▶ 0:09:33The Committee on Homeland Security subcommittee on emergency management technology will come to order. Without objection, the chair may declare the subcommittee in recess at any point. The purpose of this hearing is to assess security best practices, highlight challenges, and understand how the federal government, state government, local law enforcement, and the private sector coordinate with one another for mass gathering events. Without objection, the gentleman from California, Mr.
▶ 0:10:02Koreah, and the gentleoman from New Jersey, Miss Poe, are permitted to sit on on the dis and ask questions to the witnesses. I now recognize myself for an opening statement. Good afternoon and thank you for joining us today. Also uh would like to take the time to thank the staff for their hard work uh on this hearing.
▶ 0:10:24Today we will discuss the important and timely topic of security preparedness and coordination for mass gathering By their very nature, these events draw large crowds in concentrated areas, making them attractive targets for malicious actors. Ensuring their safety requires complex coordination among federal, state, and local authorities, including law enforcement and emergency services.
▶ 0:10:51It is also requires close collaboration with partners in the sports and entertainment industries. I witnessed the scale of these challenges firsthand when I led a congressional delegation to New Orleans to serve a security preparation for the Super Bowl following the New Year's Eve attack on Bourbon Street. That instant and others like it serve as a stark reminder that terrorist threats persist and underscore our responsibility to safeguard such gatherings.
▶ 0:11:21And these events will only continue to grow in prominence and frequency. In the year ahead, the United States will host several major international sporting events, including the 2025 FIFA Cup World Cup, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Summer Olympics and Parolympics in Los Angeles.
▶ 0:11:43These events present enormous opportunities delivering economic benefits while also showcasing our great nation on the international stage. But they also bring significant security challenges. Take the 2026 World Cup for example. 76 matches will be played in 11 US cities with an estimated 6.5 million fans traveling to the United States.
▶ 0:12:08Not to mention, it will also be played in the midst of uh se the celebration of America's 250th anniversary. To meet these unprecedented demands, DHS uh has convened an all hands-on deck approach to ensure they are safe and secure. CIS is working uh working to secure critical infrastructure.
▶ 0:12:32The Office of Intelligence and Analysis is sharing threat information and CBP and uh CIS are carefully vetting and processing international travelers. I'm also proud of this uh committee's leadership in addressing this topic.
▶ 0:12:49Three weeks ago, the committee passed its budget reconciliation recommendation, including 625 million in additional preparedness funding for the 2026 World Cup and 1 billion for the Olympics. I support these measures and I hope funds can be distributed as quickly and effectively as possible.
▶ 0:13:10Additionally, following President Trump's executive order uh convening a White House task force on the FIFA World Cup, this committee established its own bipartisan task force on enhancing security for special events in the United States. I applaud Vice President uh Vice Chairman McCall who will be chairing the task force and chairman Green for their leadership on this issue. and I'm honored to have um have been selected to join this task force.
▶ 0:13:41I hope today's hearing will offer valuable insight and inform future task force discussions. Many challenges must be addressed to improve security preparedness uh for these major events. As we discussed last month month, unmanned aerial aircraft systems can act as a force multiplier for DHS's mission. However, they can also uh be used for evil and unlawful purposes.
▶ 0:14:08You may remember in 2017 a drone dropped leaflets over two sporting stadiums in violation of temporary flight restrictions. It doesn't take very much to imagine uh to see how the same technology could have been used for a much deadlier purpose.
▶ 0:14:26And as for uh I previously mentioned, the New Orleans attack demonstrated the danger that vehicles pose to mass gatherings and the need to ensure effective counter measures are in place. Additionally, the fan behavior of these events can be erratic and seen during the 2024 uh COPA America match when thousands of fans breach physical security barriers and overwhelm law enforcement.
▶ 0:14:54These examples reflect the importance of robust robust security planning to ensure events are conducted peacefully that all spectators remain safe and everyone has a good time. I'm thankful for the participation of our witnesses today. I look forward to their perspective as well as uh what Congress and the federal government can do to support these events.
▶ 0:15:17Again, thank you all for being here and I hope we can have a productive and bipartisan discussion as we seek to improve security ahead of these mass gathering events. I now recognize the ranking member of the subcommittee, Mr. Kennedy, for his opening statements. Thank you very much, Chairman, and good afternoon, everyone. It's great to see you all here today this afternoon.
▶ 0:15:42I'd to start uh on a somber note by remembering our colleague and good friend, Congressman Jerry Connelly, who passed away earlier this morning. Jerry was a passionate public servant, a tireless champion for working families and a defender of democracy. His loss will certainly be felt deeply in Congress and in Virginia's 11th district.
▶ 0:16:10He was actually one of the first members that I met when I came here uh to Washington DC. I believe he was the first member to stop by my office before I was sworn in um last year to say hello. He welcomed me as a fellow Irishman and offered me kindness that I'll never forget. Uh we all knew him as a consumate gentleman and certainly a leader and again a dear friend.
▶ 0:16:39So our thoughts are certainly with his wife Kathy, their daughter Caitlyn, and the entire Connelly family on on this difficult day. Now turning to today's emergency management and technology subcommittee hearing on mass gatherings. I want to thank all of the witnesses for joining us here today. I also want to extend my gratitude to the staff for their efforts in making today's hearing come together.
▶ 0:17:08Uh my thoughts and I believe all of our thoughts and concerns are with those in Kentucky, Missouri, Indiana, Virginia, and everyone who was impacted by the tornadoes and storms that hit just over this past weekend. Nearly 30 lives were lost in the devastation. And we know far too often natural disasters are continually posing significant threats to our nation.
▶ 0:17:35and we have to ensure that we are as prepared as possible to respond and meet the moment. Shortly after the storm, it became clear that the local National Weather Service office in Kentucky is one of four offices nationwide without staff. National Weather Service offices in part are uh the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offices as well.
▶ 0:18:01And those are the offices that provide critical tornado forecasting that is then transmitted into emergency alerts so that communities can prepare. The future of emer emergency management in this country is dependent on the kinds of investments we make in these missions and the staff that keep them running.
▶ 0:18:20So, I am certainly concerned that the president's budget request cuts to Noah by at least 27% and I fear that this will only increase the level of devastation that we saw this past weekend when it comes to future emergencies. Additionally, we are days away from the start of hurricane season and the chaos at the Federal Emergency Management Agency continues to hinder our ability to support communities.
▶ 0:18:48So, this won't just affect responses to natural disasters. FEMA's preparedness and grants administration will have a direct impact on the security of mass gatherings like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. And we know that mass gatherings don't happen in a vacuum.
