Congressman Krishnamoorthi Applauds DHS For Establishing The Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council

In response to Congressional efforts led by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), the Department of Homeland Security has recently announced that it is reestablishing the Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council (HSAAC), a council for Homeland Security officials to engage with higher education representatives on issues related to homeland security and the academic community. In 2020, Congressman Krishnamoorthi and Congressman Norman led a letter to the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee to include the establishment of the HSAAC, which is based on their Homeland Security Higher Education Advisory Council Act alongside Senator Dick Durbin, in the report language for the end of year appropriations bill for 2021. Their successful congressional efforts to re-establish the HSAAC will be crucial in protecting U.S. national security in higher education establishments, especially in light of the developing situation and security risks involved with Russia invading Ukraine.

"Last Congress, I proudly introduced the bipartisan and bicameral Homeland Security Higher Education Advisory Council Act with Senator Dick Durbin and Congressman Ralph Norman to establish this important council, and we successfully passed the key components of this legislation in the FY21 Appropriations Bill," said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. "HSAAC was dissolved at a precarious time when the threat of cyberattacks and intellectual property theft at academic and research institutions were on the rise. Today, we celebrate the formation of this critical body which will serve an integral role in increasing the long-term national security of the United States by forming lasting partnerships between academic and national security officials."

"The Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council's unceremonious and irrational termination by the last president cut off vital dialogue between educational institutions and DHS about potential threats. I've continuously advocated for this council, understanding that creating a safe atmosphere on our campuses is vital to our education system. Terminating this council made little sense. I'm pleased to see the Biden Administration reestablish the Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council," said Senator Durbin.

"Our nation's academic institutions are entrusted with hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of intellectual property, not to mention some of our most important national security assets. As such, they are high value targets for malicious actors and hostile nations," said Congressman Norman. "For almost two years, Rep. Krishnamoorthi and I have pressed the Department of Homeland Security to reestablish its Academic Advisory Council. This endeavor represents an important pipeline between DHS and our nation's academic institutions, providing intelligence and resources that could be critical from a homeland security standpoint. I am pleased DHS has finally taken action on this front."

"I am very pleased that the administration is re-establishing a forum for collaboration that recognizes the important contributions of the academic community on homeland security issues. And I am very grateful to Rep. Krishnamoorthi, whose leadership and advocacy were vital to re-establishing the Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council," University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen said.

"We greatly appreciate Rep. Krishnamoorthi's support for the reestablishment of the Homeland Security Academic Advisory Committee," said Ted Mitchell, President of the American Council on Education. " This is a vital forum that will allow the higher education community to engage productively with the Department of Homeland Security on a wide range of important issues, including policies impacting international students and scholars."

Peter McPherson, President of Association of Public and Land-grant Universities said, "We are enormously grateful for Congressman Krishnamoorthi's successful efforts encouraging the Department of Homeland Security to restore the Academic Advisory Council (HSAAC). Through HSAAC the academic community will once again have a designated forum for collaboration on the many issues we need to address together with the Department, including policies supporting international students and scholars, campus safety, scientific research that supports DHS' mission, and research security."

"Reestablishment of the Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council (HSAAC) brings America's institutions of higher education institutions back into a position where we can provide valuable insights and guidance on critical issues related to science and higher education, including international students and scholars," said Barbara R. Snyder, President of the Association of American Universities, which represents America's leading research universities. "AAU thanks Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi for his efforts to reestablish HSAAC and for recognizing the importance of this communication channel."

The HSAAC originally formed in 2012 as a council for Homeland Security officials to engage with higher education representatives on issues around protecting academic research, campus and community resiliency, security and preparedness, and cybersecurity. HSAAC was dissolved in October of 2019 by the previous Administration, and it had not held a single meeting with its council members and partner institutions since July of 2017.

The newly reestablished HSAAC will consist of up to 30 diverse members appointed by the Secretary of Homeland Security, including representatives of two-year community colleges, K-12 school systems, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic serving institutions, Tribal colleges, and Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander serving institutions.