United States Senate Committee On Homeland Security And Governmental Affairs (minority)
Recent News About United States Senate Committee On Homeland Security And Governmental Affairs (minority)
-
Senators seek DHS answers on alleged Election Day terror plot by Afghan nationals
U.S. Senator Rand Paul, the Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has taken action alongside Senators James Lankford, Rick Scott, and Roger Marshall.
-
Rand Paul questions DHS role at Election Day cybersecurity event
U.S. Senator Rand Paul has requested detailed information from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) regarding their involvement in a cybersecurity conference on Election Day. The event, hosted by the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association (AFCEA), is set to take place in Atlanta, Georgia.
-
Senators question Biden Administration's use of FEMA for border crisis
Recently, a group of U.S. Senators led by Rand Paul (R-KY) expressed concerns over the Biden Administration's use of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for addressing border issues. The Senators, including James Lankford (R-OK), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Roger Marshall (R-KS), sent a letter to President Joe Biden highlighting their worries about FEMA's diminished readiness for disaster relief.
-
Senator Rand Paul's risky research review act advances in committee
U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, announced today that his bipartisan Risky Research Review Act has advanced in committee. The act proposes the creation of a Life Sciences Research Security Board within the Executive Branch to oversee gain-of-function research and other high-risk life sciences studies.
-
Senators release bipartisan report on Secret Service's handling of Trump's assassination attempt
U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Gary Peters (D-MI), Ron Johnson (R-WI), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have released a bipartisan interim report examining the U.S. Secret Service’s security planning, communications, and coordination failures that contributed to the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald J. Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. The report includes key findings and recommendations aimed at addressing these failures to ensure the Secret Service can effectively carry out its protective mission.
-
Senator Rand Paul underscores benefits of free trade amid protectionist policy debate
U.S. Senator Rand Paul, the Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, emphasized the importance of free trade and open markets for American prosperity and security during a hearing titled “Safeguarding the Homeland: Examining Conflicts of Interest in Federal Contracting to Protect America’s Future.” Dr. Paul criticized protectionist policies that he believes harm American workers and consumers without enhancing the nation's geopolitical standing.
-
Senator Rand Paul requests TSA information on alleged improper surveillance
U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has sent a letter to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David P. Pekoske requesting information related to the management of watchlists and screening procedures by TSA. This request follows recent disclosures from whistleblowers, which raise concerns that mechanisms in the TSA Quiet Skies program may have been improperly used to target individuals based on their political views and participation in constitutionally protected activities,...
-
Senator Rand Paul questions security failures in attempted assassination on Donald Trump
On July 30, 2024, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, addressed significant security lapses that led to an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a joint oversight hearing with the Senate Judiciary Committee. The incident occurred at a rally in Pennsylvania on July 13th, resulting in the death of Corey Comperatore and injuries to other attendees.
-
Senate announces bipartisan probe into attempted assassination of former President Trump
U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member and Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, announced that the committee will conduct a bipartisan investigation into security failures that led to the attempted assassination of Former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. Paul and Peters are requesting an urgent briefing for committee members from the U.S. Secret Service, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, followed by a public hearing.
-
Senator Rand Paul calls for independent oversight on federally funded virus research
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, emphasized the need for independent oversight of gain-of-function research funded by the federal government. The bipartisan hearing, titled “Risky Research: Oversight of U.S. Taxpayer Funded High-Risk Virus Research,” was the second in a series as part of the Committee’s joint investigation into threats posed by high-risk life science research and biodefense in the U.S. and abroad.
-
Rand Paul introduces bill for independent oversight on risky scientific research
On July 11, 2024, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), the Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced the Risky Research Review Act. This legislative proposal aims to establish a Life Sciences Research Security Board within the Executive Branch to oversee funding for gain-of-function research and other high-risk life sciences research that may pose threats to public health, safety, or national security.
-
Rand Paul introduces act overseeing high-risk scientific research
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced the Risky Research Review Act, a proposal to establish a Life Sciences Research Security Board within the Executive Branch. This independent board will oversee funding for gain-of-function research and other high-risk life sciences research that could pose threats to public health, safety, or national security.
-
Senator Rand Paul seeks answers on DOD's tracking failure
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has sent a letter to Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III requesting additional information on the DoD’s failure to track the usage of taxpayer funding for risky virus research in China and other foreign countries.
-
Senate holds first full committee hearing on COVID-19 origins
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, at the first full Senate committee hearing on the origins of COVID-19, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, examined and made the case for a lab leak. The bipartisan hearing, entitled “Origins of COVID-19: An Examination of Available Evidence,” featured scientists who presented evidence based on their professional expertise, marking a crucial step toward uncovering the truth about COVID-19’s origins. This hearing is the first of a series as part of the Committee’s joint...
-
Senators request hearing on terrorism threats at Southern border
On June 14, 2024, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), the Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), along with fellow Republican Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI), James Lankford (R-OK), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Rick Scott (R-FL), Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Roger Marshall (R-KS), sent a letter to committee Chairman Gary Peters requesting a hearing to examine the threat of individuals exploiting the Southern border for potential terrorist activities.
-
Senator Rand Paul calls for reform of presidential emergency powers
On May 22, 2024, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, addressed the potential dangers posed by presidential emergency powers during a hearing titled “Restoring Congressional Oversight Over Emergency Powers: Exploring Options to Reform the National Emergencies Act.” Dr. Paul urged Congress to pass a comprehensive reform bill that would enable the President to respond promptly to emergencies while safeguarding civil liberties from an unchecked executive branch.
-
Senator Rand Paul urges DOJ probe into alleged misconduct by top Fauci advisor
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has sent a letter to U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting an investigation into alleged misconduct by Dr. David Morens, Senior Advisor to the Director at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
-
Senators Press DHS on Use of Authority to Download Personal Device Data at Borders
U.S. Senators Rand Paul, Gary Peters, Ron Wyden, and Mike Crapo have jointly written a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expressing their concerns about the use of border search authority on electronic devices. The senators are seeking information on the data retained from these searches, how it is stored, and who has access to it.In the letter, the senators highlighted the broad authority asserted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the border search exception to the Fourth Amendment’s...
-
Dr. Paul Demands Answers from Mayorkas on Violent Individuals Released into the Country
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) demanded answers from DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on the issue of violent individuals being released into the country, leading to tragic consequences. Dr. Paul highlighted a specific case, saying, "There’s currently no effective method to thoroughly vet these individuals, especially those from Venezuela, for potential violent criminal backgrounds before granting them entry into the country." He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "This oversight is not just a lapse; it is a direct disregard for the...
-
Dr. Paul Highlights Need for Fiscal Responsibility and Labor Practice Reform at the Postal Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, addressed the failures of the United States Postal Service (USPS) during a hearing titled “Oversight of the United States Postal Service.” Dr. Paul emphasized the necessity for significant structural labor changes within the Postal Service before further taxpayer dollars are allocated.Quoting Thomas Jefferson, Dr. Paul highlighted the disconnect between public spending and personal financial prudence, stating, "I do not know on what...