▶ 0:19:08And having strong emergency management infrastructure that can respond is going to be essential to ensuring that the two premier once in a generation sporting events that we're discussing today among other mass gathering events are as seamless as possible. In preparing for these mass gathering events, state and local first responders across the country are scaling up.
▶ 0:19:36And in some cases, like the two major events, the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup, these are historic visitations, record investments for the communities and states, and potential high security and the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Intelligence and Analysis conducts the annual homeland threat assessment and its publication for 2025 warned that the terrorism threat environment throughout our country remains
▶ 0:20:07high. Given this, it's critical that the federal government make good on its promise to provide states and local communities with FEMA preparedness grant funding so we're ready to respond and mitigate any threats during these high-profile events. Again, I'm concerned that President Trump's budget proposes a $646 million cut to FEMA's non-d disaster grant programs.
▶ 0:20:32Cuts like these severely undermine our ability to detect threats, support our local law partners, and prepare for major events in mass gatherings. Now it's time to shore up the FEMA grant program like the homeland security grant program which includes the state homeland security program, the urban area security initiative and operation stone garden.
▶ 0:20:57I look forward to hearing about the importance of these programs from our witnesses as well as ways that we can continue to partner with each and every one of you. Supporting law enforcement, supporting the private sector and federal agencies in a collaborative collective way so that we can secure these mass gathering events and make them as safe as possible for those in attendance and those in the vicinity.
▶ 0:21:23Again, uh thank you all for your service to our country, to your respective communities, and I look forward to our conversation. Thank you, Chairman. Thank you, Ranking Member Kennedy. Uh other members of the subcommittee are reminded that opening statements may be submitted for the record. I'm very pleased to have such an important panel of witnesses before us today. I ask that the witnesses please rise and raise their right hand.
▶ 0:21:51Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you will give before this committee on homeland security of the United States of Representatives, House of Representatives, will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So help you, God. Thank you. Please uh be seated. Let the record reflect that all witnesses have answered in the affirmative. I'd like uh I would like now to formally introduce our witnesses. Sheriff Donald Barnes is the sheriff uh corner of the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
▶ 0:22:22Uh he has served the Orange County for over 35 years, having started in 1989. At the national level, he is the major county sheriff's America's vice president for homeland security and also chair of their intelligence committee. Mr. John Jonal is the chief security officer at Live Nation Entertainment where he leads their corporate security program that helps keep employees, guests, and artists safe.
▶ 0:22:50Prior to his work at Live Nation, Mr. Juno served as a special agent with the United States Secret Service where he served as the AY's presidential protective division. Mr. Jeremy Hammond is the uh assistant commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, where he plays a pivotal role in some of the nation's most high-profile collegiate sporting events, ensuring a seamless experience for fans, athletes, and stakeholders alike.
▶ 0:23:19Before joining the Southeastern Conference, Mr. Hammonds held senior roles with organizations such as Ingress Events, WWE, and the Georgia Dome, developing deep expertise in event management, public safety, planning, and venue operation. I thank the witnesses again for being here today. I now recognize Sheriff Barnes for five minutes to summarize his opening statement.
▶ 0:23:46Thank you, Chairman Strong and Ranking Member Kennedy for holding today's hearing. I'm here today representing the Major County Sheriffs of America, the professional law enforcement association of the largest sheriff's offices across the country. Our members serve more than onethird of the United States population. As sheriff of Orange County, I lead an agency of more than 4,000 people who provide exceptional public safety services to the 3.1 million residents in Orange County.
▶ 0:24:12As a major population center and popular tourist destination on the southern California region, mass gathering events are a regular occurrence in our AO nationwide. Managing the security for mass gathering events and addressing associated public safety impacts largely fall on the shoulders of sheriffs and our partners in city municipal police departments. Today's focus is on the once- in a generation events, the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics, and other events, as mentioned, that will be coming to our country.
▶ 0:24:42It's been three decades since our nation hosted these events so close to each other. The FIFA World Cup of 1994 and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta were significant moments for our country. 30 years later, we will host these events in Southern California and a dozen other regions under a much more complex, rapidly evolving threat environment. We have greater technology available to assist us in with our security efforts. But risk associated with cyber attack are everpresent.
▶ 0:25:12Our border is more secure since the beginning of the year, but many of the nefarious actors who entered our country over the last four years remain and their locations are unknown. An event that hosts visitors from all corners of the world brings with it tensions from the multitude of conflicts occurring around the globe. We must always remain remember that we have no national security or homeland security without local law enforcement efforts.
▶ 0:25:41We can be successful in our goal of a safe World Cup and Olympics if we use proven strategies and we are properly resourced with the right mix of people and technology. Strategies that are most worthy of this committee's focus and efforts include one communication among law enforcement partners. Sharing intelligence information across levels of government is critical. This type of communication can best occur through the network of fusion centers across our country. in Orange County.
▶ 0:26:10The Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center uh responds to college protests, concern, and conflicts. The Middle East uh fusion centers play a central role in communicating intelligence to personnel on the ground, resulting in safe conclusions of these events. Continued and enhanced federal funding is essential to preparedness, providing support for strategic planning, and maintaining oper operational and situational awareness.
▶ 0:26:37The Yasi and Shishgap grants mentioned in Operation Stone Garden provide funding that supports intelligence sharing through fusion centers, builds critical incident response capabilities, and creates federal local partnerships that strengthen national security. Second is the use of the incident command system. The Orange County Sheriff's Department's long used ICS known as NIMS, SIMS, or whatever it might be at other levels uh for emergent events and planning for special events.
▶ 0:27:03It's a standardized protocol that creates command control, communication, coordination at all levels of government. It's been a proven scalable model that can be applied to a variety of public safety incidents and events and my department has used it uh in across our operational platform. Law enforcement across multi jurisdictions needs to be on the same page particularly with regard to events like the Olympics and World Cup.
▶ 0:27:29Also, adapt adaptation by federal agencies will ensure better integration when they work with state and local agencies during these mass gathering events. Briefly, unmanned aerial systems will also be part of any security strategy. Drones have proven to be a successful beneficial tool for public safety and emergency response, and we anticipate the drone capabilities will be leveraged extensively to help the World Cup and Olympic sites.
▶ 0:27:54Congressional support through legislation like HR 1058, the drone act, co-sponsored by Representatives Korea and Nells can help. At the same time, the unauthorized misuse of drones represents a significant security concern for mass events and the public's safety. Lawmakers must establish a legal framework that provides broad-based but carefully regulated authority for locals to deploy and operate counter UA systems. This framework must be supported by funding, training, oversight, and transparency.
▶ 0:28:23And finally, ask for your support in alleviating resource impacts on local law enforcement. The number of sim simultaneous events and multiple cities will put tremendous stress on resources across the country. Federal grant funding to help offset these costs, which has been provided during previous Olympics, will help us maintain operations associated with the events while also fulfilling our day-to-day law enforcement responsibilities to our communities. I thank you for the opportunity to be here today and looking forward to your questions.
