Latest news with #HouseHomelandSecurityCommittee
The Hill
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Republicans face crowded field in race to lead House Homeland Security panel
Four GOP candidates are battling to lead the House Homeland Security Committee, vying for a job that will put them at the center of President Trump's immigration agenda. Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.) threw his hat in the ring Wednesday, joining a crowded field with Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.), Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) and Clay Higgins (R-La.) all running for the top spot on the panel. The Republican Steering Committee will make a decision Monday night on who will fill the vacancy left by Rep. Mark Green's (R-Tenn.) exit from Congress. 'They all have their attributes,' Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the most senior member of the committee, told The Hill. 'Michael Guest was a prosecutor like myself. He's very intelligent, very good temperament. I think Gimenez has a passion for the job. Certainly, Clay Higgins has a lot of passion,' he said with a laugh. 'And he's closer to the border, so he gets the border issues.' McCaul noted that former New York representative and committee Chair Peter King encouraged Garbarino to run, saying the sitting lawmaker 'brings the New York, 9/11' perspective in a committee with a broad reach. Garbarino has stressed the committee's roots in addressing terrorism as well as many other nonimmigration policy issues central to the committee, like disaster response. Gimenez, a former mayor and firefighter, has called for 'nuance' in some Trump immigration policies. Guest is a former prosecutor who now chairs the House Ethics Committee. Higgins, a former police officer, is the most senior member of the group. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said the group had created 'quite a horse race.' Whoever leads the committee will be in charge of oversight of the sprawling Department of Homeland Security, which must contend with immigration issues as well as cyberattacks, disaster planning, transportation security and more. As the race comes down to the wire, Higgins and Guest are both stressing their years of service on the panel. Guest has served in a number of leadership roles on the panel, including as a vice chair and subcommittee chair, and he has also spent three years serving as Ethics chair — a role he'd relinquish if selected for the Homeland Security Committee. He also noted he has '25 years of prosecutorial experience before coming to Congress, where I had the opportunity during that time to work with law enforcement to deal with many of the issues that the committee will be addressing for the remainder of this Congress,' he told The Hill. A pamphlet distributed by Guest notes that he was an impeachment manager when the House panel initiated the process against former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, which was swiftly rejected by the Senate. It also stresses that if selected, Guest would intend to serve for years — perhaps a nod to Green's exit after just a few years as chair. 'If chosen to lead on Homeland, I intend to serve for multiple congresses to implement my vision of improved member retention, hard-hitting investigations, and a more effective CHS that serves the priorities of the House Republican Conference,' he wrote. The pitch also said the border must be secured 'full stop' and that the panel must 'keep our foot on the gas' with Trump immigration policies. It also highlights the need to protect cybersecurity, respond to foreign terror threats, and close supply chain vulnerabilities with China. Higgins said he has passed along a prospectus to the Steering Committee, and he quietly highlighted his experience to colleagues in a June letter sent shortly after Green announced his intentions to leave Congress. His pitch to the Steering Committee notes he has gone from 'street cop to Congress' and says he is regarded as 'one of the most conservative Members of Congress.' Higgins said the panel must work to enshrine much of President Trump's executive orders into law, and he called the committee's work under Green as 'our starting point.' 'We will work closely with President Trump, Vice President Vance, and their top advisors to advance the administration's priorities. This includes seeking opportunities to codify many of President Trump's executive actions, a necessary step to ensure lasting security for America's citizenry,' he said. 'I'm nine years on the committee — this is my committee, and I'm very dedicated to it,' Higgins told The Hill. Higgins could face some resistance in the race given the large number of Louisianans already within House leadership ranks, including Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R). Gimenez and Garbarino — both elected in 2020 — are each starting their third term on the panel but stressed they have the experience to lead a committee with such a wide scope. It's not unprecedented to have a third-term lawmaker helm the panel, as Green was also in his third term when he was selected for the role. Gimenez, a former mayor, said the role left him responsible for emergency planning in the hurricane-prone region. 'I've been here. They know who I am. I know I'm a team player, but some of them may not know the full breadth of my experience before I got here. And so I make sure that they understand exactly who I am, what I've done, how it's dealt with FEMA and homeland security before I got here. And I think that that makes an impression,' he told The Hill, referring to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Gimenez has been largely complimentary of Trump's border policies but has broken with the president on some issues. Gimenez, alongside fellow Florida Republican Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart and Maria Elvira Salazar, called on the Trump administration to rethink plans to end Temporary Protected Status as well as parole for those from countries including Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Haiti — all groups with established communities in the Miami area. 'Nuance would be that instead of having wholesale deportations, it needs to be looked at on a case-by-case basis, and really go back to the way it should have been to be allowed in the country in the first place,' Gimenez told The Hill in May. While he was mayor, however, Miami law enforcement cooperated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and, speaking to The Hill on Tuesday, Gimenez said the country was still recovering from Biden immigration policies. Gimenez compared immigration to a swinging pendulum, saying the Biden administration 'took us to a complete extreme' that has not yet been corrected, but he said the country is getting to a place where some reforms could be examined. 'I've always said that we can't have a discussion about immigration reform until we secure the border — well we've just secured the border,' he said. Garbarino stressed the wide variety of issues the committee must address beyond migration, rattling off a list of key policy priorities and upcoming deadlines the panel will have to contend with. 