In Senate Hearing, Sinema Focuses on Securing the Border and Protecting Public Health

May 18, 2021

Sinema highlighted the need for a strong Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis as Arizona faces a border crisis and recovery from the pandemic

WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema spoke today in a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing, highlighting the importance of a strong Office of Intelligence and Analysis in the Department of Homeland Security as Arizona faces both a border crisis and a global pandemic.
 
“It’s critical that every decision the Department of Homeland Security makes about protecting our nation is backed up by robust analysis… That is especially true today, when our nation and my state of Arizona are struggling to overcome a pandemic while also dealing with a crisis at the border,” said Sinema, Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management. 
 
Sinema questioned experts about how the Office of Intelligence and Analysis should coordinate with state and local governments, and what improvements can be made. Sinema also asked witnesses how the Office of Intelligence and Analysis can better respond to drug and human traffickers taking advantage of the current border crisis and help alleviate some of the burden placed on Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.