Editing Joe Lieberman (section)

===Creation of Department of Homeland Security (DHS)===
[[File:U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman and Ranking Member Susan Collins address bipartisan suggestion on countermeasures toward domestic terrorism.jpg|thumb|[[Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee]] Chairman Lieberman and Ranking Member [[Susan Collins]] address bipartisan suggestion on countermeasures toward [[Jihadist extremism in the United States|Islamist extremism]] and [[Domestic terrorism in the United States|domestic terrorism in U.S.]]]]

When control of the Senate switched from Republicans to Democrats in June 2001, Lieberman became Chairman of the [[United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs|Governmental Affairs Committee]], with oversight responsibilities for a broad range of government activities. He was also a member of the [[United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works|Environment and Public Works Committee]] and chair of its [[United States Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety|Subcommittee Clean Air, Wetlands and Private Property]]; the [[United States Senate Committee on Armed Services|Armed Services Committee]], where he chaired the [[United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Airland|Airland Subcommittee]] and sat on the [[United States Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities|Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities]]; and the [[United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship|Small Business Committee]]. When Republicans gained control of the Senate in January 2003, Lieberman resumed his role as ranking minority member of the committees he had once chaired.<ref>[http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20040401000639/http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=108_congressional_directory&docid=cdir108_txt-62.pdf Standing Committees of the Senate 108th Congress]. Retrieved September 10, 2006.</ref>

Lieberman was an early supporter of the creation of the [[Department of Homeland Security]] as the chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee,<ref name="cap-dhs">{{cite web |last1=Rudman |first1=Mara |last2=deLeon |first2=Rudy |last3=Martinez |first3=Joel |title=Redefining Homeland Security: A New Framework for DHS To Meet Today's Challenges |url=https://www.americanprogress.org/article/redefining-homeland-security-new-framework-dhs-meet-todays-challenges/ |website=Center for American Progress |access-date=March 28, 2024 |archive-date=December 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203065226/https://www.americanprogress.org/article/redefining-homeland-security-new-framework-dhs-meet-todays-challenges/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="politico-obit">{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=David |title=Joe Lieberman, 2000 vice presidential nominee, dies at 82 |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/27/joe-lieberman-2000-vice-presidential-nominee-obit-033980 |access-date=March 28, 2024 |work=Politico |date=March 27, 2024 |archive-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327222057/https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/27/joe-lieberman-2000-vice-presidential-nominee-obit-033980 |url-status=live }}</ref> proposing organizing [[FEMA]], the [[U.S. Customs Service]], the [[U.S. Border Patrol]], the [[U.S. Coast Guard]], and other agencies under the new department.<ref name="bu-plan">{{cite news |last1=Finn |first1=Mindy |title=Lieberman Announces Plan for Homeland Security |url=https://www.bu.edu/washington/2001/10/11/lieberman-announces-plan-for-homeland-security/ |access-date=March 28, 2024 |work=Study Abroad: Washington |publisher=Boston University |date=October 11, 2001 |archive-date=March 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328023954/https://www.bu.edu/washington/2001/10/11/lieberman-announces-plan-for-homeland-security/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This proposal was eventually implemented in the [[Homeland Security Act of 2002]].<ref name="wp-dhs-start">{{cite news |last1=Glasser |first1=Susan B. |last2=Grunwald |first2=Michael |title=Department's Mission Was Undermined From Start |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/21/AR2005122102327_pf.html |access-date=March 28, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 22, 2005 |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314172046/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/21/AR2005122102327_pf.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="lieberman.senate.gov">{{cite web |url=http://lieberman.senate.gov/index.cfm/issues-legislation/homeland-security-and-governmental-affairs |title=Senator Joseph Lieberman (CT) – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs |access-date=May 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524162511/http://lieberman.senate.gov/index.cfm/issues-legislation/homeland-security-and-governmental-affairs |archive-date=May 24, 2012}}</ref>

In 2006, Senators Lieberman and [[Susan Collins|Collins]] drafted legislation to reshape the [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] into an agency that would more effectively prepare for and respond to catastrophes, including natural disasters and terrorist attacks. The legislation elevated FEMA to special status within the Department of Homeland Security, much like the [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard]] and designated FEMA's head to be the president's point person during an emergency. The bill also called for the reunification of FEMA's preparedness and response functions, giving it responsibility for all phases of emergency management. In addition, the measure strengthened FEMA's regional offices, creating dedicated interagency "strike teams" to provide the initial federal response to a disaster in the region. The legislation passed Congress in September 2006.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/12/washington/senate-votes-to-replace-fema-with-a-new-federal-agency.html |title=Senate votes to replace FEMA with a new federal agency |author=Eric Lipton |work=The New York Times |access-date=March 27, 2024 |date=July 12, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329234405/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/12/washington/senate-votes-to-replace-fema-with-a-new-federal-agency.html }}</ref>

As the 2007 hurricane season approached, Lieberman held an oversight hearing on implementation of the FEMA reforms on May 22, 2007. He urged FEMA to implement the reforms at a quicker pace.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/media/dems/lieberman-collins-seek-assurance-on-femas-hurricane-preparedness/ |title=Lieberman, Collins seek assurance on FEMA's hurricane preparedness |access-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204222525/https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/media/dems/lieberman-collins-seek-assurance-on-femas-hurricane-preparedness/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lieberman was also involved in congressional oversight of the response to the [[H1N1 influenza]] (swine flu) pandemic and held four hearings on the subject in 2009, including one in Connecticut. At the hearings, he pressed the [[United States Department of Health and Human Services]] to distribute [[vaccine]]s and antiviral medications at a quicker pace and to streamline the process.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2009-10-21/swine-flu-care-may-swamp-health-system-senator-says?embedded-checkout=true |title=Swine Flu Care May Swamp Health System, Senator Says |author=Pat Wechsler |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |access-date=March 27, 2024 |date=October 21, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329234406/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2009-10-21/swine-flu-care-may-swamp-health-system-senator-says?embedded-checkout=true }}</ref> In the 110th Congress, Lieberman was Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which is responsible for assuring the Federal Government's efficiency and effectiveness. He was also a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee; Senate Armed Services Committee, where he was Chairman of the Subcommittee on Air Land Forces and sat on the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities; and the Small Business Committee.<ref name="lieberman.senate.gov"/>