Chairman Carper Announces Changes to Leadership on Committee Staff

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee announced the following change to his Committee staff effective today:

Mary Beth Schultz, previously Chief Counsel for Homeland Security, will now serve as Chief Counsel for the full Committee. She replaces Beth Grossman who retired as Chief Counsel last month after 20 years of federal service, including over 12 years on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.  

“Over the past 10 years, Mary Beth’s strong institutional knowledge has been an essential resource for the Committee,” Chairman Carper said. “With her dedication and direction, the Committee has tackled challenging issues and accomplished important work that has made our nation safer and more secure. Moving forward, I know Mary Beth will transition well into her new role and the Committee and our country will continue to benefit from her wise counsel and tireless service.”

Before becoming Chief Counsel, Mary Beth Schultz served as Chief Counsel for Homeland Security. While on the Committee, Schultz worked on numerous pieces of legislation, including the Cybersecurity Act of 2012, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, and the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. Prior to joining the staff of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Schultz was an attorney at the Department of Justice, handling both civil and criminal cases in the Office of Consumer Litigation. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School and the University of Nebraska. 

Stephen Viña, previously Deputy Chief Counsel for Homeland Security, will now serve as Chief Counsel for Homeland Security.

“I have the utmost confidence that Stephen will thrive in his new role,” Chairman Carper said. “His extensive knowledge of homeland security issues and his previous experience in both the House and the Senate will serve him and the Committee well. As the Committee works to address many of the critical national security issues facing our nation, I know Stephen will tackle every challenge with thoughtfulness, energy, and dedication.”

Stephen Viña has served on the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs since 2011, starting on Senator Carper’s Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management before becoming Deputy Chief Counsel for Homeland Security in 2013. He previously served on the House Committee on Homeland Security for Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.) as the Staff Director for the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence and the Staff Director for the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response. From 2002 to 2007, Viña was a legislative attorney at the Congressional Research Service (CRS). He holds a J.D. from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law and is a member of the State Bar of Texas.

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