Untitled Document

MALONEY/SHAYS RULES CHANGE

On January 4, 2005 Representatives Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Christopher Shays (R-CT), James Leach (R-IA), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Ed Case (D-HI) and Diane Watson (D-CA) introduced H. Res. 25, a rules change to bring Congressional oversight in line with the 9/11 Commission's recommendations.

Specifically, H.Res 25, the MALONEY/SHAYS Rules Change (Click here to view) would:

1. Create a Permanent standing Committee on Homeland Security;
2. Create a permanent standing Committee on Intelligence;
3. Create a 14th Appropriations subcommittee on Intelligence.

Problems with the current system highlighted by the Commission include:

1. According to the 9/11 Commission, leaders of the Department of Homeland Security now appear before 88 committees and subcommittee of Congress. This is "perhaps the single largest obstacle impeding the department's successful development." Currently, the Committee on Homeland Security is simply a Select Committee.

SOLUTION: Maloney/Shays changes House Rules to create a permanent standing Committee on Homeland Security with exclusive jurisdiction.

2. According to the 9/11 Commission, Congressional oversight for intelligence and counterterrorism is "dysfunctional" and the Intelligence Committee is simply a Select Committee.

SOLUTION: Maloney/Shays changes House Rules to create a permanent standing Committee on Intelligence with exclusive jurisdiction over intelligence and counterterrorism.

3. According to the 9/11 Commission, the Intelligence Committee should have authorizing and appropriating authority.

SOLUTION: Maloney/Shays changes House Rules to create a 14th Appropriations Subcommittee on Intelligence. Additionally, one-third of the Members of the Intelligence Committee shall be Members of the Appropriations Committee.