May 25, 2006 Contact: Leslie Phillips (202) 224-2627 HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE TO VOTE ON NOMINATION OF R. DAVID PAULISON TO HEAD FEMA Paulison Satisfactorily Resolves Committee’s Concerns About Improper Tax Deductions   Senate Homeland Security Chairman Susan Collins and Ranking Member Joseph Lieberman announced that they will proceed with the nomination process of R. David Paulison to be Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Committee is scheduled to vote on his nomination during a business meeting sometime later today. During yesterday’s committee hearing to consider his nomination, Chairman Collins voiced concerns that she and Senator Lieberman had identified with the nominee’s tax returns. Senator Collins said she hoped he would work with the committee to address these concerns so that his nomination could proceed. Paulison, who said he was unaware of the issues until they were raised by committee staff, pledged to work with the committee to clear up the matter as quickly as possible. Senator Collins said, “We have completed our review of the questions our committee had related to Mr. Paulison’s tax returns. He has provided the Committee with a letter indicating that he received incorrect advice regarding his federal and state filing requirements and that he pledges to do what is necessary to fully comply with federal and state law. Senator Lieberman and I are satisfied with the resolution of this matter, and we do not believe it should disqualify him from being confirmed by the Senate without delay for such an important position.” Senator Lieberman said: “I am satisfied that Mr. Paulison has answered the Committee’s questions on this matter completely, and am hopeful the Senate will confirm him before the 2006 hurricane season begins.” Paulison’s letter to the committee is as follows: The Honorable Susan M. Collins, Chairman Committee on Homeland Security The Honorable Joseph I. Lieberman, Ranking Member Committee on Homeland Security Dear Chairman Collins and Senator Lieberman: Thank you again for the committee’s consideration of my appointment by President Bush to be the Undersecretary for Federal Emergency Management. As you know, in the process of preparing for my appearance before your committee, I became aware of certain issues with my federal and state tax returns. After reviewing these issues with an independent, local tax attorney, I’ve determines that previous advice I have received on state filing requirements and eligible federal deductions was in error. As a result, I will file as soon as possible the required federal and state returns and will pay all taxes, penalties or interest that may be required to immediately correct these issues. I’m pleased to have this matter raised and resolved so that I may focus on completing the confirmation process. I hope that the actions that I’ve taken to address the Committee’s concerns illustrate my commitment to work openly with the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Sincerely, R. David Paulison   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 May 2006 Press Releases   May 31 - Lieberman Assails Homeland Security Grant Distribution   May 25 - Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Approves Nominees R. David Paulison and Lurita Alexis Doan   May 25 - Lieberman Warns of Active Hurricane Season in Northeast   May 25 - Lieberman Demands Answers about Information Theft   May 25 - Lieberman Calls for Second Extension of Unemplyoment Benefits for 2005 Hurricane Victims   May 25 current Press Release   May 24 - Lieberman Celebrates Connecticut Hero at Stamp Unveiling   May 24 - Lieberman Demands Answers in Joint Hearing on Stolen Vet Data   May 24 - Lieberman Says FEMA Recovery is Fraught with Problems   May 23 - Senator Lieberman's Statement on the Nomination of Lurita Alexis Doan for Administrator of the General Services Administration   May 23 - Lieberman Comments on Security Breach Against Veterans   May 17 - Senator Lieberman Delivers Statement at Robert Portman's Confirmation Hearing   May 17 - Lieberman Challenges OMB Nominee on Administration’s Fiscal Irresponsibility   May 11 - Senate and House Homeland Security Committees Stress Importance of Keeping FEMA Capabilities Within DHS   May 9 - Lieberman Seeks Probe Into HUD Secretary's Cancellation of Contract to Man Who Disliked Bush   May 9 - Senators Collins, Lieberman Say Emergency Response Must Be Part of DHS   May 8 - Lieberman Presses Norquist on Halliburton Redactions to DOD Audit of Iraqi Contracts   May 3 - Lieberman Calls House Bill Unworthy of Name "Reform"   May 2 - Hurricane Katrina Report and Recommendations Pass Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee   May 2 - Port Security Legislation Authored by Senators Collins, Murray and Lieberman Passes Homeland Security Committee   May 2 - Committee Responds to Senator Clinton's Request that FEMA Be Returned to an Independent Agency
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510