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• Serial No. 108-188: Transforming the National Guard: Resourcing for Readiness: Hearing before the Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eighth Congress, Second Session, April 29, 2004

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  From the opening statement of Christopher Shays: "The committee convenes today to discuss important issues raised by plans to transform and modernize the National Guard to meet the demands of a growing set of domestic and global missions. We captioned the hearing Resourcing for Readiness, because Members need to know Guard units will be equipped and trained to perform both the Homeland Security and global defense tasks assigned them. In the past, the total force, the operational union of Active Duty and Reserve component units, didn't always add up. National Guard units too often languished at the end of the supply chain with limited training on hand-me-down equipment. At the national level, significant strides have been made reshaping military capabilities to meet an uncertain world of lethal threats at home and asymmetrical warfare overseas. But much more needs to be done to clarify the operational and physical implications of new military missions within the sovereign borders of the States, where National Guard members can be called to duty by both the Governor and the President. Federal mobilization of National Guard units can draw heavily from local first responder ranks, degrading domestic readiness." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Paul McHale, Thomas F. Hall, H. Steven Blum, John A. Love, George E. Pataki, Janet A. St. Laurent, Wayne D. Marty, Timothy J. Lowenberg, Bruce F. Tuxill, Marsha Blackburn, Tom Davis, Katherine Harris, Carolyn B. Maloney, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, and Christopher Shays.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2004
• S. Hrg. 108-55: Cargo Containers: The Next Terrorist Target? Hearing before the Committee on Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Eighth Congress, First Session, March 20, 2003

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  S. Hrg. 108-55: From the opening statement of Susan M. Colins: "Whether the threat is nuclear, chemical, or biological, and whether it comes from a terrorist network such as Al Qaeda or a terrorist state such as Iraq, cargo containers offer a frighteningly simple and anonymous way to smuggle weapons of mass destruction into the United States. They arrived by sea, by road, and by rail. Compared to the aviation industry, however, containerized cargo shipments are less regulated, less standardized, and far less secure. For years, criminals have used cargo containers to smuggle narcotics, firearms, and people into our country. Last year, for example, four men pled guilty for their involvement in a scheme that smuggled seven cargo containers packed with stowaways to West Coast ports on five separate occasions. Human trafficking is believed to be an $8-billion-a-year business. Containers have also been used to smuggle a wide array of contraband, including illegal firearms and drugs, into our country. Our challenge is to prevent terrorists from exploiting the global system for moving goods as a means for attacking our Nation. The good news is that our government has been working to anticipate and respond to this threat. Since September 11, the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection has nearly doubled the percentage of containers examined from fewer than 2 percent in 2001 to nearly 4 percent in the first quarter of this year." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Susan M. Collins, Norm Coleman, Frank Lautenberg, Mark Pryor, Daniel K. Akaka, Peter G. Fitzgerald, Joseph I. Lieberman, Thomas R. Carper, Asa Hutchinson, Peter W. Hall, Stephen E. Flynn, Jeffrey W. Monroe, and Michael O'Honlon.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2003
• Proliferation and the Former Soviet Union

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  This report, the fifth publication from OTA's assessment on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, examines the whole range of consequences for proliferation of the Soviet Union's breakup. One effect may be the erosion of international nonproliferation treaty regimes. In spite of the continuing desire of most of the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union to support nonproliferation goals, these states face severe internal challenges; social and economic disruption are rampant and the degree of central governmental control over activities nominally within their jurisdictions is often questionable. Of particular concern are economic hardship and low morale among many individuals with access to vital weapon information or sensitive facilities, a situation aggravated by as yet inadequate national systems to account for and secure nuclear materials, to control exports, and to police borders. Given the severity of the problems facing Russia and the other newly independent states, the United States and other Western powers may have only marginal ability to influence the overall course of events there. This study describes how U.S. assistance may reduce specific proliferation risks in the former Soviet Union. The consequences of failure to stem these risks provide a strong incentive for the United States to help the newly independent states address them.

