U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

35–771 PDF WASHINGTON : 2019

S. Hrg. 116–28 

NOMINATION OF JOSEPH V. CUFFARI 

HEARING 

BEFORE THE

COMMITTEE ON 

HOMELAND SECURITY AND 

GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS 

UNITED STATES SENATE 

ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 

FIRST SESSION 

NOMINATION OF JOSEPH V. CUFFARI TO BE INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 

MARCH 5, 2019 

Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.govinfo.gov 

Printed for the use of the 

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 

( 
(II) 

COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS 

RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin, Chairman 

ROB PORTMAN, Ohio 

RAND PAUL, Kentucky 

JAMES LANKFORD, Oklahoma 

MITT ROMNEY, Utah 

RICK SCOTT, Florida 

MICHAEL B. ENZI, Wyoming 

JOSH HAWLEY, Missouri 

GARY C. PETERS, Michigan 

THOMAS R. CARPER, Delaware 

MAGGIE HASSAN, New Hampshire 

KAMALA D. HARRIS, California 

KYRSTEN SINEMA, Arizona 

JACKY ROSEN, Nevada 

GABRIELLE D’ADAMO SINGER, Staff Director 

M. SCOTT AUSTIN, U.S. Coast Guard Detailee 

DAVID M. WEINBERG, Minority Staff Director 

ZACHARY I. SCHRAM, Minority Chief Counsel 

ALEXA E. NORUK, Minority Director of Homeland Security 

LAURA W. KILBRIDE, Chief Clerk 

THOMAS J. SPINO, Hearing Clerk 
(III) 

C O N T E N T S 

Opening statements: Page 

Senator Johnson ............................................................................................... 1 

Senator Peters .................................................................................................. 2 

Senator Lankford .............................................................................................. 11 

Senator Rosen ................................................................................................... 14 

Senator Scott ..................................................................................................... 15 

Senator Carper ................................................................................................. 18 

Prepared statements: 

Senator Johnson ............................................................................................... 23 

Senator Peters .................................................................................................. 24 

Senator Sinema ................................................................................................ 26 

WITNESSES 

TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2019 

Hon. Martha McSally, A United States Senator from the State of Arizona ....... 4 

Joseph V. Cuffari to be Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland 

Security 

Testimony .......................................................................................................... 5 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 27 

Biographical and financial information .......................................................... 30 

Biographical Questionnaire-Supplement ........................................................ 45 

Letter from the Office of Government Ethics ................................................. 46 

Responses to pre-hearing questions ................................................................ 49 

Responses to post-hearing questions .............................................................. 60 

Letters of support ............................................................................................. 72 

APPENDIX 

Minors and Families Chart ..................................................................................... 79 

(1) 

1The prepared statement of Senator Johnson appears in the Appendix on page 23. 

NOMINATION HEARING OF 

JOSEPH V. CUFFARI TO BE INSPECTOR 

GENERAL U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2019 

U.S. SENATE,

COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY

AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, 

Washington, DC. 

The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:32 p.m., in room 

SD–342, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Ron Johnson, Chairman of the Committee, presiding. 

Present: Senators Johnson, Lankford, Scott, Peters, Carper, Hassan, Harris, and Rosen. 

OPENING STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN JOHNSON 

Chairman JOHNSON. Good afternoon. This hearing is called to 

order. We are meeting today to consider the nomination of Joseph 

Cuffari to be the Inspector General (IG) of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a pretty important position. 

I just want to start out, I will ask that my written statement be 

entered into the record.1 I see we have Senator McSally here to introduce Mr. Cuffari. 

Also, I just want to point out that Senator Sinema also would 

like to be here. She actually asked us to move the hearing, but it 

was very difficult to reschedule. But she was also highly supportive 

and disappointed she could not be here at the hearing. 

I will keep my comments pretty brief here. This Committee in 

particular really relies on Inspectors General. With the Government Accountability Office (GAO), we have the High-Risk List 

hearing tomorrow. We have seen issues and problems with Inspectors General where they have been captured by the agency—the 

DHS Inspector General from about 5 or 6 years ago, I would say 

the Veterans Affairs (VA) Inspector General, the investigation we 

did with the Tomah VA with mixed toxicity of overprescription of 

opioids resulting in the death of veterans because we did not have 

an independent Inspector General. And, truthfully, I understand 

how that dynamic works. I think in either your written questions 

or your testimony, you refer to the fact that your primary customer 

is the Secretary of the Department, and that is very appropriate. 
2 

1The prepared statement of Senator Peters appears in the Appendix on page 24. 

2The prepared statement of Senator Sinema appears in the Appendix on page 26. 

In general, what Inspectors General are doing is inspecting and 

doing investigations to create a better Department, which means 

that information is going to be available to the Secretary. So you 

become invested in that Department. You want to see that Department succeed, which is why you are doing all these investigations. 

So it can be very difficult at some point in time to air the dirty 

laundry, but it is crucial that we have an independent Inspector 

General to do just that. 

Mr. Cuffari, your public service is exemplary. I want to thank 

you for your past service. I want to thank you for your willingness 

to serve again. This is not an easy post. I particularly want to 

thank your family. I know you have some of them here, and I will 

let you introduce them later. As you know, government service is 

a family sacrifice, a family act of service. 

So, again, I just want to thank you for being here and for your 

willingness to serve. I want to thank your family, too, because you 

probably do not see them much anyway, and you will probably see 

them less with this new assignment. And I do not want to talk anybody out of anything. 

With that, I will quick turn it over to my Ranking Member, Senator Peters. 

OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR PETERS1

Senator PETERS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you, Dr. 

Cuffari, for being here today and for your willingness to take on 

what is going to be a very challenging role. 

