John Katko

I am growing increasingly frustrated that TSA needs constant prodding to effect positive changes at the agency.

I expect the security at America's airports to be streamlined, effective, and efficient.

I have heard your message, and later today, I will introduce the 'Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act of 2016.'

Make no mistake, security is first and foremost.

This is wholly unacceptable. I, along with the American taxpayer, expect the security at America's airports to be streamlined, effective, and efficient.

Over the past several years, the Northern Border Regional Commission has provided vital resources to economically distressed communities along the northern border of New England and New York. Each year, the commission selects a number of…

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment. The Clerk read as follows: Page 47, line 1, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced by $3,000,000)''. Page 72, line 9, after the dollar amount…

That would help drive cost down.

I appreciate the collaborative effort we are working on with my subcommittee.

I commend you for doing that.

It is kind of insane, isn't it, if you think of that?

I once again urge my colleagues to support this strong bipartisan piece of legislation. It is commonsense legislation, but it is very important to institutionalize things that are working to some extent within the Department of Homeland…

Since the tragic events of 9/11, this body has endeavored to better integrate intelligence and law enforcement agencies to react to new and evolving threats and to reduce duplicative efforts and waste. To a large extent, we have succeeded…

I want to ask you about what you personally observe when you are going through these airports, if I may.

I think personally it is outrageous to think that DHS is sharing our information with Cuba.

Let me say again, y'all need to go to Cuba. I have been there and I have seen it, and I am not in favor of this at all. I can tell you, not only am I not in favor of it, I think it is the worst thing we could do. The worst thing that we…

We have a solemn duty to our country to make sure that we do proper oversight of TSA.

I must take issue with your reference to a criminal inquiry.

While the Obama administration may be willing to put the security of Americans at risk to appease a dictator, today's hearing will show that the United States Congress will not.

Restoring relations has done little to soften the Castro regime's hateful rhetoric towards the United States.

The administration's plans to open direct commercial air service to Cuba is, in my judgment, being unnecessarily rushed.

I want to thank our witnesses from DHS, CBP, TSA, and the State Department for coming here today to discuss the decision to allow scheduled commercial air travel between the United States and Cuba.

We are here today, not to debate the merits of the administration's rapprochement with Cuba, but to take a serious look at the National security implications.

These types of incidents, which have occurred far too many times in recent history, raise serious concerns about the ability and the willingness of Cuban officials to take airport security and passenger screening seriously.

But the administration is telling us that we should entrust the safety and security of American citizens to the Cuban government.