[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6085911,"mediaKeyId","2901232-000e772dd7a36401aa72db0559cb8334","parentId",2901232,"title","Experts urge faster deployment of counter‑drone systems and clearer mitigation authority ahead of major events","audioSeconds",4179,"startMs",1599000,"endMs",5778000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2901232-000e772dd7a36401aa72db0559cb8334&start=1599&end=5778","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2901232-000e772dd7a36401aa72db0559cb8334/thumbnail_1599000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6085911/Experts-urge-faster-deployment-of-counterdrone-systems-and-clearer-mitigation-authority-ahead-of-major-events","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085911-8779fed5ddce040f038100b86b8091e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440683&Signature=LsPV3CpTCVf4yOIOJySPBI1Hv3fe0fSiQcaw5XuFHxf28CyAilvP~pLX~VxY6vUVFKRlv5jg4sy4zYkgvriwtvfMG8Dr6fwZGSuheenCRWvP0ZXzhS68nKIBNog9XmhS~Bj8HThRXrOVFhaSj3xzDxBZLw3vsRDD2h5zhKUn7JpHuo9pSpYAS39qmUePhcgYUYw85QTap9IxGYLMQ1K7Zdbr6NLnIbGN3azAHkODKrVdHyFHMnMGCPfhdsCEguCtzIu6QTB8OHp1ktEocFQdXnHz1ggJ6MlTsIFjQ02ic6eIedAY1yINxKdc1C3x1oBEZJZYZRSDcZ72VYLBC6KJkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","John Gruen, chief executive officer of Fordham Technologies, told the subcommittee that unauthorized drone incidents and a new class of “dark drones” — devices designed to evade detection by not emitting radio frequency signals — pose a growing threat to major events, airports and critical infrastructure.

Gruen said his company’s AI-enabled sensors and interceptor drones, which capture rogue drones with an aerial net and tow them to secure locations for forensics, have been used at prior global sporting events and on U.S. military sites. He urged federal and local authorities to begin deploying counter‑drone systems roughly 12 months before an event to allow for delivery, site analysis and training. “With the 2026 World Cup just over a year away, federal agencies must be given the tools and authorities they need and local law enforcement must be empowered to respond to drone threats quickly and effectively,” Gruen said.

Witnesses and members discussed recent domestic incidents in which drone activity disrupted flights and public events. Gruen and members told the panel that attribution of operators is often unclear, and that threats range from small consumer devices to larger platforms and coordinated multi‑drone incursions. The witness recommended a centralized, streamlined process for detection and mitigation and cited bipartisan legislation (the transcript referenced H.R. 8610 from the prior Congress) as a model the committee should advance.

Members asked whether local and state law enforcement currently have mitigation authority; Gruen said they do not generally have persistent authority to remove or disable drones and that mitigation authorities are spread across agencies and often time-limited. He recommended delegating appropriate mitigation authority to properly trained state and local responders for events that will strain federal capacity.

The subcommittee played a video demonstration of net‑capture interceptors and discussed low‑collateral response options. No formal votes or policy enactments occurred during the hearing; members requested written follow-ups from witnesses.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Examining Efforts to Secure/Improve U.S. Travel System & Prep for Significant International Events","oneSentenceSummary","A CEO of a counter‑drone firm told the Homeland Security subcommittee that ‘dark drones’ and other evolving threats require deployment of detection and low‑collateral mitigation systems at scale, plus clearer authorities for state and local law enforcement to act.","taxTitle","Homeland Security: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1831,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6085916,"AFGE warns DHS rescission of TSA collective bargaining agreement threatens workforce stability ahead of major events",1715,1777000,3492000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2901232-000e772dd7a36401aa72db0559cb8334&start=1777&end=3492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2901232-000e772dd7a36401aa72db0559cb8334/thumbnail_1777000.jpg","/articles/6085916/AFGE-warns-DHS-rescission-of-TSA-collective-bargaining-agreement-threatens-workforce-stability-ahead-of-major-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085916-8b0ca20308d13a4b4b45eb3672c747da/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440683&Signature=MWWKAGZdOPZAzbkjj~ZhfDEi4clMPLq7W3uxQl6dpt~FyDMkx64ynKBh29fUyPwER46q2zEcwp6j2w6vtkM5xdYDpJ~V2~3TrYzO4YIjeaa8YpdLL50qzDPjLLdXnjEI41npUQNKsr7WIr9CKQjoJFJUGySorMwBAo0IDSFQJIOwW46wedmw8kCUfiSWVSJF9AuAXWMRBm-J3KzxG3EmVR-ZNFCYx5N1Gbz0IhB~RBKQ-Ddd2gJKMTHaDWCcSi6tIO1xRa1l9nqE5NcJMx994fpDHCnYiZv0lwX0xnXH9xRIDXs6JjGGMIcs-1BMx0UQMvilX3klL3xTOmmygz~nOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Everett Kelly, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), told the House Homeland Security Subcommittee that the unilateral rescission of TSA’s 2024 collective bargaining agreement by the Department of Homeland Security has created “an unprecedented crisis” for transportation security officers.

Kelly told the committee that the 2024 agreement had helped stabilize the TSA workforce, reduced attrition and provided predictable working conditions. “This action has left over 47,000 TSO vulnerable to arbitrary management decision, undermining morale and creating instability,” Kelly said. He said the timing of the rescission is particularly problematic because major international events in 2026 and 2028 will increase passenger volumes and require a fully staffed, motivated workforce.

