The House Committee on Homeland Security held a hearing this week to review the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) approach to evolving threats. Testimony was provided by Dr. Madhu Gottumukkala, acting director at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA); Ha Nguyen McNeill, acting administrator at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA); and Pedro Allende, under secretary at the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T).
Committee members questioned CISA’s workforce readiness and willingness to coordinate with Congress on future organizational changes. TSA was asked about efforts to modernize airport security ahead of major events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. S&T faced questions regarding its collaboration with private sector partners to deploy new technology for homeland security.
Chairman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) opened by emphasizing that “the threat landscape facing the homeland has evolved since 9/11––stressing the need for modern-day tactics to match modern-day threats in and out of cyberspace:
‘The threats posed by lone-wolf actors, radicalized individuals, and homegrown extremists have only increased. Transnational Criminal Organizations pose a significant threat by exploiting the transportation system to traffic humans, drugs, weapons, and illicit goods…Traditional terror tactics have given way to more sophisticated methods of attack. Cybersecurity is now at the forefront of these conversations, with adversaries attempting to take down our transportation systems through digital means. Similarly, the potential for coordinated attacks using drones to disrupt flights or deliver explosives represents a new, and growing, frontier of security threats…. Sophisticated foreign adversaries, including the People’s Republic of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, are actively targeting our digital systems that underpin essential services, economic activity, and national security.’”
Garbarino also asked Acting Director Gottumukkala about possible reorganization plans within CISA:
“There’s been a year now in the Trump administration, and there’s been some major shakeups at CISA… But the agency still remains responsible for defending the federal civilian networks… any organizational restructuring must reinforce CISA’s ability to execute its core mission and should be done so in coordination with Congress… Can you please describe what…organizational changes you as acting director are planning to make in the months ahead?”
Gottumukkala responded:
“CISA is a young agency… we do have a lot of changes in the last year, but we do not have or planned any organizational changes. But we are continuing to look at how we rescope our existing work that we have and so that we can get back on our mission of protecting the critical infrastructure. And if there is any organizational changes, I will ensure that we will communicate with you.”
Subcommittee Chairman Michael Guest (R-MS) addressed funding issues for TSA modernization as large-scale events approach:
“You mentioned this in your statement––I know this is something that is near and dear to the chairman…the Passenger Security Fee diversion for now some 20 years…that diversion now totals roughly $1.6 billion a year…we talk about the Aviation Security Capital Fund…Originally $250 million was set aside…and we’ve seen that number has not increased now for 20 years…. So I want to give you just a minute…to expound on both of those.”
McNeill said:
“We are facing year-over-year volume growth at our checkpoints in infrastructure-constrained environments. The only way that we’re going to be able to maintain our security posture …is through that combination of our human talent and technology….there are several different buckets of technology advancements that we would want to ensure that we’re investing in. One is that cutting-edge screening technology at the checkpoint … Second is around identity.”
Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), chairing another subcommittee session on airport modernization schedules asked when all airports would receive vital upgrades.
McNeill replied:
“At the current pace of funding, for our computed tomography technology, we are looking at 2042, and our credential authorization by 2049.”
Andy Ogles (R-TN) raised questions about CISA’s focus on its main mission amid staff attrition rates.
Gottumukkala stated:
“There is continued bipartisan support for CISA….CISA personnel are deployed across …all 56 states and territories…. Regarding attrition rate compared to federal average,…about 9.25,…we were at 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent from a natural attrition this year.”
Josh Brecheen (R-OK) questioned McNeill regarding findings from an independent report testing TSA checkpoint effectiveness.
McNeill said:
“Yes I do [agree], and it’s not anything that actually we didn’t know already and fully consider in our security policies.”
Tony Gonzales (R-TX) asked how CISA ensures election integrity ahead of midterms.
Gottumukkala answered:
“We treat election security as very important for national security….Our election security services remain fully in place including cybersecurity support…, physical security guidelines…, incident response…, also threat briefings for state/local election officials.”
Sheri Biggs (R-SC) sought answers regarding reports about foreign nationals moving large sums through Minneapolis airport.
McNeill confirmed procedures were followed:
“TSA did indeed report these incidents as it came across …because cash shows up as a mass on X-ray….our officers have to resolve what they can’t identify….they reported [it] …to law enforcement partners….This is why it’s really important …to take a whole-of-government approach….As I mentioned earlier,…the movement of this money historically had been done through legal channels….I think we’re going to have collectively work on this.”
Vince Fong (R-CA) discussed S&T’s engagement with private vendors before major events.
Allende responded:
“The private sector is able to address a number of problems that government really just could not do on its own in many aspects…there are two sets of demand signals…[sometimes] private market solutions fit government needs…[other times] government-specific solutions later transfer into private use…by either method,we look to get out in field.”
Matt Van Epps (R-TN) asked about resources needed by S&T’s Office of Safety Act Implementation (OSAI).
Allende noted:
“We currently have a large number of applications pending.We’ve had a 50 percent increase…, which we attribute to FIFA , LA 2028 , America 250 . And we are working very diligently…There are different sets of certifications offered by OSAI,…each reviewed periodically including evaluations..So yeah,we do try keep [up] with times/emerging threats.”
