Overview[]
The Homeland Security Council (HSC) was created by Executive Order 13228 on October 8, 2001. It was established to ensure coordination of all homeland security-related activities among executive departments and agencies and promote the effective development and implementation of all homeland security policies.[1] It was subsequently codified into law by the Homeland Security Act of 2002.
On May 26, 2009, the President announced the full integration of White House staff supporting national security and homeland security into a new “National Security Staff” supporting all White House policy-making activities relating to international, transnational, and homeland security matters. The Homeland Security Council was maintained as the principle venue for interagency deliberations on issues that affect the security of the homeland, such as terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, natural disasters, and pandemic influenza.