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Rebuilding TSA into a Smarter, Leaner Organization
"In the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was created to help restore confidence in aviation security. Congress provided TSA with the flexibility to set policies and procedures for screening people and goods as they moved through our transportation systems. Unfortunately, that flexibility has been exploited by TSA in recent years. Its operations are in many cases costly, counterintuitive, and poorly executed. Despite the reality that we have not endured another successful terrorist attack since 2001, TSA is failing to meet taxpayers' expectations. This report explores why. During the 112th Congress, the Subcommittee on Transportation Security of the Committee on Homeland Security launched a thorough examination of TSA's operations, rules, and regulations and their impact on job-creating transportation industry stakeholders. This examination included 22 hearings, 15 Member briefings, 7 site visits, and an in-depth review by the Subcommittee's Majority Members and Staff."
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2012-09
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Letter Addressed to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Mark A. Morgan Regarding Regarding the Treatment of Pregnant Women at the Border
From the Letter: "Building on the Committee's ongoing investigation of the treatment of children in the custody of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), we write with profound concerns regarding the treatment of another vulnerable group in CBP detention: pregnant women. Given that CBP has detained nearly twice as many pregnant women in 2018 as it did in 2017, allegations that these women are not receiving proper care and medical treatment while in custody are alarming. Our concerns are heightened by the current coronavirus pandemic, which poses significant risks for all individuals held in CBP custody but particularly for those with underlying medical conditions."
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
Thompson, Bennie, 1948-; Rogers, Mike
2020-04-20
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'National Commission Regarding 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Act' or the 'COVID-19 Commission Act' as Introduced by Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS)
From the Document: "'The National Commission Regarding 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Act (COVID-19 Commission Act)' seeks to establish a bipartisan commission, modeled after the 9/11 Commission, to-- [1] Provide a full and complete accounting of the circumstances surrounding the emergence of the 2019 novel coronavirus, the Nation's preparedness for the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic, and the actions taken by Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments at critical junctures before and after the World Health Organization designated the 2019 novel coronavirus as a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020; [2] Identify and examine lessons learned regarding preparedness, response, and recovery efforts at all levels relating to the 2019 novel coronavirus; [3] Review and evaluate recommendations and pandemic plans issued by the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense and other nonpartisan entities regarding health security, pandemic preparedness, response, or recovery; and [4] Not later than 18 months after the initial meeting of the Commission, publish a public report that includes recommendations for the development of a national plan to minimize negative public health, economic, and social impacts of future wide-scale public health emergencies based on the Commission's findings."
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2020
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[Letter from Bennie G. Thompson and Max Rose to Elizabeth Neumann Regarding DHS Efforts to Counter Extremism During COVID-19 Pandemic, March 24, 2020]
From the Document: "As the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease] pandemic continues to upend American life in new and unpredictable ways, we seek an understanding of how DHS is preparing for and mitigating potential homeland security threats from bad actors, such as violent extremists in the United States and abroad, who may seek to exploit vulnerabilities stemming from this metastasizing crisis. To that end, we would like to know how the Office of Threat Prevention and Security Policy is coordinating DHS prevention efforts to account for the evolving threat landscape under the specter of COVID-19. Recent media reports have highlighted how white supremacist extremists across the world are discussing ways to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to advance violent ends, including, in some cases, accelerating society toward mass violence by sowing chaos. ISIS [Islamic State in Iraq and Syria], too, appears to be interested in exploiting the crisis: in the March 19, 2020, issue of the ISIS magazine 'Al-Naba'', an editorial urged adherents to leverage the pandemic to free prisoners from the 'prisons of the polytheists and the camps of humiliation,' arguing that Western countries' security forces are preoccupied with the crisis and their financial resources are being drained."
