The midterm elections are expected to usher in a new wave of congressional oversight, and the House Armed Services Committee seems poised to open significantly more investigations in the 120th Congress than it has in recent years. In a November 4, 2026, statement, Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-Wash.), who is seeking the Committee gavel in January, said he would prioritize “vigorous oversight of the Department of Defense and the Trump Administration.” Notably, he called for reviving the Committee’s oversight and investigations subcommittee, which has been defunct since 2019.
Continue Reading House Armed Services Committee Poised to Ramp Up Oversight of Defense Contractors
Perrin Cooke
Perrin Cooke is special counsel in the firm’s Washington, DC office and a member of the White Collar Defense and Investigations, Election and Political Law, and Public Policy Practice Groups, with a focus on assisting clients responding to high-profile congressional investigations.
Drawing on his experience in government, most recently as Deputy General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Perrin advises clients on matters presenting significant legal, political, and reputational risks. During the Biden Administration, Perrin served as the lead attorney on oversight matters across two federal agencies. In this capacity, he guided the development of strategic responses to congressional requests and subpoenas touching on a range of topics. Through his work in both government and private practice, Perrin has extensive experience preparing witnesses – including numerous corporate executives, cabinet secretaries, and other senior government officials – appearing in briefings, transcribed interviews, and hearings before congressional oversight committees.
In addition to his investigations practice, Perrin advises clients – including political campaigns, advocacy organizations, trade associations, and corporations – on a wide variety of election and political law compliance matters.