Wolf. Today we are meeting to consider the nomination of acting secretary of Homeland Security chad wolf to be the confirmed secretary of department of Homeland Security, which is an enormous task. I truly appreciate anybody who is willing to undertake such enormous responsibility. I would ask my written opening remarks be enter into the record without objection well do that. Ill just keep this short because i know we have time constraints here. But a quick description of what enormous challenge this is. The secretary of Homeland Security manages 240,000 people in the department, the responsibilities for Homeland Security are vast. Start with the federal Emergency Management agency deals with hurricanes and wild fires and now covid amongst many other responsibilities. Border security a huge issue. Weve not fixed that problem, not by a long stretch, but thiS Administration done a good job of stopping the out of control illegal entry that we are experiencing over a year ago. This agency this department is concerned about cyber security. Election security. Security over our Critical Infrastructure. And as we just witnessed with some of the protests that sprung into riots, also protecting our federal buildings and we of course tragically lost David Patrick underwood in oakland, california, member of the federal protections services. The responsibilities are enormous. I dont envy any secretary of Homeland Securitys task. I truly appreciate anybody willing to serve in this capacity. One quick word, i do want to talk about for my standpoint what an extraordinary job dhs and quite honestly thiS Administration has done in dealing with covid. I know thats not the narrative in the Mainstream Media and from many of my colleagues, but the fact of the matter is i come from manufacturing background. I understand a difficult situation. Covid is an act of god. And if you think back to the beginning of this when we were concerned about running out of ventilators, we didnt. The president invoked the war production act and we produced ventilators at a record pace and nobody ran out. Personal protective equipment, ppe, i know it wasnt perfect, i know people didnt get everything they wanted, but again nobody ran out. That was dealing with a very difficult situation where demand outstripped supply by two to three time. We heard that in testimony before this committee. So i know the acting secretary. I know pete gainer. I know the men and women throughout the federal agencies that are dealing with covid. They have been working 24 7. For my standpoint, they have done a pretty extraordinary job dealing with a very difficult situation. And you know whats unfortunate Something Like acting secretary wolf, i said these exact same thing with louis dejoy with the postmaster general, not only is it a thankless task but its a task that unfortunately opens you up to character assassination as well. So, i find that very unfortunate. I personally i want to thank you and the men and women that serve with you in the department for working tirelessly to try to keep our homeland secure, keep this nation safe and dealing with all these enormous issues youre dealing with day in and day out, like i said, 24 7. So again, acting secretary wolf, thank you for your past service. Thank you for your willingness to serve in this capacity as well. I welcome you and any guests you may have brought to the hearing room. I hope if you did, i hope you can introduce some of your family members. With that, ill turn it over to senator peters. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you, wolf for your willingness to serve. Today were considering chad wolf as secretary of Homeland Security. Under thiS Administration we have seen unfortunately unprecedented willingness to abandon the norms of Senate Confirmed cabinet officials. This has been a particular problem at the department of Homeland Security. The countrys Third Largest agency absolute critical part of safeguarding our National Security. Vacancies and acting officials are part of every administration. But they should be rare. ThiS Administration has abused vacancies to the detriment of this department. The president refused to form formally 234078 nate a leader of the dhs for more than 500 days. A move that was not only legally questionable but created chaos and confusion at the Agency Charged with addressing numerous threats to our National Security. The department cannot successfully tackle the serious challenges it faces without strong, steady and independent leadership. While mr. Wolf has experience at the department primarily as a chief of staff, but also as an undersecretary and now acting secretary, he has been involved in some of the most controversial and concerning decisions the department has made. These decisions warrant a critical review of mr. Wolfs record and call into question whether he is the right person for this critical role. Under mr. Wolfs leadership, the department has faced daunting challenges, Asylum Seekers at our southern border the pandemic, civil unrest and deadly wild fires and hurricanes. While these challenges would strain even the most prepared staff, im concerned by reports of slow Decision Making and the sidelining of experts. Reports that raise serious questions about the judgment and independence of agency leaders. Im also concerned by how the department has failed to adequately address the rise of domestic terrorism and white supremacist violence. As you can see, i have a graph here behind