WASHINGTON – Today, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Carper and Ranking Member Tom Coburn announced the Committee’s newly reorganized subcommittees and subcommittee leadership assignments for the 113th Congress.
“Given the broad scope of Senate Committees, especially the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, subcommittees provide critical support and expertise to help carry out all aspects of our Committee’s mission,” said Chairman Carper and Ranking Member Coburn. “We look forward to working closely with the subcommittee chairs and ranking members as the Committee continues its work to protect and secure our homeland and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the federal government.”
The Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, under the Chairmanship of Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and Ranking Member John McCain (R-Ariz.), is the Committee’s chief investigative subcommittee and has the responsibility of studying and investigating the efficiency and economy of operations relating to all branches of the government. The Subcommittee is also tasked with studying and investigating the compliance or noncompliance with rules, regulations and laws, investigating all aspects of crime and lawlessness within the United States which have an impact upon or affect the national health, welfare and safety, including syndicated crime, investment fraud schemes, commodity and security fraud, computer fraud, and the use of offshore banking and corporate facilities to carry out criminal objectives. (Please note: PSI’s jurisdiction remains unchanged.)
The Subcommittee on Financial and Contracting Oversight, under the Chairmanship of Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Ranking Member Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), will focus on ensuring that the federal government spends taxpayer money as wisely and effectively as possible. This subcommittee is charged with overseeing the federal government’s efforts to improve its management of significant acquisitions and ensure that acquisitions are conducted in a cost effective manner and deliver the promised results in order to protect taxpayer resources.
The jurisdiction of this subcommittee will also encompass programs to improve financial transparency, expenditure tracking and efforts to prevent and recoup improper payments across the federal government.
The Subcommittee on the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Federal Programs and the Federal Workforce, under the Chairmanship of Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Ranking Member Rob Portman (R-Ohio), will oversee the management, efficiency, effectiveness and economy of all agencies and departments in the federal government, including the federal workforce and federal programs. The subcommittee has a broad authority for conducting oversight across the federal government and for seeking to improve the efficiency of federal programs. In addition, the Subcommittee is responsible for exploring policies that promote a skilled, efficient and effective federal workforce which will, in turn, work to ensure efficient and effective management of federal programs.
The Subcommittee on Emergency Management, Intergovernmental Affairs, and the District of Columbia, under the Chairmanship of Mark Begich (D-Alaska) and Ranking Member Rand Paul (R-Ky.), will focus on emergency management, disaster relief and issues relating to the oversight of the District of Columbia. This Subcommittee is responsible for oversight of FEMA and all of its emergency management responsibilities, including preparation for, response to, recovery from and mitigation against natural and man-made disasters. The Subcommittee also reviews the administration of post-disaster relief funds and oversight of financial assistance programs, like homeland security grants. In addition to these responsibilities, the subcommittee will have the responsibility of overseeing the interrelationship between the Department of Homeland Security and states, localities and first responders in preventing and responding to natural disasters, terrorism, and other man-made disasters. The Subcommittee will also be responsible for all matters regarding the oversight of the District of Columbia, including the District court system.
**Please note that oversight of the U.S. Postal Service, the Census and collection of statistics, and the National Archives will now be handled by the full Committee.
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