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
Thompson, Bennie, 1948-; Rose, Max
2020-03-24
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Letter Addressed to the Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf Regarding Coronavirus Intelligence Reports
From the Letter: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic continues to upend every aspect of life for all Americans. As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the interagency continue responding to the novel coronavirus, recent press reporting has suggested that the Intelligence Community (IC) was issuing reports on the growing contagion as early as November 2019, with relevant intelligence included in the President's Daily Brief many times in early 2020. We write to inquire about the policy and operational efforts of DHS with respect to intelligence regarding the novel coronavirus as well as DHS headquarters' interactions, including the dissemination of relevant intelligence products, with DHS components who continue to interact with the public to carry out mission-essential functions."
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
Thompson, Bennie, 1948-; Rogers, Mike
2020-04-29
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Hearing: Examining the National Response to the Worsening Coronavirus Pandemic: Part II [video]
This is the July 22, 2020 remote hearing "Examining the National Response to the Worsening Coronavirus Pandemic: Part II" held before the House Committee on Homeland Security. The duration of the video is 3 hours, 7 minutes and 1 second.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2020-07-22
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[Letter from Bennie G. Thompson to Chad F. Wolf Regarding DHS Temperature Check Program, June 16, 2020]
From the Document: "I write to express my concern over reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is preparing to commence a temperature check program. Reportedly, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) would be tasked to begin checking temperatures of departing passengers at U.S. airports to identify individuals who may have COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. Additionally, the Committee was informed that DHS's Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) ran a week-long pilot at Dulles International Airport in April to test varying thermal detection technologies in anticipation of widespread temperature checks at U.S. airports. Given these developments, we have some questions for you regarding DHS's efforts and future plans regarding an airport-based federal temperature check program."
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
Thompson, Bennie, 1948-
2020-06-16
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ICE Detention Facilities: Failing to Meet Basic Standards of Care
From the Executive Summary: "One year ago, Chairman Bennie G. Thompson of the Committee on Homeland Security began a review into the conditions of confinement at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities and whether the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has the necessary oversight tools in place to ensure that those facilities meet applicable standards. This report provides the results of that review."
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2020-09-21
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[Letter from Chairman Thompson and Committee Democrats to Peter T. Gaynor Regarding FEMA and its Ability to Respond to Multiple Disasters During the COVID-19 Pandemic, May 28, 2020]
From the Letter: "As our country continues to grapple with the effects of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, the threat posed by natural disasters is on the rise. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) plays a critical role in preparing for and responding to both natural disasters and the ongoing pandemic, raising concerns about the agency's ability to respond to multiple disasters simultaneously. We write to urge you to ensure FEMA is ready to respond to natural disasters as it responds to COVID-19, request a briefing on FEMA's efforts in this regard, and offer our support during this critical time."
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2020-05-28
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[July 31, 2020 Letter to Acting Undersecretary for Intelligence and Analysis Brian Murphy]
From the Letter: "We write to express our serious concerns regarding the role of the Office of Intelligence & Analysis (I&A) in the deployment of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel to Portland, Oregon, in recent weeks. We are also troubled by reports that I&A has authored and disseminated intelligence products detailing American citizen journalists' reporting activities, which are protected by the First Amendment. I&A must produce clear, valid, and unbiased intelligence and information--not driven by any political agenda. As the acting head of I&A, you have a duty to provide unvarnished assessments and intelligence both to the broader Intelligence Community and to state and local partners even if the assessments contradict the policy agenda of DHS's senior leadership. The consumers of your intelligence expect that I&A will not shade the facts to suit a particular agenda. More broadly, the American public counts on you to have the courage to disagree with your peers and superiors in DHS when the truth demands it."
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
Thompson, Bennie, 1948-; Rogers, Mike
2020-07-31
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[Letter from Bennie G. Thompson to Henry Kerner Requesting an Investigation into Chad Wolf for Hatch Act Violation, August 26, 2020]
From the Letter: "I write today to urge the Office of Special Counsel to investigate whether The Honorable Chad Wolf of the Department of Homeland Security used an official government position for the purpose of affecting the outcome of an election in violation of the Hatch Act."