  United States. Government Printing Office; United States. Congress. Office of Technology Assessment

  1994-09-23
• H. Rept. 108-724, Part 3: 9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act, Report together with Dissenting Views to Accompany H.R. 10, October 4, 2004

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  "The Committee on Financial Services, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 10) to provide for reform of the intelligence community, terrorism prevention and prosecution, border security, and international cooperation and coordination, and for other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass. […] The portions of H.R. 10 within the jurisdiction of the Financial Services Committee will authorize new funding for the fight against the financing of terror, give the government new tools to fight the funding of terrorism, take steps both to help prevent an attack on the financial system and to make the system and markets more resilient in case of another attack, and establish tools to improve international cooperation in the fight against terror funding."

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2004-10-04
• S. Rept. 109-52: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005, Report to Accompany H.R. 1268, April 6, 2005

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  "The Committee on Appropriations, to which was referred the bill (H.R. 1268) making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005, to establish and rapidly implement regulations for State driver's license and identification document security standards, to prevent terrorists from abusing the asylum laws of the United States, to unify terrorism-related grounds for inadmissibility and removal, to ensure expeditious construction of the San Diego border fence, and for other purposes, reports the same to the Senate with an amendment and with an amendment to the title and recommends that the bill as amended do pass."

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005-04-06
• Serial No. 109-47: Guest Worker Programs: Impact on the American Workforce and U.S. Immigration Policy: Hearing before the Committee on Education, and the Workforce, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, Second Session, July 19, 2006

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  From the opening statement of Howard McKeon: "We are holding this hearing today to hear testimony on guest worker programs' impact on the American workforce and U.S. immigration policy. Last fall, our committee held a broad-based hearing on immigration and its impact on the American workforce, and this morning we will continue to direct our attention toward that topic, while sharpening our focus on guest worker programs and proposals in particular. We will hear testimony about the state of these programs currently, the impact they have on our workforce and the ramifications of their potential expansion as part of a congressional response to the illegal immigration crisis. Anyone familiar with this committee knows that we are not shy about confronting controversial and often divisive topics, and today is no exception. But the fact is, illegal immigration is a threat to our nation's workforce, and as Congress considers proposals to secure the borders and strengthen enforcement, this panel is obligated to address it head on." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Ruben Hinojosa, Howard P. McKeon, George Miller, Charlie Norwood, Major R. Owens, Elizabeth Dickson, Luawanna Hallstrom, Jack Martin, Philip Martin, and Rebecca Smith.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2006
• Serial No. 109-122: U.S. Diplomacy in Latin America: Hearing before the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere of the Committee on the International Relations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, First Session, July 27, 2005

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  From the opening statement of Dan Burton: "Over the past several months, the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee has convened hearings on topics ranging from democratization, transparency and the rule of law, gangs and crime, and the rise and influence of China in Latin America, and oppression and human rights violations in Cuba. Since September 11, our public diplomacy efforts have been concentrated in educational and cultural exchanges, informational programs and broadcasting resources focused largely on the Middle East and the Muslim world. Some seasoned observers charge that the United States has neglected Latin America in the post-911 environment. Yet most of the non-religious, political, and economic factors that came to a head and inspired Jihadist terrorists against us are at play elsewhere in the developing world. This is common infrastructure used by terrorists, by drug traffickers, and by smugglers and these and other criminal syndicates thrive in areas of lawlessness and in border areas where security is weak. These are some of the growing challenges that we face in Latin America." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Roger Noriega, John Maisto, Stephen Johnson, Jerry Haar, Luis Lauredo, and Dan Burton.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2006
• Serial No. 108-253: Visa Revocations II: Still Porous, Slow to Fix, Hearing before the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relalations of the Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eighth Congress, Second Session, July 13, 2004

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  The purpose of these hearings is to examine visa revocations. Subcommittee Chairman Christopher Shays made the following remarks in his opening statement, "Entry by a non-citizen into the United States is a privilege, not a right. For a variety of reasons, a request for a visa may be denied. If those reasons arise only after a visa is issued, it can be revoked. The discretionary process of visa revocation is an important tool used by the Departments of State and Homeland Security, DHS, to protect our borders. But when a visa is revoked after the alien has arrived here, what happens? Thirteen months ago, at a hearing on visa revocation as a counter-terrorism tool, the General Accounting office, GAO, described a process riddled with flawed communications within and between agencies. Poor coordination and haphazard followup meant suspected terrorists who entered the United States were not being tracked or removed. Parallel inconsistent data systems treated visa revocation actions differently, creating confusion about the number, as well as the status of aliens no longer welcome here." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Jess T. Ford, Tony Edson, Donna A. Bucella, Robert M. Jacksta, Robert Schoch, Dennis J. Kucinich, and Christopher Shays.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• S. Hrg. 110-432: Discussion Draft Legislation to Address Law and Order in Indian Country, Hearing Before the Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Second Session, June 19, 2008

