With the budgetary constraints we face today it is critical that every TSA dollar, every dollar TSA spends, goes toward technologies and service that work and make our transportation system more secure.

Any effort to reduce duplication and downsize programs must not result in leaving the United States vulnerable.

Eliminating duplicative programs is a common-sense approach to saving scarce Federal funds.

Well, one of the things, we put 22 agencies together and we inherited the culture of some of the legacy agencies who were a little more mature versus the new kids on the block, and so we see the legacy agencies kind of being the…

I would also like to thank the witnesses for appearing to testify on our efforts to counter the threat from a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attack.

We are here to discuss ways to secure cyberspace and critical infrastructure from hackers while assuring that Constitutionally-guaranteed privacy and civil liberties are safeguarded.

I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time. Let me just say this: when it comes to this issue, particularly, which we know is one of the greatest threats that the United States faces…

While I am not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition. The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes. There was no objection.

Who has the right to close? The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Mississippi has the right to close.

At this point, I'd like to say that I agree with Democratic Leader Ms. Pelosi's issue with respect to cyber, particularly critical infrastructure. And I look forward to working with Chairman McCaul on submitting legislation. With that, Mr…

I am concerned about the lack of progress on many of the fundamental problems that have plagued your agency since its inception.

Absolutely. One of the challenges that we identified a number of years ago, spoke with interoperability.

As authorizers, we bear a special responsibility to make sure that the Government is working to prevent attacks like the one that happened on Monday.

I have some serious reservations about some of your proposals.

So you can do your job with the money?

I understand that you have a very difficult job.

Madam Secretary, I understand that. All I am saying is either it was presently under CFACS or it wasn't.

I would like to know how this proposal relates to plans to extend the pre-clearance program to Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Well if you would provide it to the committee in writing, I think that would be most helpful.

I maintain my disagreement with this harsh measure.

in my personal military judgment formed over 38 years, we are living in the most dangerous time in my lifetime right now, and I think sequestration would be completely oblivious to that and counterproductive.

It is fundamentally unfair to send hard-working Federal workers home on furlough; expect these same hard-working employees to work overtime without being adequately compensated for doing so.

Well, and I, just for the record, want to compliment the Chairman on voting against the Budget Control Act.

These are not scare tactics. These are real numbers affecting real people that jeopardize the safety and security of the United States of America.

The Honorable Bennie G. Thompson, a Representative in Congress From the State of Mississippi, and Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security: