Chairman Thompson Announces Series of Hearings to Evaluate DHS
Hearings Focus on Preparing for the Next Administration and the Future of the Department
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Chairman Thompson Announces Series of Hearings to Evaluate DHS
Hearings Focus on Preparing for the Next Administration and the Future of the Department
What: FULL COMMITTEE HEARING:
“Moving Beyond the First Five Years: Improving the
Functionality, Governance, and Accountability of the
Department of Homeland Security”
Witness: Deputy Secretary Paul Schneider (Acting), DHS
When: Wednesday, April 23, 10:00am EST
Where: 311 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC
April 22, 2008 (WASHINGTON) – Tomorrow, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, will hold a hearing to examine the Department of Homeland Security’s readiness and preparedness for the Presidential transition scheduled on January 20, 2009. Acting Deputy Secretary Paul A. Schneider will be the only witness.
“The Department has yet to show us that it fully understands the gravity of this period of change. Not only must it ensure an effective transition into the next Administration without creating security vulnerabilities, but it must also continue the internal transition to integrate the various Department components into one cohesive unit,” said Chairman Thompson. “These challenges demand a transparent commitment that extends beyond just words; we have yet to see that from the Department.”
Last January, Chairman Thompson released an eight-point plan, “Charting the Course toward Freedom from Fear,” which emphasized the importance of attaining functionality, governance, and accountability throughout the Department of Homeland Security.
The Committee on Homeland Security has emphasized the importance of an effective transition throughout this Congress. Below is a list of Subcommittee hearings that were designed to examine planning in core functions of the Department:
• Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response - “Moving Beyond the First Five Years: Ensuring FEMA’s Ability to Respond and Recover in the Wake of a National Catastrophe” (April 9, 2008).
• Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight - “Moving Beyond the First Five Years: Solving the Department of Homeland Security’s Management Challenges” (April 9, 2008).
• Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology - “The Future of Science and Technology at the Department of Homeland Security” (April 1, 2008).
• Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure Protection Security – “Moving Beyond the First Five Years: How can the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) ensure that it will continue to enhance security for all modes of transportation?” (April 15, 2008).
• Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism - “Moving Beyond the First Five Years: Ensuring Successful Implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative” (April 16, 2008).
• On Thursday, April 24, 2008, the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment will hold a hearing entitled “Moving Beyond the First Five Years: Evolving the Office of Intelligence and Analysis to Better Serve State, Local, and Tribal Needs.” The hearing will be held at 10:00 a.m. in 311 Cannon House Office Building.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please contact Dena Graziano or Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978.