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  From the opening statement of Byron L. Dorgan: "Today the Committee is going to be holding a hearing to examine a draft bill to address law and order in Indian Country. Let me emphasize again this is draft legislation. […] Federal laws and court decisions established a system of justice that forces tribes to rely on the United States to investigate and prosecute violent reservation crimes. We took a two step approach. First, the U.S. limited what tribes can do to fight crime in their own communities. So tribal police have limited access to information and limited arrest powers. Tribal courts can sentence offenders to no more than one year in jail. So today we have tribal courts who sentence rapists and child molesters to one year in jail. That is not justice. Second, the United States said, we will do the job. More than 100 years ago, Congress established felony jurisdiction in the Department of Justice for crimes on reservations. With this authority, however, comes legal and binding obligations, in my judgment, to provide for public safety on reservation lands. Regrettably, I don't believe our Federal Government has met that obligation. The United States has conflicting law enforcement priorities to fight terrorism, protect the homeland and secure the border. Fighting crime in Indian Country does not top the priority list or even show up on the priority list in most cases." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Byron L. Dorgan, Lisa Murokowski, JonTester, W. Patrick Ragsdale, Daniel K. Akaka, John Barrasso, Ricahrd Burr, Maria Cantewell, Tim Johnson, John Thune, Joe Garcia, Ron His Horse Is Thunder, Walter E. Lamar, Kelly Gaines Stoner, Gretchen C. Shappert, Elbride Coochise, Floyd Jourdain, Jr., James S. Richardson, Sr., and Pete V. Domenici.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2008
• Serial No. 109-27: Immigration Policy and Its Impact on the American Economy: Hearing before the Committee on Education and the Workforce, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, First Session, November 16, 2005

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  John A. Boehner: "We are holding this hearing today to hear testimony on U.S. immigration policy and its impact on the American economy. President Bush has announced his principles for immigration reform, and Congress is expected to act on corresponding legislation in the weeks and months to come. Many of these reforms concentrate on border security and other high-profile issues that have been covered prominently by the media and debated frequently here on Capitol Hill. However, often overlooked is the impact on workers of current immigration policy and proposed immigration policy changes. Indeed, two of the more important policy discussions taking place here in Washington focus on the need for reform of our nation's immigration laws and the need for a bold approach to keep our economy and our workforce competitive at the outset of the 21st century. These two discussions happen to intersect at a very unique way, right here at the Education and Workforce Committee, and they are front and center at this hearing today." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: John A. Boehner, Dennis J. Kucinich, Charlie Norwood, Steven A. Camarota, Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Harry J. Holzer, Dan Siciliano.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2006
• S. Hrg. 109-537; Serial No. J-109-67: Immigration Litigation Reduction: Hearing before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Ninth Congress, April 3, 2006

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  From the opening statement of Arlen Specter: "The Senate is currently considering legislation on immigration reform. It follows extensive hearings and a markup by this Committee. We have on the floor now what we call the Chairman's mark or the Committee bill. We have proceeded under an expedited schedule where the Majority Leader wanted a bill on the floor on Tuesday of last week, and we had a very lengthy markup on Monday to complete action on the bill, except for the title on judicial review. And we kept that aside until we could make further inquiries to find out what we ought to be doing on judicial review and to hear from experts. My preference would have been to have approached the entire subject of immigration review with a more thorough analysis, which we have on the hearing process and on the so-called markup where the Committee sits down and goes over the text line by line to figure out what we ought to do. And there are, as you well know, very, very complex policy considerations on this bill at every turn. It is a highly emotional bill. There are those who want only border security, only enforcement, and there are others who want broader reform to accommodate the 11 million people who are in this country as undocumented aliens. The Committee bill provides to accommodate the 11 million people for a number of reasons, the most prominent of which is there is no way to round them up, detain them, deport them, and they are here. They are undertaking important jobs, and there is a heavy controversy on whether they are taking jobs that other Americans would fill or whether they are taking jobs other Americans would fill if the pay was higher. So there are lots of controversies." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Arlen Specter, Patrick J. Leahy, Carlos T. Bea, Jonathan Cohn, David Martin, Paul R. Michel, Jon O. Newman, John McCarthy Roll, John M. Walker, Lenni B. Benson, Alex Kozinski, David A. Martin, Leonidas Ralph Mecham, John T. Noonan, Richard A. Posner, Mary M. Schroeder, and Sidney R. Thomas.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2006
• Serial No. 110-130: Democracy, Authoritarianism and Terrorism in Contemporary Pakistan, Hearing before the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session, November 7, 2007

