Chairman Thompson Writes Newly Confirmed Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas, Invites Him to Testify
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to newly confirmed Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas to congratulate him on his position and to invite him to testify before on the Committee on pressing issues facing the country.
Letter excerpts:
“Your tenure comes at a critical time for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has been without confirmed leadership for nearly two years and has a critical role in responding to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, evolving threats in cyberspace, and rising incidents of domestic terrorism among other challenges. Your background and experience at DHS in immigration, counterterrorism, and cybersecurity will be integral to ensuring the Department carries out its mission while upholding our American values.
“I was pleased to see you commit to integrity, transparency, and accountability in your message to Department employees yesterday. The previous Administration refused to comply with regular Congressional oversight; I welcome engaging with Department under your leadership as the Committee on Homeland Security carries out its Constitutional oversight responsibilities. To that end, I invite you to testify before the Committee in the coming weeks to discuss pressing issues before the Department, including COVID-19 vaccine distribution, the recent SolarWinds breach, immigration, and the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The Committee also wants to understand the Department’s plan for ensuring DHS frontline employees have access to the COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, I look forward to the Department fulfilling the Committee’s many inquiries and document requests outstanding from the prior Administration.”
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Press Contact
Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978
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