WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Senators have signaled they want to keep a close eye on the reforms of disaster preparedness they ordered last year by setting up two new oversight panels.
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., this week announced the formation of two new subcommittees dedicated to oversight of the nation's emergency planning and disaster preparedness.
The Disaster Recovery Subcommittee, chaired by Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., will oversee the government's work helping communities to recover from disasters in general and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in particular. The State, Local, and Private Sector Preparedness and Integration Subcommittee, chaired by Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., will examine efforts on state and local fusion centers and law enforcement grants and integration of private-sector efforts to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Jurisdictions for three existing subcommittees remain virtually the same, with the added responsibility for postal issues within the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management.
