WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47), the ranking female Member on the House Armed Services Committee, today announced that she will serve as Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats, and Capabilities.  In her new role, Rep. Sanchez and her colleagues will oversee the Department of Defense's (DOD) counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation programs; Special Operations Forces; information technology and cybersecurity initiatives; and intelligence support.

"I am honored that Chairman Skelton and my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee have entrusted me to serve as Chairwoman of the Terrorism, Unconventional Threats, and Capabilities Subcommittee," said Rep. Sanchez.  "As Chairwoman, my top priority will be preparing our Armed Forces for a new generation of security challenges, including cyberterrorism, nuclear proliferation, and biological warfare.  In Afghanistan, we will continue to assess the effectiveness of our counterterrorism strategy against Al Qaeda.  

"I firmly believe that unconventional threats require unconventional solutions - solutions that I hope my colleagues and I can be a part of through our work with the DOD," Rep. Sanchez continued.  "I look forward to working with Chairman Skelton, Ranking Member McKeon, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Miller to ensure our servicemen and women have the resources they need to protect families across the country, including those from my district in Orange County.  I will also remain Vice Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, where I will continue to play an active role securing America's borders and ports against potential threats."

Following the Armed Services Committee's decision to elect Rep. Sanchez as subcommittee chair, Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) congratulated her on her new role, saying: "I am pleased to announce that House Armed Services Committee Democrats have elected [...] Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez to chair the Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee.  I am confident that... Congresswoman Sanchez will continue to serve our committee and our country well as [she takes] on these new leadership responsibilities. I look forward to working with [her] in [her] new [role] as the House Armed Services Committee begins work on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011."

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