Congress where i played a role in the founding of the Homeland Security department. I call myself one of its grand mothers. One of its grandfathers that would be thad allen, or i think hes one of the grandfathers, im not sure, is on the call with me and the rest of you children are the successors and i think that it is really wonderful today that we are having i guess hes been phone now, a lot of zoom issues, with chris and a panel organized by meg king who heads our science, technology and Innovation Program and a number of a rest of you on the phone. The topic is whats critical, evolving the security playbook for managing ones, zeros and everything in between. While its not as much fun to see you all or some of you on line, chris is on the phone, its not as much fun to see you in person. If any group could make a conversation interesting its our science, technology and information program. Today were joined by the nations chief risk officer chris krebs, director of the department of
I hope my colleagues, witnesses, and viewers are staying healthy and safe. I want to thank chairman pain and Ranking Member kane at the Emergency Preparedness respond and Recovery Committee for coming together with the Ranking Member and me to hold this hearing. We are here to discuss federal and state efforts to procure critical supplies in response to the coronavirus pandemic. I want to acknowledge the federal Emergency Management agency, which was put in charge of the federal governments response, was asked to testify today. Fema is not here today, but i understand there is an administrator to appear before the full Committee Later this month. Im pleased to hear this, because its vital we Work Together to address this challenge. I look forward to meeting with administrator gaynor soon and hearing what administrators have to say to form the discussion. Theres no denying the coronavirus pandemic has presented unparalleled challenges. One of the greatest challenges has been procuring a
Security measures leading up to the 2020 election. The hearing focuses on the spread of disinformation, the role of the u. S. Postal service and options for modernizing the voting process with sameday Voter Registration and expanded polling locations. This hearing will come to order. This hearing comes a week after we laid to rest a giant. Before he died, congressman lewis reminding us that the vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it. We must vigorously defend our right to vote. Our access to the ballot box and integrity of our election. In less than 90 days, americans across the country will participate in an election unlike any other in our history. The covid19 pandemic is forcing state and local Election Officials to rapidly expand vote by mail, early voting and other crowd reducing election policies so no voter has to choose between their democratic rights and their health. As
[indiscernible chatter] the subcommittee on health will now come to order. Good morning, colleagues. The chair now recognizes herself for five minutes for an Opening Statement. Madam chair, would you yield for a parliamentary inquiry as we start this hearing . I want to do my Opening Statement pardon me . I already recognize myself, but i will recognize you afterward. Id be holding, or that we would be holding a hearing under these circumstances. But i think it is a necessary one. Our country is in pain. Americans are afraid, you they they are sick, hungry, and jobless, and over 80,000 souls have been lost. The government that was supposed to protect them has failed. They haveheroes, and risen, extraordinary, ordinary americans showing courage, compassion, and a sense of selfsacrifice and duty beyond what could have or should have of them. Been asked regular americans have risen when their leaders have not. We are the greatest country on , and we have the most deathsnd the most from co
[indiscernible chatter] ms. Eshoo the subcommittee on health will now come to order. Good morning, colleagues. The chair now recognizes herself for five minutes for an Opening Statement. Mr. Burgess will you yield for a parliamentary inquiry . Ms. Eshoo i want to do my Opening Statement. Pardon me. I already recognized myself but ill recognize you afterward. I never thought id be holding or that we would be holding a hearing under these sad circumstances, but i think its a necessary one. Our country is in pain. Americans are afraid. Theyre sick. Theyre hungry and jobless. And over 80,000 souls have been lost. And the government that was supposed to protect them has failed. There are heroes and they have risen, extraordinary, ordinary americans showing courage, compassion, and a sense of selfsacrifice and duty beyond what could have or should have been asked of them. Regular americans have risen when their leaders have not. We are the greatest country on earth, and, yet, we have the mos