▶ 0:28:52Thank you, Sheriff Barnes. Uh, I now recognize u Mr. Junell for five minutes to summarize his opening statements. Mr. Junell, Chairman Strong, Ranking Member Kennedy, and other members of the subcommittee. I'm John Janelle, chief security officer at Live Nation Entertainment. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss critical safety issues facing the live entertainment industry. 2024 marked an historic milestone for live music.
▶ 0:29:19Live Nation hosted more than 54,000 events, including 137 festivals, welcoming more than 151 million fans, and 2025 is already on track to surpass those benchmarks with more stadium shows scheduled than ever before in record demand for both concerts and festivals. As the scale and complexity of live events grow, we know security measures need to enhance as well.
▶ 0:29:43I oversee the development and implementation of security protocols and lead the efforts to collaborate with local and federal authorities to help keep fans, artists, and workers safe. Our commitment to safety is unwavering. We've continuously advanced our protocols and technologies, a dedication that earned us the safety act designation award from DHS. But we recognize there are limits to what we can do, especially when it comes to the emerging threats posed by drones.
▶ 0:30:10As a private entity, we lack the authority to counter drone activity, and law enforcement often lacks necessary capabilities and authority to respond. This is why it's essential that more events are covered by FAA issued temporary flight restrictions or TFRs and counter UAS authority be expanded to local law enforcement. Drone use continues to grow rapidly. The FAA recently reported that more than 1 million drones are now registered in the US, 160% increase since 2019.
▶ 0:30:39Given the rise in usage and high-profile drone related incidents, expanding TFR authority is needed. With the context in mind, I'd like to highlight several key areas where we believe Congress can uh take further action. We commend Congress for passing section 935 of the FAA Reauthorization Act last year, which expands FAA authority to issue drone related TFRs for certain large-scale events.
▶ 0:31:06The provision allows TFR coverage for stadium concerts with at least 30,000 attendees and festivals with at least 100,000. Live Nation was supportive of this provision, but knows more work must be done to mitigate the airborne threats at live events. To maximize the impact of section 935, it's essential that the FAA, state, and local law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders are fully aware of this new authority and equipped to utilize it.
▶ 0:31:32Ultimately, success depends on the venue or local law enforcement reaching out to federal law enforcement agencies, federal law enforcement's willingness to request the TFR in the FAA's readiness to approve it. Without coordination and follow-through, this new provision falls short of its intention to create more secure live events.
▶ 0:31:53Further recognition of this provision enhancement is needed, including a clear, prominent online process for submitting a TFR request for all live events, including concerts and festivals and the addition of a dedicated submission form to streamline the process for law enforcement officials. Additionally, we ask Congress to consider lowering the current thresholds to ensure that more events can benefit from the protective coverage of TFRs.
▶ 0:32:21Last year alone, we had more than 1,000 shows and venues with a capacity of 10,000. We asked Congress to lower the attendance threshold to 10,000 for events taking place outdoors. These proposed adjustments would significantly expand safety coverage for high density events that are currently excluded despite facing comparable security risk.
▶ 0:32:43We also urge Congress to build on the progress made in last year's FAA bill by strengthening airspace prot uh protections to include not only unmanned aircraft systems but also small manned aircrafts. We appreciate the bicameal and bipartisan attention this issue has received and appreciate members for recognizing these evolving threats. Finally, we urge Congress to grant mitigation authority to qualified local law enforcement agencies.
▶ 0:33:13When a drone enters restricted airspace, rapid response is critical, but federal authorities may not always be positioned to act quickly. Allowing trained local agencies to respond to their federal guidance would significantly enhance capabilities and strengthen the effectiveness of TFRs. Similarly, we appreciate the biccameal and bipartisan attention to this issue and commend members for their efforts.
▶ 0:33:40On behalf of Live Nation Entertainment, thank you all for your leadership on these important issues and I look forward to answering your questions. Thank you, Mr. Juno. I now recognize uh Mr. Hammond from the Southeastern Conference for five minutes to summarize his opening statement. Thank you, Chairman Strong and Ranking Member Kennedy and the honorable members of this subcommittee for the opportunity to participate in today's hearing. My name is Jeremy Hammond and I have the honor of serving the 16 member institutions of the Southeastern Conference as assistant commissioner.
▶ 0:34:11In my role, I lead our efforts to produce worldclass championship events, including the SEC football championship, and I work with our member institutions to develop event management policies and procedures, including public safety best practices.
▶ 0:34:25I come to you today not only as somebody that is involved in the day-to-day management of public events, but as someone who's deeply invested in safeguarding the environments where friends and families come together to celebrate traditions, community, and competition because that's really what we all seek together. However, we cannot share those experiences without the assurance that we can enjoy them in safe, well-managed environments.
▶ 0:34:50Just as the rapid advancement of technology and weaponry has evolved global conflicts, the same can be said for the threats we must protect against at our favorite sporting event, concert, festival, or convention. As cities across the United States prepare to host the World Cup and the Olympics over the coming years, there is no group of professionals better positioned or prepared to plan for, manage, and mitigate challenges than those we call friends and colleagues here in this country.
▶ 0:35:18The World Cup and the Olympics obviously are the two largest international events in existence. They pres present a provocative and highly visible target for bad actors. However, as my counterparts here today may agree, large public events with high threat profiles are produced 365 days a year in this country. Whether in metropolitan cities or small college towns, college athletics welcomes fans week after week from kickoff in late August to the last out in May. Chairman Strong from Alabama can attest.
▶ 0:35:47In the SEC, we like to say it just means more. During Saturdays in the fall, our campuses grow to the populations of a midsize city. In 2024, five SEC schools averaged 100,000 fans in their venues at home football games. Accounting for schools and other leagues, that number grows to eight nationwide. It's also routine that campuses host 50 to 75,000 additional fans who take part in the fanfare around the stadium with tailgating and other activities.
▶ 0:36:16Nowhere else in the world do you see that volume of fans in such consistency. If you follow college athletics, you know we love top 25 rankings. In a list of the largest sport venues by capacity, college football in America accounts for eight of the top 10 globally. Yet rarely do any of these events register on the SEIER rating system higher than a four or five meaning they have limited national importance to require federal inter agency support. If I can just pause on that note for a second.
▶ 0:36:46The largest events that are hosted in this country on a consistent basis currently do not qualify for federal inter agency support. I work with my colleagues at our member institutions to identify emerging challenges to their operations and I'd like to share a few of those with you today. These topics fall in the category of what keeps you up at night. Vehicle mitigation. Campus environments are full of soft targets with tailgates and teamwalks surrounding the stadium. A bad actor with a vehicle has become a hallmark of modern crowd attacks.
