Emerson to join spending panel on homeland security

WASHINGTON -- A Missouri congresswoman is taking on new responsibility for the nation's homeland security budget.

Republican Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, is joining the committee's new panel on homeland security, she said Wednesday.

"The goal of the subcommittee is to streamline and make more effective all of the functions in government that deal with the issue of making the American people feel more secure at home," Emerson said.

That includes the operations of police, fire and public health departments that would respond to biological or chemical attacks, she said, as well as the agencies that oversee travel by bus, train or airplane.

It also includes the functions of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, which Emerson said is a major concern to her Southeast Missouri constituents.

The move is part of an overhaul of subcommittees on the appropriations panel, which helps control the federal purse strings. Its present structure gives oversight of new homeland security agencies to eight separate subcommittees. Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-Fla., announced a reorganization Wednesday to bring those responsibilities under one subcommittee.

"Assisting in setting up and overseeing the new Department of Homeland Security is one of the most important issues before the 108th Congress," Young said in a statement. His proposal must be approved by the full committee.

Mrs. Emerson said she will continue serving on two other subcommittees that oversee spending on farm programs and on energy and water programs.

Also Wednesday, Rep. Todd Akin, a Republican from suburban St. Louis, was named chairman of a subcommittee of the House panel on small business. Akin will oversee the subcommittee on workforce, empowerment and government programs.

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On the Net

House Appropriations Committee: www.house.gov/appropriations/

Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo.: www.house.gov/emerson/