Chertoff Faces First Congressional Grilling

House members want answers from Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to a number of questions, from how his department manages multibillion-dollar contracts to how it assesses risk and divvies up scarce funds.

And the newly-in-charge Democrats aren't the only ones asking hard questions. Republicans share many of the same concerns and apprehensions.

Chertoff was scheduled to make his first appearance before the new Congress on Thursday, testifying before a panel that holds the homeland security pursestrings.

On the same day, President Bush was to visit the Homeland Security Department to get a briefing from Chertoff and other senior-level employees about their latest efforts to guard against terrorism.

In addition to questioning Chertoff on his budget request, the House Appropriations homeland security subcommittee was expected to raise questions about:

_A new GAO report criticizing how the department distributed funds to urban areas.

_An inspector general report last month that blasted the Coast Guard's management of its multiyear, $24 billion upgrade program known as Deepwater.

_Continuing problems with rebuilding on the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

_A survey of 36 federal agencies in which Homeland Security employees placed dead last in job satisfaction.

_Concerns raised about the Secure Border Initiative, another huge, multiyear contract to provide on the Southwest border both physical fencing and technology, including cameras, sensors and other surveillance equipment.

In recent days the same panel Chertoff is facing has heard testimony from the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office, the department's own inspector general, and a respected think tank, all criticizing the department's leadership for management failures.

One overriding theme has been delays in responding to investigators' requests, and fingers have been pointed at the secretary's office, along with other senior leaders.

On Tuesday both the head of the GAO, David Walker, and Inspector General Richard Skinner told the panel that Chertoff needed to be held accountable.

"You can be assured that we're hearing you loud and clear," said the subcommittee's chairman, Rep. David Price, D-N.C.

News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Site Publication" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.