News from 2023
Homeland Security Republicans to Law Enforcement: “We Have Your Back”
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 23, 2023
This National Police Week, the House Committee on Homeland Security recognizes our nation’s law enforcement as well as the Members of the Committee who use their experience in law enforcement to help secure the homeland in the United States Congress. In 2021, more law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty than any year in the past two decades. In 2022, 246 police officers were killed in the line of duty, a 46 percent increase from 2019.
Pfluger Announces Subcommittee Hearing on Combating CCP Aggression With DHS, FBI Witnesses
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 23, 2023
Today, Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence Chairman August Pfluger (R-TX) announced a hearing next week to assess the U.S. homeland’s vulnerabilities to Chinese Communist Party (CCP) aggression, featuring testimony from government officials. This hearing will follow a March hearing on mitigating CCP threats to the homeland, which included testimony from national security experts.
FACTSHEET: Illegal Crossings of the Southwest Border Increased in April Ahead of Title 42’s End
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 23, 2023
With encounters on the rise last month compared to March, it is clear that human smugglers, gangs, criminals, and those on the terrorist watchlists knew the Biden administration had no plan to address the upcoming influx once Title 42 enforcement ended in May. The Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data contradicts Secretary Mayorkas’ own bold claim, which he made before this very Committee, that the border was, in fact, “secure.”
At Hearing on Defense Budget, Senator Murray Underscores Importance of Passing Timely Funding Bills to Keep Pace with Competitors and Support Military Families
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 24, 2023
Today, at a Senate Appropriations Defense subcommittee hearing on the President’s fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Department of Defense (DOD), U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, highlighted the importance of timely appropriations to keep pace with our competitors’ investments, keep our country secure, and deliver the support our servicemembers and military families are counting on—and deserve.
Senator Murray Opening Remarks at Full Committee Hearing on Strengthening America's Security and Competitiveness and the Path Ahead for the US-China Relationship
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 24, 2023
Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, led a full committee hearing with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to examine President Biden’s budget request in the context of the U.S.-China relationship and discuss the investments needed in the upcoming fiscal year to strengthen America’s security and competitiveness and stay ahead of global competitors like China.
As Competition with China Intensifies, Senator Murray Makes Clear: America Cannot Stay Ahead Unless Our Investments Keep Pace
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 24, 2023
Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, led a full committee hearing with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to examine President Biden’s budget request in the context of the U.S.-China relationship and discuss the investments needed in the upcoming fiscal year to strengthen America’s security and competitiveness and stay ahead of global competitors like China.
Murray and Collins Plan to Begin Bipartisan Senate Appropriations Markups in June
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 24, 2023
Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee respectively, announced their plans to hold markups of bipartisan funding bills in June.
ICYMI: Senate Appropriations Hearing Makes Clear: Undercutting American Investments Forfeits Future to China
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 24, 2023
In case you missed it: earlier this week, the Senate Appropriations Committee met for a full committee hearing with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to examine President Biden’s FY24 Budget Request in the context of the U.S.-China relationship and discuss the investments needed in the upcoming fiscal year to strengthen America’s security and competitiveness and stay ahead of global competitors like China.
Senator Collins Calls for Continued Support from FBI, DEA to Combat Opioid Epidemic in Maine
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 24, 2023
During hearing, Senator Collins discussed Auburn restaurant that received $3M worth of fentanyl last month
Senator Collins Underscores Critical Need to Support Ukraine, Calls for Accelerated Delivery of Abrams Tanks
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 24, 2023
At a hearing to review the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Department of Defense, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, called on the Administration to provide Ukraine with swift support. In addition, Senator Collins questioned Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on the delivery of 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
Senator Collins Questions Secretary of Defense on Terrorism Threat From Afghanistan
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 24, 2023
“We can't lose sight of the fact that Afghanistan is once again a safe haven for many terrorist groups.”
Senator Collins Calls for Increased Funding to Cover Military Fuel Shortfalls
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 24, 2023
At a hearing to review the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Department of Defense, U.S. Senator Collins, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, questioned Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley on the Administration’s under-budgeted calculations for fuel costs to maintain military readiness.
Senator Collins: The Fentanyl Crisis ‘Begins and Ends in China’
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 24, 2023
At a full Appropriations Committee hearing to review the President’s fiscal year 2024 budget request related to U.S.-China policy, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Committee, stressed the need to curtail China’s involvement in the fentanyl crisis in America.
Murray and Collins Plan to Begin Bipartisan Senate Appropriations Markups in June
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 24, 2023
Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee respectively, announced their plans to hold markups of bipartisan funding bills in June.
Senator Collins Stresses Need to Arm Taiwan for Self-Defense, Replenish U.S. Military Stockpiles to Deter China
By Homeland Newswire Report | May 24, 2023
At a full Appropriations Committee hearing to review the President’s fiscal year 2024 budget request related to U.S.-China policy, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Committee, questioned Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on U.S. military stockpiles affected by obligations of legislation to provide Taiwan with means to defend itself. Secretary Austin confirmed press reports that the Administration will be exercising authority to provide additional arms to Taiwan and that the Department of Defense requires funding to backfill weapons and munitions provided to Taiwan from Department of Defense stockpiles.
Secret Service and CISA Release Toolkit for K-12 Schools to Strengthen School Safety Reporting Programs
By Homeland Newswire | May 24, 2023
News Release: Joint toolkit includes action-oriented guidance, self-assessment worksheets, reference resources, and useful checklists
TSA expecting higher passenger volumes at Burlington International this summer
By Homeland Newswire | May 24, 2023
Release: SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Burlington International Airport (BTV) is prepared for a very busy summer travel season. TSA anticipates that daily average summer passenger volumes at BTV will match and probably exceed those of last year.
Granger, Joyce Op-Ed Depicts the Border Crisis as ‘Unfair, Disorderly, and Inhumane’
By Homeland Newswire | May 24, 2023
Release: House Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger (TX) and Homeland Security Subcommittee Chair Dave Joyce (OH) wrote an op-ed for the Washington Times, highlighting their recent trip to see firsthand the worsening situation along the Mexico border and the true cost of the crisis.
Florida Man Sentenced in Gas Station Skimming Scheme
By Homeland Newswire | May 24, 2023
News Release: BOSTON A Florida man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a scheme to steal thousands of customers debit and credit card account numbers and other personally identifying information via a network of electronic equipment clandestinely installed at gas stations across New England.
Disaster Recovery Center Revisits Clinton County
By Homeland Newswire | May 24, 2023
News Release: INDIANAPOLIS - A Disaster Recovery Center will revisit Clinton County from May 22 - 24 to help survivors of the March 31 - April 1 storms and tornadoes continue their recovery.