Dallas Morning News - Freshman Texans to Lead High-Tech Subcommittees

Press Release

By Michael Marks

Newly-elected Texas Republicans John Ratcliffe of Heath and Will Hurd of San Antonio have been tapped to chair technology-related subcommittees during their freshman year in the House.

Ratcliffe will helm the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies, a part of the Homeland Security Committee.

Hurd is in charge of the IT Subcommittee -- a new panel created by incoming Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz of Utah.

Both Republicans emphasized the growing relevance of their new posts, especially given recent developments like North Korea's hack of Sony Pictures. A trove of the company's sensitive information was released because of the cyber attack.

"The world of cybersecurity is not static in any respect. It's literally changing day by day as technology is changing day by day," Ratcliffe said. "Recent events really underscore just how great the threat will be."

It's unusual for lawmakers to get a gavel in their first term, but Ratcliffe and Hurd bring a wealth of technology and security knowledge with them to Congress.

Ratcliffe gained cybersecurity experience as a U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, and as a partner with The Ashcroft Law Firm, led by former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.

Hurd, a computer science major at Texas A&M University, participated in offensive cyber operations as a CIA officer. After leaving the CIA, he helped build a cybersecurity consulting company.

"These are issues that I know and understand. It's exciting to be in a position to do something on these issues," Hurd said.

As part of the Oversight Committee, Hurd's job will also involve inspecting how the federal government procures and uses IT equipment. The government budgeted over $80 billion for IT in fiscal year 2014, according to the Government Accountability Office.

"We've got to make sure that money is being spent wisely," Hurd said.

Although Hurd and Ratcliffe are still in their first official week on the job, Chaffetz and Rep. Michael McCaul of Austin, who chairs the Homeland Security Committee, think they're up to the task of running subcommittees.

"With the Sony attacks, it's raised the profile of this even more. We're going to have a strong presence in the Congress on cyber," McCaul said. "I have a high degree of confidence in his capabilities and leadership."

Chaffetz was just as laudatory of Hurd.

"I know he's a freshman, but he's obviously very capable. We've never had a subcommittee like this. It's a big responsibility, but I think he's up to the task," Chaffetz said.

While continuing to learn the ropes of Congress, both Ratcliffe and Hurd will spend the next few weeks preparing their committees' agendas. They said they're excited for the opportunity, and eager to get started.

"I came to Washington to help solve problems and provide solutions," Ratcliffe said. "A strong voice in what is going to be a growing area is an incredible opportunity, and one that I embrace."

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