▶ 0:37:15Unfortunately, we saw that play out on January 1st in New Orleans as fans prepared to enjoy the Sugar Bowl. As has been mentioned multiple times today already, the UAS or drone threat proliferation of drones and modern warfare has exacerbated that concern and for that threat at full stadiums across the country. As it stands, our schools can spend upwards of $500,000 on drone tracking technology. They have no legal authority to intervene or mitigate a hostile drone.
▶ 0:37:43We're encouraged by the efforts of both the Senate and the House to introduce legislation that would allow federal agencies to deputize local officials with the authority to mitigate drone threats with the proper training and the access to the advanced technology. And finally, access to intelligence, staffing, equipment, and funding resources that modernize the public safety posture at our events. In closing, to put it simply, the key to public safety is communication, transparency among agencies, and access to the appropriate resources.
▶ 0:38:14As this committee evaluates the role of the federal government and supporting the host efforts for large public gatherings, please remember the schools, venues, promoters, and local officials hosting large gatherings on a nightly and weekly basis throughout the calendar year. And please consider a review of the methodology of establishing a sear rating. We're encouraged by the work of this committee and the collaboration and communication that will usher in some progress. Thank you, Mr. Hammonds. Uh, thank you for your opening statement.
▶ 0:38:41We're honored to have you here and each of our people here before us. Doesn't matter if you're a cat, a tiger, a dog, a volunteer, whether you scream war eagle, roll tide, every one of our conferences definitely have a task to provide safety for America. Uh, members will be recognized by order of seniority for their five minutes of questioning. An additional round of questioning may be called after all members have been recognized. I now recognize myself for five minutes for questioning.
▶ 0:39:08I'd like to begin by asking each of you, starting with Sheriff Barnes, what can Congress and the federal government do to better support security preparedness at mass gathering events going forward? Thank you, Congressman. Um, first, the collaboration among federal partners is key.
▶ 0:39:27the fusion centers and the funding that drive them I think is necessary to maintain that and I would even argue probably argue for an increase um counter UAS capabilities I think is going to be an imperative going forward as mentioned before currently um I we can probably speak for an hour about the risk that we have experienced by drones in our different areas of responsibility uh for example in in Orange County we had an individual flying drones uh within hundreds of feet from departing aircraft from John Wayne Airport any one of
▶ 0:39:57those impacts would have undoubtedly placed that jet at risk and all its passengers. Fortunately, that was adopted by the US Attorney's Office. He was prosecuted, but we had no way to mitigate that drone or locate it. We found him through social media as he's posting his footage online. If not for that, we probably would not know where that person was. Uh we've had narcotics trafficking with drones into our jails. We had them intervene with emergency response during wildland fires.
▶ 0:40:21And sadly, if you followed the recent news, the cartels, a foreign terrorist organization, are using drones and counter drone technology against the United States. The cartels have advanced forward of local law enforcement's capabilities.
▶ 0:40:35And we should anticipate that those technologies will make their way conus inside the United States and probably be a significant factor in any one of these events as bad actors use these technologies against us for legal law enforcement overwatch efforts during any of these venues. And uh lastly, I would say that funding is critical.
▶ 0:40:56Yashi shish gap uh operation stone garden which I do on behalf of the federal government's western border of the United States which is being impacted with maritime traffic again as a result of the lockdown of the border all of those have a significant issue but inter agency collaboration I think is most important uh we all have to be at the table we have to be operating on the same common operating platform whether it's NEM SEMS or ICS and make sure we have defined roles in a unified command working with our private sector partners I would add to make sure we put all this in a good place and we are ahead of the planning stage
▶ 0:41:26now and that needs to start today. We can't do these things uh you know a year from now. We're already behind the curve when it comes to county waste technologies and other other planning. Thank you Mr. Thank you chairman. I agree with the sheriff on intelligence sharing fusion centers collaboration any support uh to streamline the efforts would be greatly appreciated from the private sector as well as the government sectors.
▶ 0:41:55uh but streamlining particularly the response uh capabilities to UAS threats. If we could streamline the process, understand who is eligible, lower the thresholds to where we can cover more events, uh anything to do to streamline the process would be greatly appreciated amongst uh all the shareholders. Thank you, Mr. Hammond. Yes, I think two priorities from our perspective.
▶ 0:42:24One, a re-evaluation of the SEIRE rating system, developing some additional consistency there and those directives, and then um as my counterparts here have stated, streamlining that process to allow local authorities to mitigate the drone threat. I think those are the two most pressing issues on the minds of our public safety officials on campus as we prepare for high u to host these high-profile events and summer every weekend. and each of you, you're involved in this.
▶ 0:42:51Is it essential that the federal government double down on planning and collaboration with state local uh law enforcement? Uh I would say triple down. Uh Congressman, we are already behind the curve. Uh these investments need to take place now. And keep in mind all these things are happening. Uh FIFA World Cup for example, you mentioned it, 11 locations, seven events over a prolonged period of time. The one other aspect we have is a drain on resources.
▶ 0:43:21Uh we still have conops continuity operations still has to happen with within all of our agents to do the everyday job that we're expected to do. So yes, it is it needs to happen now and we need to get ahead of it uh today. Thank you. Mr. Juno, we uh have seen too many concerts and sporting events become the target of terrorist attacks. Can you describe Live Nation's role in working with law enforcement and host venues to ensure adequate security for event attendees and artists and athletes?
▶ 0:43:50Yes, Chairman Strong. We work very closely with our law enforcement partners on a nationwide basis. Everything from the planning uh communication, coordination, uh joint understanding of risk, shared situational awareness, highly encourage colllocation during the events, sharing intelligence, uh fusion centers, as the sheriff mentioned earlier, the incident command system to make sure that we're all on the same page and able to plan for the foreseeable risk and
▶ 0:44:20be resilient to those risks that may not be foreseen. Thank you. Thank you. I now recognize Ranking Member Kennedy for five minutes for any questions he may have. Yeah, thank you, Chairman. Sheriff Barnes, uh, thank you again for being here today. In your testimony, you make the case for sustained federal investment in Homeland Security funding.
▶ 0:44:39As you've mentioned already, um you know, that funding is critical, including $61 million through state homeland security program, $156 million through the urban area security initiative, and $2 million through operation stone gardening fiscal year 2024 in order to prepare for FIFA World Cup and the Olympics around the corner.
▶ 0:45:08Uh can you just discuss how the threat prevention and response capabilities enabled by these FEMA programs have helped your community proactively prepare for these mass events and separately how that funding uh in such a robust manner uh helps these programs in in California and New York prepare for these upcoming uh mass gatherings? Yes, thank you, Congressman.
