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FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2002

Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge gave an informal briefing to Congress on Thursday amid growing doubts about his job.

Ridge is not a Cabinet member so the White House won't let him testify before any legislative panels. Instead, he brought along some charts, and friends, and answered queries in a session arranged by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).

The briefing quickly turned into a glorified press conference.

At the same time, the Senate Appropriations Committee conducted a real hearing to which Ridge was invited but did not show up. Chairman Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) criticized the failure to appear.

The committee has made a bipartisan request to have Ridge provide testimony. A bill under consideration in Congress would elevate the Office of Homeland Security to a Cabinet-level position.

Get the Story:
On Homeland Security Front, a Rocky Day on the Hill (The Washington Post 5/3)
Ridge briefing called 'stunt' (The Washington Times 5/3)
Gibbons backs bill to make office Cabinet-level agency (The Las Vegas Review-Journal 5/3)
Big Visions for Security Post Shrink Amid Political Drama (The New York Times 5/3)
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Relevant Links:
Office of Homeland Security - http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland

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Ridge makes first briefing (4/11)
Ridge wanted before Senate (4/5)
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Ridge offers informal briefings (3/26)
Dispute grows over Ridge (3/21)
Ridge still refusing to testify (3/20)
Senate might subpoena Ridge (3/18)
Ridge refuses to testify (3/5)