Coble reappointed Chairman of Crime Subcommittee

Washington, Jan 27 - U.S. Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC) has been reappointed chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security for the 109th Congress. It will be his second, two-year term as chairman of the panel. In addition, Congressman Coble was also reappointed to another term on the Commercial and Administrative Law subcommittee.

“The Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security subcommittee will be tackling some high-profile issues during the 109th Congress,” Chairman Coble stated, “including reauthorization of portions of the Patriot Act. Sections of the Patriot Act are scheduled to expire at the end of 2005. In addition, we will continue our oversight over the Department of Homeland Security.”

The chairman of the full Judiciary committee praised Rep. Coble’s direction of the panel. “Under Congressman Coble’s leadership, the Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security subcommittee will build upon its impressive work protecting the American public in both the war on terror and fighting crime on our streets,” commented Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI). Coble has been a member of the full Judiciary committee during his previous 10 terms in Congress.

Rep. Coble said port security will be another hot topic during the next two years. “Our jurisdiction will include oversight of the United States Coast Guard’s law enforcement activities,” Coble noted, “and securing our nation’s ports and waterways from terrorism will be a key item for our agenda.”

Chairman Coble added the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling nullifying mandatory federal sentencing guidelines will have an impact on his subcommittee’s upcoming work schedule. Other potential action items could include mandatory minimum sentences and prisoner reentry issues.

The Transportation and Infrastructure committee, Rep. Coble’s other committee assignment, has not yet selected its subcommittee choices for the 109th Congress.