WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) announced a full Committee hearing next Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 10:00 AM ET, to examine the persistent, malicious activity by Iranian-backed terrorist groups, such as Hamas, Hizballah, and the Houthis, and the near- and long-term implications for homeland security. In addition to terrorism, the Committee will examine other threats, such as recent plots against U.S. officials and transnational repression by the regime on U.S. soil.

Due to the classified nature of much of the information that will be discussed, the hearing will be moved to a closed session following opening statements by Chairman Green, the Ranking Member, and government witnesses. Read more in Bloomberg Government via Ellen Gilmer here.

“Following the cowardly terrorist attack on Israel by Iran’s proxy, Hamas, the regime in Tehran’s ‘Axis of Resistance’ has spread destruction across the Middle East and inspired attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria as well as cargo ships in the Red Sea,” Chairman Green said. “When the mullahs say, ‘Death to America’ and ‘Death to Israel,’ they clearly mean it. As we have learned countless times since September 11th, terrorism is not confined to the Middle East, but threatens the entire globe—including the homeland. The same is true of Iran’s destructive agenda and destabilizing actions.
 
“Tehran has already worked to silence dissidents, bankroll brazen assassination plots, and operate influence campaigns against national security officials on U.S. soil. Now, they could even work to inspire violent extremists to carry out attacks here at home, including by way of our Southwest border. We must take meaningful action to combat the regime and its proxies’ malign influence within our country and project our strength abroad.”

DETAILS:
 
What: A House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Examining the Current Status of Iran’s Axis of Resistance and the Implications for Homeland Security and U.S. Interests.” 
 
When: Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 10:00 AM ET
 
Where: 310 Cannon House Office Building
 
WITNESSES:
 
Robert Wells
Assistant Director, Counterterrorism Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
 
James Dunlap
Deputy Under Secretary for Analysis, Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A)
 
Carrie Thompson
Chief of Intelligence, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
 
Witness testimony will be added here. The hearing will be livestreamed on YouTube and the Committee’s website. The hearing will be open to the public and press. Press must be congressionally credentialed and must RSVP by Tuesday, March 19 at 6:00 PM ET.

BACKGROUND:Over the last year, the Committee has heard testimony from victims of transnational repression, including Masih Alinejad, who continues to be egregiously targeted on U.S. soil for criticizing the Iranian regime. The Committee has also conducted oversight of the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) response to these threats.

In October 2023, Chairman Green and Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence Chairman August Pfluger (R-TX) led a hearing to examine the escalating threats posed by the Iranian regime and its proxies to the U.S. homeland. Witnesses warned of the potential terrorist exploitation of vulnerabilities at our open Southwest border and the need to urgently address the numerous Iranian-backed plots and influence operations on American soil.

Also last October, Chairman Green, Rep. Pfluger, and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Clay Higgins (R-LA) demanded documents and information from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas after an internal document was leaked warning Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel that Iran-backed terrorists could be inspired by the heinous October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel to illegally cross our Southwest border and conduct attacks.

Last November, the Committee held a hearing to examine global threats to the U.S. homeland and America’s interests abroad. The hearing featured testimony from Secretary Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) Director Christine Abizaid. Members received confirmation of the urgent national security threat posed by the nearly 1.8 million known gotaways and the rising number of individuals on the terrorist watchlist apprehended crossing the Southwest border—especially from Iran-backed Hamas and Hizballah. Director Wray even confirmed joint terrorism task forces in all 56 of the agency’s field offices are occupied with threats coming across the border.

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