Transcripts For CSPAN3 Homeland Security Officials Testify O

This is just over one hour and 15 minutes. [silence] good morning, welcome to the legault morning, everyone. Welcome to the subcommittee on oversight and management and accountability. I understand a Ranking Member is unable to be at this proceeding. He is on his way. I know there are a lot of contradicting messages this morning. You are supposed to be on the floor, both or neither. Subcommittee on oversight management of will now come to order. Without objection, declares all the rest to clear the subcommittee resurfaced at any point. Good morning. I want to thank everyone for being here today. For joining us to discuss this most important topic of Federal Building security. Protecting those facilities, employees, and visitors is a very important part of the department of homeland securitys day to day work. Its all of you know, tensions have risen recently in response to the raid on maralago. Passage of the historic inflation reduction act. We have all seen a rising threats directed towards federal employees and federal office buildings. Just last month, an armed man attempted to with violence gain entrance to an fbi office in cincinnati. Less wellknown, or the increasingly threatening language that has been directed at irs employees and those working two per serve government documents at the National Archives and records administration. Well not pickle, there was high security facilities, these are the government buildings. And the men and women who work there and visit them every day and now facing new Security Risks. With threats to federal facilities on the rise, we looked out the first front lines of defense. The department of homeland securitys federal protective service. Also known as fps. Fps ensures that more than 9500 9500 federally owned and operated buildings across the country are safe and secure. From Government Agency headquarters here in washington d. C. , to rural courthouse in field offices across the country across the 50 states. If you have ever visited a federally owned building, you have noticed thousands of fsb officers and contract guards providing onsite security. But fseps, i should say fpss roles extend beyond the guards posted at entrances and exits. Fps also helps Government Agencies prepare for and prevent any Security Risks that result from a training threat environment or aging structures. Left pete us performs security assessments from all Federal Buildings and leased buildings and makes recommendations for improvements to ensure that buildings meet required Security Standards. These Facility Assessments recommendations are very important to ensure that security protocols keep up with the types of threats we are seeing on a daytoday basis. Those are just recommendations can range from replacing security cameras and alarms to updating security guidances and policies. However, despite the good coordination between fps and other Government Agencies, all too often these recommendations go an implemented leaving huge gaps and our security systems. According to the Government Accountability officer, geo, some are even cities have described ofs Facility Security assessments comprehensive, timely, and useful. But they have rejected about 70 of fpss recommendations. So again good recommendations awesome. But 70 , not heeded too. The majority of a fierces recommendations, not being. Implemented including incomplete information and of course lack of proper funding we should do better and mitigating the risks to federal employees and citizens to visit those buildings. And today, we will have the opportunity to hear more about inter agency cooperation, that goes into developing filling Security Standards as well as the challenges meeting those standards. And with that i thank you again for joining us today. Our witness is another. Gas i will reserve time for Ranking Member, mr. Peep mayor from michigan for an Opening Statement when he gets here. Who and with that, numbers are reminded that the committee will operate according to the guidelines laid out by the chairman and Ranking Member and theyre february 3rd regarding window for seizures. And without objection, numbers not on the subcommittee shall be permitted to sit and question the witnesses. Mister mayor, call on you for an Opening Statement, sir. Thank you mister chairman role in this important hearing here on the security Federal Buildings across the country. I appreciate the subcommittee diving into this topic. And also am grateful for our witnesses who are here to shed light on this important issue. The Committee Held a hearing focused on the Productive Services committees roll and you know 2019. I think it is important we follow up on what was learned that today. Fps, as an agency, has evolved over time and has experience a transitions within the department of homeland security. Formally established by the General Services administration in 1921, fps is the primary federal Agency Responsible for the protection of all buildings, grounds, and property, owned, occupied, or secured by the federal government. This is obviously an enormous responsibility for an agency that often goes unnoticed and taken for granted. Fps employees several hundred staff. Apparently 944 alarm forces specialist, criminal vessel geisha ors were kenan handlers. All of whom trained at the federal Law Enforcement Training Center or flex e. In addition, a fierce heavily relies on more than 15,000 contract guard stuff called protective service officers, or p. S. Owes to conduct security screenings out Federal Buildings are also under. Because those are the backbone of the operation. Without the help with these countries guards, fps would not be able to carry out its mission. The protection of our Federal Buildings properties are of upmost significance. Unfortunately, violence against government and in turn, against federal government buildings, property, and personnel is not out of the norm and has become more prevalent in recent years. It is incredibly disheartening that we must worry about such things, but we must and therefore our conversation today takes on added importance of relations. With such an important real mission, we need to make sure that fdr says the tools authority to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible. Of, note fps is bet on geo, is Government Accountability office highrisk listens 2003. So nearly 20 years. G. A. O. Has found that fps is not acing was a federal facilities in a manner consistent standards such as the National Infrastructure protection plans, risk frameworks, as fps that originally planned. This is especially worrisome because of failure by a fierce could have catastrophic results. The focus of todays hearing is on the security assessment process, a fierce provide security assessments and recommendations every federal facility protects in accordance with the Interagency Security Committee standards. This east andover, which is house with and csis Infrastructure Security Division elaborately establishes polices and monitors compliance and enhanced Security Protection of federal facilities. As we hear from our Witnesses Today, a large majority of the recommendations that come out those assessments are not yet been implemented. Which begs the obvious question why not. As we, or are like to hear their perspective on the way this is on the following questions. Number one, it is a fierce positioned correctly within dhs to be the most effective . Number two, how does fps work with cisa and how collaborative is that relationship . Three, why do you such a large majority of a fiasco security assessment recommendations go and implemented . And in turn, is or better we can facilitate this process . For, does fps have the right