Chaffetz announces new IT subcommittee

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), the incoming chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is writing a new chapter in the history of federal IT oversight. He is launching a new Subcommittee on Information Technology, and has tapped incoming freshman Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas), a former CIA agent and cybersecurity vendor with a degree in computer science to be chairman.

Chaffetz told reporters on Dec. 16 that the jurisdiction of the new subcommittee would range over all aspects of technology in government.

According to various accounts of the meeting, Chaffetz promised a less personal tone to hearings and committee business, as compared to his predecessor, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) More than half the committee staff will turn over, Chaffetz said. Additionally, the Health Care, Benefits and Administrative Rules Subcommittee, headed by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) will increase efforts to examine Obama administration rules and regulations.