Rep. Katko Named Ranking Member on Homeland Security

Press Release

U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) today was elected by the House Republican Steering Committee to serve as Ranking Member on the House Committee on Homeland Security. In this role, Rep. Katko will serve as the top Republican on the Committee and will prioritize efforts to thwart terrorism, bolster border security, and address the nation's cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

"I'm truly honored to serve as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security," said Rep. Katko. "For nearly 20 years, I served as a federal organized crime prosecutor working cases on counterterrorism, border security and immigration, drug and human trafficking, and political corruption. When I first came to Congress, I continued this work on the House Homeland Security Committee. Under the leadership of Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Rogers, I spearheaded initiatives to bolster our nation's cyber defenses, strengthen transportation security, and address the threat of foreign fighters. This assignment is a direct continuation of my life's work to secure our country and keep Americans safe."

He continued, "Today, our nation is facing unprecedented and evolving threats. We must take a deliberate and commonsense approach to improve security on our borders, combat new threats in cyberspace, remain vigilant against terrorist threats, and improve the Department of Homeland Security's ability to identify and combat risks to our national security. As we approach the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, and as a New Yorker, I will remain focused on ensuring top terror targets are secure and that there is a close partnership with DHS. I'm ready to get to work and look forward to working with Chairman Thompson on these critical issues."

The House Committee on Homeland Security was founded in 2002 in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It has jurisdiction over policy related to national security, oversees six subcommittees, and conducts oversight of the Department of Homeland Security, an agency with over 240,000 federal employees and an annual budget of over $50 billion.

Rep. Katko has served in a number of leadership roles on the House Committee on Homeland Security. In the 114th and 115th Congress, he served as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Protective Security. As Chairman, Katko advanced legislation that bolstered transportation security and conducted oversight over the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the U.S. Secret Service. He also led the Committee's Foreign Fighter Task Force, a bipartisan group of Members that advanced policies to prevent terrorism. In the 116th Congress, Katko served as Ranking Member of the Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation Subcommittee. In this role, he led efforts to improve the country's cyber defenses and secure election systems.

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