WASHINGTON, D.C. –– This week, the House Committee on Homeland Security convened a hearing to examine how state and local governments are working alongside private sector partners and federal agencies to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as well as America 250 celebrations, and ensure the successful collection, analysis, and sharing of information to combat evolving threats across jurisdictions before and after the first whistle blows.

Witness testimony was provided by Mike Sena, President of the National Fusion Center Association; Ray Martinez, Chief Operating Officer of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Miami Host Committee; Joseph Mabin, Deputy Chief of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department; and Travis Nelson, Deputy Chief of Staff and Homeland Security Advisor in the Office of the Governor for the State of Maryland.

As host cities enter the final stretch of security planning, members and witnesses highlighted the importance of federal resources and authorities in keeping Americans and visitors safe at World Cup games and the surrounding events, as well as America 250 celebrations across the country. Witnesses raised concerns about the potential impacts of Democrats’ ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and federal funding delays on security preparations for these events, warning that prolonged disruptions and continued delays could create vulnerabilities that compromise our homeland security. Read highlights of the hearing below. 
 

In his opening statement, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) emphasized Congress’ leadership in helping to prepare for these events and safeguard Americans and international visitors: 

“I was proud to work with the Trump administration and lead efforts to pass vital counter-UAS authorities for state and local law enforcement in the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which will help support real-time mitigation efforts and counter the adversarial use of this technology. Republicans in Congress also provided historic security investments through the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last summer, which included $625 million for 2026 FIFA World Cup security and $500 million for state and local investments in counter-UAS capabilities.”

“Twenty-five years later, the threat landscape has not diminished — it has intensified, diversified, and evolved in ways that demand constant vigilance and decisive action. But DHS and the federal government cannot achieve this mission alone. Close collaboration, communication, and information sharing between federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, along with industry stakeholders and private sector partners, is essential.”

Chairman Garbarino asked what would happen if Miami continues to experience delays in federal resources for World Cup security preparation, to which Mr. Martinez testified:

“We’re 107 days out from the tournament, but more importantly, we’re about 70-something days out from starting to build the Fan Fest… I say within the next 30 days is the drop-dead date. I know that the local agencies are very anxious, but without receiving this money, it could be catastrophic for our planning and coordination.”
 

In his opening testimony, Mr. Sena called for continued support of the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) and the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), as well as reforms for DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), to improve security coordination:

“There are multiple systems which are not fully integrated with state and local platforms, creating delays and, more importantly, operational risk. We also must strengthen the field presence of DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis. I&A is the only element in the intelligence community required by law to share intelligence with state and local partners… Any reform must strengthen I&A’s presence at all AD fusion centers while keeping a strong core component at headquarters.”

“Congress should also provide dedicated resources for first responders to integrate drones for our daily operations. Congress should continue to provide robust support for the State Homeland Security Grant Program, SHSGP, and the Urban Area Security Initiative, UASI. These programs support analysts, training, and technology that make information sharing and threat analysis possible at every level, every day. Without those two grants, fusion centers cannot fully contribute to the security of major events or the overall Homeland Security mission.”
 

Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology Chairman Dale Strong (R-AL) asked how expanding authorities for countering unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, in the NDAA will help qualifying state and local law enforcement agencies disrupt potential malicious drone activity at upcoming events, to which Mr. Mabin testified:

“We will get federal support, counter-UAS support, but it’s limited. And by expanding these authorities to local police departments, we’re able to cover down on the other areas. It’s more than just the stadium; it’s also the FIFA fan festival areas. And so, once we get the training and procure the resources, then we’ll be able to be better positioned to counter any kind of UAS threats.”
 

Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence Chairman August Pfluger (R-TX) asked how state and local agencies and the federal government are coordinating to disrupt criminal networks that expanded under the Biden administration’s open-border policies, to which Mr. Sena testified:

“Transnational organized crime groups out there are a tremendous threat to our country… Our country is a location where they raise funds, and we are the source of their income. But we don’t know how they will react to whatever threat they perceive from anyone, whether it be Mexico or the United States, and what harm they may cause… When we talk about special events, those folks are there to sell fentanyl, to sell dangerous drugs, and to sell human beings, and there’s no reason they can’t turn to violence while they’re there, depending on what the geopolitical environment is at the time.”
 

Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) asked how the Democrats’ continued refusal to approve critical long-term funding for DHS will impact security preparedness for upcoming events on U.S. soil, to which Mr. Sena testified:

“On a daily basis, we work with partners from all of the DHS components, and without their resources in place, we can’t be successful. And so, without them being fully open and operational, it causes problems for us in fighting the threats. From transnational organized crime to human trafficking, to counterterrorism, they need the resources as much as possible. And that includes DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis, without their backbone supporting us, that’s a problem.”
 

Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO) asked how delays in funding due to continued DHS shutdowns disrupts law enforcement coordination and planning, to which Mr. Mabin testified:

“We do need to see a release of the FIFA funds so that we can get staffing for officers. Because when it comes to the end of the day, we need X number of officers in these point positions, control positions, to execute our planning for World Cup.”
 

Rep. Matt Van Epps (R-TN) asked about potential information sharing gaps to address ahead of the FIFA World Cup matches, to which Mr. Sena testified: 

“The ultimate issue we have…with all these multiple pots of tips and leads information, they all aren’t consolidated. And so, we don’t know what we’re missing until bad things happen. And even during the Super Bowl, there was a belief that we were missing some tips and leads from one source party. And one of our partners actually called in a tip to see if somebody would send us the tip, and it never came in… Fusion Centers were designed to help facilitate that, and to help move the data. But as you know, technology has not progressed with the issues we have today; we have these silos of excellence that don’t connect to anybody.”
 

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