As an amendment to the bill, the committee also approved legislation sponsored by Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, that would establish a deputy management secretary at DHS as the number three official there.
The Homeland Security Management Act of 2007 would elevate the roles and responsibilities of the current undersecretary for management at DHS to the deputy secretary position, and give it oversight responsibility of various long-running management issues there.
The management chief would have a fixed five-year term, which could help create continuity across potential changes in secretaries.
"I am convinced the existing management structure at the department is insufficient and is hampering its ability to be successful," Voinovich said.
"Through this legislation, the creation of a deputy secretary for management will provide essential expertise necessary for improving the long-term efficiency and effectiveness of the department," he added.