me. As you can see from this graph, the data shows that extremism based in white nationalism, antisemitism, and other idealogies account for more than 77 of domestic terror murders in the United States. You had recent reports and statements from a former dhs employee indicated that the white house in cooperation with mr. Wolf have down played this threat in public risk assessments. Rhetoric and political ideology cannot drive Intelligence Reports, and it should not predetermine the actions of any federal department. While the threat of domestic terror is not new, the departments necessary shift from focussing mainly on the foreign threats that have dominated the departments origins or since the departments origins, it has been 18 years since Congress Passed legislation to establish this massive agency and so much has certainly changed since then. Our country faces persistent threats, both long standing and new. Including foreign and domestic terrorism, election security, Natural Disasters, cyberattacks and now a pandemic. It is this committees responsibility to ensure that any nominee to lead this colossal department has the experien experience, temperament and leadership to address these threats head on to protect the American People. Before i wrap up my remarks, i want to just take a moment to acknowledge the severe toll that the pandemic has taken on the department of Homeland Security. Hundreds of front line personnel have been infected while working everyday to keep us safe. We have also tragically lost six tsa officials to the pandemic. Our hearts go out to all of those who have suffered because of this terrible disease. I would also like to recognize a Border Patrol agent who fighting for his life now after being attacked in arizona while on duty monday night. I thank him and his fellow Border Patrol agents for the work they do each and everyday to keep us safe. Again, mr. Wolf, thank you for your willingness to serve and for being here today to answer our questions. I look forward to having a thorough discussion about the many pressing issues that face the department and our country. So welcome. Mr. Chairman, i would also like to ask unanimous consent to enter a letter received yesterday from House Homeland Committee chairman Benny Thompson outlining his concerns with acting secretary wolfs lack of compliance with requests for information. Without objection. Thank you. Thank you, senator peters. Now its our pleasure to have senator ted cruz who is going to introduce mr. Wolf. Senator cruz. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you to the committee for welcoming me here. I have to say, mr. Chairman, as you self isolate from home, this may actually be a historic moment this may be the First Senate Committee hearing ever with a pool table in the background as i can see you have a lovely pool table in your living room and i will say at this time of deep and contentious division, perhaps if the senate gathered around a pool table with a beer we might be able to get more done than sitting in hearing rooms yelling at each other, but that may not be happening today. With that, it is a real pleasure to introduce chad wolf, who is a fellow texan. And a dedicated public service. He is an individual that i believe is imminently qualified to be the next secretary of Homeland Security. Chad was born in jackson, mississippi. But he very quickly made his way to the great state of texas, and he grew up in plano, texas. He earned degree in history in Southern Methodist university and began his career working for not one but two texas senators. Chad left the hill after the september 11 attacks to serve our country. And to protect us from terrorist threats. Going to work at the newly created Transportation Security Administration in 2002. He became an early leader at the tsa. Finishes up his first round of service there in 2005 as assistant administrator for transportation security policy. After over a decade in the private sector, chad returned to the tsa as chief of staff in 2017. Before becoming deputy chief of staff and eventually chief of staff at the full department of Homeland Security. He has been acting secretary of Homeland Security since november, 2019. And in that role, he has shown strong leadership. That leadership i believe has been tested in particular by the protests that became riots and the violence that we have seen across the country. Nowhere was that violence were those riots worse than in portland, oregon. Where night after night thousands of angry protesters physically assaulted federal Law Enforcement officers, attacked the federal courthouse, threw fire bombs, attempted to reek havoc. Mr. Wolf took his responsibility to protect federal facilities and to protect federal personnel with the gravest seriousness. He did so at a time when political divisions in this country made it much more difficult to so. He did so at a time when the mayor of portland and governor of oregon both told him to in no Uncertain Terms get the hell out. Mr. Wolf was not cowed by political pressure. He was not cowed by the partisan anger of the moment. He was not willing to abandon a federal courthouse which was still hearing cases, was still in operation. He was not willing to hand the courthouse over to the mob and allow them to burn the courthouse to the ground. Nor was he willing to abandon the men and women who hes been entrusted to lead. Federal Law Enforcement officers faced hundreds of violent physical attacks in portland. Having rocks