WASHINGTON, D.C.– U.S. Rep. Billy Long, vice chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Management, issued the following statement after the House passed legislation calling for an independent review of the Homeland Security Department:

            “I am very fortunate to serve on the House Committee on Homeland Security since it covers essential security issues facing our country.  There is no doubt our country will face many threats to national security in the future. We must remain vigilant in defending our country by ensuring the department is effectively and efficiently doing its job.”   

            The DHS Accountability Act of 2012 creates an independent advisory panel to comprehensively assess the Department of Homeland Security’s management structure and capabilities.  The independent panel will make recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the management of the department.  A series of congressional oversight hearings discovered multiple instances of corruption, low morale, and misuse of taxpayer dollars in the department.

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