DHS Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Katie Britt Leads Hearing, Calls for Fully Funding Department Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Chair of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Subcommittee, led a joint hearing with Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Chair of the Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee, to review preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. DHS and its component agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Protective Service, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC) play an enormous role in preparing for National Security Special Events (NSSEs) such as the World Cup.

Witnesses included Rear Admiral Christopher J. Tomney, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.), Director of the Office of Homeland Security Situational Awareness at DHS.

Senator Britt's opening remarks as DHS Subcommittee Chair highlighted the critical need to fully fund DHS to ensure the safety and security of spectators ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup: "…[W]e have over 5 million fans that are expected to attend the upcoming World Cup. I know you've been given the responsibility to secure what is probably one of the most visible, widely attended and globally impactful sporting events in the world today … I think it's important to note that this hearing is obviously being held against the backdrop of a shutdown of DHS. I want to make sure that we're doing everything possible to get DHS fully funded, to make sure that the resources are there for each one of you, and the collaboration is at full maximum potential there. Look, international sporting events are a great unifier … I think we need it as a nation and help us refocus on what brings us together. But in doing that, we want to make sure that those spaces are safe."

Senator Britt discussed the impact of the current DHS shutdown, asking, "How has the current 60-day shutdown hampered your ability to coordinate and organize for an event of this magnitude?"

Witness Rear Admiral Tomney confirmed that the shutdown has impeded planning for security measures at the tournament, saying, "It has significantly impacted our operations. If I can implore, you know, members of Congress on both sides, it's long since time to reopen the Department of Homeland Security. We have been shut down more days than we've been open this fiscal year. And, at a time with what's going on globally, at a time when we're going to have this historic tournament, it's time to open our Department of Homeland Security. It has impacted … the hundreds of (Transportation Security Officers) TSOs that have been lost during the shutdown. We just can't replace that expertise overnight. It has hindered our coordination with state and locals. It has reduced our planning efforts. With all that being said, though, let me assure this committee and the members of the public, we will have a safe … a secure … an enjoyable tournament, but it has had a negative impact on the planning."

Senator Britt agreed, saying, "Absolutely. I think it's past time that we do our job, put politics aside and figure out a pathway forward."

When asked by Senator Britt about the challenges DHS is facing when planning security for the World Cup, Rear Admiral Tomney responded, "I think … probably our greatest challenges, is again, the multitude of threats … I would say probably, counter drone capability. I know Congress very … wisely appropriated funding for the states, $250 million in grant funding for counter drone technology. I think, getting all that in place, would be … significant."

The Senator concluded her questioning, stating, "I'd like to see the FBI have more funding there for drones and counter drones."

You can watch the Senator's full remarks here.

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