▶ 0:45:35First, uh the funds that are being provided through those three initiatives specifically are essential in maintaining our posture of the AD fusion centers nationally. Our Haida programs are different funding, but that's been stagnant has a significant risk. Uh operation stoneguard already mentioned what would happen, but I'm going to turn the corner without those funds. This is what will happen.
▶ 0:45:58We have to step back from our posture in our fusion centers which I think has been the most beneficial national security initiative that we maintained over the last 24 years or 20 22 years since 2003 when they're stood up. Uh operation stone guard and stops we don't protect our borders and other initiatives that we have with those funds. So without those funds for example uh I fund majority of my fusion center out of local taxpayer dollars. It subsidizes some of that program.
▶ 0:46:24But the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center is 100% funded through uh FEMA grant opportun shish gap and Yasi. That means that program stops and they have a major initiative happening throughout the uh through the FIFA World Cup. That means no intelligence, no vetting, no collaboration that would happen at that in that area and other areas like it. So we've taken a huge step back of keeping our nation safe. And I'll tell you these have worked well because nothing bad has happened.
▶ 0:46:50We've intervened, interdicted, acted, left a bang in numerous circumstances that has kept our our country safe. It's this is not the time to step away from those programs. Thank you very much. Uh Sheriff, again, a critical part of preparing for these mass events is ensuring that first responders have what they need to in the event of an emergency.
▶ 0:47:09Uh DHS programs train first responders so they can respond more efficiently and Troublingly, the Trump administration has closed the National Fire Academy in Maryland, one of the nation's premier training facilities for first responders. And his proposed budget would eliminate the National Domestic Consortium, a group of seven nationally recognized organizations that provide training for FEMA and first responders.
▶ 0:47:38So, Sheriff, th this program is hosting several trainings in the greater Orange County area next month dedicated to sport and special event evacuation and protective actions. As you prepare for the 2028 Olympics, how might these expert trainings help the first responder and law enforcement community in Orange County? Thank you again. I will tell you that I will not speak how they would perspectively, retrospectively, they have been beneficial in our response platforms and protocols.
▶ 0:48:07uh the the American public never sees what we do behind the scenes. And if we do it well, they never do see what we do behind the scenes because we invested in these infrastructures and planning and logistics and resources and training and all that happens in the shadows. But you can't step up or stand up a team to be responsive on the fly. You has it has to happen in real time uh multi- agency collaboration which we do routinely with our partners in firefighting and other and other venues and platforms.
▶ 0:48:35So, it is an investment to be ready to respond. Hopefully, that we don't need to, but this is also a huge investment on resources and personnel that have to be on the ready, standing in reserve in response to these venues, and it's been that way for decades. Thank you, Sheriff. Um, and as you likely know, we have a Department of Homeland Security Secretary who stated that this administration's intent is to eliminate FEMA.
▶ 0:49:01Are you concerned about the impact that that might have on Orange County that you represent and the state of California as well as, you know, our responsiveness across the nation? Yes. And once again, I um that is a great question.
▶ 0:49:15Obviously, I'm going to hypothesize, but if we start to take draw back on these investments, whether it be in Orange County, California, nationally, uh we're turning a corner and we're actually, I would say, inviting something bad to happen without our ability to be responsive or to interdict prior to that act, uh happening. So, I would say this is not the time that we should be backing away from these investments. We need to maintain our posture of readiness across the nation. Thank you, chairman. I yield back. The ranking member yields back. I now recognize the gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Evans.
▶ 0:49:46Thank you, uh, Chairman, Ranking Member. Thank you, of course, to all of our witnesses for coming. Uh, Mr. Chairman, I'd like to enter into the record this statement from the Association of Uncrrewed Vehicle Systems International that includes some security recommendations for mass mass gathering events uh that empower local law enforcement. Without objection. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, again, thank you to the witnesses. Uh, my first question will be to Mr. Barnes. I spent a combined total of a little over two decades in between both military and law enforcement on the Army side. is a Blackhawk helicopter pilot.
▶ 0:50:16So operating in the same airspace as a lot of the new and emerging UAS threats that we're facing uh both overseas and also fighting fires and all of the things that we use in the domestic operations space here in uh in the United States. And then as a police officer, I got to lead our mobile field force. And so I've been that user level boots on the ground individual that's operating and having to make real-time decisions whenever we have either mass gathering events that were anticipated or if you have contingencies that emerge in mass gathering events.
▶ 0:50:45And so uh my first question to you I think we've talked a little bit about fusion centers and a lot of the pre-planning and intelligence that comes out of um out of facilities like that. Can you talk a little bit more about the tactical level? Um you've done your pre-planning, the event is now in full swing. what are those uh critical shortcomings at the tactical level?
▶ 0:51:04Uh specifically focusing on either uh equipment shortfalls, training shortfalls, communication shortfalls uh during an during an event um that would potentially uh impact your ability to operate efficiently with other uh federal, state, and local partners. Thank you. And first of all, thank you for your service. Um your question is a good one. You look at preparedness and uh from a tactical perspective, uh you mentioned mobile field force. Mobile field force should be a national standard for crowd control and maintaining or order within our communities.
▶ 0:51:35Uh we've heavily invested in mobile field force in the county of Orange and trained all the municipal agencies on mobile field force tactics and response protocols and it's worked very well for us. Uh from tactics uh first starts with intelligence getting good information. We know there's miss and malinformation campaigns we should expect over the next several years. So getting good information in and being able to response be responsive to that. uh there's a huge drain on resources when you have a tactical element in reserve for a prolonged period of time. I think we agree.
▶ 0:52:02And there's other resources like bomb detection, kines, and others that work in tandem with them that have a limited utility that you have to replicate at a much larger um uh platform. So tactics uh rapid response models I think are very uh key um ability to have them ready to go out, but um we just don't have the depth. So I think investing in that now ahead of time and making sure as a national standard we have these protocols in place.
▶ 0:52:29I've stressed for a long time through FEMA to have resource tasking for law enforcement. Uh law it's not as deep as it should be. We look at all the critical issues we have to face on a broad risk environment that we have to be prepared for. Thank you. And uh continuing down that train. I've done a lot of the federal training in uh in places like Aniston, Alabama to make sure that we have that interoperability at the federal, state and local level.
▶ 0:52:51What do you see as far as communication shortfalls uh with uh folks in your sheriff's office potentially having to work and collaborate in real time with folks from other agencies uh particularly with regard to the communication equipment? Well, thank you for that question again, Congressman. I'll start with Orange County has had an interoperable radio system for decades, 3.1 million people. All the law enforce agents can communicate at the same time or a dedicated channel.
