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Committee on Ways and Means For Immediate Release One Step Closer to Further Securing the Homeland Homeland Security Act Passes Overwhelmingly in Ways and Means Committee WASHINGTON - Lawmakers yesterday passed H.R. 5005, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, out of the Committee on Ways and Means by a favorable voice vote. “Our approach advances the President's Homeland Security legislation while ensuring that the critical trade mission performed by the Customs Service continues and helps maintain our economic security,” said Ways and Means Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA). The amendment passed by the Committee, by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 34-3, transfers jurisdiction of the entire Customs Service from the Department of Treasury to the proposed Department of Homeland Security, including functions, personnel, assets and liabilities. However, the legislation preserves the operations that deal with trade and revenue from further reorganization. “After 220 years, the work of Customs in collecting revenue and facilitating trade is just as important now as when President George Washington first empowered Customs in 1789. Our approach to the legislation ensures a guaranteed place for our trade priorities as Customs becomes a part of the larger new department,” Thomas added. |