Carper Introduces Biden Nominee for DHS Under Secretary, Urges Swift Confirmation of Critical DHS Nominees

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), senior member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), introduced Rob Silvers, the nominee to be the Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at a HSGAC hearing to consider Mr. Silvers nomination and two other DHS nominees. During his remarks, Senator Carper impressed upon his colleagues the importance of having qualified leaders serving at DHS, and urged for the swift confirmation of Mr. Silvers.

“The Department’s mission statement says: the threat environment continues to evolve, and we must work together to ensure a safe, secure, and prosperous Homeland. That’s really the mission,” Carper said. “Now more than ever, it is crucial that the Department have Senate-confirmed, qualified leadership. The American people are counting on seasoned leadership at DHS after years of vacancies at the Agency. I applaud President Biden for nominating Mr. Silvers, and I encourage my colleagues to confirm him swiftly.”

Senator Carper’s full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below, or you can watch his remarks here.

“Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Portman, good morning. I have had the honor to be a part of this Committee since I first came to the United States Senate in 2001. Two decades later, I remain convinced that the nominees that we confirm must have the veracity necessary to handle the most pressing challenges we face as a nation.

“The Department of Homeland Security is an agency with a budget of over $50 billion dollars, and a staff of over 240,000 men and women. DHS is charged with several critical missions in protecting our nation. And as the Department mission states: the threat environment continues to evolve, and we must work together to ensure a safe, secure, and prosperous homeland.

“From the clear and present threat of domestic terrorism, to responding to the increase of cybersecurity and ransomware attacks on our critical infrastructure, to helping distribute relief and response in the face of natural disasters—there is no shortage of work to be done. And now more than ever, it is crucial that the Department have Senate-confirmed, qualified leadership.

“That is why I am pleased to introduce Robert Silvers today, President Biden’s nominee to be the Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans at the Department of Homeland Security. Part of the mission of the Under Secretary is to coordinate and develop policy among the various DHS components, and advise the Secretary and Deputy Secretary.

“Mr. Silvers is an excellent choice to serve as the Department’s policy lead because he brings significant experience across these wide-ranging mission spaces – serving for nearly six years at the Department from 2011 to 2017.  I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Silvers during his last tenure at the Department. Mr. Silvers served as Assistant Secretary for Cyber Policy. He also led the Department’s work on cyber incident response policy. 

“And before he was appointed Assistant Secretary, Mr. Silvers served as DHS’s Deputy Chief of Staff, helping oversee management and policy across DHS’s 240,000 employees and 22 component agencies. This experience will serve Mr. Silvers well if he is confirmed as Under Secretary. He already knows the Department, and he will be ready to serve on day one.

“The American people are counting on seasoned leadership at DHS after years of vacancies at the Agency. I applaud President Biden for nominating Mr. Silvers, and I encourage my colleagues to confirm him swiftly.

“To Mr. Silvers, and to his wife Alison, and their two beautiful children, Ricky and Heidi, I want to thank you for your willingness to serve and your sacrifice to our nation. Thank you.”

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