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
Thompson, Bennie, 1948-
2020-08-26
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Committee on Homeland Security: Responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic
From the Executive Summary: "In early March, Chairman Bennie G. Thompson and the Democratic Members of the Homeland Security Committee convened two full Committee hearings and one subcommittee hearing to examine the emerging coronavirus threat. After social distancing protocols were imposed, the Committee continued its robust oversight of the Trump Administration's preparedness and response activities. The Committee has convened 12 virtual forums and Members have received 10 briefings with Administration officials to examine all aspects of the pandemic response."
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2020-06
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Hearing: Examining the National Response to the Worsening Coronavirus Pandemic [video]
This is the House Committee on Homeland Security hearing "Examining the National Response to the Worsening Coronavirus Pandemic" streamed live on July 8, 2020. The duration of the video is 3 hours, 21 minutes and 34 seconds.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2020-07-08
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Taking to the Skies: Examining TSA's Strategy for Addressing Increased Summer Travel, Hearing before U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, One Hundred Seventeenth Congress, First Session, July 20, 2021 [video]
This video contains the July 20, 2021 virtual hearing on "Taking to the Skies: Examining TSA'S Strategy for Addressing Increased Summer Travel" held before the House Committee on Homeland Security. The duration of this video is 1:26:10. Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Darby LaJoye, and Michael Ondocin.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2021-07-20
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Future of FEMA: Recommendations of Former Administrators, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications of the Committee on Homeland Security, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, February 28, 2017
This testimony compilation is from the February 28, 2017 hearing, "Future of FEMA: Recommendations of Former Administrators" before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications of the Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Dan Donovan: "Today's hearing is the second in a series of hearings on the future of FEMA and an effort to help set the next Administrator up for success. Earlier this month, the Subcommittee received testimony from FEMA's stakeholders to hear first-hand about the critical relationship between FEMA and first responders at the state and local level. FEMA's success is directly related to the relationships the agency has with state and local partners to promote a culture of preparedness within communities. Part one of this series of hearings reinforced the need for an experienced emergency manager to lead FEMA. Today's distinguished and weather-tested witnesses know better than anyone the significant transformation FEMA has made in achieving and maintaining national preparedness and response capabilities over the past 12 years. Both administrators were responsible for implementing about 350 individual requirements enacted by Congress in the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act. With the tools Congress gave them, they took steps to ensure FEMA developed and implemented the complex National Preparedness System made up of federal, state, local, private, and non-profit emergency management partners. Significant resources have been invested at all levels of government to reach the current level of national preparedness. As we move forward, those in positions of authority have an obligation to build on the critical progress that has been made. This Subcommittee has consistently followed FEMA's progress. Without strong leadership in place, FEMA would not have achieved the level of transformation currently in place.". Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: W. Craig Fugate and R. David Paulison.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2017-02-28
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Boston Marathon Bombings, One Year On: A Look Back to Look Forward, Hearing Before U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, April 9, 2014
This is a compilation of the April 9, 2014 hearing on "Boston Marathon Bombings, One Year On" held before the House Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Michael McCaul: "This is a powerful and emotional day for the witnesses, for me, and this Committee. It's a time to remember the Anniversary of the Boston Marathon Bombings, and it's a time to remember the victims. I, personally, remember walking down Boylston Street with Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis, who is with us here today. I remember him pointing out to me the trash cans where the bombs went off, injuring 260 innocent people and killing three including a little 8 year old boy, in cold blood. In the middle of chaos, we also witnesses exceptional bravery. If not for the heroic acts of the first responders and Boston citizens who ran towards danger instead of away, many more could have died. I remember after the attack, the marathoners tying their shoes together in the hundreds in a memorial out of respect and dedication. I remember the Watertown Police Chief, who is before us today. I remember him taking Congressman Keating and me on a tour of their once-quiet neighborhood and seeing the aftermath of the gunfight to take down two of the biggest terrorists since 9/11." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Michael McCaul, Edward F. Davis, III, Edward P. Deveau, Jeffrey J. Pugliese, and Herman "Dutch" B. Leonard.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2014-04-09
