DHS version of the Quadrennial Defense Review in the works.

• Position: SECURITY BEAT: HOMELAND DEFENSE BRIEFS

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* The Department of Homeland Security has been infamous for delivering congressionally required reports late, but officials insist that its first Quadrennial Homeland Security Review will be delivered on time.

Like the Defense Department's Quadrennial Defense Review, the DHS version will be delivered every four years and address long-term strategies and priorities. The first is due on Dec. 31, 2009.

Christine Wormuth, a senior fellow of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told a congressional hearing that DHS has not carried out such an examination since 2005 when Secretary Michael Chertoff conducted the "Second Stage Review."

"DHS faces significant challenges--the QHSR cannot be an A to Z examination of every homeland security issue facing government," she said at a House Homeland Security Committee hearing.

The deadline will come at an awkward time. Between now and then, there will be a change in administrations and a turnover ill staff, it also comes too late in the year to make an impact on the appropriations and authorization bills, said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich.

Alan Cohn, DHS deputy assistant secretary for policy strategic plans, said his office will gather as much...