House committee pushes for Homeland Security CFO

The House Government Reform Committee today approved legislation to give Congress the authority to demand financial accountability at the Homeland Security Department.

The bill would require that the department have a chief financial officer who is confirmed by the Senate and reports directly to DHS' secretary. The measure is intended to put financial accountability on the same footing at DHS as it is with every other Cabinet-level department.

If DHS had continued to be exempt from the requirement, it would set "a dangerous precedent by...not requiring compliance with important financial management reforms," said Rep. Todd Russell Platts (R-Pa.), a member of the committee and co-sponsor of the bill.

"This bill codifies a structure for sound financial management that is mandatory, not optional for future administrations," he added.