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Stopping the Next Attack: How to Keep Our City Streets from Becoming the Battleground, Hearing Before the Committee on Homeland Security, United States House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, September 21, 2016
This testimony compilation is from the September 21, 2016 hearing, "Stopping the Next Attack: How to Keep Our City Streets from Becoming the Battleground" before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security. From the Committee website: "The purpose of the hearing is to highlight the importance of strengthening preparedness, prevention, and response efforts, from the perspective of local law enforcement officials, and their experiences in preventing terrorist or lone wolf attacks in their communities. Their perspective will provide valuable best practices and lessons learned about how to build a more resilient nation." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: John Miller, Art Acevedo, Michael J. Bouchard, and Jerry L. Demings.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2016-09-21
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State and Local Perspectives on Federal Information Sharing, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence of the Committee on Homeland Security, United States House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, September 8, 2016
This testimony compilation is from the September 8, 2016 hearing, "State and Local Perspectives on Federal Information Sharing," before the House Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. From the opening statement of Subcommittee Chairman Peter King: "While carrying out critical security and public safety missions, U.S. law enforcement is facing an increased threat environment. Since September 11, 2001, there have been 166 plots within the United States linked to Islamist terror groups with the vast majority occurring since 2009. In May, FBI Director Comey stated that the Bureau has over 800 open cases related to individuals in the U.S. with links to ISIS [Islamic State of Iraq and Syria]. The terror group has called for attacks against law enforcement directly. In January 2015, a statement from the now deceased spokesman for ISIS, Abu Mohammad al-Adnani, called on supporters to 'rise up and kill intelligence officers, police officers, soldiers, and civilians.' [...] Also troubling is the increase in domestic threats against law enforcement. In some tragic instances, these threats have turned into violence. The National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund website reports there have been 11 shooting ambush attacks on law enforcement in 2016 to date." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Richard Beary, Mike Sena, and Cedric Alexander.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2016-09-08
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State of Emergency: The Disaster of Cutting Preparedness Grants, Hearing Before the Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, United Sates House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, March 15, 2016
This testimony compilation is from the March 15, 2016 hearing "State of Emergency: The Disaster of Cutting Preparedness Grants" before the Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications held on March 15, 2016. From the opening statement of Chairman Donovan: "As Chairman of the subcommittee on emergency preparedness, response, and communications, one of my fundamental responsibilities is to ensure our nation's first responders have the tools that they need to protect this country and God forbid, respond to the next terrorist attack. That is why my first hearing is focusing on the dangerous cuts to homeland security grants proposed in the president's fiscal year 2017 budget request. The president's budget cuts more than five hundred million dollars from programs that support states, cities, ports, transit systems, and fire services. This funding helps provide the training and equipment so critical to enabling our first responders to meet threats as varied as active shooters scenarios, mass causality events from a nuclear, chemical, or biological attack, and bomb plots targeting civilians in high traffic areas. "Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Bill de Blasio, Jim Butterworth, Rhoda Mae Kerr, George Turner, Mike Sena, and W. Greg Kierce.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2016-03-15
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Lost in the Shuffle: Examining TSA's Management of Surface Transportation Security Inspectors, Hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Transportion Security and Infrastructure Protection, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, Second Session, July 28, 2010
This testimony compilation is from the July 28, 2010 hearing, "Lost in the Shuffle: Examining TSA's Management of Surface Transportation Security Inspector," before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Bennie G. Thompson, "Today, we will evaluate TSA's management of the Surface Transportation Security Inspection Program and discuss the role of surface transportation security inspectors. We want to understand how effective this program is in securing our Nation's transit systems, highways, and rail lines against terrorist attacks." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Lee Kair, Carlton Mann, Thomas Lambert, and Clyde Hart.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2010-07-28