'The committee has a lot of different jurisdictions. Border has been something we've been focusing on the last two and a half years. It's important, and that's something we had to focus on, and we still have to focus on it, especially with oversight of the money and the authorizations' included in the 'big, beautiful bill,' he said. 'Making sure that … all that moves ahead is very important, but this committee was started after 9/11 — I'm from New York. This was focused on counterterrorism, and we have to get back to that.' Garbarino said a terrorism focus is especially important after the U.S. bombing of Iran and concerns that any other number of issues could motivate lone-wolf attackers. He emphasized the need for the Homeland Security Department to play a role in facilitating communication between state and local law enforcement and providing the necessary authorizations to do so. Garbarino, who now chairs the panel's subcommittee on cybersecurity, said 'our southern border was weak but I think our cyber border is probably our weakest border now.' He said he's stressed about a looming Sept. 30 deadline for the Cyber Information Sharing Act. 'We need to make sure we have people working on cybersecurity. Eight percent of our critical infrastructure is by the private sector. So that partnership between the private sector and government, that open communication, that sharing information, we have to make sure that it was all there and all authorized,' he told The Hill. 'That is probably the number one goal that we have to get done within the next two months. There's just a lot that we haven't done as a full committee that we now need to get focused on again, because there is a lot that we touch.'
UPI
4 days ago
- Politics
- UPI
Lawmakers debate using taxpayer funds for migrant aid at border hearing
As Rep. Bennie Thompson (C), D-Miss., speaks, a staffer displays a poster showing Republican lawmakers who previously voted in favor of funding non-governmental organizations during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing Wednesday. Photo by Bridget Erin Craig/UPI WASHINGTON,, July 16 (UPI) -- A fiery House Homeland Security Committee hearing Wednesday exposed deep partisan divisions over the role of non-governmental organizations in aiding migrants. Republicans accused faith-based and humanitarian groups of enabling illegal immigration, while Democrats sharply criticized holding the session as a political stunt that targeted religious freedom. The hearing marked an escalation in the Republican-led effort to scrutinize the role of non-governmental organizations in federal immigration policy. GOP lawmakers argued that groups receiving taxpayer dollars are contributing to what they called a historic border crisis by providing services to undocumented migrants who are not being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Conversely, Democrats vehemently argued that the purpose of the hearing was a politically motivated attempt to discredit humanitarian organizations. Led by Chairman Michael Guest, R-Miss., the hearing centered on claims that the former Biden administration created the "worst border crisis in history," and that the Federal Emergency Management Agency, along with other organizations supported by tax dollars, are paying for hotels for immigrants' stays instead of utilizing detention centers. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., sternly pushed back, accusing the majority of vilifying groups that serve vulnerable populations and abusing congressional power to intimidate those driven by missions to assist immigrants. He also criticized the majority's witnesses, whom he said represented only one side of the issue. "Today's hearing are shameful abuses of congressional power to bully people for how they choose to exercise their religion and help their own name, " said Thompson, who entered into the record a letter from more than 600 nonprofits opposed to the hearing. In addition, a staffer showed a chart showing the committee's Republicans who have voted in favor of NGO funding, including Reps. Clay Higgins, R-La., Michael McCaul, R-Texas, August Pfluger, R-Texas and the committee chairman, Mark Green, R-Tenn. Thompson criticized Green for not being present at his final full committee hearing. He announced his retirement announcement in June, effective Sunday. To support their arguments, Republicans invited three witnesses critical of the Biden administration's immigration approach and the role of non-governmental organizations. Their testimony, at times emotional and combative, prompted sharp responses from Democrats on the panel. Mike Howell, president of The Oversight Project at the Heritage Foundation, opened with an ardent statement related to violence against ICE officers. The Oversight Project "works to expose and root out corruption in government, among elected officials, and in our most influential organizations to ensure power resides with the American people," according to the Heritage Foundation's website. "The violence is getting out of control, and it is fueled by demagoguery of politicians, whether it is one of your members telling Axios that there needs to be blood to grab the attention of the public," Howell said. "Another saying stability is important to prepare for violence, or even a member of this committee being arrested for forcibly impeding or interfering with federal officials." Thompson said he interpreted Howell's statement to be outside of the scope of the hearing, and the issue was put to a vote. The committee decided 9-8 in favor of Howell's continued testimony. The other two witnesses were Ali Hopper, founder and president of GUARD Against Trafficking, an organization whose mission is to combat human trafficking, and Julio Rosas, a national correspondent for Blaze Media, a U.S. conservative media company. Hopper focused on the harms to children within the immigration system and questioned the accountability of nonprofit organizations, while Rosas echoed Republican concerns, arguing that while NGOs aim to help, they may unintentionally worsen situations. The hearing took an unexpected turn late in the session when Thompson criticized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for her recent online presence, referencing her controversial personal posts and past statements. He drew a sharp comparison between Noem's actions and the deportation of vulnerable migrants, including a child with cancer. Thompson, in a motion, wanted to subpoena Noem given the committee's broader oversight efforts. Republicans quickly moved to table the motion in a non-debatable vote, which passed by a narrow margin. Summing up the session, Guest said, "I am offended when people from the other side say we're not being Christian. we're not saying that all nonprofits are bad. Many of us support and give money and volunteer." "But, this hearing today is focused on those nonprofits which were government funded, which were used by the Biden-Harris administration to continue to move people across the border against the will of the public and without the authorization of Congress."
