Aderholt Named Chairman of Homeland Security Subcommittee

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CONGRESSMAN ADERHOLT NAMED CHAIRMAN OF HOMELAND SECURITY SUBCOMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Aderholt To Lead Homeland Security Subcommittee On The 10-year Anniversary of 9/11

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) was selected today to be Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security.

“I am extremely honored to have been appointed Chairman of this vitally important Appropriations Subcommittee, especially at a time in our history when America’s security is being threatened more than ever before,” said Aderholt. “Coming up on the ten-year anniversary of 9/11, the matters facing our nation’s intelligence community and law enforcement agencies are significant. Nothing proves this more than the fact that the United States experienced more terrorist attacks and plots over the last 14 months than any period since 9/11.”

Aderholt continued, “Because our homeland security faces more threats than ever, it is unacceptable that Congress did not complete a bill last year. Therefore, one of my top goals will be to produce a comprehensive piece of legislation that responsibly and effectively addresses the needs of our homeland security operations. In addition, I plan on focusing on proper oversight and accountability, while making sure that our funding priorities yield results that enhance our national security. I also believe that it’s important for us to listen to voters and balance the need for spending on security with the need for fiscal discipline in light of out-of-control government spending.”

Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY) announced today that the House Republican Steering Committee had approved Chairmanship assignments for Rep. Aderholt and 11 other Committee Chairmen for the 112th Congress. The entire Republican conference is expected to confirm the selection next week.

“Over the last 7 years, the Department of Homeland Security has labored through the largest reorganization of the Federal government since the establishment of the Pentagon, and I am confident that Chairman Aderholt can effectively lead this Subcommittee and hold DHS accountable,” said Chairman Rogers. “I look forward to working with Chairman Aderholt as he leads an aggressive oversight agenda that will ensure DHS produces real results for the safety and security of our Nation.”

Aderholt will assume the Chairmanship of the Subcommittee formerly chaired and led on the Republican side by Rogers, who is the new Chairman of the full Appropriations Committee. In 2003, Rogers was appointed to be the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security in the first year of its existence. Aderholt will be the Subcommittee’s 2nd Republican Chairman in its history.

In addition to being named Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee, Aderholt will serve another term on the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee, and for the first time, will serve on the Agriculture Subcommittee.

The Subcommittee on Homeland Security is the funding subcommittee for the operations of the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the following components: Customs and Border Protection, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Coast Guard, Secret Service, National Protection and Programs Directorate, and several other supporting agencies. This Subcommittee manages about $50 billion of spending within the annual federal budget.

DHS was created in 2002 by the Homeland Security Act of 2002, in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and subsequent release of Anthrax spores. The establishment of DHS was the largest federal government reorganization since the Department of Defense was created via the National Security Act of 1947.

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