T the committee is meeting today to receive testimony on ministry request for the department of Homeland Security. Without objection, the chairs authorized to declare the secrei committee in recess at any point. Acting secretary wolf, you are here today on an extraordinary troubling circumstances. Americans are rightfully concerned about the coronavirus that spreads across the blue of globe and claims the lives of thousands, including at least work six here at home. Theyover are looking to their government for leadership and guidance. Ualunfortunately, the Trump Administration has not been equal to the task so far. Oin the face of this potential pandemic, the president hase toa downplayed his threat, overstated high close scientists are to developing it ad vaccine, and muzzle experts in administration who continued disagree with him. Po as a crisis unfolds, the president has continued to hold political rallies including ax. Recent one where he called the coronavirus a hoax perpetratedaw by democrats even for a president who has a casual relationship with the truth,incr this is not only an outrageous lie, but also incrediblyonsibil. Dangerous. Perthe president must not shirk his responsibilities. The country needs him to step up at a time of crisis like m president seans of old parties he done throughout our nations and history. That curimeans acknowledging the threat, prioritizing the health and security of the American Peoplecons above political considerationand allowing doctor scientist similar othersituatiod qualified experts toir offer candidello assessments of thehe situation federal response. As for the department of Homeland Security, ship ai reman concerned about the lack of steadylly leadership and persistent vacancies, person especially during this critical time. Mr. R. Rough wolf is the fifth peo serve a secretary doing three years of Trump Administration. Second secre328 days since the department of Homeland Security has had a Senate Confirmed secretary. It is not even certain that mr. Wolfs appointment is valid. Moreover, a federal court ruled in recent days, that the acting deputy the of secretaryso quesn appointment as u. S. C i. S. Director was unlawful, calling intotion question his position t the department. Unfortunately, the president appears to preferxp edchaos to order in political expediency to government. Make l no mistake, the home goia vacanciest a and lack of study legal leadership have11, the consequences. Especially at a time like this. I for example, since 9 11, the federal government has invested heaven heavily in developing no doctrines to define rules andatn responsibilityty where incidents response, but no one in the administration seems to be familiar with that. As americans face a potential corona virus pandemic, the administration appears to be caught flatfooted, scrambling to figure out who is in charge. Meanwhile, the president s proposed budget prioritizes his draconian Immigration Campaign promises at the expense of our a core Homeland Security activities and responsibilities, including agencies and programsm that are inen trickle to the Coronavirus Response. I remain committed to ensuring the department receives the funding it needs to carry out similar its mission on behalf of American People. Similarly, members of bothon partiesavir objected to the havingents recent lowball coronavirus emergency supplemental request. Apparently, u. S the president is happy to spend an unlimited amount of u. S. Taxpayers money on a useless border wall, but faced with the prospect of global pandemic, he would have a nickel and dime response. This is the unacceptable. Nciesnow is certainly not the te to leavee engaged in a response short of resources. In the coming days, we will president providing funding necessary to fight the coronavirus. Before i close, i want to address the challengesees associated with theorts departments. Refusal to adminit cooperate with the committees oversight effort. Prunder the trump administratio, the department has failed to as provide the documents,ted requested by this committee as part of this constitutionaloes e mandated oversight efforts. Even under subpoena, when a committee does receive documents, they are incomplete or heavily reductive so as to render them useless. The behavior of the department gives oversimpression that is seeking to evade oversight or t. Have something to hide. I hope this is not true. If we cannot trust of Trump Administration to be to be transparent with regularple congressional oversight, how can we trust it to be honest with American People at a time ofstra crisis . In the past time for the president and his administration to be the leaders the American People need and deserve. They arehe counting on the administration to secure the accounta nation and on congress to hold you accountable. Please res know that we will upd our responsibilities, mistertr actingat secretary. I sincerely hope the president and now his administration uphod theres. The chair now recognizes the Ranking Member of the fullning st committed gentleman from alabama mr. Rogers for an Opening Statement. Thank you mister chairman for holding this hearing. Thank you we look for to hearing from. In this past years been a challenging one. Last year this country saw a Record Number of virus crossingl our southern our borders, millions of women men and children systems up for months. Risis that the men and women vhs responded to the crashes would that occasion and professionalism. O essact but wew to finally provided supplemental resources to address the and las crisis. It was a crisis. When year ago, in the last week my democratic colleagues