cup security, and called for I&A reforms to address current issues, including intelligence fragmentation, disjointed integration of technology, and staffing shortages in the field.

Last November, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. Mackenzie's "DHS Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program Act." The legislation requires analysts within I&A to participate in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence's Civilian Joint Duty Program - improving coordination, enhancing information-sharing, and strengthening support for law enforcement partners.

Last Congress, the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence held a hearing and a roundtable on the office with insight from government officials and law enforcement stakeholders to better understand the agency's challenges and shortcomings.

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