▶ 0:53:15uh that technology should be at least strive to advance it nationally or minimally have our federal partners in the same room on the same communications conduit so we're sharing information in real time for the benefit of everybody. That has not always been the case. We saw that happen in Parkland High School in Aaldi recently in Butler. Um we have learned a lot about what we need to do. We just have to make sure we solve that problem before we go forward and make sure we're on the same communication platform. Thank you. And I got 1 minute and 5 seconds left.
▶ 0:53:42So final question again will be to you sheriff but drawing on some of the comments uh from uh from others about UAS's and TFRs. So flying flying on wildfires of course you have a TFR that's going to be dropped over the wildfire area um so that crews like myself can go out and do our jobs and then you still have drones that come through. You got to shut down the fire TFR, ground all of the aircraft until we can chase the drone out. uh on that again tactical user level.
▶ 0:54:06What do you think are the most critical shortcomings to be able to act actually kinetically intervene in real time in the event that you have uh malicious drone activity occurring? Uh I'll start with the FAA reauthorization act or legislation that will give local law enforcement or public safety the authority to have that. If you look forward into FIFA, there's not a depth for county US that can manage this at a national scale.
▶ 0:54:31I would say task force operators and locals that have dual uh designation and training technology and access to the platforms are most critical. Um you look at what happened with the Palisades fire. They took one of the most um beneficial firefighting apparatus out of the sky because of an impact with the drone for 3 days that could have contributed to a lot of uh structures being saved. So we have to invest now. We can't wait a year or two years or when FIFA is on our on our doorstep.
▶ 0:54:56that has to happen uh now in my belief and I think we have the ability to to spread that out responsibly through good policy and protocols and have uh have that shared. We have to do it now because the cartel is already ahead of us and we're going to be dealing with this domestically if we don't uh prepare for it. Not to mention if there's a mass drone attack, a mass weaponized drone attack, we cannot be responsible with that. I'm sorry I went long, but the threat horizon is much broader and it's advancing beyond our capabilities if we don't get into this game today. Thank you. Yield back. Thank you.
▶ 0:55:26The gentleman from Colorado yields. The gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. McKenzie, is recognized for five minutes of questioning. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate everybody being here today to discuss such a serious topic about how we can protect our communities and individuals who are attending mass gatherings uh from terrorist attacks and and other threats. I would my first question I'd like to go to uh Mr. Janelle from Live Nation Entertainment.
▶ 0:55:53Uh we are fortunate to have a venue that is being operated in coordination with Live Nation in our local community. Now it's a a midsize venue I would characterize it. Uh so can you please talk to what in particular you are doing for events like that that maybe not the high-profile events of the World Cup or anything uh like that but communities like mine are hosting music events and gatherings on a regular basis. Uh tell me about what you're doing at midsize events like that.
▶ 0:56:22Yes, it's sir. Regardless of the size of the event, the concern is the same. Uh we want to make sure that we're prepared as can be. Uh we're trained u facilitating all the intelligence sharing and everything else through our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners and working highly in a collaborative process to make sure that we have the standards.
▶ 0:56:46uh we have a clear picture of uh the issues that we're dealing with, understanding what our rules and responsibilities are and then uh what our our partners uh will be bringing to the table as well so that we have that robust uh uh resilience around the event regardless of the size. Thank you. and for all of our testifiers.
▶ 0:57:08Then obviously uh the attention of our country is going to shift next year to the America 250, the World Cup, uh other big events like that that are taking place all across our country. Uh so for anybody on the panel, do you feel that we are prepared at this point or is there more work that needs to be done? And if so, is it resources, training, what can we assist with from uh federal level and and as members of Uh I think we're working towards being prepared.
▶ 0:57:37Those plannings are being put, committees are in place and the collaboration started especially on uh FIFA and also the Olympics. Club Cup is coming next year. That brings a different clientele to the country that's different than the FIFA World Cup. And they have a tendency to operate outside social norms that we might consider in America. Uh taking to the streets, levels of intoxication, uh celebrations, fanfest what might be problematic. So yes, we are in the planning stages, but that just it takes resources.
▶ 0:58:05I look at that not as a cost, it's an investment into the planning, the preparedness, the logistics, the training, the tactics, the equipment, all of those things need to start happening now, else we'll be behind the curve when the time comes to be responsive and keeping our public safe. And do you feel at this point in time that we are on track to be ready for those events? I think we are in the planning stage, which uh for the Olympics, I think we're on track. I think there's already been some pre-planning on the Olympics with the uh Los Angeles city and county that has had advanced teams look at what's happened in Paris and others.
▶ 0:58:35The threat environment has changed and that's ever evolving. So, we have to be dynamic and that we look at mitigating the threats as they change over time and they will change between now and 2028 and we have to stay ahead of the curve and make sure that we are are well planned and well prepared to take whatever threat comes next. Especially in the area of cyber, we should anticipate the cyber threat advancing well beyond our capabilities. I'm not picking on the administration, but stepping away from cyber at this time and putting on on the shoulders of locals.
▶ 0:59:03We're going to have different response capabilities uh across the country and who can interdict, intervene, and be responsive to cyber attacks, DDoS attacks, uh whatever it might be that's going to change. Not to mention traditional attacks like uh bomb threats and swatting incidents and then intentional attacks and the normal crime that comes with these events. All of these things make this a very complex uh solution that needs to be implemented over a prolonged period of time. It's it's it's not doing any one thing.
▶ 0:59:30It's doing 100 things simultaneously that's going to put us in a position of preparedness. And that has started, but I think we have a lot a long way to go. Well, I again I'd like to thank all of you. uh all law enforcement across the country put themselves in harm's way every single day. We appreciate that work that you do and the preparedness that we are looking for as a country. Uh I think we are in many ways on track. I know there are some things that we want to continue to work on.
▶ 0:59:56As you mentioned, threats evolve uh and the nature of those threats change with time and so we got to continue to stay on top of those as we prepare for an incredible year next year. for again celebrating America's 250 and also welcoming people from around the world for the World Cup. So thank you again and with that I yield back. Gentleman from Pennsylvania yields back. I now recognize the gentleman from California Mr. Koreah for five minutes of question. Chairman Strong, thank you very much and for our ranking member, Mr.
▶ 1:00:23Kennedy, thank you for this hearing and want to welcome our witnesses today. Sheriff Barnes from our good Orange County, Mr. Janelle, Mr. Hammond. Sheriff Barnes, let me turn to you first. Orange County vibe, Disneyland, not Sperry Farm, the Olympics, the World Cup, the Angels. You got a lot to defend, sir. And so far, I think you've been The other guys have scored zero on you, sir. job.