tweeted quote, there is noct nationalions emergency at the borderersa close quote, becausef this administrations boldt actions we are no longer seeing record breaking levels of the southern border so far this year im deeply disappointed that forprep political reasons folks wont simple fact that fully funded President Trump succeeding where other administrations have failed. The president s budget fully funds he suggested more cborder strategy and rivals down on the wall. Facesr, the departmentt more challenges in the year head. Election security,nd man cybersecurity and the Coronavirus Response will testmt dhs resources and management. Im ken starr and about cuts for fema Grant Programs and cpacs program and remove the secret or service from dhs we agree on this those cuts021 directly impede importing efforts to secure our country. Twilight disagree with the 2021d Budget Congress ise also failed the hst. Co we owe itmp to provide direct action. And we cannot expect the department to function with half hazard direction and funding authorizations from 2002. I understand the majority intends to perform part of dhs knit quarters next month. Mister chairman you and i are called for both robust differeno authorization i hope this is wet what this community considers in april. We t may have different approaches and proposals but we want the same ly. Thing. We want this department to function correctly. I look forward to discussing this chairman i hoalso wanted to adjust the coronavirus outbreak are were cur hearts go out to td who lost their n loved ones in those arel going under treatment. This pandemic is a global event concerned with our both public aand the global response. Im concerned that chinesenation crit officials knowingly withheld officials for both public and Te InternationalHealth Community in the most this outbreak. Es of im sure in the early days of outbreak will be intense crucially once scrutiny once l the crisis is. Over my deepestocalal the local level. K help here from the secretary today and from witnesses over the next week about our prepared communities. Last week i urged the house toto act in a swift and nonpartisan thank y fashion forou emergency hoping the yel house can live up to ths moment and act quickly. Thank you again mister secretary for joining. Us i yield. Thank you very much under the committee rules, Opening Statement may be submitted for the record. I want to welcome my witness actingsecuri secretary of homeld securitye n chad wulf. Mr. Wolf has been actinghe secretary since is november 201. Dhe is the confirmed undersecretary of the department of office of strategy and policy and ser pla. Previously, he served as acting under secretary and chief of staff to secretary of homeland. Security christian nielsen. Without objection the witnesses full statement will be incited in the record. I now recognize acting secretary wolf to summarize hish statement. U mthank you chairman and members of the committee. Situation indress an issue this morning and share some Additional Information depar regarding the evolving situation in thee state. Ington late last night, thee andut dept a situationare of involvingfo a dhs employee out g abundance of caution falling recommended procedure, i ordered a dhs facility in king county Washington State to close beginning today andats ofs directed those employees to inin order to reduce the threat of Community Spread of the coronavirus. At atthis time the affected tof offices will remain closed. 14 days all employees have been directed to self quarantine ford 14 days. We vismade this decision to clo washinficesf because of an employee had visited a man Family Member at the life care facili security in kirkland coronaviru washington. Toore it was known that that. Facility was impacted by the f corona virus outbreak. Fthough the employee did notancf report to work though they felt ill, we are still taking stepss abundance of caution. Pleased to report this is what it means to lead byby example. Ollowemployees and their familis took every precaution to follow. The guidance of Public Health officials. They stayed home from work when they fell ill, if only self quarantined and reported the exposure in their condition to their officials. And otherho asme the sunlaity i folds, i kny of the department of Homeland Security, myself included, wills be thinking about and praying t for ourhe employees and families and all americans affected by the coronavirus. Again, i think ice before everyone when i think the employeeamil and their family fr taking arethe advice and directn ofmploye health care profession. Asct o an employer, it is our utmost responsibility to protect our workforce in addition to the traveler eng restrictions an enhanced medical screen which will put in place which will talk aboutw. Later dhs continually engages our workforce on preventative measures. And from the headquarters levelg we will be we began sending allo messages on january 22nd regarding coronavirus regarding procedures they need to takeo as this continues to unfold and will continue to do so. At this time a Rapid Response team back at the age desk headquarters, working with the cdc further guidance regarding thiss particular incident i will be sure to keep the committee updated as this unfolds. So thank you for allowing me to do that. Let me jump into my prepared oral. Ss tdistinguished members of thd committee it is a privilege to appearurit before you today to discuss the department of Homeland Securitys mission to keep the nation safe f, tot. Present the president s fiscal mn 21 budget for the department. As acting priorities r are guided by determination to ensure that the department is robust, resilient and fourth leading to. Prepared to address todays p threatsre as well as those of tomorrow. Fiscal year 21 president s not only a reflection ofing th those priorities but ah to achieving them. As this subcommittee knows, the department of homeland commuted. Securities fans air land sea domains are now our workforce forks 200 for the nation 24 hours a day 365 days secu a year. We serve a unique dual imperative. Keeping our nation safe and afton said eng it prosperous by facilitating lawful trade and travel. Economicntsayity security is Homeland Security,s plays a Critical Role in this mission. The president s budget ensures that ouritic workforce has the resources needed to execute these critical discretion responsibilities. 