Before last week, there was one spot on the Homeland Security Committee that needed to be filled. With the Department of Homeland Security employee confidence at an all time low (DHS employees rate their agency the worst among 36 federal agencies to work for) what better way to boost morale than to fill the spot with a Congressman under federal investigation?

From GovExec.com(from CongressDaily)

“Embattled Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., has landed a spot on the Homeland Security Committee, despite being under federal investigation.

A Democratic aide confirmed Friday that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is giving Jefferson the last open spot on the committee.

Jefferson has been under federal investigation since March 2005 for allegedly receiving bribes through a company maintained in the name of his spouse and children. According to court documents, Jefferson was videotaped allegedly accepting a $100,000 bribe from an FBI informant.”

The Homeland Security Committee was created by the House of Representatives “in the aftermath of September 11, 2001.” It’s goal is “to provide Congressional oversight over the development of Homeland Security.”

In May 2006, CNN reported that federal agents searched the home of Jefferson — already under investigation for bribery charges — and found $90,000 hidden in frozen food containers in the Congressman’s freezer. The Justice Department has been investigating Jefferson’s relationship into business deals in Africa. The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into him as well.

Who’s guarding the hen house?

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