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  From the opening statement of Tom Lantos. "Let me first apologize to our distinguished witness, but the floor schedule slipped, and we just cast our last series of votes. It is also a very good day because, given the spectacular speech of the President of France, I think we are on the verge of a renaissance of Franco-American relations of unprecedented proportions, which augurs well for Europe, the United States and for the stability of the entire world. Today's hearing could not be more timely. A few weeks ago when I called this hearing, we planned to deal with the state of political affairs in Pakistan and how the United States could best help to provide stability and security in the region. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte was invited to testify on the situation of terrorist elements finding sanctuary in the border areas of Pakistan. We asked that he analyze the effectiveness of current United States foreign policy toward Pakistan. We also requested the Secretary to give us his assessment of the strength of al-Qaeda and the Taliban and other terrorist organizations. We suggested that he offer an evaluation of the current political leadership in Pakistan. Secretary Negroponte, we were quite pleased that you accepted our invitation to testify back then. Given what has happened since Saturday, we are delighted that you did not break our date. No doubt, your prepared testimony has evolved over the last few days. From the perspective of the United States, what happens in Pakistan is of tremendous importance. The political crisis there has broad implications for our country, for Afghanistan and for all the nations in the region. Today, we will address some of those concerns." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: John D. Negroponte, Russ Carnahan, Donald A. Manzullo, and Mike Pence.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2007
• National Guard Use in Response to Incidents of National Significance

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  "The purpose of this paper is to discuss current issues regarding the use of the National Guard in response to Incidents of National Significance (INS). It will address the background of the Department of Homeland Security in the United States, with a focus on the National Guard's role relative to the broader Defense Support to Civilian Authorities mission during an INS. It will include a discussion regarding the Emergency Management Assistance Compacts as a mechanism for employing the National Guard across state borders, and contrast that with using the National Guard in a Federalized status. Hurricane Katrina, the first INS to occur under the National Response Plan, generated a large response from various state and Federal agencies, including the National Guard. This enabled the identification of several issues that impacted on the ability of the National Guard to respond. Two changes to statute made since the response to Hurricane Katrina are described, and their effectiveness is analyzed. Several issues that remain to be addressed are discussed. The paper concludes with four recommendations intended to facilitate a more timely, effective, and efficient response in the event of future INS."

  Army War College (U.S.)

  Meyer, Allen

  2007-02-08
• Co-Chairs Fact Sheet: About the GCTF

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  "Launched by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on 22 September 2011, the GCTF [Global Counterterrorism Forum] is an informal multilateral counterterrorism (CT) platform with 30 founding members (29 countries plus the EU) that regularly convenes key CT policymakers and practitioners from around the world, as well as experts from the United Nations and other multilateral bodies. It has strengthened the international architecture for addressing 21st century terrorism and promotes a strategic, long-term approach to dealing with the threat. The Forum identifies urgent needs, devises solutions, and mobilizes resources for addressing key civilian counterterrorism challenges. With its primary focus on countering violent extremism and strengthening criminal justice and other rule of law institutions necessary to prevent and counter terrorism, the GCTF aims to diminish terrorist recruitment and increase the number of countries capable of dealing with terrorist and related security threats within their borders and regions."

