October 25, 2006
Reichert Increases in Latest House Power Rankings
Independent group sites legislative success of Chairman Reichert

Mercer Island, WA – In just his first term in office, Rep. Dave Reichert (WA-08) has continued to move up his power ranking in the U.S. House of Representatives. In just one term, Congressman Reichert's influence and ability to get things done for his District in Washington, DC lands him at the top of Washington State's most powerful legislators and the second most powerful among Washington State's Representatives. The criteria used in ranking members of Congress is based on a combination of position, influence, and legislation. Congressman Reichert distinguished himself early in the U.S. House or Representatives and became only the sixth freshman in the history of the House to be given a committee chairmanship. 

 

"As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, we had an obligation to fix the problems associated with our poor response to Hurricane Katrina," Congressman Reichert said. "We were successful in pushing through the House and into law needed reforms that will strengthen the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and improve emergency communication for our first responders. In addition, I have been able to bring back to the district significant amount of funding for projects that will benefit all of us that live and work in the District. Projects in and around the Eighth Congressional District received over $100 million in funding over the last two years, including $37.5 million in transportation projects from SAFETEA-LU." 

 

Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee Peter King commended Chairman Reichert's work on FEMA reform legislation, "Chairman Reichert was the driving force behind this legislation.  Without his leadership and 30 years of law enforcement experience, these comprehensive reforms never would have been possible."

 

U.S. House of Representatives from Washington State

 

                        Name                                        Rank in State    Score    Rank in House

                        Rep. Dicks (D-WA-6)                                    1   32.75                        36

                        Rep. Reichert (R-WA-8, Freshman)               2   19.25                      166

                        Rep. McMorris (R-WA-5, Freshman)             3    18.62                      178

                        Rep. Hastings (R-WA-4)                               4    15.50                      229

                        Rep. McDermott (D-WA-7)                            5    14.88                      245

                        Rep. Baird (D-WA-3)                                    6    11.63                      305

                        Rep. Larsen (D-WA-2)                                  7    10.25                      330

                        Rep. Inslee (D-WA-1)                                   8      8.94                      354

                        Rep. Smith (D-WA-9)                                   9      6.62                      408

 

The rankings were done by Knowlegis, a government relations knowledge management company that considers among its ranking criteria Members' position, influence and legislative activity. A list of all the Power Rankings can be found at http://www.congress.org/power

 

Congressman Reichert's legislative accomplishments in 2006:

 

  • The 21st Century Emergency Communications Act of 2006: Passed the House of Representatives on July 25, 2006, by a vote of 414-2.  The majority of this legislation was included in the Homeland Security Appropriations bill for FY 2007 and was signed into law on October 4, 2006.
  • The National Emergency Management Reform Enhancement Act of 2006: Passed the House Committee on Homeland Security on May 17, 2006, by a vote of 28-0.  After in-depth negotiations with Leadership and other Committee Chairmen, Chairman Reichert was successful in strengthening FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security and having this legislation attached to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill for FY 2007, which was signed into law on October 4, 2006.
  • The National Police Athletic League (PAL) Youth Enrichment Reauthorization Act of 2005: Congressman Reichert was successful in attaching this language to the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, which was signed into law on July 27, 2006.  
  • The Homeland Security Science and Technology Enhancement Act of 2006: Passed the Homeland Security Committee on June 14, 2006.  
  • Congressman Reichert offered an amendment to the Agricultural Appropriations bill for FY 2007 to exempt Smith Brothers Farms from new producer-handler regulations. Unfortunately the amendment was not made in order.
  • Congressman Reichert offered an amendment to the Science, State, Justice, Commerce Appropriations bill for FY 2007 to increase funding for Justice Assistance Grants program by $25 million. This amendment was accepted.

 

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science and Technology, Rep. Reichert has chaired 11 hearings this year important to protecting our homeland.  These hearings include:

 

  • Protecting the Homeland: Fighting Pandemic Flu From the Front Lines.
  • The State of Interoperable Communications: Perspectives from the Field.
  • The State of Interoperable Communications: Perspectives from State and Local Governments.
  • Proposed Fiscal Year 2007 Budget: Enhancing Preparedness for First Responders.
  • State of Interoperable Communications: Perspectives on Federal Coordination of Grants, Standards, and Technology.
  • Washington State Field Hearing: Planning and Preparedness, Federal, State and Local Coordination. 
  • New Jersey Field Hearing: Preparing for, Responding to, and Preventing Terrorist Attacks, Natural Disasters and Other Emergencies: Is Northern New Jersey Ready.
  • Emergency Care Crisis: A National Unprepared for Public Health Disasters
  • Northern Exposure: Assessing Border Security
  • The Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate: Is it Structured for Success?
  • Helping Business Protect the Homeland: Is the Department of Homeland Security Effectively Implementing the SAFETY Act?

 

Awards and honors received by Rep. Reichert this year include:

  • Received the 2006 Process Control and SCADA (Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition System) Security Leadership Awards from a leading Cyber Security Organization for the results of their October 2005 joint hearing, “SCADA and the Terrorist Threat: Protecting the Nation’s Critical Control Systems.
  • Received the Chamber of Congress Spirit of Enterprise award for work on tax issues, health care for small business owners, and promoting free trade.
  • Received the RAINN Crime Fighter Award because as a result of efforts to bring sexual offenders to justice, enhance services for victims of sexual assault and reduce the incidence of rape.
  • Received the NFIB Guardian award for work on behalf of Small Business.
  • The Genocide Intervention Network gave Rep. Reichert an ‘A’ grade for his efforts stop the genocide of thousands in the Darfur region of Sudan.