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Counterterrorism Efforts to Combat a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Attack on the Homeland: Hearing Before the United States House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, First Session, April 25, 2013
This testimony compilation is from the April 25, 2013 hearing, "Counterterrorism Efforts to Combat a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Attack on the Homeland," before the United States House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. From the statement of Scott McAllister and Huban A. Gowadia: "We are pleased to testify today about the efforts of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) and the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) to enhance information sharing efforts with our state and local partners and protect against radiological and nuclear threats to the homeland. Our testimony today focuses on DHS' work and the ways we have sought to strengthen our collaboration with our state and local partners who are on the front lines protecting our communities. In the ten years since DHS was created, we have significantly improved our information sharing and operational collaboration as we work together to confront an evolving range of threats." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Richard Daddario, Huban Gowadia, Scott McAllister, and Leonard Cole.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2013-04-25
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Protecting Maritime Facilities in the 21st Century: Are Our Nation's Ports at Risk for a Cyber-Attack? Hearing Before the Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, October 8, 2015
This is a testimony compilation from the October 8, 2015 hearing "Protecting Maritime Facilities in the 21st Century: Are Our Nation's Ports at Risk for a Cyber-Attack?" hearing held before the Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Subcommittee Chairman Candice Miller: "The purpose of today's hearing is to examine the vulnerability of seaports to cyber-attacks and how well we are prepared to prevent and respond to such an attack. Our meeting today marks the first Congressional hearing convened to examine cyber security at our nation's ports, which is fitting since October is also National Cybersecurity Awareness Month The United States Coast Guard is the government agency responsible for the physical security of our nation's port infrastructure. Working through the Area Maritime Security Committees, the Coast Guard partners with port authorities and operators to update access controls, fence-off sensitive areas of the ports, and increase surveillance when appropriate. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States Congress has appropriated $2.4 billion dollars in port security grant funds to harden port facilities against the potential for a terror attack. As a nation, we have done a fairly good job updating the physical security at ports, but I am concerned that the U.S. government has fallen behind when it comes to the cyber security of the port." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Paul F. Thomas, Gregory C. Wilshusen, Randy D. Parsons, and Jonathan Sawicki.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2015-10-08
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Examining the President's Cybersecurity Information Sharing Proposal, Hearing Before the Committee on Homeland Security, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, February 25,2015
This is a testimony compilation from the February 25, 2015 hearing "Examining the President's Cybersecurity Information Proposal," held before the House Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Mike McCaul: "Every day our country faces digital intrusions from criminals, hacktivists, terrorists, and nation-states like Russia, China and Iran. The impacts of those intrusions are felt everywhere--from our national security secrets to the personal information of Americans. We cannot tolerate acts of cyber vandalism, cyber theft, and cyber warfare especially when they put our nation's critical infrastructure at risk and when they steal American intellectual property and innovation. Accordingly, our government must play a leading role in combating threats in the digital domain. […] These new statutes lay out the rules of the road on how cyber information will be shared between government and the private sector so that the two can work together to combat this persistent threat. The laws also provide important protections to ensure Americans' information and civil liberties are not compromised. But now, we must build on that success. And, we can start by creating a 'safe harbor' where legal barriers to sharing cyber threat information are removed and the private sector is encouraged to collaborate. This will allow us to respond to cyber incidents more quickly and effectively--and will give government and private entities the ability to see the threat landscape in real-time. I am pleased the president has come forward with a proposal on this important issue. Our solutions must transcend partisan boundaries if we are going to tackle this challenge. The American people are counting on us." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Suzanne Spaulding, Phyllis Schneck, and Eric Fischer.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2015-02-25
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Moving the Line of Scrimmage: Re-Examining the Defense-in-Depth Strategy, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security, United States House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, September 13, 2016
