Hearings

PURPOSE: • To explore with the agency’s new leadership the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) challenges and planned responses. • To provide members an open dialogue with TSA to discuss potential solutions to gaps ...

PURPOSE: • To address the scope of radicalization, and assess what steps can be taken in order to mitigate the rise of terror via social media. BACKGROUND: • In recent years, terrorist organizations have attempted to control their image, attract new recruits, and inspire “lone wolf” attacks through the use of social media, including disseminating images of graphic violence. • Terrorists’ use of social media is resonating ...

PURPOSE: • To examine the Departments of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) information technology with an emphasis on the departments’ efforts to develop and implement an interoperable electronic health record (EHR). BACKGROUND: • The 2008 NDAA directed DOD and VA to jointly develop and implement a “fully interoperable” EHR, creating an Interagency Program Office to facilitate and coordinate the Departments’ ...

PURPOSE: To examine issues related to law enforcement’s use of devices that simulate cell phone towers and allow law enforcement to obtain location information for particular suspects. To examine both the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) and the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS)new policies governing the use of such ...

  PURPOSE: To examine the impact of the Government Publishing Office’s (GPO) role in building secure identity documents for federal government agencies, its exemption from Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) as a legislative entity, and whether competitive acquisition is necessary to ensure that federal identity documents safeguard national security. To give industry experts an opportunity to provide an overview of radio frequency identification ...

PURPOSE: To determine the status of national tolling interoperability. To identify what remains to be done in order to develop, implement, and operate a national tolling system – as required by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). BACKGROUND: Enacted in 2012, MAP-21 made significant changes to the tolling provisions that reinforce the encouragement of high-occupancy ...

TAKEAWAYS: Planned Parenthood does not need federal subsidies. Planned Parenthood is self-sustaining. Reported revenue of $1.3 billion in their most recent annual report. Reported $127 million in net income and reported holding $1.4 billion in assets for 2013-2014. Salaries at Planned ...

  PURPOSE: • To explore the financial and technological benefits of cloud computing. • To examine the current challenges agencies face in adopting cloud solutions for their information technology requirements. • To provide an opportunity for private sector experts to brief members on the benefits and challenges of cloud computing solutions, including access to ...

TAKEAWAYS: • Recent allegations of misconduct from Federal Air Marshals agents stationed in Chicago include agents hiring prostitutes, and using their government issued phones and other assets to film sexual encounters. • In addition to the Chicago incident, multiple individuals are also under investigation for misconduct at the Federal Air Marshal agency. • FAMS officials believe they have appropriate authority to discipline their agents when misconduct occurs. • More ...

TAKEAWAYS: EPA’s claim that the spill was the result of natural causes is false. Years of EPA ...