The House Committee on Homeland Security held a hearing this week to review the roles of several Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agencies in addressing new and changing threats. Testimony was provided by Dr. Madhu Gottumukkala, acting director at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA); Ha Nguyen McNeill, acting administrator at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA); and Pedro Allende, under secretary at the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T).
Committee members questioned CISA’s Acting Director Gottumukkala about the agency’s workforce readiness against cyber threats and its coordination with Congress for future organizational changes. TSA’s Acting Administrator McNeill was asked about airport security modernization efforts ahead of major events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The committee also addressed S&T Under Secretary Allende regarding collaboration with private industry to deploy advanced technology for homeland security.
In his opening remarks, Chairman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) described how security challenges have changed since 9/11:
“The threats posed by lone-wolf actors, radicalized individuals, and homegrown extremists have only increased. Transnational Criminal Organizations pose a significant threat by exploiting the transportation system to traffic humans, drugs, weapons, and illicit goods…Traditional terror tactics have given way to more sophisticated methods of attack. Cybersecurity is now at the forefront of these conversations, with adversaries attempting to take down our transportation systems through digital means. Similarly, the potential for coordinated attacks using drones to disrupt flights or deliver explosives represents a new, and growing, frontier of security threats…. Sophisticated foreign adversaries, including the People’s Republic of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, are actively targeting our digital systems that underpin essential services, economic activity, and national security.”
Chairman Garbarino then asked Acting Director Gottumukkala if there were plans for reorganizing CISA:
“There’s been a year now in the Trump administration, and there’s been some major shakeups at CISA... But the agency still remains responsible for defending the federal civilian networks... any organizational restructuring must reinforce CISA’s ability to execute its core mission and should be done so in coordination with Congress... Can you please describe what...organizational changes you as acting director are planning to make in the months ahead?”
Gottumukkala responded:
“CISA is a young agency... we do not have or planned any organizational changes. But we are continuing to look at how we rescope our existing work that we have... And if there is any organizational changes, I will ensure that we will communicate with you.”
Subcommittee on Border Security Chairman Michael Guest (R-MS) discussed funding issues related to TSA modernization:
“You mentioned this in your statement––I know this is something that is near and dear to the chairman...the Passenger Security Fee diversion for now some 20 years… And that diversion now totals roughly $1.6 billion a year....the need to increase the Aviation Security Capital Fund.... So I want to give you just a minute...to expound on both of those.”
McNeill explained:
“We are facing year-over-year volume growth at our checkpoints in infrastructure-constrained environments. The only way that we’re going to be able to maintain our security posture ...is through that combination of our human talent and technology....there are several different buckets of technology advancements that we would want to ensure that we’re investing in. One is that cutting-edge screening technology ... Second is around identity.”
Subcommittee on Transportation Chairman Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) pressed McNeill about delays in deploying modern technologies across airports:
“As a mayor of Miami-Dade County...airport security is really important...by what year are we going to have ...vital [technologies] installed in all our airports?”
McNeill replied:
“At the current pace of funding ...we are looking at 2042 [for computed tomography], and our credential authorization by 2049.”
On CISA staffing concerns raised by Subcommittee on Cybersecurity Chairman Andy Ogles (R-TN), Gottumukkala stated:
“There is continued bipartisan support for CISA....CISA personnel are deployed across ...all 56 states and territories....Regarding attrition rate compared to federal average,...we were at 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent from a natural attrition this year.”
When questioned about TSA checkpoint effectiveness by Subcommittee on Oversight Chairman Josh Brecheen (R-OK), McNeill said:
“Yes, I do [agree with DHS OIG findings], and it’s not anything that actually we didn’t know already and fully consider in our security policies.”
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) asked about election integrity measures; Gottumukkala answered:
“We treat election security as very important for national security....Our election security services remain fully in place..., including cybersecurity support..., physical security guidelines..., incident response...,and also threat briefings for state and local election officials.”
Rep. Sheri Biggs (R-SC) raised concerns over reports involving large sums being smuggled through Minneapolis airport; McNeill responded:
“TSA did indeed report these incidents as it came across the checkpoint because cash shows up as a mass on X-ray....they reported that [activity] ...to law enforcement partners....This is why it’s really important ...to take a whole-of-government approach ....And I think this is where Congress is also critical ...As I mentioned earlier,...the movement of this money historically had been done through legal channels....I think we’re going to have collectively work on this.”
Rep. Vince Fong (R-CA) asked S&T Under Secretary Allende about working with private vendors before major events; Allende testified:
“The private sector is able to address a number of problems that government really just could not do on its own ....There’s something private sector has developed ...that may have very good government application....For components,...operational delivery is our goal....by either method,we look get out field.”
Rep.Matt Van Epps(R-TN)asked about resources needed by S&T's Office Safety Act Implementation(OSAI);Allende replied:
“We currently have large number applications pending.We’ve had fifty percent increase applications,...due FIFA ,LA2028,and America250.And we're working diligently get through those.There different sets certifications offered OSAI,and each these renewal review period.So periodically revisit applications.…We try keep up times emerging threats.”
