WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) – ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies – today delivered opening remarks and addressed President Biden’s Executive Order to reduce migrant entries at the southern border during a hearing with Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray.

“President Biden just signed an executive order to limit claims of asylum for those entering our country,” said Sen. Moran. “While action by the President is needed, I’m doubtful that this executive order will make the necessary changes to ensure operational control of our border and that we know who, why and where people are crossing into our country.”

“Last month, it was reported that a suspected member of ISIS had been freely living the United States after illegally crossing the Southern border,” continued Sen. Moran. “Nonetheless, it would take more than two years before that person was arrested on April 17. In another case, an individual on the terrorist watch list was similarly released by the Border Patrol after crossing the southern border. I recognize that these cases most directly implicate failures at DHS, but the FBI also plays a major role in national security screening and facilitating the sharing of information across our government.”

Click HERE to Watch Sen. Moran’s Full Remarks

Remarks as delivered:

“Senator Shaheen, thank you for convening our hearing. Director Wray, welcome back to the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee.

“I appreciated your time as I indicated just a moment ago and remarks at the University of Kansas this past April, at the annual FBI and KU Cybersecurity Conference. The quality of the speakers and the panel suggest to me this will become a premier annual cyber event, and I hope you will continue to join us.

“We’ll try to do it during basketball season if you prefer.

“The ability of our nation – in both government and private sector – to deter and neutralize cyber-attacks from having their intended effect is essential to our national security and to our economy.

“These new challenges and dangers require a capable, qualified and well-trained workforce to combat threats.

“In addition to that, I want to discuss the national security crisis we are experiencing at the Southern border. President Biden just signed an executive order to limit claims of asylum for those entering our country. While action by the President is needed, I’m doubtful that this executive order will make the necessary changes to ensure operational control of our border and that we know who, why and where people are crossing into our country.

“Last month, it was reported that a suspected member of ISIS had been freely living the United States after illegally crossing the Southern border. Nonetheless, it would take more than two years before that person was arrested on April the 17.

“In another case, an individual on the terrorist watch list was similarly released by the Border Patrol after crossing the southern border.

“I recognize that these cases most directly implicate failures at DHS, but the FBI also plays a major role in national security screening and facilitating the sharing of information across our government.

“Our world and our country have become dangerous. Our adversaries are coordinating with the intention of doing harm to the U.S., our allies and our partners. The conflicts overseas present clear threats here at home.

“As Russia wages its illegal and unjust invasion of Ukraine, it is widely reported that Moscow is engaged in asymmetric activities such as sabotage in Western Europe. I would like you to address if we are seeing signs of that in our own country.

“The ongoing war in Gaza has the potential to inspire terrorists around the globe. We cannot be complacent in believing America will be immune, and Jewish Americans should not have to live in fear.

“And the Chinese regime continues to its efforts to steal intellectual property, threaten critical infrastructure, and, on this anniversary of Tiananmen Square, has established police stations in the U.S. to harass Chinese dissidents who find freedom in our country. You recently said, Director, ‘The PRC has made it clear that it considers every sector that makes our society run fair game.’

“It is clear the conflicts abroad present real challenges at home. Compounding those challenges are distinct vulnerabilities to our borders, our means of communication and our technology systems.

“Director, you have a wide array of challenges in front of you and the FBI. It seems almost insurmountable the things we face today.

“I look forward to hearing from you how this budget will support the work the FBI does to mitigate these growing threats, address the crisis at our Southern border and ultimately keep Americans safe.

“Thank you, and the people who work at the FBI for your efforts in that regard, and I thank you also for being here today." 

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