For over 40 years, Inspectors General have acted as independent, 

nonpartisan watchdogs that are tasked with preventing and uncovering fraud, waste, and abuse in the Federal Government and promoting efficiency in agency operations. Simply put, the Inspector 

General makes sure that government is doing what it is supposed 

to do, and when there are problems, as mentioned by Mr. Chairman, the Inspector General makes sure that the agency and Congress and the American people know exactly what is happening. 

I want to also concur that I know that Senator Sinema wanted 

to be here today to help introduce you, and in a written statement, 

she describes you as an ‘‘honorable public servant.’’ And, Mr. Chair, 

I would like to enter into the record, without objection, her full 

statement.2

Chairman JOHNSON. No objection. 

Senator PETERS. We certainly need an honorable public servant 

in this position, and as an effective Inspector General, you must be 

a partner to agency leadership, as was mentioned, working together to identify areas at risk and certainly to prevent problems 

before they occur. But they also must be a partner with Congress 

and keeping us apprised of emerging issues and responding to our 

concerns as we work to ensure that taxpayer money is spent efficiently. 

An effective Inspector General must be a leader. The Department 

of Homeland Security Inspector General supervises almost 800 investigators, auditors, and other employees, all of whom look to the 
3 

Inspector General for guidance and for direction. And, most importantly, the Inspector General must be independent and impartial, 

relentlessly following the facts wherever they may lead. And if confirmed, there will undoubtedly be times when you will have to push 

back on the Department’s top officials. The integrity and the effectiveness of the Department will depend in part on public trust. 

The Department of Homeland Security is the third largest agency in the Federal Government with over 245,000 employees and a 

total budget of $75 billion. And as one of the Nation’s most critical 

law enforcement and national security agencies, the Department is 

charged with safeguarding our Nation from threats both foreign 

and domestic. 

The Department has faced significant challenges, including recruitment shortfalls, low morale, high acquisition costs, and insufficient financial controls. Robust and adaptable oversight is absolutely essential to ensure that the Department is effectively safeguarding our communities and our tax dollars. 

Last week, I met with Secretary Nielsen to discuss some of the 

most pressing issues at the Department, including security and 

commerce at our Northern Border, cybersecurity challenges in 

Michigan and across the Nation, the rise of domestic extremist violence, and ensuring the Department’s actions reflect the very core 

values of our country. And I made it clear that the Department 

must not discriminate against our fellow Americans because of 

where they are from or where they worship. 

Secretary Nielsen committed to work on these issues. My colleagues and I are going to rely on the Inspector General to help 

evaluate the Department’s performance on these critical commitments. 

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has performed critical 

work in preventing and rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse at the 

Department of Homeland Security, and this has included investigations into reprisal against whistleblowers, including the brave men 

and women who serve in the United States Coast Guard (USCG). 

The Inspector General’s office has conducted random checks at detention facilities, work you yourself conducted at the Department 

of Justice (DOJ). And in 2018, investigations by the Inspector General directly resulted in nearly $36 million in recoveries, fines, and 

restitution to the Federal Government. It is critical that the Inspector General achieves high performance standards, and this is important that this work continues. 

When this body created the Department of Homeland Security in 

2002, we also established the agency of Inspector General to hold 

the Department accountable. As we consider your nomination, sir, 

I will be considering your commitment to independence, integrity, 

impartiality, and ensuring that the Department acts as a responsible steward of taxpayers’ dollars, and I certainly look forward to 

your testimony. 

Chairman JOHNSON. Thank you, Senator Peters. And, again, I 

think we have just an extraordinary candidate or nominee before 

us here with that type of record of independence, and so I am very 

confident. 

Again, Dr. Cuffari, we are going to let you introduce your own 

family members. We have a couple other distinguished guests. We 
4 

1The letters referenced by Senator Johnson appears in the Appendix on page 72. 

would like to recognize the Hon. Eric Thorson, the IG for the 

Treasury Department; the Hon. David Buckley, former IG for the 

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); and the Hon. Thomas Gilman, 

the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Assistant Secretary for the 

Commerce Department. Again, the fact that these individuals are 

here, together with the letters of recommendation we got, which I 

will also ask to enter into the record,1 speak to your qualifications 

and your integrity. 

So, with that, I would like to recognize Senator Martha McSally 

to introduce Dr. Cuffari. Senator McSally. 

OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MARTHA MCSALLY, A UNITED 

STATES SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF ARIZONA 

Senator MCSALLY. Thank you, Chairman Johnson, Ranking 

Member Peters, and Members of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC). Thanks for allowing me 

the opportunity to speak to you about Dr. Joseph Cuffari, known 

as ‘‘Joe’’ to many of us, who has been nominated to be the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General. 

The Inspector General plays an important role in oversight of the 

Department of Homeland Security, and as the Inspector General, 

Dr. Cuffari will lead a team that has been without a confirmed 

head since the early days of this Administration. He will be expected to ensure the Department accomplishes its vital national security and public safety mission. Dr. Cuffari’s distinguished career 

in public service makes him well suited to execute these crucial duties. 

He enlisted, after graduating from high school, in the U.S. Air 

Force (USAF). Go, Air Force. Dr. Cuffari spent more than 40 years 

in the Air Force, including on active duty and the reserves and in 

the Arizona Air National Guard. Throughout his career, Joe developed key oversight skills while serving our country with distinction. From 1986 to 1993, Dr. Cuffari served in a number of senior 

positions in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) 

Inspector General component. 

After leaving active duty, he spent two decades in the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Inspector General, retiring in 2013 as 

Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General in Tucson, Arizona. Since then, Joe has been a senior policy 

adviser to Arizona Governors Jan Brewer and Doug Ducey for veterans and public safety issues, and this is where I have gotten to 

know him over these last several years. 

I want to thank you, Dr. Cuffari, for your commitment to public 

service over these years, and I can tell you personally, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member Peters, Joe is a man of honor and integrity and has a heart of service for our country, and he will always 

do what is right. And he is going to really excel and do a great job 

in this position, and it is my honor to introduce him. 

Thank you. 

