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:
Wednesday, July 18
10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 18 in 311 Cannon House Office Building
Subcommittee on Transportation Security
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), Chairman
Invited Witnesses Include:
Mr. Kerwin Wilson
General Manager for General Aviation
Office of Security Policy and Industry Engagement
Transportation Security Administration
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Mr. John Woods
Assistant Director
National Security Investigations
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Mr. Stephen Lord
Director
Homeland Security and Justice Issues
Government Accountability Office
Mr. Jens C. Hennig
Vice President of Operations
General Aviation Manufacturers Association
Chairman Rogers on the hearing:
"Created in direct response to 9/11, TSA's Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP) is meant to ensure that terrorists can never again exploit holes in our vetting and information sharing processes for training foreign nationals at flight schools in the U.S. Unfortunately, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently uncovered weaknesses in the AFSP which call into question the TSA's effectiveness at making sure foreign nationals’ training at U.S. flight schools do not pose a security threat. It is disturbing to learn we could still be vulnerable to the same actions the 9/11 hijackers took over a decade ago. This hearing will examine the findings and recommendations in GAO's new report."
Thursday, July 19
Subcommittee Hearing: Using Unmanned Aerial Systems Within the Homeland: Security Game Changer?
9:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 19 in 311 Cannon House Office Building
Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Management
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), Chairman
Invited Witnesses Include:
Mr. Todd E. Humphreys, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Cockrell School of Engineering
The University of Texas at Austin
The Honorable David Heyman
Assistant Secretary
Office of Policy
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The Honorable Louis F. Quijas
Assistant Secretary
Office of State and Local Law Enforcement
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Mr. Gerald Dillingham, Ph.D.
Director
Physical Infrastructure Issues
Government Accountability Office
Chief Deputy Randy McDaniel
Montgomery County (TX) Sheriff’s Office
Chairman McCaul on the hearing:
“Unmanned aerial systems, commonly referred to as ‘drones’, have been a force multiplier in our military operations abroad and along our borders. These systems are now being used in the United States by law enforcement, government agencies and even academic institutions. Some Americans worry such systems will become invasive ‘eyes-in-the-sky’. Others say domestic drones will eventually be armed. However, no Federal agency is taking responsibility for creating comprehensive policies and regulations concerning the use of these systems domestically. Additionally, vulnerabilities to ‘drone’ hackers exist, as recently demonstrated by researchers at the University of Texas, raising concerns these vehicles could be commandeered by terrorists or others with ill intent. Our hearing will examine DHS’s role in the domestic use of unmanned aerial systems and determine the extent to which the Department is prepared to ensure oversight of domestic drones."
***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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