House Homeland Security Committee Schedule for September 15-19, 2014

Press Release

The U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security has announced the following hearings for next week:

WEDNESDAY, September 17 at 10:00 a.m.

Committee on Homeland Security

Worldwide Threats to the Homeland

311 Cannon House Office Building

Witnesses Include:

-The Honorable Jeh Johnson, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

-The Honorable James B. Comey, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Justice

-The Honorable Matthew G. Olsen, Director, National Counterterrorism Center

Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) on the hearing: "The brutality of ISIS shocks the international conscience as they continue to carry out gruesome attacks in Iraq and Syria. Of major concern to our security is the rapid expansion of this terrorist organization and its recruitment of foreign fighters, many of whom have Western passports that could ease their travel to Europe and the United States to carry out attacks. At this hearing, DHS Secretary Johnson, FBI Director Comey and NCTC Director Olsen will testify on the threats the United States faces from ISIS and highlight the efforts of the federal government to counter such security concerns here at home. We will also examine the continuing danger posed by al Qaeda and its affiliates, particularly in Yemen and Syria, as well as the rising threat of homegrown terrorism and the ever present and growing cyber security risks facing the United States."

THURSDAY, September 18 at 2:00 p.m.

Subcommittee on Transportation Security

Safeguarding Privacy and Civil Liberties While Keeping our Skies Safe

311 Cannon House Office Building

Invited Witnesses Include:

-Mr. Stephen Sadler, Assistant Administrator, Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

-Mr. Christopher M. Piehota, Director, Terrorist Screening Center, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Justice

-Ms. Jennifer Grover, Acting Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Government Accountability Office

Subcommittee Chairman Richard Hudson (R-NC) on the hearing: "The thousands of foreign fighters, including U.S. citizens, affiliated with terrorist groups like ISIS are a growing and serious threat to the security of U.S. aviation and the homeland. It is imperative that we accurately identify individuals who pose this threat. The Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) maintains the U.S. Government's consolidated Terrorist Watchlist, including the No Fly List, which helps agencies like TSA identify known or suspected terrorists and take the appropriate steps to prevent them from entering the country, boarding an airplane, or obtaining a visa.

"This hearing is an opportunity to examine TSA's and TSC's efforts to safeguard the homeland using this counterterrorism tool, while at the same time protecting passenger data and offering redress to individuals who are incorrectly identified or matched to the list. The Subcommittee looks forward to hearing testimony from the TSA, FBI, and GAO on how the government is working to secure our skies while ensuring that adequate privacy and civil liberties protections are in place for the millions of people who fly every day."

FRIDAY, September 19 at 9:30 a.m.

Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency

Oversight of the DHS Headquarters Project at St. Elizabeths: Impact on the Taxpayer

311 Cannon House Office Building

Invited Witnesses Include:

-The Honorable Chris Cummiskey, Acting Under Secretary, Management Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

-Mr. Norman Dong, Commissioner, Public Buildings Service, U.S. General Services Administration

-Mr. David C. Maurer, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office

Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Duncan (R-SC) on the hearing: "Since 2006, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and General Services Administration have spent over a billion taxpayer dollars to construct a new DHS headquarters on the St. Elizabeths campus in Southeast Washington, DC. The goal was to consolidate leadership and operations to make the Department more efficient. However, a majority staff report released by our Subcommittee earlier this year showed significant cost increases, schedule delays, and questionable decisions. Because of these concerns, I asked our congressional watchdogs to conduct a comprehensive review of the project. This hearing will thoroughly examine the findings from the Government Accountability Office's report."

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