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U.S. GOVERNMENT: Homeland Security Renewed

The largest restructuring of the American government in fifty years was finally completed this week. On Friday November 22nd the Senate finally approved a bill that will create a Department of Homeland Security, and on Monday November 25th the bill was signed by President Bush. The passing of this bill was the last action taken by the 107th Congress on Friday before it closed for the rest of the year; Congress will come back together in January and those who won elections this year will take office.

The Department of Homeland Security was created in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11th. The purpose of this new department is to protect Americans from terrorism and respond to terrorist attacks that do occur. In addition to terrorism, The Department of Homeland Security will take charge of controlling immigration, protecting America's borders, managing national emergencies, and protecting the President.

In addition to added protection for the United States, this new department will provide almost 170,000 new jobs around the world. The Department of Homeland Security will also be directed by a member of the cabinet; therefore, a new cabinet secretary especially for this department will be added. It is expected that Tom Ridge, the current director of the White House domestic security office, will become the new director of The Department of Homeland Security.

--Written by Angela Schutte

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