  United States. Department of State

  2012-06-07
• Request for Information (RFI): Robotic Aircraft for Public Safety

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  "The goal of this RFI [Request for Information] is to solicit participation in the RAPS [Robotic Aircraft for Public Safety] project from the SUAS [Small Unmanned Aerial Systems] vendor community ('SUAS providers'). S&T [Science and Technology] is completing an agreement with the state of Oklahoma for utilizing the U.S. Army's Fort Sill test range for ongoing SUAS evaluation. The range will provide restricted airspace for unimpeded access for SUAS flight in addition to various environs for simulating realistic first responder, law enforcement and border security scenarios. The SUAS providers are asked to submit a white paper describing the capabilities, maturity, flight experience, and safety performance of each platform. Each SUAS provider, if chosen for the RAPS project, will be provided a test plan and assigned five (5) consecutive flight days in advance of their systems' evaluation by S&T. The test plan provided will be the same for all SUAS providers, and range support and airspace access will be provided at cost to S&T. Travel and other associated expenses will be incurred by the SUAS provider."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2012-09-24
• Combating Terrorism: U.S. Oversight of Pakistan Reimbursement Claims for Coalition Support Funds, Statement of Charles Michael Johnson Jr., Director, International Affairs and Trade, Testimony before the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Committee on Oversight and Governmental Reform, House of Representatives

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  This document provides the statements of Charles Michael Johnson Jr., Director, International Affairs and Trade, Government Accountability Office before the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives. "The United States has reimbursed Pakistan, a key ally in the global war on terror, about $5.56 billion in Coalition Support Funds (CSF) for its efforts to combat terrorism along its border with Afghanistan. The Department of Defense (Defense) provides CSF for costs incurred in direct support of U.S. military operations. Pakistan is the largest recipient of CSF, receiving 81 percent of CSF reimbursements. This testimony focuses on (1) the extent to which Defense has consistently applied its guidance to validate the reimbursements claimed by Pakistan and (2) how the Office of the Defense Representative to Pakistan's (ODRP) role has changed over time. This statement is based on a concurrently issued GAO report titled Combating Terrorism: Increased Oversight and Accountability Needed over Pakistan Reimbursement Claims for Coalition Support Funds, GAO-08-806 (Washington, D.C.: June 24, 2008)."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  Johnson, Charles Michael

  2008-06-24
• Report of Proceedings: 4th Annual Sovereign Challenge Conference

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  "'Global Threats--Sovereign Solutions', the theme of the 4th Annual Sovereign Challenge Conference, focused the conferees on' Migration and Border Security, Transnational Crime', and 'Extremism' as threats to sovereignty and endeavored to create a dialogue to identify individual and group solutions. The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), in association with the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU), proudly hosted this conference held 16-19 March 2009 in Destin, Florida. This booklet summarizes the very interesting and productive dialogue among senior military members and civilian diplomats of over 50 nations. Hallmarked by open and honest discussion, this conference stimulated participants to voice personal insights, perceptions, and as expected, disagreements. The global environment is complex, and all nations have a role in building and protecting sovereignty. These threats are not vulnerable to short-term strategies. This continuing dialogue, which we call Sovereign Challenge, is bringing us closer to the day when we can at the very least come to a mutual understanding of the existential threat we face as sovereign nations. As we begin to look at ways to counter these threats, it is clear our sovereignty can only be strengthened through the fuller understanding resulting from conversations undertaken in this conference and related events. Sovereign Challenge is a unique approach to solving the most important issue of our day. This conference and proceedings, as outlined in this report, bring us closer to that elusive goal of confronting those who would divide us and developing a comprehensive strategy that contributes to an international community of sovereign nations working together to effectively confront that threat."

  Joint Special Operations University (U.S.)

  2009
• Serial No. 112-1: Sudan at the Crossroads, Briefing Before the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, January 18, 2011

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  From the opening statement of Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: "It is therefore fitting that the first Members' briefing hosted by this committee would be focused on Sudan. Today, Sudan is truly at the crossroads. Beginning on January 9th, millions of South Sudanese participated in a historic referendum to determine whether Africa's largest country would remain united or split in two. Given the countless delays, manipulations and violent eruptions that have imperiled implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for Sudan over these past 6 years, many doubted that this day would come. Yet the vote proceeded peacefully and credibly. After decades of repression by a genocidal regime in Khartoum and a war that left over 2 million people dead and 4 million people displaced, the people of South Sudan may at last have realized their right to self-determination. Unfortunately, the hardest work is yet to come. First, the results must be certified and accepted. Though Khartoum has pledged to accept the outcome, it has a long history of reneging on its commitments. The stakes are high, and both sides have spent the past 6 years preparing for war. Second, outstanding issues relating to the implementation of the CPA must be resolved prior to conclusion of the transition period in July 2011, including the demarcation of the border; citizenship and nationality; wealth sharing and resource management, including for oil and water; division of assets and debt; currency; and security arrangements." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Princeton Lyman, Richard S. Williamson, Omer Ismail, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Donald M. Payne.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2011
• Serial No. 112-156: Drug Enforcement Administration, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, Second Session, June 20, 2012