49. 8 billion and net this dictionary funding 5. 1 billion for the disaster relieff fund. Consistent with years past Budget Priorities remain securing our borders, andce forcing our immigration laws, securing cyberspacehreat to transportation security andd isd american preparedness. Recognizing that are threats to the homeland are more dynamic than ever before. The budget positions respond to emerging threats including government those emanating from nation states. The Department Also continues to help manage the governments response to the coronavirus. Clear the lead fifth federal agency of this response is and remains the department of health a ssand Human Services. Dhs remains focused on air, mar assisting travelers that are arriving at ourmini land, air ld and maryland maritime ports ofvo entry. Administration took early action to Foreign Nationals who traveled to china from entering the United States. Lingthe same restrictions now py to Foreign Nationals traveling from iran. Every day the men and sur womenf dhsre are making sure that these also ens travel restrictions arezens of t properly enforced. They are also american citizens to the region traveled toodepartment china orr funneled through me11 airports with the department has stood out and continues to do an and monitoring cical screening on behalf of the cdc and others. The department is also closely monitoring cases of the virus that have appeared here in our hemisphere on friday. Last friday, first case of coronavirus was confirmed in une mexico with five additional cases reported since. That same day unfortunately, al misguided court in california suspended migrant protection ins protocols. Hours later, private attorneys and ngosalie demanded entrance f over 2000 illegal aliens causing cbp and mexican officials to temporary close a handful ports of entry for uncen several hours. Thankfully the court entered a temporary stay xperi will say mb has an uncertain future. N vwe know from experience that the journey into the u. S. A very poor conditions often travl arrive with no passports, no medicallth histories, no trouble manifest. Administration will continue to closely monitor the virusl a globally as well as oue hemisphere and will adjust our proactive measures as things i necessary. Letry. Me highlight a few specic priorities also included in theo budget. The rowdepartment must continueo grow our digital Cyber Threatspd grow and scope and severity. Watching security remains a top priority and to secure our invet systems against interference. President budget invest 1. 7 billion in cybersecuritycurity s Infrastructure Security Agency to strengthen our depart infrastructure security measurements. The security of our neighbor border always saw remains a primary focus for the constru department the budget includesdc a few billion for theonstru construction of approximately is 82 miles border wall systems, as well asdvan funding for advad technology andurin staffing. Whilered t securing our bordersw vital, the integrity of our own immigration be forced the law as written. It remains a priority of the department to detprotect our coun citizens by then to find,d, over detaining and removing criminal aliens from our country. The budget includes over threed billion to ensure that our line forsman officers have theay, int resources they need tohe execute the law. As true today as it was in thenh brink ofas 9 11,g counterterrorism is our departments mission. Importantly the president has increased funding for targeted violence and terrorism programs bythis 500 for a total of 96 million in the fy 21 budget. Pthis funding is critical to identifying individuals and preventing rattlethe united sta radicalization to violence. The budget invests in modernizing the fun fleet United States coast guard. 550 million 555 million to Fund Construction of security qatar which supports our National Techno interest in the polar region. The while physical security zone technical capabilities remains ording workforce. Theecur budget provides funding. 500 new cybersecurity employees across the p department cbp, 750 new board patrol agents, 126 new support staff as well as funding to sustain the 300 Border Patrol process and coordinators that iccongress provided in fy 20. Ic erthe budget calls for 2800 new line new forsman officers, approximately 420 new iceta attorneys andined nearly 14000 support staff. In4700tation a tsa the funding s over t 47,000 transportation Security Officers ensuring that wey a continue to match pace wih the passenger volume growth. Dhsthese priorities are only as included in the budget. Dhs as the committee knows, ashe one of the most diverse and complex missile missions sets and all ofna lsthe government. Yby the dedication of our professionals. Hetherefore ask you support ande providing them with the resources they need to keep ther Homeland Security to the president s fy t