Three Florida Republicans were named to the U.S. House Intelligence Committee this week by U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, while U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., named a Democrat from the Sunshine State to it.
Boehner named U.S. Reps. Jeff Miller, Tom Rooney and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen to the committee on Wednesday. Miller had spent much of 2014 angling for the committee chairmanship but lost out to U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif.
The recent terrorist attack in Paris, France, is a stark and tragic reminder of the constant threat America and our allies face from extremists bent on our destruction, Boehner said on Wednesday. It also gives us pause to recognize the incredible challenges our intelligence community faces in its efforts to keep Americans safe. Chairman Nunes and our members are committed to ensuring our intelligence professionals have the tools and resources they need to execute their mission, as well as conducting effective oversight of the administration, and I look forward to working with them.
I welcome both the new and returning members to the Intelligence Committee, Nunes said. At a time when the United States faces a broad array of international threats, this committees work is critical to U.S. national security. I look forward to working on a bipartisan basis with all committee members to ensure that our intelligence community receives all the resources it needs and is subject to rigorous oversight.
Pelosi named Democrats, led by U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., as ranking member, to the committee on Wednesday.
Protecting and defending American families is the greatest responsibility of Congress, said Pelosi. In a time of heightened awareness of the seriousness of the work of the intelligence community in protecting our security and maintaining our values as a country, these members will bring integrity, ability and leadership to the intelligence committee.
Our members offer both experience and fresh perspectives on the intelligence issues facing our country, Pelosi added. House Democrats will continue to prioritize our national security and preserve our liberty.
Pelosi named sophomore U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., as one of the Democrats on the committee.
Congressman Patrick Murphy has been a tireless champion for families and working people across our country, Pelosi said. On the Intelligence Committee, Congressman Murphy will continue to show thoughtful leadership for Floridians in working across the aisle to find bipartisan solutions to the challenges facing our national security.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