▶ 1:00:53How serious is the threat of international terrorism to you, Congressman Korea? Thank you very much, and I appreciate your partnership over the years. uh not just uh international terrorism, foreign terrorist organizations, uh CT uh domestic terrorism, homegrown violent extremist extremist groups are ever present.
▶ 1:01:15Uh again going back to the fusion center, I have a fusion center committed to Orange County, the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center, one of the 80 nationally, routinely recognized for our product and intervention strategies. Um all those things are happening in real time. And not to say that bad things have been mitigated, but the last four years unfortunately through the border have undoubtedly let bad actors into our country.
▶ 1:01:38Um without getting into any classified information, we know that we are looking for people conis who may be um accelerating their plans because of actions on immigration trying to locate them. It is a completely different threat horizon that we've ever faced. And so, um, yes, there are a lot of Sheriff Barnes, if I may interrupt you, you talk about this fusion center, and I've had the opportunity to go tour it.
▶ 1:02:02Um, that's a center where you take information from all sources, international, domestic, state, local, and you put that together, and it gives you a picture of the threat environment. Is that correct? Yes. And I would say when Fusion Center was stood up uh post 911, they were focused on foreign terrorism abroad. They are all crimes, all hazards. Now, our fusion center is focused on uh um domestic terrorism, bad actors, extremist groups, narcotics trafficking, sex trafficking, human trafficking.
▶ 1:02:32Uh it's it's looking at everything. And so, and now you've got on top of that unmanned aerial, small aircraft, you said propaganda, misinformation, artificial intelligence. Those are on top of the other things you're doing. That's what the fusion centers have to challenge to deal with. Yes. Yes. Uh Congressman, it is an all-inclusive risk mitigation center.
▶ 1:02:57And for the benefit of not just the region, the state, but the nation, we're putting product out for everybody's and sharing that information centers with our partners to make sure everybody's well informed of what the threats are and how they're evolving. So, if we want to play linebacker for you, make sure nobody scores. What is it that you would see from us? more funding, legislative action to give you more authority, for example, maybe to uh control, take down aerial drones. Exactly that, Congressman.
▶ 1:03:24Uh maintaining the funding for the fusion centers through Shish Gap, Yuiwasi, Stone Garden, and other avenues for funding. Uh Haidas, which is a different funding source, I think is not sufficient. uh dealing with the worst time in our nation's history of narcotics trafficking which does have a direct threat to these venues uh through users consuming products that are clandestine produced and probably fentinel and also the technology the technology needs to keep up with the times and we I think are we're playing defense and I don't like playing defense I want to be in the offense so given us the technology uh that
▶ 1:03:55we can intervene appropriately if any of these things do happen uh through counter UAS or other venues we need to be prepared for that you mentioned earlier that you would want us to triple down on federal funding for your fusion center. Is that correct? I think we need to not step away, but I think there's opportunities to invest larger. Uh if I lose those funding, my fusion center is going to take a significant hit on some of the all crimes, all hazards, and this is not just for Orange County. This is across the nation. There's benefits. So, you're speaking for the nation as a whole.
▶ 1:04:23When you talk about funding, fusion centers, coordination with the federal government, all that takes resources that you need and other sheriffs across the country need to keep Americans safe. Not just sheriffs. If you look at the Fusion Center network as it operates, there isn't any major city chief that operates outside of a major county based on definition. All the venues that are being proposed are happening in major counties or major cities that are represented and supported by the Fusion Center network, especially for the FIFA World Cup and Club Cup.
▶ 1:04:53The connectivity and sharing of real-time information among that venue, which we did through the elections recently, has to happen in real time as these threats present themselves because they're likely to be replicated in other areas as bad actors share their tactics to try to bring this country down and do harm. Sheriff, I want to thank you for your time. uh for your efforts in being here, informing us here in Congress about the needs that you have on Main Street makes us better policy makers. Thank you very much. Hope to talk to you soon again.
▶ 1:05:24Thank you very much, Congressman McCrae. The gentleman from California yields back. I now recognize the gentle lady from New Jersey, Miss Poe, for five minutes of questioning. Thank you so very much, Mr. Chairman. It's wonderful to be back on on this committee. Thank you. and and thank you to our ranking member Kennedy for uh also holding this meeting.
▶ 1:05:44Um I'd like to begin by certainly uh ex indicating that you know mass uh gatherings are unique opportunities uh to connect with others and feel like we are part of something bigger than ourselves. Especially after the pandemic uh there has been a renewed appreciation for the value of a uh soldout ball game or concert. Uh the FIFA World Cup will bring together hundreds of thousands of fans.
▶ 1:06:13It is time for it is a time for friendship and celebration and I am so proud that the final match will be played in my district and New Jersey. I was recently named uh the co-chair of a new bipartisan task force focus on enhancing security for special events like the World Cup and I look forward to the chairman calling our first official meeting and beginning our work.
▶ 1:06:39Uh, with that being said, I'd like to begin my questioning and and indicate that, you know, as my district, as I've just mentioned, rack ratchets up for security preparation for the World Cup, our first responders and municipalities need resources today to plan for next year. I am deeply concerned by the Trump administration's illegal withholding or otherwise delaying critical FEMA and uh grants.
▶ 1:07:10These delays seriously undermine the ability of state and local government to protect our communities and ensure that large sporting events like the World Cup are safe and secure. Last week, I pressed uh Secretary Gnome on when our communities would will receive guidance on the Homeland Security Grant Program. Unfortunately, she did not give me an answer.
▶ 1:07:37So, Sheriff Barnes, how do delays in critical grant funding like the home the state homeland security grant program or the urban area security initiative impacts your department's ability to keep communities safe, especially as they prepare for uh high-profile events like the World Cup that I've just mentioned? Yes, thank you for the question. Uh first, there's an adage in anything we do, you you fail to plan, you plan to fail. So planning is everything.
▶ 1:08:07Preparedness goes into many facets of equipment, tactics, training, tools, uh tabletop exercises, red teaming these events. So we make sure that we're thinking like our adversaries. That's all very critical and that planning needs to start start today. Regarding the FIFA World Cup, there's one aspect and I love the partnerships we have with our private sector representatives here, but a lot of the response protocols are beyond the venue itself.
▶ 1:08:32There's practice sites, hotels, other things and areas that grow beyond that that are contemporaneous to the actual event, but spill over into local neighborhoods, communities, maybe even those beyond your uh congressional district that need to be protected and the planning that goes into that as well. And those take resources. Funding is essential if we don't have the offset. This is a planned event.
▶ 1:08:52It doesn't qualify for most mutual aid plans which mean there's no reimbursement unless it's financed or funded upfront for the ability to recover costs in planning that needs to take place in my opinion today to put those funds and make those funds available for the planning states. Thank you. I can't agree with you more. Thank you so very much for your answer. You know, I I'd also would want to speak about the home uh grown violent extremists and domestic terrorists that prays on events like the World Cup that brings together different communities.
