GovernmentExecutive.com

The Senate Tuesday unanimously approved, by a 98-0 vote, the nomination of federal judge Michael Chertoff to serve as the country's second Homeland Security secretary.

A vote on Chertoff had been delayed last week over a dispute between Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and the Bush administration about contentious memorandums on the administration's torture policies.

Levin was demanding an uncensored version of FBI e-mails about the issue, but the administration rejected his request.

Despite the squabble, Levin voted for Chertoff.

Also Tuesday, the House Homeland Security Committee announced its Republican subcommittee chairmen for the 109th Congress.

Rep. Peter King of New York will be the chairman of the Emergency Preparedness, Science and Technology Subcommittee.

Rep. Dan Lungren of California will head the Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity Subcommittee.

The chairmanship of the Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment Subcommittee went to Rep. Rob Simmons of Connecticut.

Rep. John Linder of Georgia will head the Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack Subcommittee.

Finally, Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama will chair the panel's Management, Integration and Oversight Subcommittee.

COMMENTS

• Hey, Long Beach, who are you calling "dumb"? I hope your reports of investigation are written better than your submission to Government Executive . It's been a while since I've read such a rambling, incomprehensible response to an article. And as far as us being disgruntled, why shouldn't we be, given the fiasco that is ICE? Do you think things are swell from where you sit in Long Beach? What are you smoking out there? Everyone with any intelligence, and some experience on this job, knows that ICE is a joke. Customs and INS investigations have nothing in common, and never had! That, my friend, is the reality. So if you want to sit back in your little dream world, and pretend that all is well, go right ahead. Just stay out of the way of those who are trying to correct this wrong, by bringing attention to it. We're doing this not just for ourselves, but for our families, our communities, our nation, and yes, even for you! GovExec.com reader Posted February 18, 2005 2:05 PM
• Mr.Chertoff seems quite the political animal. 98-0 confirmation proves it. However, it seems he was the only Republican U.S. Attorney retained during the Clinton purge.... HMMMMM. I notice he wears a beard. As a CBP Officer, I cannot - it's against the grooming standards that were foisted on us. Looks like the rules don't apply equally. What kind of leadership is that? I can understand relaxed grooming rules for ICE, but how can CBP with a straight face enforce a rule their boss is violating? GovExec.com reader Posted February 18, 2005 12:50 AM
• Looks like we requested a 13.4 percent increase for 2006 or about $4.4 billion for ICE, source: Government Executive . The FBI budget would increase by 11 percent, to $5.7 billion, including an increase of $294 million to hire an additional 468 agents, mostly for counterterrorism and counterintelligence activities, source: The Indianapolis Star , Feb. 9, 2005. Looks like we are short $280-$300 million, again, source: DHS Deputy Secretary James Loy. Let's play the FBI game and ask for $300 million for some badly needed project and use the money to fund the next likely shortfall. We can start by encouraging disgruntled senior agents who sign on to the Mailbag with "Legacy Customs" Special Agent and threaten to leave, to actually leave. These guys are too dumb, and too far gone, to add to the coming challenge in a constructive way. Next, we recognize that the FBI publishes joint agency arrests not to take credit for our work, but to take funding from our budget. In this area we are making progress, thank you Public Affairs and curse you INS Public Affairs, I hope you are writing obits somewhere in Podunk. It's about the money dummy! Finally, let's understand that our associates in Washington care about the same things our associates in the field Offices do: Their morning commute, their pay, where their children go to school...you get the picture, right? Did I mention anything about saving the world from destruction by merging two agencies we just split, or your problems? Now, the next hill I charge up with my saber drawn, if I look back and you're not there; I'm coming back for you, rookie. GovExec.com reader Posted February 17, 2005 7:45 PM