Congressman Dave Reichert

Homeland Security

Congressman Reichert brings over 33 years of law enforcement experience and was previously a member of the House Homeland Security Committee until 2009. Congressman Reichert joined the Homeland Security Committee after he was sworn into office in 2005 and quickly became an influential member. Only 9 months after being in office, Congressman Reichert was named Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science and Technology, only the sixth freshmen in history to have a subcommittee chairmanship.

In this position, Chairman Reichert was tasked with reforming for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after the failed response of Hurricane’s Katrina and Rita. Chairman Reichert was the lead author of legislation that was signed into law on October 4, 2006, that significantly strengthened and improved FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security.

In addition to reforming FEMA, Chairman Reichert also made solving interoperability and emergency communications for our nation’s first responders a priority. As a result, the Emergency Preparedness, Science and Technology Subcommittee held 4 hearings on the issue that included witnesses from local, state, federal, and private sector to try and find a comprehensive solution. As a result, the House passed legislation by Congressman Reichert, H.R. 5852, the 21^st Century Emergency Communications Act, by a vote of 414-2 and the language was also signed into law on October 4, 2006.

Last Congress, Congressman Reichert served as the Senior Republican on the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment.

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