WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) issued the following statement after sending a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, in which he excoriates the department for refusing to produce in a timely manner—or even at all—documents, records, and other information in response to multiple requests and even subpoenaed documents by the Committee under Chairman Green’s leadership. Read more from the Daily Caller via Jennie Taer.
 
Chairman Green said, “The House Committee on Homeland Security majority has worked in good faith to coordinate with DHS in the production of 173 critical pieces of information that we requested over the last year, and twice subpoenaed Secretary Mayorkas after making numerous efforts to craft reasonable production timelines. Unfortunately for the American people, Secretary Mayorkas refuses to be transparent with the Committee concerning these serious issues. This failure to work with the Committee in a timely manner is astounding considering the numerous threats to the homeland today. It is our congressional duty to conduct oversight, from the historic crisis at our Southwest border and the national security threats associated with it, to possible malign influence and threats to our critical infrastructure posed by the Chinese Communist Party. Secretary Mayorkas’ refusal to comply with our requests for the information and obstruction of our investigations are further evidence of his willful abuse of power and breach of trust.”

In the letter, Chairman Green writes, “As Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security (Committee), I sent you, the Department of Homeland Security (Department), and its components over 51 letters requesting important documents, memos, information, or communications to assist our work in the legislative process. To date, requests in 41 of those letters remain either partially or entirely unsatisfied, totaling 173 outstanding request items. The Department’s lack of transparency is disconcerting and unacceptable.” 
 
The letter justifiably accuses Secretary Mayorkas of obstructing legitimate investigations by the Committee: “Despite the Committee’s repeated follow ups on its letters and efforts to engage the Department to prioritize outstanding requests, the Department continues to obstruct our investigations.”
 
Incredibly, the Committee has been forced to resort to the compulsory process in multiple instances, and even then, Secretary Mayorkas’ department has not provided all the documentation demanded, as the letter notes: “The Department’s consistent failures necessitated two subpoenas for outstanding information. To date, the Department still has not fully satisfied either subpoena.” 
 
These requests for information include documents related to the unprecedented and intentional crisis at America’s borders, but also a host of other pressing threats to the homeland, including the following: 

• Homeland Republicans demand answers about DHS internal document warning of potential Iran-backed terrorists crossing southwest border
• Chairman Green demands information from DHS on CHNV parole program
• Chairmen Green, Pfluger request classified briefing from DHS, FBI on foreign threats against dissidents on U.S. soil
• Homeland Republicans Probe DHS, FBI following ISIS-connected smuggler at Southwest border
• Homeland Republicans investigate ethics compliance of Claire Trickler-McNulty amid suspect ice contracts
• Chairman Green issues subpoena to DHS for failing to produce sufficient documents regarding Afghan evacuee screening, vetting
• Chairman Green, Bishop, Pfluger demand answers on possible violations of Americans’ civil liberties from the Department of Homeland Security’s domestic intelligence program
• Green, Gimenez, Garbarino, and Bishop conduct oversight on threats posed by Chinese-manufactured cranes at U.S. maritime ports
• Homeland Security Republicans demand answers from DHS Secretary Mayorkas and FBI Director Wray on anti-police violence in Atlanta
• “Unacceptable”: Chairmen Green, Higgins blast DHS silence on cartel weaponization of Mayorkas’ CBP One App
• Green, Pfluger examine homeland security threats posed by secret CCP-operated police stations on U.S. soil
• Chairmen Green, Comer, Jordan investigate Biden Admin’s handling of suspected terrorists crossing U.S.-Mexico border
• Subcommittee Chairs Pfluger, D’Esposito probe DHS over limited security clearances issued to state, local, tribal law enforcement partners
• Chairmen Green, Pfluger probe DHS, DOD, FBI response to Chinese foreign nationals’ ‘gate-crashers’

The letter comes amidst historic impeachment proceedings being held by the Committee to examine Secretary Mayorkas’ willful and systemic refusal to follow the laws of the United States, his abuse of power, and breaching the trust of Congress and the American people.

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