WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Senator Gary C. Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee,raised numerous Michigan and national security priorities during a confirmation hearing for President-elect Trump’s intended nominee to be Secretary of Homeland Security, Governor Kristi Noem. During the hearing, Peters underscored the need for strong, stable, and principled leadership at the Department of Homeland Security to address the serious threats and security challenges our nation faces, from securing our nation’s borders to combatting terrorism to preventing cyber-attacks and responding to natural disasters. He also pressed Governor Noem for commitments to support Michigan’s unique security needs, including efforts to support lawful trade and travel across Michigan’s busy border crossings and to continue building out the Northern Border Mission Center that Peters created and secured funding to establish at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Peters previously met with Governor Noem ahead of her confirmation hearing to discuss Michigan and national security priorities.
“Our nation faces serious threats and security challenges, from securing our borders and combatting terrorism, to preventing cyber-attacks and responding to our nation’s increasing number of natural disasters – and DHS is the first line of defense,” said Peters in his opening statement. “While we must address the challenges we face at our Southern Border – we also need to ensure that there are sufficient resources to secure our Northern Border, something I know you are very familiar with as the Governor of your state, including building out the Northern Border Mission Center. That’s especially important in my home state of Michigan – which has two of our nation’s busiest border crossings –and where we’ll be adding another span when the Gordie Howe International Bridge opens later this year.”
“In addition to border security, DHS is responsible for addressing many serious threats that face our nation,” continued Peters. “The safety and security of our nation and the American people depend on the Department’s ability to effectively address these wide-ranging threats.”
To watch video of Senator Peters’ opening remarks, click here. For text of Peters’ opening remarks as prepared for delivery, click here.
To watch video of Senator Peters’ questions, click here.
In his role on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Peters has long worked to address the security challenges and threats facing our nation. Peters recently visited Selfridge Air National Guard Base to highlight the creation of the Northern Border Mission Center. The Center, which DHS is already working to set up, will serve as a training location for DHS personnel and act as a testing ground for border security technology. Peters has called for DHS to hire additional border security personnel, including Customs and Border Protection Officers to fully staff our nation’s busy ports of entry like the Ambassador Bridge, the Blue Water Bridge, and the forthcoming Gordie Howe International Bridge. Peters also led landmark efforts to address cybersecurity threats, including by requiring critical infrastructure owners and operators to report to the federal government if they experience a substantial cyber-attack or if they make a ransomware payment. Peters has also worked to address the threats posed by foreign and domestic terrorism in our communities. Peters has championed and secured funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant program, which provides critical resources to help houses of worship secure their facilities against potential attacks. He has also led oversight investigations into the threat posed by domestic terrorism. He held hearings and released an investigative report that showed the federal government is not adequately addressing this serious threat.
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