The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“Constitutional Authority and Single Subject Statements for H.R. 3769” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security was published in the in the House section section on page H2709 on May 31.
The Department was built out of more than 20 agencies in 2002. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lower taxes and boosting federal efficiency, argued the Department is burdened with "unneeded bureaucracy" which could be handled by other departments or standalone operations.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
By Mrs. HINSON:
H.R. 3769.
Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following:
Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18
The single subject of this legislation is:
Requires an annual, comprehenesive collaborative report from the US Attorney General, working with the US Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and state and local law enforcement, on gang activity in the United States.