Posted on 01/19/2007 3:56:49 PM PST by SwinneySwitch
House Democrat says she'll study safety of private leases for tollways
WASHINGTON — Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee was tapped Thursday as chairwoman of a powerful House subcommittee responsible for overseeing the security of the nation's transportation and critical infrastructure sectors. As head of the House Homeland Security Committee's Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection subcommittee, the Houston Democrat will have authority to assess and oversee government efforts to protect the nation's airports, seaports, rail lines and highways.
Jackson Lee will also have oversight over the Transportation Security Administration and the security of critical infrastructure such as hospitals, and chemical and power plants.
"I am extremely excited," she said.
Noting the Houston area's convergence of airports, rail, petrochemical plants, the Port of Houston, mass transit, the Texas Medical Center and highways, she added, "This committee is one that fits not only for Houston but also the nation."
Jackson Lee served notice that her subcommittee will wade into the controversy over financing new highway construction through tolls and leases to private companies, including foreign ones.
"We are going to raise the question whether foreign ownership of highways is in fact the best approach for American security," she said.
On whether she has reached a conclusion on the issue, which could place her at odds with ardent toll-road backer Gov. Rick Perry, Jackson Lee said: "Sometimes revenue has to take a back seat to security."
Jackson Lee's elevation on the Homeland Security Committee, by Democratic leaders, means she definitely will not chair the House Judiciary Committee's immigration subcommittee, which is sure to be a hub of activity this year.
She has been the top Democrat on that subcommittee for years, but was faced with the fact that a more senior Democrat, California Rep. Zoe Lofgren, a former immigration attorney, will assert her claim to that chairmanship when the committee formally organizes next week.
Jackson Lee said she will remain a member of the immigration subcommittee and noted she can also influence the immigration policy debate from her other Homeland Security assignment, the Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism Subcommittee.
Another Houston-area lawmaker, Rep. Nick Lampson, D-Stafford, also gained assignment to key subcommittees, joining the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's aviation subcommittee and its railroads, pipelines and hazardous materials subcommittee.
"Those are going to be areas of critical importance to Congressional District 22, particularly the railroad thing," Lampson said, citing concerns in Fort Bend County over the number of freight trains that cross through communities.
Lampson, who also serves on the Science and Agriculture committees, has gained assignment to an agriculture subcommittee that could help the seafood and cattle industries in his district.
Lampson noted he is a former crawfish farmer.
michelle.mittelstadt@chron.com
Isn't she the one who says we didn't land on the moon? Or some such nonsense.
Oh God. If you've ever seen this woman in action you know that it's now officially Miller time - 30 or 40 Millers time.
This woman is one of the stupidist people in congress. I mean really stupid! American flags on Mars. Why do we have to be governed by these imbeciles.
Yes, this is the MORON who thought we had landed men on MARS...asking the folks at NASA if the could send the Mars Rover over to where "we put the flag."
Dear God in heaven, how can even the dimwit DEMOCRATS put someone this STUPID charing a committe that directly effects our NATIONAL SECURITY.
I feel better all over more than any place else...... now that Jack-lee is in charge of our critical infrastructure... Well she does have a lot of it in the Houston area....
...with a short stop-over in New Orleans to pick up William Jefferson.
This could well be hilarious.
Oh lordy, we are indeed doomed. Sheila Don't-You-Know-Who-I-Am Jackson-Lee is a blight on the Great State of Texas.
And we laughed at the UN, when they populated the Human Rights committee with...
Isn't this the woman who voted against even going after al Qaeda in Afghanistan?
Pelosi putting her in charge of this subcommittee is just another big FU to America from the San Fran liberals who are laughing up their sleeve at all those "moderate" suckers who voted them into power.
We are truly in for a wild ride.
This is like putting Charles Manson in charge of security for a day care center.
An optimist by nature, I found one tiny piece of good news in this otherwise very depressing news story. The Democrat who chairs the House Judiciary Committee's immigration subcommittee will probably be as bad, but I don't want to think about that right now.
I have met her twice.
She is dumb as a post.
A really dumb post.
An idiot post!
I did scare the crap out of her though.
She is a nitwit! It just keeps getting worse and worse!
She is a nitwit! It just keeps getting worse and worse!
"Dear God in heaven, how can even the dimwit DEMOCRATS put someone this STUPID charing a committe that directly effects our NATIONAL SECURITY"
Truth be known, she is the cream of the crap in Dem circles.
I didn't think she was smart enough to screw up the world. LOL
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