In the shadows

0 Comments | Insight on the News, August 5, 2002 | by Hans S. Nichols, | Claire McCusker

Many Americans were surprised to learn in March about the existence of a shadow government--teams of government functionaries, hidden in safety, ready to take over the day-today operations of the government if their colleagues were immobilized by a terrorist attack. But Congress itself has a long history of shadow committees that operate outside of official authority.

Thus the Republican Study Committee's Security First Taskforce has its work cut out regardless of what "official" government does. It will monitor creation of the Department of Homeland Security and "seek to ensure the department remains true to President Bush's vision of improved homeland security without creating a bloated new bureaucracy," according to its charter.

The legislative legwork to create the new department will be a headache for everyone involved, say Hill aides. First, a handful of House committees will draft legislation in their areas of expertise. Next, these legislative strands will be woven together by a special "select committee"--in part to avoid turf wars between the committees.

HANS S. NICHOLS IS A REPORTER AND CLAIRE MCCUSKER IS AN INTERN FOR Insight.