Heck named chairman of subcommittee that oversees technical intelligence gathering

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Joe Heck on Thursday was named chairman of a House subcommittee that monitors the government's technical intelligence gathering.

The Technical and Tactical Intelligence Subcommittee oversees the workings of CIA and military spy satellites, and programs that intercept and decipher electronic signals.

Heck, R-Nev., is a freshman member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Chairman Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., said he asked Heck to lead the subcommittee because of his background as an Army colonel and as a private consultant on homeland security.

The subcommittee has five Republicans and three Democrats. Little, if any, of its work is conducted in public.

"I intend to work closely with other members to provide thorough oversight and meaningful reforms to keep our families and communities safe," Heck said in a statement.

A separate subcommittee deals with terrorism, counterintelligence and information gathering by U.S. spies.