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National Security Council Membership Act of 2021

12/30/2022, 8:03 AM

Summary of Bill HR 5956

Bill 117 hr 5956, also known as the National Security Council Membership Act of 2021, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The bill aims to amend the National Security Act of 1947 to include the Secretary of Health and Human Services as a member of the National Security Council (NSC).

The NSC is a key advisory body to the President on national security and foreign policy matters. Currently, the NSC is composed of the President, Vice President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and other high-ranking officials. The addition of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to the NSC would ensure that public health considerations are taken into account in national security decision-making.

Proponents of the bill argue that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of integrating public health expertise into national security discussions. By including the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the NSC, the US government can better respond to future public health crises and ensure that the health and well-being of the American people are prioritized in national security policy. Opponents of the bill may argue that expanding the NSC membership could lead to inefficiency and bureaucratic hurdles. They may also raise concerns about politicizing public health decisions and the potential for conflicts of interest. Overall, the National Security Council Membership Act of 2021 seeks to enhance the US government's ability to address national security challenges by incorporating public health expertise into the highest levels of decision-making. The bill is currently under review in Congress, and its fate will depend on the outcome of legislative debates and votes.

Congressional Summary of HR 5956

National Security Council Membership Act of 2021

This bill adds the Secretary of Homeland Security as a member of the National Security Council, which advises the President on national and international security matters.

Read the Full Bill

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Current Status of Bill HR 5956

Bill HR 5956 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since November 12, 2021. Bill HR 5956 was introduced during Congress 117 and was introduced to the House on November 12, 2021.  Bill HR 5956's most recent activity was Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. as of November 12, 2021

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 5956

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
0
Republican Sponsors
1
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
6
Democrat Cosponsors
6
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 5956

Primary Policy Focus

Armed Forces and National Security

Potential Impact Areas

- Department of Homeland Security
- Executive Office of the President
- Executive agency funding and structure
- Federal officials
- Government Operations and Politics

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 5956

National Security Council Membership Act of 2021
National Security Council Membership Act of 2021
To amend the National Security Act of 1947 to require the National Security Council's membership to include the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Comments

Sponsors and Cosponsors of HR 5956

John Katko
John Katko
New YorkRepublican
Bennie G. Thompson
Bennie G. Thompson
MississippiDemocrat
Elissa Slotkin
Elissa Slotkin
MichiganDemocrat
Kathleen M. Rice
Kathleen M. Rice
New YorkDemocrat

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