thrown at them, Water Bottles thrown at them, having industrial grade lasers fired in their eyes resulting in numerous serious eye injuries. Having commercial fireworks thrown at them. Having fire bombs thrown at them. Protesters armed with guns, with knives, night after night after night attacking federal Law Enforcement officers in a profoundly politicized context. Ill tell you i have been impressed by acting secretary wolfs steadfast commitment to do his job, to follow the law, to protect the federal facilities he was charged to protect and to stand with the men and women, the Law Enforcement officers, who were risking their lives to do their job. I believe that record in addition to his long history and experience qualifies him well. Im proud to introduce a fellow texan. Thank you, senator cruz, for that introduction and your powerful opening statement. It is the tradition of this committee to swear witnesses in. Secretary wolf or acting secretary wolf if youll stand and raise your right hand. Do you swear the testimony you will give before this committee will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you god . I do. Thank you. Please be seated. The honorable chad wolf is the acting secretary of the department of Homeland Security. Mr. Wolf was appointed to the acting secretary position following his confirmation as undersecretary for the office of strategy, policy and plans in november, 2019. While serving as the senior official overseeing the departments policymaking process, mr. Wolf led the development in coordination of strategies and policies to advance the departments Homeland Security mission. Mr. Wolf previously held numerous Senior Leadership roles within the department including serving as the chief of staff for the department. Prior to joining the administration, mr. Wolf served as Vice President and senior director at wechsler and walker a bipartisan Public Policy consulting firm. Mr. Wolf . Well, good morning, chairman johnson and Ranking Member peters and other distinguished members of the committee. Certainly an honor to appear before you today as the president s nominee to be the secretary of Homeland Security. Im grateful to the president for the faith and trust he placed in me to serve the tremendous men and women of the department. Whose mission is now more important and more critical to the safety and security of the homeland than ever before. Again, i would like to thank senator cruz for being here today to introduce me and for his kind words but more importantly for his continued support for the department in our mission. As each of you personally understand, service to one country means dedication, hard work and commitment. That dedication often means less personal time with family and loved ones, which is a sacrifice felt by all of us in public service. For many years my family has made tremendous sacrifices so i could serve our nation. I would like to take this time to recognize them for their on going encouragement, patience and support as i continue my journey at the department. Please allow me to introduce my wife of 16 years hope. She is my rock and without her i would not be here today. I would also like to acknowledge our two children, tucker and preston, who keep me grounded and focussed on the important things in life like Little League. I would like to recognize my parents, jim and cinda unable to travel to d. C. But are proudly watching these proceedings in realtime. They instilled a sense of service and commitment and have been imminencely supportive of my desire to pursue public service. Thank the important work you do everyday. If confirmed i look forward to work closely together to advance the mission of the department. Finally, i would like to thank the dhs work force what they do of keeping the homeland safe and secure. Most americans dont understand the sacrifices they make, the unfair criticism they endure and the complexities of their job. But from one employee to another, i say thank you for your service. Like many americans, my personal call to Service Began on september 11th. Afs congressional staffer here on capitol hill. At that time, i had no idea that the events of that morning would forever shape my future as well as the future of our nature. Heeding the call to service, i joined again as senator cruz indicated Transportation Security Administration the very agency tasked with securing our air ways and for ensuring that another event like 9 11 never happened again. I was proud to serve at tsa during his inception and integration into the larger department. Over the past several years i had several positions at dhs including among others as the departments chief of staff, assistant secretary and undersecretary position as well as the currently acting secretary position. Over the past ten months, the department has experienced some of the most difficult challenges of our life time. But i couldnt be prouder of the accomplishments we achieved. We faced a Global Pandemic head on and led the federal governments unprecedented response efforts to include the coordinated distribution of billions of items of life saving ppe and aggressively pushed back against maligned foreign actors and nation states who sought to interfere in our elections and worked together to protect our election infrastructure. Weve been tireless in our efforts because we believe that a free and Fair Elections are the foundation of our democracy. We have taken extraordinary measures to protect the American Peo