WASHINGTON – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee members, lead by Chairman Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Ranking Member Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., today wrote to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to express their concern that the White House has not yet appointed a Chief Financial Officer at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The DHS Financial Accountability Act passed by Congress in October 2004 directed the President to appoint a CFO for the Department within 180 days after enactment. To date, the White House has not announced a nomination for the position. In their letter the senators noted that “the need for a strong CFO is even more urgent in light of the Department’s responsibility in overseeing emergency appropriations for Hurricane Katrina relief that well exceed the Department’s annual budget.”
All Subcommittee Chairmen and Ranking Members of the HSGAC — Senators Daniel Akaka (D-HI), George Voinovich (R-OH), Carl Levin (D-MI), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Tom Carper (D-DE) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) — also signed the letter.
The letter is attached.