structure with most of their workforce being contract support. And five, is the fees structure appropriate and effective for the role of fdrs today . Mr. , chairman im grateful we are holding this hearing and in the sometimes overlooked Agency Within dhs as they play never Important Role protecting our government. We have to take our oversight responsibility here seriously, and i look forward to hearing from our witnesses determine what actions we can take moving forward. Thank you, and i yield back. Thank you. Now i would like to welcome our panel of witnesses. First we have mr. Cline, the Principal Deputy director for the federal protective service. Mr. Cohen has worked with a fierce for 20 years where he coordinates federal state and local officials to ensure the protection of buildings, grounds, and property. They are owned, occupied, or secured by the federal government. Mr. Cline previously served 20 years of the u. S. Army, military police corps regiment. Our second witness, mr. Scott rower. Associate director for security programs for the Infrastructure Security Division at the cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency or cisa. He helps lead csis efforts to secure the nations critical infrastructure. In court a nation with government and private sectors. Mr. Brower is over 30 years of military and Senior Executive experience. In the u. S. Government. And our third witness, miss katrina latham. Overseen director of the fiscal Infrastructure Team at the Government Accountability officer g. A. O. She has worked for g. A. O. For nearly 20 years, where she oversees g. A. O. s work on federal Real Property management, including facilities, security, and personal. And without objection, the witnesses full statements will be inserted into the record. And i now ask each what that witness to summarize his or her seamen in five minutes. Beginning with Deputy Director klein. Welcome, sir. Good morning chairman korea, rookie member meyer, and distinguished members of the subcommittee. I am honored to be here today to represent the federal protective services. Or f bs. Intensifying by the central role we play and protecting federal boys of facilities. Thank you for the opportunity to raise awareness about the criticality of our organization. We employ nearly 1000 dedicated Law Enforcement officers who protect people property the federal government. Our Services Provide protection and deter threats for thousands of facilities across the United States. Owen protects millions of federal employees. Our has priorities as a few security of the morning 1. 4 million employees that work in federal facilities that we protect. We cannot achieve this mission without the dedication and focus of the men and women of the federal protection services. I firmly believe they are the most dedicated and professional employees in the federal government. It is an honor to represent him here today. Due to recent acts of aliens and Community Across the country, our nation remains an air threat environment. According to the latest images issued, National Terrorism advisers fulton, potential targets include government cities and personnel. There has been an increase in threats towards federal departs and agencies. Most notably the federal bureau of investigation, Internal Revenue service and, National Archives administration. Weve increased our protection efforts of those facilities occupied these agencies and remain prepared to protect, prevent and respond to a criminal activities. On a given day, at a single fps protected facility, dozens for security measures are in place. Working together to protect the integrity of buildings as arguments. We closely monitor for suspicious activity while operations ensure facilities are secure. Our Law Enforcement officers and protective Security Officers are highly trained prepare to deter attacks. As recently, demonstrated in chicago and fbi field offices. Those protected Security Offices deterred attacks those occasions when typically the first line of defense. We celebrated education and solid commitment as we recognize our efforts as weak as part of the National Security Office Appreciation work week. From the federal courthouse where highprofile trials take place, to Daycare Centers in federal facilities where we are protecting most innocent, fpss time and time again proven that we are a dynamic, dedicated Law Enforcement agency. Additionally, fbi directly protects 233 Congressional District officers that are located in 176 billion in the fbis protection portfolio. While we have responsibility for protection efforts at these facilities, we work closely and had strong relationships with the United States Capitol Police. Thousands on its are and our staff to ensure safety of all members. Establish over 50 years ago, fdrs is made remarkable progress as an organization. Its an integral part of the department of homeland securitys mission to safeguard the american people. Hourlong forsman officers have saved lives by administering lifesaving medical treatment, congress confiscated interest weapons, diligently conducting your long investigations, and even being injured in the line of duty impacting [interpreter]. Our officers who are among those who responded to audiences Law Enforcement collagen region 60,021 and helped secure the capital. Simply put, fps has been extremely successful in answering the call to defend and protect the variance that allow our government to function in our country to flourish. I sincerely appreciate the subcommittee holding this important hearing for inviting me to testify on fps is Important Role. I would be pleased to have any questions you may have. I think. You i recognize mr. Breyer to summarize his statement for five minutes. Welcome, sir. Thank you. Chairman korea, Ranking Member meyer, members of the subcommittee. As the associate director for security programs within Cybersecurity Infrastructure security agencies, Infrastructure Security Division, i appreciate the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss the internet Agencies Committee role for all the protection of Federal Buildings in efforts to improve preparedness with coronation. In october 19, 1990 56 months after the Oklahoma City bombing at the alpha p. Morale Federal Building. President clinton issued executive order went to nine and seven. Creating the interagencys kim icc. To address quality and effectiveness of the security requirements of federal facilities. Membership of the icy and consists of Senior Executives from 66 federal departed agencies. This collective Security Matter allows the ioc to develop top tier resources coordinate resources to problems that of individual departments alone. The ceased clot to form the carries outwork with its members with a Governance Framework of subcommittees working groups. It is working groups which are provisional, or taxes bodies assange by sea will clear objectives and deliverables. In march 2003 in the role of church answered from the General Services administration to dhs. Dhs delegated these this responsibility to cisa in light of its role to protections are the nations critical infrastructure. The stewardship of the icy ensures that it supports, law and leverages state local territorial traveler stations as will house the private sector. All essential partners as we work to ensure the continue to protect and cities across the nation. Executive order one to 977 gave the icy three key responsibilities. These include established policies. Developing evaluate standards, a strategy to ensure compliance. To take actions to enhanced protection facilities. The ioc will responsible use or multiple unbuffered, including the Risk Management process. Its management process. Countermeasure crystallization for military f