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  This is the June 20, 2012 hearing on "Drug Enforcement Administration," held before the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. From the opening statement of F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.: "The Subcommittee will come to order. I would like to welcome Administrator Leonhart and thank her for testifying before the Subcommittee this morning. We all appreciate the DEA's [Drug Enforcement Administration] efforts and great strides it has made to combat the increasingly dangerous drug trade. The Administrator's testimony comes at a timely moment as the war on drugs approaches a potential crossroads. On July 1, Mexico will elect a new president. By all accounts, Enrique Pena Nieto, of the Institutional Revolutionary Party [PRI], is leading the field. The PRI Government has governed Mexico for 71 years, until 2000. While in power, the PRI minimized violence by turning a blind eye to the cartels. The current president, Felipe Calderon, has changed that strategy and aggressively confronted organized crime. As mentioned in your testimony, the key to the DEA's success along the Southwest border is our relationship with the Government of Mexico. You have characterized that relationship as at an all-time high, but are worried that our relationship could be at a high-water mark, with the impending change in the office of president." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., Robert C. Scott, John Conyers, Jr., Michele M. Leonhart, Steve Cohen, and Judy Chu.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2013
• Department of Homeland Security Appropriations for 2014: Hearings Before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, First Session, Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Part 3: Department of Homeland Security

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  This document contains the statements of members of Congress and other individuals and organizations from hearings held before the Committee on Appropriations in 2013. The sections of this document pertain to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Janet Napolitano, John Carter, Harold Rogers, Timothy A. Conley, Jeffrey Walker, Henry Cuellar, and David E. Price.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2013
• Department of Homeland Security Appropriations for 2016: Hearings Before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, April 15 and 23, 2015

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  These are the April 15 and 23, 2015 hearings on "Department of Homeland Security Appropriations for 2016" held before the House Committee on Appropriations. This document includes testimony from three separate hearings on the FY 2016 budgets for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Sarah R. Saldana, R. Gil Kerlikowske, and W. Craig Fugate.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2015
• Serial No. 114-88: The Goldman Act to Return Abducted American Children: Assessing the Compliance Report and Required Action: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, June 11, 2015

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  This is the June 11, 2015 hearing on "The Goldman Act to Return Abducted American Children," held before the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations. From the opening statement of Christopher Smith: "Child abduction is child abuse and it continues to plague families across the United States. Every year an estimated 1,000 American children are unlawfully removed from their homes by one of their parents and taken across international borders. Less than half of these children ever come home. The problem is so consequential and the State Department's previous approach of quiet diplomacy was so inadequate that Congress unanimously passed the Goldman Act last year to give teeth to requests for return and for access. These actions increase in severity and range from official protest through diplomatic channels, to extradition, to the suspension of development, security, or other foreign assistance." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Karen Christensen, Henry Hand, Christopher Savoie, Edeanna Barbirou, Ravindra Parmar, and Preston Findlay.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2015
• Serial No. 114-43: Migration Crisis: Oversight of the Administration's Proposed $1 Billion Request for Central America, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, April 30, 2015

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  This is the April 30, 2015 hearing on "Migration Crisis: Oversight of the Administration's Proposed $1 Billion Request for Central America," held before the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. From the opening statement of Jeff Duncan: "According to the administration, this funding would support the U.S. strategy for engagement in Central America to promote prosperity, security, and good governance. It would also assist the Central American governments in implementing their Alliance for Prosperity plan. These efforts aim to address the massive influx of migrants we saw at our Southwest border last summer in which over 68,000 unaccompanied children sought admittance to the United States, 75 percent who are from the Central American countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, also known as the Northern Triangle area. As a result of this migration crisis, U.S. engaged in media campaigns to discourage migration, conducted law enforcement operations to dismantle human smuggling networks, and created a new in-country refugee parole processing pilot program to provide a safer way for children and their parents to migrate in the United States." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Scott Hamilton, William R. Brownfield, Paloma Adams-Allen, Alan D. Bersin, and Kenneth E. Tovo.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2015
• CSCE 112-1-10: Human Trafficking and Transnational Organized Crime: Assessing Trends and Combat Strategies: Hearing Before the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, November 2, 2011