AFGE asked Congress to take three immediate steps: enact legislation to codify collective bargaining rights for TSOs (AFGE referenced H.R. 2086, the TSA Workforce Act, during testimony), require reinstatement of the rescinded 2024 collective bargaining agreement, and use congressional oversight to investigate the legal basis and factual justification for the rescission. Kelly asked the committee to compel DHS officials to produce evidence supporting the rescission and to explain how the action aligns with national security priorities.

Members from both parties raised workforce and security concerns in questioning. Ranking Member MacIver and others said that the 2023 pay and bargaining measures had significantly reduced TSA attrition; witnesses and members warned that reversals could increase turnover and worsen checkpoint wait times. Kelly said the AFGE supported court challenges and legislative fixes, and urged Congress to prioritize the bills he identified.

The subcommittee did not adopt formal actions during the hearing; members requested written follow-ups and left the record open for additional submissions.","The national president of the American Federation of Government Employees told the House Homeland Security subcommittee rescinding TSA's 2024 collective bargaining agreement undermines Transportation Security Officers' morale and could increase attrition as the U.S. prepares for the 2026 World Cup and other large events.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6085921,"Witnesses tell Homeland Security panel U.S. must modernize visa processing, TSA technology and staffing before 2026 World Cup",3776,1345000,5121000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2901232-000e772dd7a36401aa72db0559cb8334&start=1345&end=5121","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2901232-000e772dd7a36401aa72db0559cb8334/thumbnail_1345000.jpg","/articles/6085921/Witnesses-tell-Homeland-Security-panel-US-must-modernize-visa-processing-TSA-technology-and-staffing-before-2026-World-Cup","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085921-41652d58f896ba8392176ec47ca229e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440683&Signature=YvVCHvoVHEx2KU5Xzz4UKpP3PuwfpBYnRqTAk3EjpvMwSHN46y78VDG6Lwp-VeOIRXLnLMqK4fNwJde0zYzm9UaAqMydA-bDtAzbeONxOQENuRbCilPErOJCqmQtjvwDZfNH1o~m4widHwgDYxFhDOizSmXhIOPP2km8cXumGlBi-136DxOafWbf~GD-lEyjL0PauOoq-tpm2tPDow39aU-HF6cpxHA1sPShBC0SWW0d1g~40N7Y9Q9xhGTfkh9Gk745kuhP38reSpua7rEvTqvb9rOpWnOJPXYaT8ocVljqgQlrpZd7vzjacnICRB5xbBxCTGzarGBCJXZ6PYF-fQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairman Jimenez opened a House Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing saying the panel would “assess the current state of US travel security and infrastructure,” and witnesses told members the country must move quickly to upgrade visa processing, airport screening and customs before the 2026 FIFA World Cup and other major events.

Jeff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, said the travel industry is a major economic engine and warned that long visa waits and outdated airport technology are deterring visitors. “Travel is a vital economic engine, contributing nearly $3,000,000,000,000 annually and supporting more than 15,000,000 jobs,” Freeman said. He told the committee the U.S. finished seventeenth out of 18 peer countries in a travel facilitation ranking his group commissioned, and that the country risks losing market share unless it modernizes systems and staffing.

The witnesses told members that three linked problems threaten readiness: visa appointment backlogs in some countries, slow international arrival processing at Customs and Border Protection (CBP) locations, and old screening technology at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints. Freeman recommended a national vetting service for visa processing, extended visa validity for vetted travelers, and moving passenger security-fee receipts back to TSA to fund technology and staffing. “None of that money should be diverted,” Freeman said regarding the passenger security fee.

Members cited examples and data during questioning. Witnesses and members discussed visa interview waits exceeding 500 days in locations such as Colombia and parts of India, long CBP arrival waits in major airports, and projected spikes in passenger volumes during short periods around event dates. Freeman noted that some U.S. airports screened more than 3,000,000 travelers on multiple single days last year and projected by 2028 that the U.S. could have roughly 100 days per year at that volume.

Committee members asked whether current technology could reduce covert-test failure rates and speed processing. Freeman said identity verification and biometrics have improved but that baggage and on-person screening still need major upgrades and that full implementation of needed technology should not be decades away. “We believe it’s reasonable that all of these reforms can take place within the next 5 years,” he told the panel.

Witnesses and members also raised concerns about messaging and incidents that may discourage visitors. Ranking Member MacIver and other Democrats described recent detentions of foreign visitors and said some countries have issued travel guidance warning citizens about U.S. entry procedures; witnesses said media coverage of individual incidents has created uncertainty that federal agencies should clarify with data.

The subcommittee did not take a formal vote. Members asked witnesses to respond in writing to follow-up questions and left the hearing record open for 10 days.","Industry and trade witnesses told the House Homeland Security subcommittee that long visa waits, aging screening technology, and diverted passenger security fees threaten the U.S. ability to handle millions of international visitors for the 2026 World Cup and other upcoming events.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Experts urge faster deployment of counter‑drone systems and clearer mitigation authority ahead of major events

AFGE warns DHS rescission of TSA collective bargaining agreement threatens workforce stability ahead of major events

Witnesses tell Homeland Security panel U.S. must modernize visa processing, TSA technology and staffing before 2026 World Cup