Peters Secures Commitment from DHS Nominee to Probe Traveler Screening for Systemic Issues
Ranking Member Peters Pressed Acting Under Secretary Wolf on Intrusive Secondary Screening During Nomination Hearing
WASHINGTON, DC – In a recent hearing, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, pressed Chad F. Wolf, the Trump Administration’s nominee to serve as Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy and Plans at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), on the agency’s policies that repeatedly subject some travelers to intrusive and time-consuming secondary security screenings. Senator Peters recounted complaints he has received from Michiganders who have regularly faced serious disruptions and challenges while traveling. In response, Mr. Wolf expressed his shared concern that the agency’s policies could be repeatedly inconveniencing some individuals and expressed his willingness to investigate the existence of larger, systemic flaws in the traveler screening system.
“Time and time again, I have heard from my constituents who find themselves subject to lengthy and intrusive secondary screenings when they travel for business or to visit family. We all agree that we must take appropriate measuresto keep the traveling public safe, but these repeated, intrusive secondary screenings raise serious concerns for countless law-abiding Michiganders,” said Senator Peters. “I am glad that Acting Under Secretary Wolf shares my concern and is committed to addressing this serious issue, should he be confirmed to the position.”
Video of Senator Peters’ line of questioning is available here.
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