Chairman JOHNSON. Thank you, Senator McSally. 

It is the tradition of this Committee to swear in witnesses, so if 

you will stand and raise your right hand. Do you swear that the 
5 

1The prepared statement of Mr. Cuffari appears in the Appendix on page 27. 

testimony you will give before this Committee will be the truth, the 

whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you, God? 

Mr. CUFFARI. I do. 

Chairman JOHNSON. Please be seated. Senator McSally did a nice 

job of introducing you, but I will read your introduction as well. 

Dr. Joseph Cuffari has more than 35 years of experience in investigations and oversight. Dr. Cuffari began his career in 1978 as 

an enlisted aircraft maintainer at the United States Air Force. In 

1986, he joined the Air Force Office of Special Investigations as an 

Assistant Agent in Charge and later served at the Department of 

Justice Office of Inspector General, including as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Tucson, Arizona, Field Office. He currently advises the Arizona Governor on military, veterans, and 

homeland security issues. Dr. Cuffari served in the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard until retiring in 2017. Dr. Cuffari. 

TESTIMONY OF JOSEPH V. CUFFARI,1 NOMINEE TO BE INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 

Mr. CUFFARI. Chairman Johnson, Ranking Member Peters, and 

distinguished members of the Committee, I am deeply honored to 

appear before you today to be considered by this Committee as 

President Trump’s nominee to be the next Inspector General for 

the Department of Homeland Security. 

I am very grateful to the President and to Secretary Nielsen for 

the confidence they have placed in me in this critical position. I 

thank Senator McSally for her very kind introduction, and many 

thanks to Senator Kyl, Senator Flake, and Senator Sinema and 

Governor Ducey and Governor Brewer and their staffs for their 

support. I also thank the Members of this Committee and their 

staff for meeting with me as part of my nomination process. If I 

am confirmed, I pledge to continue our discussions regarding matters of mutual interest and concern. 

I thank my wife, Lynn; son, Joey; and daughter-in-law, Grace, for 

supporting me. Lynn and I have been married for more than 35 

years. I promised her that we would travel and that our life would 

be an adventure. Lynn, it has been a ride. 

Much as things have changed over the decades, one thing remains firm: the support, friendship, and guidance from my parents, 

Vincent and Connie; my brother, Tony; and my in-laws, Raymond 

and Rosemary Mazza. Equally as important are those same qualities that are given by my cousins, friends, and other associates who 

came from as far as Arizona, Philadelphia, and the other territories 

of the country. I also extend a special thanks to those who keep me 

looking trim: my barbers Tony and Mario. 

I owe all that I have to my family, in particular the determination, foresight, and fortitude of my grandparents. By coming to 

America, they ensured that the generations that followed them 

would live in the greatest country in the world and be afforded opportunities they did not have. In the early 1900s, my grandfathers 

took long sea voyages from Italy to the United States and settled 

in Philadelphia. As the United States entered World War I, they 

enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in combat engineering teams 
6 

on the front lines. Miraculously, they survived and returned to 

Philadelphia to start families. Now, 100 years later, as I appear before you as a nominee, I thank them and all of our veterans for 

their service to our country. 

I have spent my entire adult life in public service. My calling 

began when I enlisted in the Air Force after graduating from high 

school in 1977. My service includes a career in the Air Force on active duty, in the reserves, and in the Air National Guard. 

That time has been coupled with 20 years of experience with the 

U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General and a 

combined 12 years with components of the Department of Defense 

(DOD) Office of the Inspector General. During that time, I worked 

with seven Inspectors General and am grateful to them for their 

mentorship, guidance, and support. 

I also thank the Council of IGs for their support and recommendation for this position. In creating the OIGs, I believe Congress recognized the shortfall permitting agencies to exclusively investigate themselves. If I am confirmed, I commit to being an honest broker of information and to seek the truth. 

I am mindful that the powers bestowed upon an IG are vast. 

Therefore, if confirmed, I will ensure that the DHS IG is judicious 

in exercising its powers and investigates an allegation and not an 

individual. It is in that spirit that I will be fair and objective in 

my undertakings, and if I am confirmed, I will work with Congress 

to augment its vital oversight responsibilities. 

I believe IGs fill another equally important role as well: the duty 

to highlight effective and efficient services that are discovered during the course of their work. If confirmed, I will highlight those 

best practices with an equal degree of transparency. 

To the dedicated men and women of the Department of Homeland Security IG, I commit to you that, if I am confirmed, I will 

be your advocate and champion the critical work you have done 

and continue to do for the American people. Thank you for your 

service. 

To the Committee, I sincerely appreciate your consideration of 

my nomination. I look forward to answering your questions. 

Chairman JOHNSON. Thank you, Dr. Cuffari. 

We have three questions I ask all nominees, and I will ask them 

to you. Is there anything you are aware of in your background that 

might present a conflict of interest with the duties of the office to 

which you have been nominated? 

Mr. CUFFARI. No. 

Chairman JOHNSON. Do you know of anything, personal or otherwise, that would in any way prevent you from fully and honorably 

discharging the responsibilities of the office to which you have been 

nominated? 

Mr. CUFFARI. No. 

Chairman JOHNSON. Do you agree without reservation to comply 

with any request or summons to appear and testify before any duly 

constituted committee of Congress if you are confirmed? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Yes. 

Chairman JOHNSON. Thank you. 
7 

1The chart referenced by Senator Johnson appears in the Appendix on page 79. 

Normally I defer questioning, but you said a couple of things in 

your opening comments, and I got some information right off the 

presses here, and I will actually hand it out to my colleagues. 

First, you brought up the point that obviously your family emigrated from a different country into the United States, I am sure 

seeking opportunity, as most of our ancestors did. So we are a Nation of immigrants. 

You also said, ‘‘If confirmed, I commit to being an honest broker 

of information and to seek the truth.’’ 

