FEDERALhearing transcript

Congressional Hearing on Border Security Technology

Original title: DETER, DETECT, AND INTERDICT: TECHNOLOGY'S ROLE IN SECURING THE BORDER

January 1, 2018

border security technology homeland security customs and border protection government oversight

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The Frame

What this does

The hearing examines the strategic use and procurement of surveillance and security technology by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which impacts how federal resources are allocated to monitor and secure national borders.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

The agency is responsible for implementing the border security technologies and procurement strategies discussed in the hearing.

Border Patrol Agents

These personnel utilize the technology discussed as a force multiplier in their daily operations.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2018.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

This hearing transcript documents a 2017 meeting of the House Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security. Lawmakers and officials from the Department of Homeland Security discussed how technology is used to support border patrol, trade facilitation, and efforts.

Key Facts

The hearing took place on July 25, 2017, in the Capitol Visitors Center.
The subcommittee focused on the integration of technology as a 'force multiplier' alongside personnel and infrastructure.
The hearing reviewed the operational roles of three specific components: Border Patrol, Office of Field Operations, and Air and Marine Operations.
Chairwoman McSally noted historical challenges regarding the procurement process for technology within CBP.
The hearing included testimony from officials representing the Department of Homeland Security and the Government Accountability Office.

Why It Matters

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of this hearing?

The subcommittee met to evaluate how technology is currently used to secure the border and to discuss the strategic decision-making process for acquiring such technology.

Which agencies provided testimony?

Officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) provided testimony.

News Coverage

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Focus on Procurement Strategy

The hearing explicitly shifts focus away from specific 'gadgets' toward the underlying strategic procurement process, acknowledging past failures.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Connected Entities

personMartha McSally“Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security”Map →

personDennis J. Michelini“Acting Executive Director of Operations, Air and Marine Operations, CBP”Map →

personTodd C. Owen“Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, CBP”Map →

organizationU.S. Customs and Border Protection“Primary agency responsible for border security operations”Map →

personRebecca Gambler“Director, Homeland Security and Justice, GAO”Map →

personScott A. Luck“Acting Deputy Chief, U.S. Border Patrol”Map →

organizationGovernment Accountability Office“Provided oversight testimony regarding agency operations”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance40
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy20
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz10
Current news / social attention level

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