▶ 1:09:23That is why our New Jersey Office of Homeland Security identified attacks from these groups as the highest threat to New Jersey. Earlier this year, I traveled to New Orleans with the chairman and and with some of our other colleagues here to learn about the devastating attack on Bourbon Street carried out by a homeland extremists.
▶ 1:09:45Uh during this trip, we heard from local law enforcement about the threats our nation faces from homegrown uh terrorism at highly attended uh events. Sheriff uh Barnes, if you would please. What are the unique threats posed uh posed by the home uh grown uh extremist and domestic terrorists to mass gatherings events and how are you working to combat these uh threats? Yes. Uh thank you. I think you've mentioned several of those already.
▶ 1:10:15Vehicle rammings. They're mostly spontaneous actors that are not even on the grid or even known to either federal authorities or locals. So spontaneous bad actors are an evolving trend that we're seeing. Some of these people weren't even had a case open or even any threats. Open source information is important. That's why the fusion centers play such a critical role.
▶ 1:10:33They're oftentimes tripwire events that we see uh immediately prior to postings or some things that happen on open source information like social media and going back after 9/11 re uh reinvigorating the see something say something campaign that works so well several decades ago. So people who do have information that of individuals um can be brought to the attention of law enforcement. But I'd preface all of this with first and foremost the protection of first amendment rights when people do decide to take the streets and protest responsibly or have actions.
▶ 1:11:02We are always focused on constitutional rights of our of our citizenry first, but have to be prepared and when it crosses over into legal activities to keep our our nation safe. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back. The gentleoman yields back. I now recognize the gentle lady from Texas, Miss Johnson, for five minutes of questioning. Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 1:11:23Um, as a member of Congress serving the city of Dallas, you can see I'm very interested in the FIFA World Cup and this will bring in millions of dollars of revenue for small businesses and surrounding communities and millions of new visitors to the North Texas area and from around the world. We are thrilled to be hosting nine matches and which is the largest amount of of matches in the country. We're also the broadcast hub for the FIFA World Cup.
▶ 1:11:51And so it's going to become not only a unique, it's a sustained security need that we have because we're going to have media professionals throughout the world in the city for a prolonged period of time, not just for the unique timelines of the matches themselves. Uh I was thrilled to have the opportunity to travel with you, Mr. chairman to New Orleans and um with some of my colleagues on this committee in advance of the Super Bowl and we saw an immense amount of planning that goes into these events to keep attendees safe.
▶ 1:12:20Meanwhile, Secretary Gnome and President Trump are expected to propose significant cuts to the FEMA preparedness grants and funding that is critical for major event security. The proposed budget also eliminates the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, which has trained thousands of emergency response teams. In just my district alone, they have trained almost 12,000 participants.
▶ 1:12:42These programs not only train our local first responders at no cost to them or our cities, but also partner with the city for domestic preparedness, FEMA, and other governmental agencies. When we do not have adequate funding to keep these programs afloat, we will not have the workforce to keep the public safe. By cutting funding to these programs, this administration is setting our cities up for failure and putting the lives of attendees and our security personnel at risk.
▶ 1:13:10The World Cup is anticipated to bring in more than six million visitors from around the world. In a time where cyber security workforce is significantly underststaffed and cyber attacks are on the rise, illegal freezes on grant funding and TSA agents are being terminated and we need to take a serious look at how prepared we are actually are at just one year before the event takes place. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to ensure every step of the way. And I, you know, Mr.
▶ 1:13:39Chairman, I'm just really concerned that this Congress right now, this while having this hearing is fabulous, we need to focus on the security of our country. We want to have a successful Olympics. We want to have a successful World Cup. And we had the chance to see up close and personal just how much goes into the planning of the Super Bowl.
▶ 1:14:02It was a it was an enlightening experience to see just the effort the expense and the coordination that's required amongst so many agencies and while we're shining that we're talking about it which is fabulous but on the other hand in this very building in the rules debate AC in our capital we're having a budget that guts all the funding for it. So how can we do that? How can we gut all the funding and then still say we are prioritizing this security?
▶ 1:14:31So, you know, gentlemen, my question for you is, you know, what potential threats do you see? And do you have enough resources? Are you and do you think that we have allocated enough resources for um this country and the visitors to come here to be safe when they come for World Congresswoman, whether it's the World Cup, the Super Bowl, a large festival, uh, or a smaller festival,
▶ 1:15:01we all share the same concerns. Uh, what's concerning at this moment is the threat persists from UAS and at this time the thresholds are too high. um the uh authority to act upon the threats are very limited and it's a we just need a streamline process to help facilitate the protection that is warranted for you know I want to ask you a question about that so at a different hearing or actually maybe when we were
▶ 1:15:31in New Orleans one of the things that was brought up to us was um the lack of local law enforcement's ability to actually deal with the drones you had to go through just this crazy red tape in order to uh take down a potential threat. Is that still in place? Has that been corrected or is and are you aware of efforts on the table to correct that?
▶ 1:15:54So the FAA reauthorization act uh was a step in the right direction but it is implemented inconsistently across all the different events and having the ability uh to work with venues to work with our law enforcement partners to be able to successfully apply uh for a TFR is challenging and then whether or not the federal resources are available from the agencies and then whether or not FA approves it.
▶ 1:16:23It's a complicated process that really needs some attention to streamline and make more consistent across all the events. Do you feel um what and it's live nation you you see lots of stuff I can only imagine and you you see all the things.
▶ 1:16:42So besides, you know, drones and besides besides this lack of coordination um between the agencies to give the men on the ground the ability to deal with an immediate threat besides that issue, what other security threat issues are you concerned with um in particular to these largecale events that are coming up? of course it's it's homegrown violent extremists. It's terrorism. It's just crime in general.
▶ 1:17:13Uh managing large crowds. It's all the things that my colleagues have spoken about today and making sure that we have coordinated collaborated plans in partnership with all of our stakeholders to include federal, state, and local uh partnerships. And we're all singing from the same shooting music with planning uh operations and response. Yes. And then at the same time, we're laying off record numbers of FBI agents and we're going to make our our country love safe.
▶ 1:17:42Gentlemen, I think my time is expired. And thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I yield back. The gentleoman from Texas yields back. I thank uh Sheriff Barnes, Mr. Junell, and Mr. Hammond for their valuable testimony. And the members for their questions. The members of the subcommittee may have some additional questions for the witnesses and we would ask the witnesses to respond to these in writing. Pursuant to committee rule 7D, the hearing record will be held open for 10 days. Without objection, this subcommittee stands adjourned.