We have a huge problem in this Nation in terms of a broken immigration system. As I have been working with my staff, one of the 

things we are trying to do with the manufacturing background is 

going through the problem-solving process. You gather information, 

define the problem, root-cause analysis, then establish achievable 

goals, then design the solution. 

One of the things I have found most vexing in the whole issue 

of immigration and border security is just information is very difficult to come by. It changes over the years. We kind of define 

things differently. Quite honestly, in terms of illegal immigration, 

the problem has completely shifted from the highs, I think, the top 

number of individuals we ever apprehended coming across the border illegally is something like 1.6, 1.7 million people over a decade 

ago. But those were Mexican economic migrants, oftentimes apprehended multiple times the same day. 

Today we face a different issue, and that is what this chart1 is 

about. I am passing it out because we just got updated information. 

This, I believe, is our current problem. Because of our laws that 

treat, for example, unaccompanied children from Central America 

differently than we would from Mexican or Canadian unaccompanied children, because of the Flores Agreement that was challenged in court and there is now a reinterpretation of it, people 

that come in as family units also basically cannot be detained, so 

we are in full catch-and-release. 

So what this chart shows is the red blocks are children, unaccompanied children coming in from Central America, illegally apprehended between the borders, up to 2011, about 4,000 per year. 

Then President Obama announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) memorandum, and although it does not 

apply to anybody that came in since, it was used as a catalyst by 

the coyotes, the drug traffickers who have become human traffickers. 

We just read a horrific story of individuals being abused because 

of women being put into the sex trade in the New York Times. I 

would ask everybody to read that if you want to see what the problem is. But the information we have gotten now, because we 

incentivize and we reward basically by allowing people to stay, if 

you come in as an unaccompanied child or as part of a family unit, 

we have gone from 2014, which was the big problem here—that is 

when President Obama declared a humanitarian crisis, and we all 

agreed, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) really 

did a yeoman’s job of responding to that and setting up facilities 

to delouse and clean and provide medical attention. 
8 

120,000 thousand people came to this country in 2014 as either 

an unaccompanied minor or as part of a family unit. Last year, 

145,000 people came in those two categories. The latest information, in the first 5 months now of this year, 159,000 people have 

come into this country illegally between the ports of entry (POEs), 

taking a very dangerous journey, as either an unaccompanied child, 

but more and more as a family unit because it is very advantageous for them to do that. This is a problem. But the only reason 

I can display this problem is we are starting to get some more accurate information. 

And so I wanted to make this point, but I also wanted to hopefully engage you, as hopefully the confirmed Inspector General, to 

work with this Committee, to take a look at how we gather information, how consistent it is, and how that can be delivered on a 

very regular basis to Congress and, even more importantly, to the 

American public. 

Now, I know you are adviser to Governor Ducey on homeland security issues. Do you have any comments in terms of what we are 

seeing here? I mean, you are right down there in Arizona on the 

border. Can you just comment on the current situation and what 

as Inspector General you want to take a look at to help improve 

the Department’s performance along those areas? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Senator, I would just like to clarify. I am Governor 

Ducey’s military and veterans affairs policy adviser. I do not advise 

the Governor on homeland security matters. 

Chairman JOHNSON. Oh, OK. Do you have any comments on this 

at all, though? You are going to be, obviously, Inspector General. 

This is going to be a big issue. You will be asked to take a look 

at, are we following policies in detention facilities, are we following 

the law? I mean, there are so many issues wrapped up with Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This is a very controversial, very contentious 

issue, and certainly this Committee and the American public want 

to make sure that we treat people with real humanity and that we 

are following the rules. 

Mr. CUFFARI. Senator, I will comment, and I commit to you 100 

percent, to you and the Members of this Committee, that I will be 

responsive, if I am confirmed as the Inspector General. 

Chairman JOHNSON. In my opening comments, I talked about the 

independence and what I have seen time and time again, quite 

honestly, is Inspectors General being captured by the agencies and 

how that is—we are all human beings. We like people. We develop 

loyalties to people. You are working for an organization, and you 

want to see that organization succeed. 

You obviously have a great deal of experience of independence in 

this role. Talk about your attitude, how you combat that very 

human tendency to, in the end being somewhat of a cheerleader for 

the Department that you are asked to be an independent Inspector 

General for. 

Mr. CUFFARI. Senator, I go back to taking an oath of office as an 

Air Force officer and as a member of the Arizona Air National 

Guard. My ultimate responsibility is to follow the Constitution and 

determine that the laws of the land are being followed. 

Chairman JOHNSON. OK. Senator Peters. 
9 

Senator PETERS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

Mr. Cuffari, as you have heard over and over again from both of 

us, we are expecting strong, independent oversight, which is absolutely essential, if confirmed in this position. So I just want you to 

be very clear on the record for me, please. If you are confirmed, will 

you commit to responding to requests from Members of Congress 

and particularly Members of this Committee in a consistent manner and regardless of the party of someone from this Committee 

asking for your response? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Senator, you have my absolute commitment to 

doing such a thing. 

Senator PETERS. Do you believe that DHS management should 

comply with requests for documents and information from Members of this Committee as well, regardless of party? 

Mr. CUFFARI. I believe the Department should follow the law in 

their application of the law and provide those documents that are 

applicable and can be provided. 

Senator PETERS. So if I get your answer, in principle, if you are 

saying you are going to follow policy, but is it a core principle, do 

you believe, that this Committee gets information that we have 

constitutional duties in terms of oversight and that we should get 

those documents if we ask for them? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Yes, Senator. 

Senator PETERS. I also appreciate your answers to the Chairman 

regarding your independence and your desire to be objective. But 

I have to say, unfortunately, under this Administration we have 

seen some very troubling attempts to undermine the statutory 

independence of IGs across the Federal Government. 

