It is therefore imperative that we take seriously the United States' role in securing cyber space from unwanted intrusions and dangerous attacks.

The threat to our Nation's cyber systems and networks is real and present.

Unfortunately, none of the bills being voted on by the House this week accomplish these goals.

Thank you for holding this hearing to review the Department of Homeland Security's involvement with the National Laboratories.

DHS needs to adopt a first responder mindset.

Adequately trained and equipped first responders are the foundation of our response plans.

We cannot afford to miss opportunities to provide first responders the tools they need to protect the public.

When first responders across this country are called to action, they know that inaction or delay can cost lives.

Congress cut funding for the Department of Homeland Security by $2 billion in fiscal year 2012.

However, I find the Majority's focus on whether TSA's front-line workforce is the right size inconsistent with their calls to privatize screeners.

We remain interested in learning more about TSA efforts to address GAO's plan for improved utilization of AIT.

Ensuring the security of our Nation's transportation systems is a vital Federal responsibility--a responsibility that the Members of this committee take seriously.

Accordingly, a review of TSA staffing levels is an appropriate area to explore and this is the appropriate committee to explore it.

Therefore, we are keenly interested in the utilization concerns raised by your most recent report and would like to request a follow-up audit on TSA's efforts to address utilization challenges identified in your previous work.

Unfortunately, other committees continue to attempt to encroach on this committee's jurisdiction over the Transportation Security Administration.

Democratic Members of the committee repeatedly requested, in public and private settings, that DHS ensure that the President's mandate be carried out in a successful and efficient manner.

I am not sure we have ever had a hearing to gauge the effects of prior hearings.

Today's hearing is the fifth hearing in this committee's series on radicalization in the American-Muslim community.

I have never seen a witness take on another Member's testimony and not answer the question that he was asked.

Questions From Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson for Qanta A.A. Ahmed

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

As a Homeland Security Committee, we are charged with the responsibility of ensuring this Nation's security.

Today's hearing does not pose a question. It makes a statement; Iran, Hezbollah, and the threat to the homeland.

I noted that there were domestic groups that may constitute a threat because of linkages between extreme ideology and a willingness to take violent action.

We do not believe that a decade's worth of work in building the regional governance and collaboration structures of these programs should be discarded.