Cedric Richmond

Our infrastructure is more digitally interconnected than ever. Our country's reliance on cyber systems and networks covers everything from power plants to pipelines, and hospitals to highways.

My first question would be directed to Mr. Roth, and our committee, and especially through our Ranking Member, we have been trying to get the Department of Homeland Security to give us information regarding its suspension and disbarment…

Which is, would you be open to conducting such a review to ensure decisions are being arrived at upon--in a consistent and equitable manner?

Off-hand would you know any rules, regulations, or statutes that would give them the ability to deny us access to the recommendations from their components or the list of people who were recommended for debarment or suspension and then…

Which is very important to me and the district I represent, considering that we have the Port of New Orleans, Port of South Louisiana, Port of Baton Rouge, that, if you add them up and make them one port complex, we are probably No. 3 in…

I think that, you know, it is very critical that we fund it. I know that both sides differ much on immigration, and we will fight on immigration, and it is a legitimate difference of opinion.

I look forward to continuing that tradition of bipartisanship with Chairman Ratcliffe.

It is in the National interest to ensure that such critical infrastructure is adequately protected.

My primary focus will be to identify, oversee, and improve the authorities within DHS to help them assist our Nation's critical infrastructure.

Right. But if we don't want them even flying on a plane, why would we want them to learn how to fly a plane?

As I look at all the people on the No-Fly List, it just does not make common sense to me that you can be on the No-Fly List, where we don't want you flying on our planes, but you can go and enroll in flight school and learn how to fly a…

As the Members of this subcommittee are well aware, terrorists continue to target our commercial aviation sector for attack.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Chairman Hudson, for convening this meeting today.

How confident are we that we are communicating enough with State police, local police, wildlife and fisheries, and all the other departments to make sure that our facilities offshore and our facilities that connect are covered?

I would humbly submit that TSA should stick to security policy and allow the Department of Labor to interpret the applicability of labor laws to Federal contracts.

The disappointing part about it is that the article was written in 2011 calling for all of us to come together.

I am eager to hear about the progress TSA has made in this regard and also whether there is more that can be done by the agency to ensure that canine teams are being used in a thoughtful and efficient manner.

Highly-trained canine teams comprise a small part of this approach, but when used in an efficient and smart manner, they are an extremely effective tool within a larger toolbox that can thwart nefarious actors.

The Transportation Security Administration ensures the security of the traveling public using a multi-layered approach.

I would like to thank our panel of witnesses for being here today to give us valuable insight into TSA's use of canines and the role they play in aviation security for both passenger and cargo screening, as well as how they can be used…

If we just turn them around, they just go back to the conditions that they were motivated to leave from.

What happens to them if we just turn them around?

Do you tolerate certain acts as acceptable as long as it is leading to catching a bigger fish?

I would like you all to look into.

Thank you for convening this hearing. Your continued focus on the tragic events that resulted in the death of Transportation Security Officer Hernandez is appreciated.