J.D. Vance helps nominee navigate Senate
In “Special Report,” Fox News Senior Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram examines the vice president-elect's efforts to counter potential obstacles in Congress to some of President-elect Donald Trump's administration nominees.
Leaders of the Senate Homeland Security Committee on Thursday criticized Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray for missing year-end hearings.
Committee Chairman Gary Peters said Mayorkas and Wray's refusal to appear in court was a “shocking departure” from a 15-year tradition of holding annual hearings on global threats. Ta. In a statement to Fox News Digital, the FBI claimed that Wray and other officials have already “testified extensively” publicly about the threats facing the United States.
“FBI leaders believe the committee would best benefit from further substantive discussion and additional information that can only be provided on a classified basis,” the FBI said in a statement.
But Peters rejected that explanation in a public statement, arguing that the lack of a hearing “deprives the American people of critical information.”
As Schumer tries to rack up judicial votes, Senate Republicans begin slowdown orchestrated by Thune
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray have declined to testify publicly before the Senate Homeland Security Committee. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
“The American people deserve transparent public answers about the threats we face. Secretary Mayorkas and Director Wray's refusal to speak publicly about their department's work comes at a difficult time. “This would only exacerbate the concerns that many Americans have about our nation's security and would ignore the committee's efforts.”Responsible oversight will not occur and will seriously damage trust in government. will give you. There is no basis whatsoever that their ability to communicate such information and answer questions is classified,” Peters wrote.
Sprint to confirm Trump nominee begins in January
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), the committee's ranking member, also criticized the officials, calling their refusal to testify publicly “unacceptable.”
Sen. Rand Paul criticized Mayorkas and Wray for refusing to testify publicly during Thursday's national security hearing. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
The postponed Senate hearing came just a day after a similar hearing before the House Homeland Security Committee adjourned Wednesday. Mr. Mayorkas and Mr. Ray were also scheduled to testify at that hearing.
Schumer is now pledging to fully advance the Railroad Democrats' agenda and insisting on bipartisan support.
Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.), the House committee chairman, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday morning.
The House and Senate hearings were supposed to be the first time Mayorkas and Wray have testified before lawmakers since Trump was reelected this month. (Alison Robert Poole/Getty Images)
The two hearings were supposed to be the first for Mayorkas and Wray to appear before the House and Senate since President-elect Trump was reelected earlier this month.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
President Trump has vowed to push for far-reaching reforms to both DHS and the FBI.
