The War on Terrorism: How Prepared is the Nation’s Capital?

Since September 11, 2001, the National Capital Region (NCR), comprised of the District of Columbia, two states, 12 local jurisdictions, the three branches of federal government, and over four million Americans, has been recognized as a significant target for terrorism. Congress has appropriated money to secure the NCR. Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security established the Office of the National Capital Region Coordination, which is charged with overseeing and coordinating federal programs and domestic preparedness and response initiatives for state, local and regional authorities in the NCR. This hearing will examine how NCR is spending its homeland security grant funding, the organizational structures established to provide coordinated security, and if the NCR can be used as a model for security in other regions of the country.