Any of us who followed the restructuring of House committees, post election, were, at times, amazed, disgusted, concerned, and left feeling incredulous on how the MSM characterized the change in leadership of the House Select Committee on Intelligence. Regardless of how you felt about Jane Harman, there was consensus among thinking Democrats that the MSM's hypothesis of a "cat fight" taking place was, at its very core, sexist and degraded both Speaker Pelosi and Rep. Harman.
I am a proud supporter of Jane Harman, and I believe her views reflect the majority of Democrats and citizens of the Congressional District she represents; much the same as Jim Webb's views represent the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. I was also upset when Speaker Pelosi chose not to waive the term limits for members of the Select Committee, as it pertained to Rep. Harman. At the same time, however, I acknowledge the Speaker's right to make such a decision.
Todays article in the Politico shows us another side of Jane Harman.
She has taken her considerable skill and expertise in the field of intelligence to create a powerful subcommittee, one that works with the House Select Committee on Intelligence and the House leadership, as well as giving the focus on specific issues related to intelligence and terrorism on U.S. soil.
According to the article, Harman has shifted her interest:
Harman plans to concentrate her subcommittee on three areas: Promoting information sharing between intelligence agencies and first responders, preventing radicalization in U.S. prisons and elsewhere and opposing efforts to over-classify intelligence.
All three are issues she has dealt with on the intelligence panel and on the Homeland Security Committee, where she has served for five years.
"This is a focus on how to keep American communities safer, and I'm very excited about it," she said. "I hope I bring some skill sets that will be useful."
Harman plans a particularly strong focus on federal over-classification.
"This is preventing state and local law enforcement from not knowing what to do," she said. "We're going to call government witnesses, put these facts on the record and ask them to explain themselves."
Added to Rep. Harman's recent statements concerning the troop buildup in Iraq and her call for immediate redeployment, it is apparent she has not only listened and responded in line with the House leadership, but she has the ear of her consituency as well.
Harman has also stated she will work closely with Rep. Reyes, Chair of the Intelligence Committee:
"I don't expect any jurisdictional battles. I expect us to be collaborative and friendly," Harman said. "That's the relationship we've had for 100 years here."
It is this type of collaborative effort, forward thinking political action, and true bipartisanship that will change the public's mind from a "do nothing Congress" to a body that deliberates the issues that are of great concern to all Americans. In turn, it will work towards keeping and expanding the Democratic majority in 2008.