This testimony compilation is from the September 13, 2016 hearing, "Moving the Line of Scrimmage: Re-Examining the Defense-in-Depth Strategy" before the House Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security. From the statement of Mark Morgan: "As America's unified border agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) protects the United States against terrorist threats and prevents the illegal entry of people and dangerous materials into the United States, while facilitating lawful travel and trade. USBP [United States Border Patrol] works with our CBP, interagency, state, local, tribal, territorial, and international partners to patrol the more than 6,000 miles of land border between the POEs that we share with Mexico and Canada and 2,000 miles of coastal waters surrounding the Florida Peninsula and the island of Puerto Rico. Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. Government facilitated an unprecedented deployment of personnel, technology, and infrastructure to secure our Nation's borders. The resource base built over the past two decades has enabled USBP to develop and implement a Strategic Plan and enforcement posture tailored to meet the challenges of securing a 21st century border against a variety of different threats and adversaries. Today, our Strategic Plan is based on risk: identifying high-risk areas and flows and targeting our response to meet those threats. [...] Immigration checkpoints are also a critical element of USBP's layered approach to combat illegal cross-border activity and are the primary focus of my testimony. Border Patrol checkpoints are strategically located on routes of egress from the border and thereby additionally deters an attempted illegal entry." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Mark Morgan, Peggy Davis, Gary Brasher, Elyse Golob, and Christian Ramirez.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2016-09-13
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Combating Terrorist Travel: Does the Visa Waiver Program Keep Our Nation Safe? Hearing Before the Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, March 17, 2015
This is a testimony compilation from the March 17, 2015 hearing "Combating Terrorist Travel: Does the Visa Waiver Program Keep Our Nation Safe?" held before the House Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Subcommittee Chairman Candice Miller: "Over the past year, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL, and several other extremist groups, have attracted tens of thousands of young men and women to join their ranks, many of whom hold passports from France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada and other Western nations, including the United States. Many foreign fighters could be just one flight away, bringing with them the skills, training, ideology and commitment to killing Americans they learned overseas. […] Although our Customs and Border Protection agents continuously vet all visa and ESTA [Electronic System for Travel Authorization] applicants against our terrorist databases, this information is imperfect if we do not have a complete picture of an individual's travel route. Critical information sharing, especially with our European allies, is vital to help combat the threat of foreign fighters bound for the United States. Unfortunately, Europe as a whole has been reluctant to share certain passenger name record data, or PNR data, with the United States, and such a gap puts U.S. citizens at risk." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Marc Frey, Roger J. Dow, Steven P. Bucci, and Brian Michael Jenkins
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2015-03-17
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House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security Hearing on Border Security Issues
This document contains testimony from the chief of the Border Patrol, Michael Fisher; Richard Stana, from the Government Accountability Office; and Mayor Raul Salinas of Laredo, Texas, to examine the metrics that the Border Patrol uses to determine operational control of the border. This hearing provides the opportunity to examine the concept of operational control of the border. The speakers explore the metrics that the Border Patrol utilizes when it announced that these miles are under operational control as their most recent national strategy, which was released on 2004, is predicated on this concept of operational control.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2011-02-15
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President's FY 2015 Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security, Hearing Before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, March 13, 2014
This testimony compilation is from the March 13, 2014 hearing, "The President's FY 2015 Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security" before the House Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Michael McCaul: " Today we convene to take an in-depth look at the President's budget, as it relates to protecting the homeland. [...] After a review of the budget, I must say I was disappointed that the President's FY 2015 request proposes new entitlement spending, while recommending nearly a billion dollars in cuts to the Department of Homeland Security. [...] The President is calling for $56 billion to fund non essential programs, like climate research -- while at the same time, reducing funding for United States Coast Guard and border security missions, and cutting DHS Science & Technology explosives detection research by $15.5 million. Last year, after the Boston Marathon Bombing, Congress undid the multi-year funding decline for the Office of Bombing Prevention, by providing $13.5 million. This year's budget request, unfortunately, drops that amount back down to $11.5 million, nearly as low as before the tragic attack. [...] This means the Administration, in my judgment, is putting bureaucracy over the safety and security of our own shores. The Navy has already stopped counter drug missions in South America post-Sequestration; and now we're retiring a significant part of our Coast Guard fleet, without replacements on deck. This will allow more drugs to make it into our communities. This is particularly egregious since the majority of illicit drugs are seized off the coasts of Columbia and Honduras, not coming across our land borders." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of Michael McCaul and Jeh C. Johnson.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2014-03-13
