Norton on Homeland Security, Transporation and Government Reform Committees - January 12, 2007
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Norton Gets a Subcommittee Chairmanship
Congresswoman Norton achieved the chairmanship she has sought since coming to Congress when she was elected Chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management (of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee). The subcommittee is central to the city's economy, which depends on a federal job base. Even as ranking member, Norton has been able to bring major revenue and job opportunities through numerous federal projects, including the S.E. Federal Center, the Department of Transportation and ATF Building.
Norton Gets Waiver Allowing Service on Homeland Security, Transportation and Government Reform Committees
January 12, 2007
Washington, DC—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) has again been named a member of the Homeland Security Committee, and has captured three rather than the usual two committees allowed each Democratic member of the House. Norton must continue her service on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, where D.C. business must be submitted and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where she will chair the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, but she wanted Homeland Security as well because of the unique vulnerability of the nation’s capital following the 9/11 attacks. She has been a member of this committee since it was established, initially as a select committee.
Norton said, “I want to thank Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic leadership, especially Rosa DeLauro, Co-chair of the House Democratic Steering Committee, who called to inform me of the decision, for their sensitivity and understanding of the special vulnerability and needs of the residents of the nation’s capital and adjusting my committee assignments accordingly. Norton has led the Democratic effort for public transportation security as lead sponsor of the Secure TRAINS Act to safeguard public transportation systems such as Metro, rail and buses.
The importance of her service on the Homeland Security Committee was on display last year when the administration cut funds for the District of Columbia and New York City by 40%, and she was instrumental in helping to obtain a hearing in the committee where former Mayor Anthony Williams and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg testified. As a result, DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff recently announced an improved distribution of security funding grants favoring these two high risk cities.