House Speaker-designee Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has tapped Rep. Sylvestre Reyes (D- Tex.) to chair the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. In a statement, Pelosi cited his “impeccable national security credentials” and his long-time service on intelligence and armed services committees and his military service as measures of his bona fides. Pelosi bypassed the intel committee’s ranking Democrat, fellow Californian Jane Harman.
The Air Force has finished modifying and testing the new VC-25B Bridge aircraft that will serve as a temporary Air Force One, the service announced May 1. All that’s left now is to finish painting the jet before it starts flying this summer.