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  This is from the November 2, 2011 hearing, "Human Trafficking and Transnational Organized Crime," before the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. From the statement of Christopher H. Smith: "Today, as we explore the links between transnational organized crime and trafficking, I'd like to start by pointing out that this is a new frontier in the fight against human trafficking. Years ago, human traffickers were not highly organized and were not typically connected to gangs that were involved in other kinds of organized crime. This is less and less true today -- and we need to consider how methods of fighting human trafficking need to adapt. We know that human trafficking - modern day slavery - is the third most lucrative criminal activity in the world. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO) human traffickers make profits in excess of $31 billion a year. So it is not surprising that more and more organized criminal groups are engaging in human trafficking. And of courses while drug and arms traffickers have a commodity that can only be sold once, a human trafficker can purchase a slave and continually exploit them until he's made his money back. After that it's all profit. This is a complex subject. It is marked by the growing ingenuity of organized criminal groups, the difficulty of knowing what -- or who -- passes over increasingly porous borders, and the gangs' use of modern technologies. All this has obscured the activities of many syndicates and made learning about and fighting their activities difficult. Yet is it not impossible, and it simply has to be done - so many innocent and vulnerable lives are at stake." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Christopher H. Smith, Benjamin L. Cardin, Marco Rubio, Greg Andres, Piero Bonadeo, and Martina Vandenburg.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2015
• Department of Homeland Security Appropriations for 2015: Hearings Before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Part 3: Department of Homeland Security

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  This document contains the statements of members of Congress and other individuals and organizations from hearings held before the Committee on Appropriations in 2014. The sections of this document pertain to the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and a Budget Hearing about the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency. Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: John Carter, David E. Price, Nita Lowey, John Pistole, Charles Dent, Charles Fleischmann, Henry Cuellar, Lucille Roybal-Allard, William Owens, John Abney Culberson, Dennis Schaal, Ben Nicholson, Harold Rogers, Chuck Fleischmann, Michael P. Melaniphy, Craig Fugate, Jack Kingston, Tom Latham, Bruce Lockwood, Chad Berginnis, Gil Kerlikowske, Lilyanne McClean, Colleen M. Kelley, and Maureen Meyer.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2014
• Serial No. 114-7: Joint Hearing Before the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa and the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations of the COmmittee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred and Fourteenth Congress, First Session, February 23, 2015

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  February 12, 2015 hearing "A Syrian Humanitarian Crisis: Four Years Later and No End in Sight," before the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations, Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa. From the statement of Kelly Tallman: "The United States remains the single largest donor and has contributed over $3 billion since the crisis began. In 2014, my Bureau at the State Department provided more than a third of all funding for the Syrian humanitarian response. That $725 million is the largest single-year contribution in our Bureau's history. Roughly half of all U.S. humanitarian aid has gone to conflict victims inside Syria and half to refugees and communities hosting them. Over the last 6 months, U.N. Security Council Resolutions 2191, 2139, 2165 enabled U.N. convoys to cross borders and battle lines and to reach millions of civilians in governorates, including Dar'a, Idlib, Quneitra, and Aleppo that have been encircled, blockaded, and under siege." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Kelly Tallman Clements, and Thomas Staal.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2015-02-12
• Serial No. 115-40: Challenges and Opportunities for the U.S.-Saudi Relationship, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, June 13, 2017

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  This is the June 13, 2017 hearing on "Challenges and Opportunities for the U.S.-Saudi Relationship," held before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. From the opening statement of Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: "In recent days, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and Bahrain have taken serious diplomatic actions against the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nation of Qatar. This move surely raised a lot of eyebrows, but it shouldn't come as a surprise. Many of us on this subcommittee have been calling attention to Qatar's history of financing terror, including its support for Hamas and its unwillingness to enforce existing sanctions against individuals within its borders. [...] I look forward to hearing from our panel, who between them have a wealth of knowledge and experience with the intricacies of the U.S.-Saudi alliance on how we can advance our own national security interests and objectives in the region together with the Saudis." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Joseph W. Westphal, Gerald M. Feierstein, Karen Elliott House, and Tom Malinowski.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2017
• Serial No. 107-11; Serial No. 107-58: Combating Terrorism: Options to Improve Federal Response: Joint Hearing before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs and International Relations of the Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventh Congress, First Session, April 24, 2001

