Office of Legislative Affairs
Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs Pam Turner resigned on May 4, 2006.
The Committee has also learned that Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for legislative Affairs with the House of Representatives Amy D. McKennis has announced her resignation and that James Norton will serve as acting DAS.
The United States Congress is designated by the Constitution as a check and balance on the Executive Branch of government. This means that Congressional Committee's, such as the Committee on Homeland Security, conduct oversight of the Department of Homeland Security to ensure efficient and effective operations on behalf of the American tax payers. As a new Department, DHS requires a great deal of oversight and support from Congress to develop its potential. The necessary relationships between the Department and its Congressional oversight bodies is hampered, absent a permanent designated liaison to maintain relationships with Congress and respond to official inquiries.