Last October, we learned of plans to abruptly replace the Department of Interior’s (DOI) Acting IG with a political appointee with 

no governmental oversight experience whatsoever. More recently, I 

was deeply concerned by recent efforts by the Department of Education officials to interfere with the work of that Department’s Inspector General. On January 3, 2019, the Deputy Secretary of the 

Department of Education sent a letter to the Acting Inspector General urging her to ‘‘reconsider its planned review’’ of a departmental action or redirect the inquiry into actions taken by a previous Administration instead of the current Administration. 

Further, the letter went on to demand a clear, written explanation in the event that the Inspector General did not adhere to 

the Deputy Secretary’s request. 

So given these instances, Mr. Cuffari, do you think that it is ever 

appropriate for an agency official to direct an Inspector General to 

drop or change a planned or ongoing inquiry? 

Mr. CUFFARI. I think it is appropriate for the Inspector General 

to follow the Inspector General Act. It provides, as you know, the 

relief if such an instance were to occur. And I do not have the facts 

because obviously I am not in the Education Department or in the 

Interior Department. But if that were to occur, there is a relief 

valve built into the IG Act that permits the IG to go directly to 

Congress and express their concerns. 

Senator PETERS. So in the IG Act, there are only three scenarios 

where the DHS Secretary may prohibit the IG from carrying out 

or completing an audit or investigation, if the Secretary determines 
10 

that such prohibition is necessary in order to: one, prevent the disclosure of specific categories of sensitive information; two, preserve 

the national security; or, three, prevent a significant impairment to 

the interests of the United States. 

However, the IG Act clearly places the burden on the Secretary, 

if the Secretary chooses to invoke this authority to restrict the IG’s 

work. So, in fact, the IG Act states that the Secretary shall notify 

the DHS IG in writing within 7 days stating the reasons. 

So you were saying you would follow this act? There would have 

to be these fairly pretty big reasons for interfering with your investigation and you would vigorously push back on a Secretary that 

was trying to limit your independence? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Yes, Senator, that is exactly what I am saying. 

Senator PETERS. Great. So in the event that an Inspector General and Department head disagree about what the objectives or 

scope of the review or investigation should be, who do you think 

makes the final decision? 

Mr. CUFFARI. I think that the final decision, Senator, would come 

from this body, from the Chairman and from you as the Ranking 

Member. 

Senator PETERS. Well, this is the objectives or scope of a particular review or investigation that you are conducting. Do you 

think you would come back to us for that? Or would you let the 

Secretary know that unless you have this act invoked, it is up to 

you to make those decisions? 

Mr. CUFFARI. It is. But if the Secretary were to invoke those, this 

decision would have to then be made by this body. 

Senator PETERS. If confirmed, what specific steps will you take 

to ensure that the work of the DHS Inspector General’s office remains objective and independent? I am pleased with your commitment to do that, but I would certainly like to get a better sense of 

how you would do that in the face of what could be some agency 

pressure? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Senator, if confirmed, I intend to have a professional relationship with the Secretary and ensure that the concerns 

that she has about the function of the Department are addressed 

by the IG. I also equally would want to ensure that, if confirmed 

as the IG, I would have an equally professional relationship with 

you and your staff members to address those same concerns. 

Senator PETERS. Will you commit to releasing Inspector General 

reports to the public, even in the face of agency objections, to the 

maximum extent possible under the law? 

Mr. CUFFARI. To the maximum extent possible under the law, 

yes. 

Senator PETERS. Since 2016, the DHS OIG has conducted unannounced inspections of ICE detention facilities as part of an ongoing review to identify violations of the agency’s detention standards. Recently, representatives from nonprofit advocacy groups visited a facility housing at least nine infants under one year of age 

and have raised concerns over the lack of specialized medical care 

available for these young children. 

So my question to you, sir, is: Will you commit to continuing the 

OIG’s DHS detention oversight program, including examining the 
11 

ability of—or the availability, I should say, of medical care for infants, young children, and pregnant women? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Yes, Senator. 

Senator PETERS. And how do you propose to do that? 

Mr. CUFFARI. I propose to lay out a game plan once I understand 

what the work requirements are and perhaps use other subject 

matter experts like medical doctors, physicians, psychologists, social workers to assist the IG’s office in conducting its oversight role. 

Senator PETERS. Thank you. 

Chairman JOHNSON. Dr. Cuffari, just to quickly clarify your answers to Senator Peters, if the Secretary were to come to you and 

try to close down an investigation that is not of those No. 3, you 

would notify this Committee of that attempt. Correct? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Absolutely, Senator. 

Chairman JOHNSON. And if she under legal authority shut down 

an investigation for those three reasons, you would also come to 

this Committee and make sure that we were made aware of that? 

Mr. CUFFARI. That is correct. 

Chairman JOHNSON. OK. Senator Lankford. 

OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR LANKFORD 

Senator LANKFORD. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

May I call you ‘‘Joe’’? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Absolutely, Senator. 

Senator LANKFORD. Thanks for bringing your family here, Joe. 

This is a big day, and it has been a long process to be able to get 

to this day. There is not a short route to be able to get to that 

table. We are grateful for Inspectors General. This Committee is 

very passionate about it. That is why you will hear questions over 

and over again about your independence. You work for the American people and for Congress, uniquely not for the agency that you 

are housed in. You work down the hall, but you work from a separate entity, for the American people, and for Congress, not the Executive Branch. And so we are grateful for the work that is there 

and for what you are taking on, because it is a tough role. 

I have a whole litany of questions I want to be able to bounce 

through you, though. Let me start with election security. DHS has 

made some significant strides toward protecting our national election system. Our elections are not Federal. They are local, and they 

are State. But we have a great partnership with that, and that 

partnership seems to be growing stronger. 

There was a lot of distance. The previous DHS started calling 

States to say there is a problem with a foreign actor trying to get 

into our system, and there was very little relationship that was 

there. This DHS has worked very hard to establish relationships. 

What I need to hear is you are going to stay engaged on things 

like making sure there are security clearances in States, so that if 

there is a problem, there is somebody in the State to be able to do 

rapid conversation with, that DHS maintains those relationships. 

