Janet Napolitano
DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano was on the hot seat today… for not being on the hot seat today.
The House Homeland Security Committee held a hearing today looking at the failed Christmas Day bombing and its larger implications – at least the fourth such hearing on Capitol Hill in a week.
Last Wednesday, Napolitano testified before the Senate Commerce Committee in the afternoon. That morning she testified to the Senate Homeland Security Committee, while her chief policy adviser, David Heyman, simultaneously testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
But Napolitano was not at today’s hearing, and Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee were not happy.
Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) took aim at Napolitano right away.
“I’d like to welcome our witnesses but comment on the absence of Secretary Napolitano,” Harman said in her opening remarks. “This is the committee with primary jurisdiction over the Department of Homeland Security. She is the Secretary of Homeland Security. She is in Washington, D.C., she was invited to testify at this very important hearing, and she should have been here.”
Instead, DHS Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute testified on behalf of Napolitano’s department.
But DHS officials insisted the criticism from Harman and others was unwarranted.
“It’s unfortunate that these Members have chosen to raise this today,” DHS spokeswoman Amy Kudwa said in a statement. “[Lute’s participation] was agreed upon two weeks ago, and no concerns were raised in the multiple conversations and briefings that the Secretary, Deputy Secretary and other staff have had with [House Homeland Security Committee] Members and staff since then.”
In fact, one DHS official told FOX News, Napolitano spoke via phone to Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) last night, debriefing him on her recent trip to Europe, where she discussed boosting aviation security with her European counterparts.
During that conversation, Thompson never raised any issues with her about today’s hearing, the official said.
Another DHS official said Napolitano initially declined the offer to testify today due to an expected scheduling conflict, but that conflict ultimately didn’t materialize. In the meantime, Lute made sure she was “very well-prepared” for today’s hearing, according to the official.
A spokesman for Thompson said, “The Chairman was pleased with the testimony he received today, including the frank and open testimony from Dr. Lute.”
Still, it won’t be long before Napolitano is back on Capitol Hill.
“The Secretary is ready and willing to appear before Congress, as evidenced by her two testimonies last week and four additional hearings at which she will appear in early February,” Kudwa said.
Thompson’s spokesman said Napolitano will be testifying before the House Homeland Security Committee at an upcoming budget hearing.