Incoming Oversight chairman ponders information technology

The incoming chairman of the House Oversight Committee on Thursday announced the creation of a new information technology subpanel.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) vowed to reorganize the entire subcommittee structure when he takes over the gavel from current Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) next year. 

{mosads}The information technology subcommittee with focus on cybersecurity, intellectual property, energy technologies, IT infrastructure and federal IT procurement. 

“When assessing the future of the committee and our goals, we saw an opportunity to make some changes, which includes modifications to subcommittee issue areas and titles,” Chaffetz said in a statement. “These changes will allow the subcommittee chairs and members to take a new approach to addressing the matters that come before the committee.”

GOP Rep.-elect Will Hurd (Texas), a former CIA officer, was picked to lead the IT panel. According to his biography, Hurd worked for the cybersecurity firm Fusion X for the past four years, focusing on issues related to manufactures, financial institutions, retailers and infrastructure. 

He previously worked as a partner for the firm Crumpton Group LLC, where he focused on managing risk for clients’ intellectual and physical property. 

Hurd beat out Democratic Rep. Pete Gallego in one of Texas’s most competitive districts to take over the seat. 

“Each of the incoming Chairs brings valuable knowledge and experience to the subcommittees they have been selected to lead,” Chaffetz said. 

Chaffetz announced six subcommittees, including the IT panel. Government Operations and National Security will be carried over from this Congress, while new panels will be created on Interior, Transportation and Public Assets; and Healthcare and administrative rules.