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Chaos erupts at House hearing on NGOs' role in fueling Biden's border crisis
The House Homeland Security Committee hearing on the role of NGOs in the ongoing US border crisis has once again come to a standstill. Titled 'An Inside Job: How NGOs Facilitated the Biden Border Crisis,' the session aimed to investigate whether certain nonprofit organizations have supported or enabled unlawful immigration. Tensions flared as lawmakers clashed over accusations, with Republicans alleging collusion and Democrats calling it a political stunt. The hearing remains highly contentious. Show more Show less
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Chaos erupts at House hearing on NGOs' role in fueling Biden's border crisis
The House Homeland Security Committee hearing on the role of NGOs in the ongoing US border crisis has once again come to a standstill. Titled 'An Inside Job: How NGOs Facilitated the Biden Border Crisis,' the session aimed to investigate whether certain nonprofit organizations have supported or enabled unlawful immigration. Tensions flared as lawmakers clashed over accusations, with Republicans alleging collusion and Democrats calling it a political stunt. The hearing remains highly contentious. Show more 08:20 10:58 10:55 10:38 03:11 03:19 07:08 05:19 03:29 02:47 03:05 04:01 08:19 12:02 08:10 10:11 23:38 12:43 12:00 09:45 15:24 12:27 13:00 08:17 02:16 03:14 05:41 03:17 03:24 03:32 10:23
The Hill
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Gimenez launces bid for Homeland Security panel chair
Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) announced Tuesday he would seek the top spot on the House Homeland Security Committee as current Chair Mark Green (R-Tenn.) prepares to leave Congress. Gimenez, a former fire chief, Miami mayor, and third-term congressman, argued that blend of experience made for a fitting background to lead a panel focused on the sweeping mission undertaken by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 'I believe my unique career, rooted in public safety, executive leadership, and crisis management, makes me the right person to lead this Committee at a time when our nation faces unprecedented threats both at home and abroad,' Gimenez wrote in a letter to colleagues. 'As Representative for Florida's 28th District, the southernmost district in the continental United States, I have witnessed firsthand the devastating human, economic, and security consequences of the Biden-Harris open-border agenda. Every day, the vast maritime border of my district is tested. Thankfully, under President Donald J. Trump's renewed leadership, we are seeing long-overdue changes.' Politico first reported the letter. If selected, Gimenez would take over a committee left by Green, who said he would resign after the passage of President Trump's 'big beautiful bill' in order to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. Gimenez represents a unique district, one previously controlled by Democrats that is also home to a wide variety of migrants, including many from Latin America. Gimenez has been largely complimentary of Trump's border policies but has broken with the president on some issues. Gimenez, alongside fellow Florida Republicans Mario Diaz-Balart and Maria Elvira Salazar, called on the Trump administration to rethink plans to end Temporary Protected Status as well as parole for those from countries like Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Haiti – all groups with established communities in the Miami area. 'Nuance would be that instead of having wholesale deportations, it needs to be looked at on a case-by-case basis, and really go back to the way it should have been to be allowed in the country in the first place,' Gimenez told The Hill in May. Gimenez is not the only one to express interest in the position. Rep. Andrew Garabino (R-N.Y.), told Inside Cybersecurity he also plans to seek the gavel. And Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.), who currently chairs the House Ethics Committee, told Magnolia Tribune that he has 'enjoyed building an expertise on the issues under the Committee's jurisdiction' while serving on the committee since coming to Congress. 'With Chairman Green's announcement that he will resign from Congress soon, I intend to consult with my family, friends, and staff to determine how I can best serve Mississippi moving forward,' Guest told the outlet.
