Is Homeland Security Act of 2002 symbolic or substantive?

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 is primarily substantive, as it established the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and implemented significant changes to national security policy and practices in response to the September 11 attacks. It aimed to enhance domestic security through measures such as improved intelligence sharing, increased funding for emergency preparedness, and the consolidation of various federal agencies. While it does carry symbolic weight by representing a national commitment to security, its real impact lies in the concrete policies and structural changes it enacted.