Senate forms Homeland Security committee, Congress approves DHS funding

Senate forms Homeland Security committee, Congress approves DHS funding    The U.S. Senate on Saturday renamed the Government Affairs Committee the 'Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee' and gave it additional oversight responsibilities as part of a plan to reorganize congressional committees with intelligence responsibilities.
   The 76-9 vote on Saturday fell short of recommendations by the Sept. 11 Commission to streamline financial authorization and appropriations functions in House and Senate intelligence committees or a special joint committee.
   On Monday, the Senate approved a $32 billion fiscal 2005 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The House approved the spending bill over the weekend. The bill now goes to President Bush for his signature.