Houston Chronicle:
As House Republicans queue up legislation to repeal the Obama administration's health care overhaul, a newly empowered Texas lawmaker plans to use his perch to add pressure on the White House's flank by launching investigations into an issue of great importance to Texans: border security.
The newly-named chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee's panel on oversight, investigations and management, U.S. Rep. Mike McCaul, R-Austin, is preparing to convene dramatic public hearings to expose alleged waste, fraud and abuse within the $56 billion-a-year Department of Homeland Security, as well as unmasking suspected gaps in border security and intelligence sharing.
As McCaul sees it, investigations can unmask mismanagement and prompt change more quickly than legislative proposals that face an uncertain outcome in a politically divided Congress.
"Let's be honest," said the four-term Republican from Austin, whose far-flung congressional district stretches to the northwest suburbs of Houston. "It's going to be tough and take time to get things through the Senate - and the president is going to veto a lot of what we do. I think the oversight role of Congress could be key to action."
Political analysts say McCaul's new assignment, after four years as a low-profile congressman in the minority, gives the ambitious lawmaker the visibility he'll need if he plans to run for statewide office, as has been rumored.
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I am in his congressional district at this time. I think he has voted in a way that reflects the majority of voters in this district. Border security is an area of great interest to Texans. The administration will have much to answer for as videos show rampant illegal entry into the country.
Image by Getty Images via @daylife
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