WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement on the postponement of the Committee’s annual “Threats to the Homeland” hearing after Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas and Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Christopher Wray refused to provide public testimony. The hearing is postponed to a date to be determined.
“In a shocking departure from the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee’s longstanding tradition of transparency and oversight of the threats facing our nation, for the first time in more than 15 years, the Homeland Security Secretary and the FBI Director have refused to appear before the Committee to provide public testimony at our annual hearing on Threats to the Homeland.
“Their choice to not provide public testimony about their departments’ efforts to address wide-ranging national security threats robs the American people of critical information and the opportunity for public accountability of what the federal government is doing to keep Americans safe.
“Americans deserve transparent, public answers about the threats we face. Secretary Mayorkas and Director Wray’s refusal to speak publicly about their department’s work will only increase the concerns that many Americans have about our nation’s security at a challenging time, flout the Committee’s efforts to conduct responsible oversight, and will deal a serious blow to trust in our government. Their claims that they can only relay such information and respond to questions in a classified setting are entirely without merit.
“It cannot be the practice of the Executive Branch to deny the public critical information and disregard Congress’ constitutionally recognized right to conduct oversight. I urge Secretary Mayorkas and Director Wray to honor the commitments they made to appear publicly at this hearing, and to ensure that both Congress and the American people have the opportunity to hear directly about how their agencies are working to protect our national security in an increasingly dangerous world.”
The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has convened a public Threats to the Homeland hearing for the past 16 years, following the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. The hearing always includes public testimony from the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the National Counterterrorism Center about the wide array of threats to the security of our nation. Prior hearings have covered issues including cybersecurity, domestic and international terrorism, biosecurity threats, and challenges related to security at our nation’s borders. When warranted, the Committee regularly works with these agencies to receive classified briefings. Those briefings have not been, and should never be, a substitute for appropriate public discussion of homeland security issues.
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