Himes gets choice Intelligence Committee post

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes has won a seate on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
The posting, to be announced later today by Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, is something Himes has expressed great interest in, and he’s psyched to get it.
“I am excited and proud to have been appointed to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence at a time when asymmetric and unconventional threats to our nation will be increasingly identified and countered by our intelligence community,” Himes said.
Himes will retain his position on the House Committee on Financial Services.
“As the recent discussion of the American use of drone technology has illustrated, it is more important than ever that we carefully balance our nation’s security needs with fundamental civil liberties and core national values. I am eager to help craft and oversee our nation’s effort to respond to emerging security threats and look forward to working in a bipartisan way to build a safer and more secure America,” he added.
The committee has oversight of the ONI (Offfice of the Director of National Intelligence), the CIA, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and aspects of the departments of Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, Justice, State and Treasury, as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, the National Security Agency, and various military intelligence operations.
The “permanent” nature of the committee means it exists beyond the adjournment of each two-year meeting of Congress.

David McCumber, Washington Bureau Chief