Senator Hassan Discusses Strengthening Border Security with Homeland Security Secretary Nominee Governor Kristi Noem

Click Here For Video of Senator Hassan’s Questions to Governor Noem

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan today participated in the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee’s confirmation hearing for South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, President-elect Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security.

“I had a productive meeting with Governor Noem last month, and I was glad today to continue discussing the importance of strengthening and modernizing border security,” Senator Hassan said. “It is absolutely essential that law enforcement have the personnel, training, and technology that they need to do their jobs effectively and protect our communities from the spread of illicit fentanyl being trafficked over our border by dangerous cartels. It was also encouraging to hear Governor Noem emphasize the importance of doing more to crack down on the flow of money and weapons over the border into Mexico, which has helped fuel the cartels. There is no more important task of government than keeping people safe, and should she be confirmed, I will work with Governor Noem on these priorities and more in the future.”

Senator Hassan has been working to strengthen border security and target fentanyl trafficking. During the hearing, Senator Hassan discussed her bipartisan Enhancing Southbound Inspections to Combat Cartels Act, which will increase inspections of traffic going from the U.S. to Mexico, helping to combat the flow of illegal firearms and money that fuel drug cartels. Senator Hassan also raised the importance of continuing to strengthen cybersecurity, particularly after a recent cyberattack on PowerSchool, a cloud-based record management system that contains personal information about tens of millions of kindergarteners through high school seniors, including many students and teachers in New Hampshire. Senator Hassan stressed the importance of continuing the cybersecurity grant program, developed by her and Senator Cornyn (R-TX), that was included in the bipartisan infrastructure law.

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