Sen. Mary Landrieu joins Homeland Security committee

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Sen. Mary Landrieu on Tuesday announced that she will join the Homeland Security Committee, which will make the Louisiana Democrat a key figure on upcoming investigations into the Bush administration’s response to Hurricane Katrina.

Landrieu already is the ranking member of the subcommittee that controls D.C.’s budget. Her statement Tuesday announcing her appointment to Homeland Security Committee said that she will remain on her other committees, but it’s not clear whether the Homeland Security role will keep her from chairing the D.C. subcommittee.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. said that Landrieu will be a key figure on the Homeland Security committee as it overhauls the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Hurricane Katrina flooded much of New Orleans and damaged major portions of the Gulf Coast.

The Democrats have promised to open investigations into the administration’s response to the disaster.

Landrieu said in a statement Tuesday that she will also focus on port security. Up to 40 percent of all U.S. shipping moves through Louisiana, Landrieu said.

Homeland Security is chaired by Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn.

bmyers@dcexaminer.com

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