Government Reform Committee Votes to Keep Department of Homeland Security Intact

The Committee on Government Reform, chaired by Representative Dan Burton (R-IN), today voted to include the Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the U.S. Secret Service as part of H.R. 5005, the Homeland Security Act of 2002. “The decision to retain all four of these entities is critical to the core mission and overall success of this new Department,” said Burton. “We have to take a comprehensive approach to homeland security and the President’s plan does that.” The determination to keep these critical components intact comes on the heels of votes in other Committees today to remove all or portions of the Coast Guard, FEMA, INS, and the Secret Service from the President’s original proposal. “Winning the war against terrorism depends largely on the inclusion of these essential units as part of a streamlined approach to protect America’s borders,” added Burton. “Both the President and I believe the Secretary of this new Department must possess the maximum flexibility and utmost authority to make this Department a success.” The Committee will report its final revisions on the legislation to the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, Chaired by Majority Leader Dick Armey, upon its completion late Thursday night.