01.11.17

Hoeven Statement on Meeting with Retired General John Kelly, Nominee to Head Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON -- Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after a meeting and DHS Committee hearing with retired Marine Corps General John Kelly, President-Elect Donald Trump’s nominee to head DHS:

“As the former commander of the United States Southern Command and commanding general of the Multi-National Force West in Iraq, General Kelly would bring the right background and experience to DHS. In the course of our conversation, I stressed the need to secure our borders, which means building a wall and also using electronics, UAS surveillance and more Border Patrol agents to ensure the border is secure.

“We also discussed the need for good metrics to measure how effectively our border enforcement activities are working, and the results of those measures then need to be communicated to the American people.

“General Kelly’s understanding of the border situation and the approach he would take to address it are impressive. Going forward, I will support his nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security.”

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