Political File
News, notes and anecdotes on government and politics
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Customs nomination advances over Akaka's no vote
U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka cast one of two committee votes against the nomination of Julie Myers for the Department of Homeland Security's head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 7-2 Friday to approve Myers' nomination and referred it to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Akaka is the ranking member of the oversight subcommittee.
Akaka said, "Ms. Myers' tenure at previous positions has never been long enough to see an entire budget cycle -- a critical function because of the serious financial issues at ICE."
ICE is the second-largest federal law enforcement agency, with more than 15,000 employees and a budget of $4 billion.
"The DHS Inspector General identified ICE as having numerous management problems. The head of ICE should be an individual who has demonstrated extensive executive-level leadership and the ability to manage a budget through reorganizations and budget cycles," Akaka added.
"The recent events surrounding the administration's reaction to Hurricane Katrina demonstrate that the most qualified and experienced people should lead the Department of Homeland Security."
Pentagon money for isles
The Defense Appropriations Bill passed by the Senate on Friday includes about $484 million for defense-related initiatives in Hawaii, U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye announced.
Another Senate appropriations bill contains nearly $367 million for military construction projects for a total of $851 million.
Both bills must still go through a House-Senate conference committee, so the actual amount of military-related spending for Hawaii has yet to be determined. Inouye is a member of the conference committee.
"The funds for the Hawaii-related projects are crucial for supporting key aspects of our national defense, such as the Pacific Command, the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands, Kauai, and the C-17 aircraft, which will provide support for the Hawaii-based Stryker Brigade," Inouye said. "The bill also funds locally based high-tech research, development and evaluation to ensure that the U.S. military remains the world's best, and provides medical and other essential support for our men and women in uniform and their dependents."