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  This hearing deals with discussion of proposals for improving the Federal response to terrorism. From the opening statement of Mr. LaTourette: "The first proposal, H.R. 525, would create a Presidential council to draft a national strategy and organize the Federal effort through the existing agency structure. It would eliminate duplication and fragmentation of Federal efforts by coordinating with agencies during the budget process to bring programs in line with the strategy. We will also address bills introduced by Congressman Ike Skelton, H.R. 1292, and Congressman Mac Thornberry, H.R. 1158. The Skelton bill would require the designation of a single individual within the Federal Government to be responsible for this effort. It would also require the drafting of a strategy to address terrorism. The Thornberry bill would transform FEMA into the 'National Homeland Security Agency' which would include the Coast Guard, Border Patrol, and Customs Service. This new agency would focus on operational planning and coordination." Statements, letters, and material submitted for the record include those of the following: Charles G. Boyd, James Clapper, Jr., Frank J. Cilluffo, Raymond J. Decker, William W. Ellis, Wayne Gilchrest, Amy E. Smithson, Mac Thornberry, William Lacy Clay, Jerry F. Costello, Benjamin A. Gilman, James L. Oberstar, Christopher Shays, Ike Skelton, and Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2002
• Serial No. 106-83: Oversight of United States/Mexico Counternarcotics Efforts: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources of the Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixth Congress, First Session, March 4, 1999

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  From the opening Statement of John Mica: "Today, our subcommittee will examine Mexico's role in the fight against illegal drugs. Without question, no country in the world possesses a more immediate drug threat and national security danger to the United States. Over 14,200 Americans lost their lives last year to drugs and drug-related crime at a cost of billions and billions of dollars, not to mention the cost to families and to communities in distress. Despite a long and productive relationship with our ally to the south, Mexico, the hard river of drugs ending up on America's streets is coming across the Mexican border. Not only is Mexico the leading source of deadly hard drugs entering the United States, according to DEA's signature program, Mexico has now become a major producer of high purity heroin. In an effort to fully examine this issue, we will hear testimony from our DEA Administrator Tom Constantine, and Randy Beers from the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. They will be followed by the General Accounting Office who will outline Mexico's counternarcotics activities taken over the last year." Statements, letters, and material submitted for the record include those of the following: Thomas A. Constantine, Rand Beers, Benjamin Nelson, Ron Kushner, Benjamin A. Gilman, Dennis J. Kucinich, John L. Mica, Patsy T. Mink, chart concerning Mexican extradition statistics; and a chart concerning Mexico eradication and seizure statistics.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2000
• S. Rept. 113-198: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, 2015, Report to Accompany S. 2534, June 26, 2014

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  From the Overview, "Homeland security refers to our national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce the vulnerability of the United States to terrorism, and minimize the damage from attacks that do occur. Although we have been spared from terrorist attacks with the devastating consequences of September 11 for more than a decade, the Boston marathon bombing, which was conducted by home-grown extremists less than 15 months ago, reminded us that complacency is not an option. The long war on terrorism is far from over. We face an increasing number of homegrown terror plots that originate within our own borders, in which one or more of the plotters are American citizens, legal permanent residents, or visitors radicalized in the United States. At the same time, individuals and terrorist groups abroad continue to focus on doing us harm. Our Nation is still threatened by al Qaeda affiliates from countries such as Yemen and Pakistan, as well as foreign fighters traveling to and from Syria. The threat today is rapidly evolving and diffuse, with al Qaeda affiliates in the Arabian Peninsula being the most active in plotting against our homeland. These terrorists, be they homegrown zealots or radical actors from 5 abroad, seek sophisticated means of attack, including chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive weapons, as well as cyber. While we continue to focus on these known threats, we must also be vigilant against new methods of recruitment and engage communities at risk of being targeted by terrorist recruiters. This bill provides adequate resources for us to keep pace with all of these threats."

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2014-06-26