Relationships are easy to start. They are hard to maintain. And so 

just doing the work of maintaining the State relationships with 

election individuals and the vigilance on our systems for our national elections that, again, are State-run. Any issues or questions 

about that for you? 
12 

Mr. CUFFARI. Absolutely none, Senator. 

Senator LANKFORD. Any background for you in working on election security issues or any of the relationships with DHS? Have 

you touched on any of those issues before? 

Mr. CUFFARI. I have not, not on election security. 

Senator LANKFORD. Well, you will get baptized into the system, 

because it is its own unique dynamic as you go through it, because 

there are a lot of nuances with it. But just help us stay on track 

on those things as well. 

The morale in DHS and among DHS employees has been historically low. In fact, as you look at the morale of employees over the 

years, DHS has been year after year very low. I think part of the 

reason for that is many of those employees have been perpetually 

beat up by Congress and by other folks. They are second-guessed 

a lot, and they make exceptionally difficult decisions on the fly. 

Some of the border areas of the United States have had more 

than 100 percent increases in individuals coming at them, and you 

have a small group trying to be able to make hard decisions, and 

they get second-guessed a lot. 

We are going to need your help and your insight. I do not want 

there to be an entity within the Federal Government, especially 

one as important at the work of DHS, to have low morale. 

Have you seen some of the previous reads before on low morale 

in DHS? And do you have any initial ideas about doing an investigation to be able to find out why? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Senator, let me start off by first saying that I am 

committed to working with you and the Members of the Committee 

to identify those issues that may be challenges within the Department. 

I would first like, again, if I am confirmed as the IG, to ensure 

that challenges within the Office of the IG are addressed and the 

morale is increased there, if it is at some other lower point, and 

then assist the Secretary with identifying areas that can be increased to help the Secretary with increasing morale within the 

Department. 

Senator LANKFORD. We have DHS employees scattered certainly 

around the country but also around the world, and they work in 

very remote locations often, and they have exceptionally difficult 

tasks. We are incredibly grateful for the law enforcement tasks 

that they do, but at times they feel undersupported, and we want 

to help fix that. But we are going to need your insight to be able 

to know exactly how to be able to do that, and I would expect you 

to be able to interact with the Secretary to say, ‘‘We have low morale, and this seems to be a reason.’’ 

The Secret Service has been one of those entities that has been 

really tough. They have been underequipped for a while. There are 

issues around career path and having an unstable career path, 

overtime pay, multiple differences with other law enforcement 

within DHS have had some differences. I will have an expectation 

that in a year forward or so we can come back and talk about this 

and to see what needs to be done to be able to improve the situation for the Secret Service. 

There has also been a longstanding issue at DHS over hiring authority in their human resource (HR) department. That has been 
13 

a struggle. That still goes back to the birth of DHS and trying to 

combine all those entities into one, and they are still struggling 

with computer systems and HR systems as well. 

We will have an expectation that you will be able to help look 

over somebody’s shoulder and help solve a problem that has not 

been solved in almost two decades. Are you up to that? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Absolutely, Senator. 

Senator LANKFORD. The law enforcement capabilities are also 

something that we do not have enough time to be able to go 

through all of it, but there is a great need for somebody looking 

over their shoulder, giving counsel to the Secretary, and noticing 

some of the things that are different. 

For instance, law enforcement authorities are different whether 

it is a Customs and Border Patrol marine vessel off the coast or 

a Coast Guard vessel. Now, they are both under DHS authority, 

but their paths to actually do an interdiction are exceptionally different. The Coast Guard vessel, it may take an hour or more to be 

able to do an interdiction what Customs and Border Patrol could 

do immediately, because the Coast Guard is having to play ‘‘Mother, May I?’’ all the time back to base to be able to radio in and ask, 

‘‘Can I take the next step?’’ The boat then may be 100 miles away 

from it. Customs and Border Patrol can do that quickly. 

I cannot figure out why those two have such different systems 

and why one is more hamstrung than the other. This would be an 

area where you can help us untie. Again, this is a two-decade process of trying to be able to pull stuff together, but it is an area that 

they notice on the ground that does not often bubble up to other 

places. What we are counting on you for is to be able to step into 

some of those locations with your teams and to be able to say, ‘‘All 

these are DHS family members. What can we do to be able to make 

sure it is more streamlined?’’ 

Part of the morale issue, my guess is because we have never 

been able to get back to where it is, one area seems more hamstrung than the other when they all think we have a common Secretary, and we do not have common procedures and practices within it. So it would be very helpful to be able to step in and to be 

able to see some of that stuff, at least make recommendations to 

the Secretary. My perception is many of those things will not need 

congressional action. They just need repair internally. Are you up 

to that kind of task as well? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Absolutely, Senator. 

Senator LANKFORD. We look forward to your leadership in it, and 

we look forward to getting a chance to be able to chat with you. 

You are looking over everybody else’s shoulder. We will look over 

yours. And I look forward to you coming back to this place so we 

can get a chance to be able to pick your brain on this. 

Again, thanks to you for going through the process, and thanks 

to your family as well. You have definitely taken them on an adventure through your marriage, it sounds like, so thank you. 

Mr. CUFFARI. Thank you, sir. 

Chairman JOHNSON. Senator Rosen. 
14 

OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR ROSEN 

Senator ROSEN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you. We 

had a chance to speak privately earlier. Thank you to your family 

and for your willingness to step up to this very important position. 

So I have a couple of questions based on some of the things we 

were able to speak about earlier. My first one is about Temporary 

Protected Status (TPS), and, there have been serious allegations of 

improper political interference in the decisionmaking process surrounding the termination of Temporary Protected Status for people 

from El Salvador, Nicaragua, and, of course, several other countries. We have thousands of TPS folks right in Nevada. 

