Yesterday, House Republicans agreed to create a permanent Homeland Security Committee. The committee, however, is being ridiculed by critics fearing that the the proposal is riddled with limitations that will undermine the purpose of putting homeland security jurisdiction under one committee as recommended by the September 11 commission.

The new committee would have jurisdiction over the Transportation Security Administration, border security, infrastructure protection and some Customs functions. It does not include the Coast Guard, for example, which still falls under Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Congressman Christopher Cox (R- California) who will remain chairman of the committee said he was satisfied with the jurisdiction even though it falls short of full jurisdiction.

While there had been some talk of stripping Rep. Ernest Istook (R-Oklahoma) of his position as chairman of an appropriations subcommittee, he now appears to be safe. Rep. Istook is currently the chairman of the Transportation, Treasury and Independent Agencies Subcommittee of the Appropriations committee.

Rep. Istook angered many fellow Republicans when he excluded funds from the final version of the fiscal 2005 omnibus that were for local transportation projects sought by more than 20 House Republicans. Rep. Istook, a vocal Amtrak critic, was upset at those Republicans who signed a letter endorsing more federal funding for Amtrak. There had been early calls for the removal of Rep. Istook from his chairmanship due to this action.

Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pennsylvania) said he will initiate a House Republican Steering Committee discussion of the way earmarks were handled, but will not call for his colleague to be removed as chairman.

The Post reported today that a variety of trade groups are attempting to roll back many provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which was enacted after a series of corporate scandals were exposed.

Some of the provisions under attack include requiring companies to count stock options as expenses, and for mutual funds to appoint directors without ties to management. The groups affected argue that the rules unfairly penalize small businesses, while those backing the existing law maintain they are necessary to keep the system clean.

The makeup of the SEC, with five members, is expected to change this year, with Commissioner Harvey Goldschmid retiring and Roel Campos's term expiring in June. The current chairman, William Donaldson, had indicated he will remain at the helm for at least one more year. Any changes could alter the approach of the SEC drastically, as many votes have been split 3-2 over the past few years.

The House Appropriations Committee is slated for major changes when Congress reconvenes in early January. Republican rules limit the number of years that a Member can chair a full committee or subcommittee. Appropriations Committee chairman Bill Young (R-Florida) must relinquish his seat after serving six years. He is expected to take the chairmanship of one of the other major Appropriations Subcommittees, most likely either Defense or Homeland Security. The chairs of those subcommittees are in a three-way race to head the full Appropriations Committee. Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-California) must give up the chair of the Defense Subcommittee, and is seeking to lead the full committee. Homeland Security Subcommittee chairman Hal Rogers (R-Kentucky) and Labor/HHS/Education Subcommittee chairman Ralph Regula (R-Ohio) are also vying for the Committee chairman's seat. The Republican Steering Committee will decide this first week in January when Congress reconvenes from this Christmas and New Year's holiday.

Regardless of who wins the full committee chairmanship, the subcommittee chairs will be reshuffled as senior members of the committee claim the most desirable subcommittee slots. At least one current subcommittee chairman, James Walsh (R-New York), has requested a waiver to continue as chair of the VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Subcommittee beyond his six-year term. If unsuccessful, that subcommittee could go to the current chair of the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee, David Hobson (R-Ohio), who could elect to stay in his current post or seek another subcommittee assignment. Although his term has not expired, Transportation Subcommittee chairman Ernest Istook (R-Oklahoma), might face a challenge to his chairmanship because of Republican discontent over Amtrak funding issues and the controversial IRS provision associated with him that was discovered in the Omnibus Appropriations bill, stalling adjournment and forcing a second "lame duck" session before Christmas.

DHS recently announced a series of grants to states and urban areas totaling over $2.5 billion. States would receive $1.66 billion with urban areas picking up $855 million.

On the state side, New York received the largest amount, $298 million, with California a close second at $282 million, and Texas in third at $138 million. These were followed by Illinois, Florida and the District of Columbia.

The largest urban area grant went to New York, at almost $208 million. The DC area picked up the number two grant at $78 million. Other cites of note include Seattle at almost $12 million and Atlanta at $13 million.

The full breakdown by states and urban areas is located here and is in .pdf format.

CQToday is reporting that an HHS task force designed to study the effects of drug re-importation from foreign countries has concluded such a move would only save 1-2% and "would likely adversely affect incentives for research and development".

The task force was created in the wake of the Medicare Prescription Drug Law enacted this year, and was composed of officials from HHS, the Food and Drug Administration, and other government agencies.