Key Takeaways
- •The 2026 FIFA World Cup was identified as a primary security focus, requiring early SEAR 1 designations to unlock federal assets for the 11 host cities.
- •Mike Sena (President, National Fusion Center Association) testified that federal over-classification of intelligence prevents local police from receiving actionable threat data in time to adjust operational plans.
- •Rep. Luttrell (R-TX-8) and Joseph Mabin (Deputy Chief, Kansas City Missouri Police Department) discussed the legal inability of local law enforcement to interdict drones posing immediate public threats.
- •Rep. Pfluger (R-TX-11) raised concerns about unvetted border arrivals creating intelligence blind spots, while Rep. Goldman (D-NY-10) focused on balancing surveillance with First Amendment protections for protesters.
- •Lawmakers signaled a need to resolve interoperability issues and provide legislative authority for local agencies to neutralize drones before the 2026 World Cup begins.
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Hearing Analysis
Overview
The House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection and the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology held a joint hearing on February 24, 2026, titled “Before the Whistle: Assessing Information Sharing and Security Collaboration Ahead of Major Events.” Led by Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-2) and Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS-3), the hearing focused on the coordination required to secure National Special Security Events (NSSEs) and other large public gatherings, with a specific emphasis on the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. The subcommittees sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the national network of fusion centers, identify gaps in federal-to-local intelligence sharing, and apply lessons learned from recent incidents, such as the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade.
Key Testimony
The witness panel featured Mike Sena, President of the National Fusion Center Association (NFCA) and Director of the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC); Joseph Mabin, Deputy Chief of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department (KCPD); and Ray Martinez, Chief Operating Officer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Miami Host Committee. Mr. Sena testified that the 80 DHS-recognized fusion centers serve as the primary hubs for analyzing threat information, utilizing the Nationwide SAR Initiative (NSI) to process suspicious activity reports. He emphasized that these centers rely heavily on the Homeland Security Grant Program, specifically the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) and the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), to maintain the personnel and technology necessary for complex data analysis.
Organizations & Entities
Deputy Chief Mabin provided a firsthand account of the challenges faced by the KCPD during the 2026 Super Bowl parade. He noted that while unified command structures were in place, the sheer volume of radio traffic and the congestion of cellular networks hindered real-time communication. He advocated for dedicated bandwidth for public safety and the integration of Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD-to-CAD) systems to allow different agencies to see calls for service simultaneously. Mr. Martinez discussed the unique scale of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will span 11 U.S. cities. He explained the importance of the Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) system, noting that World Cup matches are expected to receive a SEAR 1 designation. This designation triggers the appointment of a Federal Coordinator from the United States Secret Service or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and unlocks specialized federal assets, including explosive detection teams and advanced cybersecurity monitoring.
Policy Proposals
Policy discussions centered on the "siloing" and over-classification of intelligence. Mr. Sena and several members, including Rep. Daniel Goldman (D-NY-10) and Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK-2), discussed the need for "tear-line" reports—unclassified versions of intelligence that provide actionable information to local law enforcement without compromising sensitive sources or methods. Mr. Sena suggested that a legislative mandate might be necessary to force federal agencies to prioritize the creation of these reports. Additionally, witnesses and members discussed the legal limitations regarding Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Deputy Chief Mabin and Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX-8) highlighted that local law enforcement currently lacks the authority to interdict or "down" drones, as that power resides almost exclusively with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Overview
The hearing also addressed emerging threats, including domestic violent extremism, foreign disinformation campaigns, and transnational criminal organizations. Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX-11) raised concerns about the lack of vetting for individuals entering the country illegally, which Mr. Sena described as a "blind spot" for fusion center databases. Mr. Martinez noted that the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) and the Southeast Florida Fusion Center are monitoring the presence of the Tren de Aragua gang, which often targets large events for human trafficking and theft. Regarding cybersecurity, Mr. Sena and Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL-28) discussed the rising threat of ransomware and deepfakes. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) was identified as a key partner in providing technical assistance and vulnerability assessments for event infrastructure.
Partisan Dynamics
Partisan dynamics were largely collaborative, with both parties supporting the fusion center mission and the need for robust funding. However, Republican members tended to focus on border security and drone interdiction authority, while Democratic members, such as Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA-2) and Rep. Timothy Kennedy (D-NY-26), emphasized the protection of civil liberties, the security of "soft targets" like transit hubs, and the equitable distribution of security resources. Notable exchanges occurred regarding the use of facial recognition technology; Deputy Chief Mabin clarified that the KCPD uses it as an investigative tool after crimes occur rather than for real-time crowd monitoring, citing the need for public trust.
Key Testimony
The following organizations were identified and discussed: - Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Discussed as a primary partner in Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) and for providing federal coordinators for SEAR 1 events. - United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Referenced regarding its role in funding fusion centers through grants and its Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A). - Kansas City Missouri Police Department (KCPD): Represented by Deputy Chief Mabin; discussed in the context of the Super Bowl parade shooting and World Cup planning. - Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA): Mentioned as the international governing body coordinating security protocols and vetting for the 2026 World Cup. - 2026 FIFA World Cup Miami Host Committee: Represented by Ray Martinez; discussed regarding local operational planning and private-sector integration. - National Fusion Center Association (NFCA): Represented by Mike Sena; discussed as the coordinating body for the 80 national fusion centers. - Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD): Identified as the lead local agency for World Cup matches in Miami, coordinating with the host committee. - Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): Referenced for its role in providing cyber threat assessments and protecting critical infrastructure. - United States Secret Service: Mentioned as a potential lead agency for federal coordination of NSSEs and SEAR 1 events. - United States Department of State: Discussed regarding international visa processing and coordination with foreign consulates for the World Cup. - United States Coast Guard: Mentioned by Rep. Gimenez regarding maritime security and exclusion zones in Miami’s waterways. - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): Referenced regarding its exclusive authority over drone interdiction and airspace regulations. - Tren de Aragua: Identified by Rep. Pfluger as a transnational gang posing a threat to major events through trafficking and theft. - Interpol: Mentioned by Rep. Carter regarding international coordination to identify "hooligan" elements. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Referenced in the context of maritime security and border vetting. - Southeast Florida Fusion Center: Identified as a critical partner for threat monitoring in the Miami region. - Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC): Mentioned as the fusion center directed by witness Mike Sena.
The hearing concluded with a call for sustained federal investment in the Homeland Security Grant Program and a commitment to holding the record open for further testimony on improving the two-way flow of intelligence between federal and local partners.
Transcript
[Gavel sounds.] The Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection and the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology will come to order. The purpose of this hearing is to receive testimony from the Kansas City Missouri Police Department, the National Fusion Center Association, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup Miami Host Committee regarding information sharing and security collaboration ahead of major events. I now recognize myself for an opening statement. In just a few months, the eyes of the world will be on New Orleans for Super Bowl 59. Shortly after, in 2026, the United States will co-host the FIFA World Cup, with matches spanning 11 cities across our nation. These events are more than just games; they are massive undertakings that require years of planning, thousands of personnel, and a level of security coordination that is truly unprecedented. As we have seen from past events, the threat landscape is constantly evolving. From physical security concerns to cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure, the challenges are significant. That is why information sharing and collaboration between federal, state, and local partners are so vital. We must ensure that the right information gets to the right people at the right time to prevent and respond to any potential threats. Today, we will hear from experts who are on the front lines of these efforts. We want to understand what is working well, where the gaps are, and how Congress can better support the mission of keeping these major events safe for everyone involved. I want to thank our witnesses for being here today and for their service to our country. I now recognize the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, the gentleman from New York, Mr. Goldman, for his opening statement.
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