Yvette Clarke On Homeland Security Subcommittee

[National Politics]

Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) has been appointed Chairwoman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity and Science and Technology for the 111th Congress.

The Subcommittee will exercise its oversight jurisdiction over a variety of issues, including cybersecurity, biodefense, pandemic influenza preparedness, nuclear detection, mitigating radiological attacks, agro-terrorism, and research and development within the Department of Homeland Security. The first two hearings held by the Subcommittee during the 111th Congress will focus on cybersecurity.

"Chairing this vital Subcommittee is a great honor, especially during this unique moment in our nation’s history," Clarke said. "There are many difficult security challenges before us, but we have strong leadership in the White House, the Department of Homeland Security, and here in Congress."

She said she looked forward to working closely with ranking member Dan Lungren (R-CA) and Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) of the Homeland Security Committee.

"We must continue to identify emerging threats that could harm our nation by working with the appropriate agencies and individuals to mitigate those vulnerabilities," she said.

"Securing the nation’s cyber networks is critical. Over the next several months, my Subcommittee will examine the security of our nation’s financial sector as well as the electric grid. In addition, we will examine the issues of nuclear and radiological terrorism, bioterrorism, contraband smuggling, biosurveillance, mitigating electromagnetic pulse attacks, and oversight of the DHS Centers of Excellence."

Clarke has served as a Member on the Committee of Homeland Security since her first term in Congress in 2007. She has been active in tackling the issue of keeping the American people safe and pushing to ensure government agencies are working efficiently to meet the highest standards of transparency and accountability.

Recently, Rep. Clarke’s FAST Redress Act passed the House for the second time. The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a redress process by creating a "comprehensive cleared list."

Any individual who feels they have been misidentified as a terrorist suspect may voluntarily provide the government with personal information which can be used to determine that the person in question is not actually on the terrorist watchlist. That person is then added to the cleared list, allowing them the freedom that Americans have come to expect, Clarke said.