President elect biden good afternoon. Today, im very proud to be announcing our health care and covid team at a critical time, as we near the end of one of the toughest years weve faced as a nation. More than 285,000 dead americans because of covid19, and counting. Last week, covid19 was the number one cause of death in america. Of covid19 and counting. Last week, covid19 was the number one cause of death in america. For black, latino and native americans, were nearly three times as likely to die from it, covid19 is a mass causality. For families and friends left behind, its a gaping hole in your heart that never will be fully healed. As a country, weve been living with this pandemic for so long, were at risk of becoming numb to its toll on all of us. Were resigned to feel that theres nothing we can do. And we cant trust one another. That we must accept death, pain and sorrow. Were in the midst of this deadly pandemic that has infected almost 15 million americans. 1 out of every 22 peo
Appear remotely via webex. Since some members are appearing in person let me first remind eastern that pursuant to the latest guidance from the house attending physician, all individuals who are attending this hearing in person must wear a Face Covering. Members who are not wearing a Face Covering are not permit today remain in the hearing room and will not be recognized to speak. Let me ask make a few reminders of the hearings. For those members appearing in person you will be able to see members appearing remotely on the two monitors in front of you. On one monitor, you would see all members appearing remotely at once in what is known in w webex as mode. And on the other monitor seeing the person when theyre speaking, including members who are appearing remotely. For those members appearing remotely, you can also see each person speaking during the hearing as well as in person or remote if you have your webex set to active speaker mode. If you have any questions about this, please co
Wolf. Today we are meeting to consider the nomination of acting secretary of Homeland Security chad wolf to be the confirmed secretary of department of Homeland Security, which is an enormous task. I truly appreciate anybody who is willing to undertake such enormous responsibility. I would ask my written opening remarks be enter into the record without objection well do that. Ill just keep this short because i know we have time constraints here. But a quick description of what enormous challenge this is. The secretary of Homeland Security manages 240,000 people in the department, the responsibilities for Homeland Security are vast. Start with the federal Emergency Management agency deals with hurricanes and wild fires and now covid amongst many other responsibilities. Border security a huge issue. Weve not fixed that problem, not by a long stretch, but thiS Administration done a good job of stopping the out of control illegal entry that we are experiencing over a year ago. This agency
That. Ill keep it short because i know wevegot time constraints here but a quick description of what an enormous challenge this is. The secretary of Homeland Security managers 240,000 people in the department. The responsibilities for Homeland Security are vast. Ill start with itthe federal Emergency Management agency that has to deal with do hurricanes and wildfires now covid amongst many other responsibilities , Border Security, a huge issue. Weve not fixed that problem by a long stretch but this administration has done a good job of stopping the outofcontrol illegal entry that we are experiencing over a year ago. Pe this department is concerned about cyber security, Election Security, security of our Critical Infrastructure and as we just witnessed with some of the protests that have sprung to right, also protecting our federal buildings and of course we have to thank David Underwood in open oakland california, a member of the federal Protection Services so the responsibilities are
Committee held a confirmation hearing for chad wolf to formula become head of the Homeland Security department. Mr. Wolf has been serving as acting dhs secretary since november of last year. Answered questions on election interference, domestic terrorism, and Human Trafficking, among other topics. This is just under two hours. Meeting toe are consider the nomination of acting secretary of Homeland Security, chad wolf, to be the confirmed secretary of the department of Homeland Security, which is an enormous task. This in the past, i truly appreciate anybody who was willing to undertake such enormous responsibility. I would ask my written opening remarks be entered into the record, without objection. I will keep it short. I know which got time restraints we have got time restraints. The secretary of Homeland Security manages 240,000 people in the department. The responsibilities for Homeland Security are vast. Starting with the Emergency Management agency, which has to do with deal with