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Security the Maritime Border: The Future of CBP Air and Marine, Hearing Before the House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, Border and Maritime Subcommittee, One Hundred and Fourteenth Congress, First Session, July 14, 2015
This compilation is from the July 14, 2015 hearing, "Security the Maritime Border: The Future of CBP [Customs and Border Patrol] and Marine," held before the House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee. From the opening statement of Candice Miller: "The need for maritime domain awareness, or the ability to understand where illicit traffic is most likely to occur, cannot be understated. Without this understanding, drugs will continue to transit the maritime corridors and migrants will make the perilous journey to this country. Radar coverage of the Great Lakes, and other areas along the border, is far from complete, which could allow low flying aircraft and vessels to move drugs and other contraband with ease. Within Customs and Border Protection, CBP's Office of Air and Marine has a fleet of over 280 marine vessels and more than 250 aircraft, making it essentially the largest civilian law enforcement air force in the world. They have an enormous responsibility to interdict drugs and migrants using the sea as a means to enter the country." Statements, letters, and other materials submitted for the record include the following: Candice Miller, Randolph D. Alles, and John Roth.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2015-07-14
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From the Border to Disasters and Beyond: Critical Canine Contributions to the DHS Mission, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency of the Committee on Homeland Security, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, May 18, 2017
This hearing compilation is from the May 18, 2017 hearing, "From the Border to Disasters and Beyond: Critical Canine Contributions to the DHS Mission," held before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency of the Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Scott Perry: "DHS maintains robust canine programs with teams ranging from patrol units with the US Secret Service, explosive detection units with the Coast Guard and TSA, and Urban Search and Rescue units with FEMA. CBP [U.S. Customs and Border Protection] alone has approximately 1,500 canine teams - the largest overall canine program at DHS, with distinct mission sets including, but not limited to: tactical operations along the border, detection of narcotics, firearms, undeclared currency, and concealed persons attempting illegal entry into the U.S., and detection of undeclared agricultural products with the potential to wreak havoc on U.S. agricultural resources. [...] Canine contributions to the security of our nation are vast - along our borders, at our ports of entry, in our airports, and beyond. I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today on the important contributions of the Department's impressive and broad use of canines." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Damian Montes, Melanie Harvey, Peter Jaquez, Patrick Carrick, and Jennifer Brown.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2017-05-18
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Protecting the Homeland from Nuclear and Radiological Threats, Hearing Before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies, One Hundred and Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, July 29, 2014
This testimony compilation is from the July 29, 2014 hearing entitled "Protecting the Homeland from Nuclear and Radiological Threats." From the opening statement of Patrick Meehan: "The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) is the entity within the Department of Homeland Security responsible for preventing a nuclear attack, and is the lead agency within the U.S government for coordinating efforts to detect and intercept radiological and nuclear devices coming into the United States. DNDO coordinates these efforts through an interagency systems and collaborative framework known as the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture (GNDA), and DNDO is responsible for implementing the GNDA domestically. DNDO works with other DHS components, including Customs and Border Protection, as well as state and local law enforcement, to provide these entities with the equipment and training needed to interdict radiological or nuclear material before it can enter the U.S. DNDO works closely with these components to install radiation portal monitors at ports of entry and supply officers with portable radiation monitors. Currently 100% of all containerized cargo coming is scanned at land and sea ports of entry in the U.S." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Patrick Meehan, Huban Gowadia, and David C. Trimble.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security
2014-07-29