So during a private meeting in my office, we discussed the need 

for you and your office to be responsive to all Members of this Committee who exercise an important oversight function. I want to 

thank you for agreeing when we met to investigate DHS’ role in 

the termination of TPS for these individuals should I or other 

Members of the Committee request that of you in writing, which 

I plan to do. 

So will you confirm for me today that you will investigate the 

termination of TPS after your confirmation when I request that you 

do so on behalf of my constituents in Nevada? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Senator, if I am confirmed as the IG, I will take 

your request and give it due consideration. I did commit to you to 

investigate matters of concern to you and other Members of this 

Committee. 

Senator ROSEN. Thank you. 

In the same vein, I want to talk a little bit about family separation, and the IG Act requires that the DHS Inspector General immediately report to the Secretary any particularly serious or flagrant problems, abuses, or deficiencies relating to the Administration of programs or operations. We know there have been serious 

issues so far. 

So based on the information that is publicly available to you at 

this time, would you consider the policy of separating children from 

their parents a particularly serious or flagrant problem or abuse? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Senator, as you know, I am not in the Department. 

I am not in the management chain currently—— 

Senator ROSEN. What you know from public information. 

Mr. CUFFARI. I would like to take and obtain all the facts that 

the Secretary and others within the Administration arrived at 

making that policy. 

Senator ROSEN. So you will take a look at separating families, infants, and children from their parents? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Senator, I will take a look, again, if I am confirmed 

as the IG, at any matters that concern this body. 

Senator ROSEN. So you have a little bit of past work, of course, 

as a policy adviser to the Governor of Arizona since 2013. So for 

about a year and a half, from July 2013 to February 2015, you 

served as Arizona Governor’s office liaison contact to the Arizona 

Joint Border Security Advisory Committee. Can you tell us a little 

bit about that committee and what your role as liaison contact entailed? 

Mr. CUFFARI. I believe, Senator, that was a committee that was 

formed by the Arizona State Legislature in statute. It required a 
15 

member of the Governor’s staff to be a member of that council, 

but—— 

Senator ROSEN. And what was your role on the committee? 

Mr. CUFFARI. To my knowledge, I never attended any meeting 

that they had. 

Senator ROSEN. And so did you have any role in the implementation of the then-Governor of Arizona’s immigration policies on that 

committee? 

Mr. CUFFARI. I did not. 

Senator ROSEN. So the last question I have, I would like to talk 

a little bit about whistleblowers. We talked about this in my office, 

too. And so how do you plan to address allegations by some ICE 

agents that agency whistleblowers have faced improper workplace 

retaliation? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Again, if I am confirmed as the IG, I want to ensure that the IG’s Office of Whistleblower is robustly staffed, that 

they screen incoming complaints and report them to me for evaluation. I think it is intolerable for someone to be retaliated against. 

Senator ROSEN. And what courses of remedy might you seek if 

you thought that whistleblowers were being retaliated against? 

Mr. CUFFARI. To conduct or ask to have an investigation conducted and evaluate all the facts and make a final decision and recommendation. 

Senator ROSEN. So I guess I was wrong. I guess I do have one 

last question, and the question is this: How do you really view the 

role of the agency of Inspector General in the broadest sense? And 

so how will you determine what you are going to need to investigate? You have a lot of areas to work with, and so how are you 

going to prioritize and take care of the job, this very big job of Inspector General? 

Mr. CUFFARI. I view the role of the Inspector General as a nonpartisan fact finder to lay out the truth as the facts are presented. 

I will screen requests for investigations, audits, and inspections 

based—and the priority would be those that are immediately affecting or degrading public safety or national security, and then work 

down through the list from there. 

Senator ROSEN. And do you think you will be able to do this with 

your own autonomy that the Inspector General’s office requires? 

Mr. CUFFARI. I think it is critical that I be able to do that with 

my own autonomy. 

Senator ROSEN. And if you felt there was a threat to that autonomy, how would you respond? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Senator, I would come to this body and explain it 

to the Chairman, the Ranking Member, and the other Members of 

the Committee. 

Senator ROSEN. Thank you. Thank you for your time. 

Mr. CUFFARI. Thank you. 

Chairman JOHNSON. Senator Scott. 

OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR SCOTT 

Senator SCOTT. First, thank you for your service. 

Mr. CUFFARI. Thank you, sir. 

Senator SCOTT. I guess you could not get in the Navy at the time. 

Is that why you did the Air Force? [Laughter.] 
16 

Mr. CUFFARI. Could not get in. 

Senator SCOTT. I gave my Dad trouble because he did the Army. 

First off, thank you for all you have done, and thank you for all 

your public service. You have done a lot of different things. What 

is the closest of things you have done in the past to this job? Is 

there a similar job that you have had in the past that you can 

bring—you say, ‘‘I am going to bring that experience to the table, 

and that is why I can do a good job with this?’’ 

Mr. CUFFARI. Senator, I would say that the 20-plus years in the 

U.S. Department of Justice as a criminal investigator, coupled, 

again, with about 12 years with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and with the Department of Defense IG collectively 

provides me with the skill set that I believe an IG needs to conduct 

impartial investigations. 

Senator SCOTT. In those experiences, did you ever have any concern that people above you were trying to stifle your ability to investigate something and make the right thing happen? 

Mr. CUFFARI. No, sir. 

Senator SCOTT. OK. So you feel confident that you should be able 

to do this job without that, I guess? You do not believe somebody 

is going to try to compromise your ability to do your job? 

Mr. CUFFARI. I cannot speak for future events, although my commitment is if I felt that that was going to happen or was happening, I would come to this Committee with my concerns. 

Senator SCOTT. I just finished 8 years as Governor of Florida, 

and we have had a lot of hurricanes, and there are a lot of Federal 

resources that come after a hurricane or any sort of disaster. One 

of the concerns I have had is: Is that money going to be spent well? 

