Opinion ID: 186689
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Homeland Security Act

Text: 14 The Homeland Security Act, Pub.L. No. 107-296, 116 Stat. 2135 (2002), was enacted in November 2002. It established the Department, a cabinet-level agency whose mission is to prevent and deter terrorist attacks[,] protect against and respond to threats and hazards to the nation[,] . . . ensure safe and secure borders, welcome lawful immigrants and visitors, and promote the free-flow of commerce. Final Rule, 70 Fed.Reg. at 5273 (internal quotation marks omitted). The Act merged 22 existing agencies from across the federal government, integrating 170,000 employees, 17 unions, 7 payroll systems, 77 collective bargaining units, and 80 personnel systems. See Chertoff I, 385 F.Supp.2d at 6 n. 1 (quoting 148 CONG. REC. S11017 (Statement of Sen. Thompson) (Nov. 14, 2002)). 15 As noted above, HSA authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security, with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, to promulgate regulations establishing a HR system. See 5 U.S.C. § 9701 (Supp. II 2002). The Act reads in pertinent part as follows: 16 (a) IN GENERAL. — Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, the Secretary of Homeland Security may, in regulations prescribed jointly with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, establish, and from time to time adjust, a human resources management system for some or all of the organizational units of the Department of Homeland Security. 17 (b) SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. — Any system established under subsection (a) shall — 18 (1) be flexible; 19 (2) be contemporary; 20 (3) not waive, modify, or otherwise affect 21 (A) the public employment principles of merit and fitness set forth in section 2301, including the principles of hiring based on merit, fair treatment without regard to political affiliation or other nonmerit considerations, equal pay for equal work, and protection of employees againstreprisal for whistleblowing; 22 (B) any provision of section 2302, relating to prohibited personnel practices; 23 (C) (i) any provision of law referred to in section 2302(b)(1), (8), and (9); or (ii) any provision of law implementing any provision of law referred to in section 2302(b)(1), (8), and (9) by — 24 (I) providing for equal employment opportunity through affirmative action; or 25 (II) providing any right or remedy available to any employee or applicant for employment in the civil service; 26 (D) any other provision of this part (as described in subsection (c)); or 27 (E) any rule or regulation prescribed under any provision of law referred to in any of the preceding subparagraphs of this paragraph; 28 (4) ensure that employees may organize, bargain collectively, and participate through labor organizations of their own choosing in decisions which affect them, subject to any exclusion from coverage or limitation on negotiability established by law; and 29 (5) permit the use of a category rating system for evaluating applicants for positions in the competitive service. 30