WASHINGTON--The charter members of the new permanent House Committee on Homeland Security were announced Wednesday. The committee is the principal legislative and oversight committee for the Department of Homeland Security and has primary jurisdiction over government-wide counterrorism policy.
Committee sources said that the new subcommittees will mirror the following jurisdictions:
- Domestic preparedness and response to terrorism (including assistance to first responders, disaster clean-up and response, etc.)
- Science and Technology (such as exploring new technologies for port and border security, intelligence, infrastructure prtotection, etc.)
- Port, Border and Critical Infrastructure Security (except for immigration policy other than border enforcement)
- Economic, Transportation and Cyber Security, and
- Customs and Customs Enforcement (such as smuggling, trafficking, narcotics trade, intellectual property rights, counterfeit merchandising, and other forms of commercial fraud)
The new Republican members are: Christopher Cox, chair (CA); Don Young (AK); Mark Souder (IN); Steve Pierce (NM); Lamar Smith (TX); Tom Davis (VA); Katherine Harris (FL); Curt Weldon (PA); Daniel Lungren (CA); Bobby Jindal (LA); Chris Shays (CT); Jim Gibbons (NV); David Reichert (WA); Peter King (NY); Rob Simmons (CT); Michael McCaul (TX); John Linder (GA); Mike Rogers (AL), and Charles Dent (PA).
The new Democratic members are: Bennie Thompson, ranking (MS); Loretta Sanchez (CA); Ed Markey (MA); Norm Dicks (WA); Jane Harman (CA); Peter DeFazio (OR); Nita Lowey (NY); Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC); Zoe Lofgren (CA); Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX); Bill Pascrell (NJ); Donna Christensen (VI); Bob Etheridge (NC); Jim Langevin (RI), and Kendrick Meek (FL).
"The Republican Leadership and the Conference have appointed a roster of expert, exceptionally talented, and serious national leaders, to the Homeland Security Committee," Cox said in a press statement. "The experience, knowledge, and solid judgment of this distinguished group will ensure that the Homeland Security Committee makes a solid contribution for the safety and security of every American."
"I look forward to working with the Committee's Ranking Member, Rep. Bennie Thompson, who I am certain will be leading an equally capable team on the Democratic side," Cox added.
Copyright © 2005 Port Security News
