A Look Ahead: House Committee on Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced the following Committee events:
Thursday, September 20
10 a.m. on Thursday, September 20 in 311 Cannon House Office Building
Committee on Homeland Security
Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY), Chairman
Invited Witnesses Include:
Hon. Richard Skinner
Former Inspector General
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Hon. Frank J. Cilluffo
Associate Vice President
Director, Homeland Security Policy Institute
The George Washington University
*Former principal advisor to Governor Tom Ridge at the White House Office of Homeland Security
Hon. Stewart A. Baker
Partner
Steptoe and Johnson, LLP
*Former DHS Assistant Secretary for Policy
Chairman King on the hearing: “As we commemorated the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, we were reminded of the primary mission of the federal department established in the wake of those attacks. It is vital that the Department of Homeland Security is managed and executes its mission in a highly effective and efficient manner. This hearing, following a recent hearing with Secretary Napolitano and NCTC Director Olsen, will allow the Committee to assess the Department’s current operations and receive testimony on potential future reforms to ensure that DHS is effective at securing the Homeland from another terrorist attack.”
Friday, September 21
Subcommittee Hearing: DHS Acquisition Management Challenges: Solutions for Saving Taxpayer Dollars
9 a.m. on Friday, September 21 in 311 Cannon House Office Building
Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Management
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), Chairman
Invited Witnesses Include:
Ms. Karen Shelton Waters
Assistant Administrator
Office of Acquisition
Transportation Security Administration
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Mr. John Hutton
Director
Acquisition and Sourcing Management
Government Accountability Office
Hon. Rafael Borras
Undersecretary for Management
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Mr. Mark Borkowski
Assistant Commissioner
Office of Technology Innovation and Acquisition
Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Chairman McCaul on the hearing: “From CBP’s Secure Border Initiative Network or ‘SBI-Net’ to TSA’s Explosive Trace Portal program or ‘puffer machines,’ challenges related to major acquisition programs have plagued DHS for years. To its credit, the Department issued an acquisition policy in 2008 that reflected aspects of best practices. Unfortunately, a new GAO report has found DHS senior leaders rarely hold programs accountable to this policy. Almost 90 percent of the programs GAO reviewed were approved by DHS leadership without adhering to the policy. GAO also found that almost every program it analyzed faced significant challenges, such as cost overruns, schedule delays, or workforce shortfalls. The American people deserve a DHS that effectively protects the homeland and doesn’t squander limited taxpayer dollars. This hearing will examine these challenges and seek solutions to ensure a more efficient and effective Department."
***See www.homeland.house.gov for updates.
***Coverage note: All Committee on Homeland Security proceedings are webcast live at www.homeland.house.gov/live-video-feed
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