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OPENING STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN BOB STUMP
HEARING ON HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT |
Today, the Committee on Armed Services meets in open session to discuss the President's proposal to establish a new Department of Homeland Security, with specific emphasis on those organizations under the Committee's jurisdiction that may be transferred from the Department of Defense and Department of Energy.
Our witnesses this morning are Dr. Stephen Cambone, the Principal Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Policy; and General John Gordon, Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration at the Department of Energy. Welcome gentlemen. The committee looks forward to your testimony.
I also want to take this opportunity to advise the committee that the bipartisan House leadership has asked us to move very expeditiously in considering the President's proposal before us. Yesterday, H.R. 5005, the introduced version of the Administration legislative proposal was referred to us and to 11 other House committees. Under the referral, we have until July 12 to consider this proposal and issue our recommendations.
Given these constraints, and after consulting with Mr. Skelton, it is my intention to use today's hearing to review all issues related to this proposal and proceed with a mark-up on July 10, the Wednesday following the July 4th break. While such an aggressive schedule requires that we move very quickly, I am committed to ensuring that we not lose the opportunity to render our opinion on this proposal by not acting within the established timelines.
That said, this morning's hearing will address the roles, missions, and activities of those organizations that the President has proposed to transfer from DOD and DOE to the Department of Homeland Security.
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