We are sitting here, we are running deficits. We have $22 trillion 

worth of debt and all these things. And one thing I tried to do at 

the State level is just try to make sure—I do not care whether it 

is Federal or State resources—that it was spent well. Do you think 

that is something that as an IG you will be able to have an impact 

on? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Absolutely. I think one of the roles of the IG is to 

determine the efficiency and be a good fiduciary responsibility of 

the taxpayers’ money. 

Senator SCOTT. Have you had experience in your prior jobs to 

have concerns about spending, whether it is just wasteful spending 

or inefficient spending? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Yes, sir. 

Senator SCOTT. And were you able to make anything happen to 

try to stop it? 

Mr. CUFFARI. We wrote a recommendation. It concerned the Immigration and Naturalization Service’s (INS) contract for services, 

a multi-million-dollar contract, that we made some recommendations. This was when the Immigration Service was in the Justice 

Department, and those recommendations were followed. 

Senator SCOTT. OK. So if somebody came to you with a story that 

a Federal agency would buy the same services from the same company at a significant multiple of what a State could buy, would 

that give you concern? 

Mr. CUFFARI. It would give me concern, but not knowing all the 

facts, I would need to take a look at that, certainly. 
17 

Senator SCOTT. OK. And that is something, if somebody came to 

you, you would be interested in looking at? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Most certainly. 

Senator SCOTT. OK. Thank you. 

Mr. CUFFARI. Yes, sir. 

Chairman JOHNSON. Thank you, Senator Scott. And I am going 

to publicly prod you to take on that mission of some of that oversight as well. You have time if you want to kind of lay out that 

one example. 

Senator SCOTT. OK. I will give you the story. So I have gone 

through all these hurricanes, and people came to me after—I had 

two bad ones my seventh and eighth year, which is probably good 

because I learned a lot the first 6 years. But on debris pickup, I 

did not realize how much money is spent. It is just unbelievable 

amounts of money is spent after these hurricanes. 

The Corps of Engineers could do it or the State could do it. The 

Feds pay for a portion in either case. It appears that in one case 

the Feds pay more. But the contract was dramatically different in 

price. Same company. The Federal contract was multiples more expensive than our contracts we had in the State. As far as I can tell, 

there is no accountability. Nothing has happened. 

I assume the next hurricane—and I felt like I was, first a fiduciary for the State and then a fiduciary also for the Federal Government, so I did not waste the money. But somebody could. It 

would have been easier. It actually would probably be easier if I 

had waited and picked the Federal contract for me. If that is an 

example, you always assume if you find one big one like that, there 

is probably another one. 

Chairman JOHNSON. So I have to keep prodding you because I 

think you have given me some numbers. What did the State pay? 

What was the contract? 

Senator SCOTT. My understanding of the numbers—and, Chairman, I am going to get all these numbers public and try to—— 

Chairman JOHNSON. So, again, I am prodding you off the top of 

your head, so Politifact, do not hold—— 

Senator SCOTT. This is not exact numbers. So we would have— 

the counties—the way it worked is after the hurricane, the Feds 

would pay 75 percent, the county would pay 12.5 percent, and the 

State paid 12.5 percent, until we hit a certain threshold, then the 

Feds paid 90 percent, we paid 5 percent, and the county paid 5 percent. 

The contracts that the county had pre-landfall, which is what 

they are supposed to do, it was somewhere between seven and 

eight-fifty a cubic yard. Do you know what the Corps’ contract was? 

Over seventy. I got more people calling me to say, ‘‘You really 

ought to turn that over to the Corps.’’ 

And so, one, it is an unbelievable extra amount. It is not a little 

bit of money. I do not know if people realize how much money is 

spent on this debris pickup. It could be $1 billion per hurricane, 

right? And then you look at why are we paying the multiples. 

It does not matter what party you are in. We do not want to 

waste money, and we know we have a deficit problem, and we 

know we have a debt problem. And so I do not want to waste anybody’s money. 
18 

So, Chairman, the way I was thinking about it is try to take all 

because apples to apples would be all the States that have hurricane risk, because that is where I think most of the debris pickup 

would be. I am going to find out. I am going to find out what exactly the contract is, and then I am also going to look at what each 

of the States—because I assume they are in the same position as 

Florida. What we did is we had contracts before, but in Michael, 

which is the one we had last year, we did post-hurricane contracts, 

and it was not much difference in pricing. 

Chairman JOHNSON. This is exactly what I am trying to get Committee members—— 

Senator SCOTT. It is a lot of money. 

Chairman JOHNSON [continuing]. Is really champion a particular 

cause where you have knowledge, but that is 10 times—in business, we call that an ‘‘order of magnitude difference,’’ which is 

amazing. 

Senator SCOTT. Yes. 

Chairman JOHNSON. So, anyway—— 

Senator SCOTT. I want to get the exact numbers. 

Chairman JOHNSON. Right. I got you. You are in charge of the 

project. 

Senator SCOTT. Yes. 

Chairman JOHNSON. Senator Carper. 

OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR CARPER 

Senator CARPER. To my right are two new Senators. Before they 

became Senators, one was a U.S. Representative and one was Governor. And when I was elected to the U.S. House many years ago, 

before I was Governor, we had orientation for new Members of the 

House, and we spent literally a week together learning the ropes 

and getting to know each other. It was hugely helpful. It is one of 

my favorite memories of being in the House of Representatives. 

As Governor, I remember going to my first New Governors 

School as a newly elected Governor with my wife and the person 

who was going to be my chief of staff. I loved New Governors 

School. It was about 3 days. We went off to Roy Romer’s State, Colorado. He was the Chair of the National Governors Association 

(NGA). We had about 20 Governors that cycled in and out, just to 

come in and tell us all the mistakes they had made and saying, 

‘‘Learn from my mistakes.’’ And we did. I remember to this day, I 

can just go almost down the line telling you the things that I 

learned from them in these private meetings, small-group meetings. 

And here in the Senate we did not have anything like an orientation for new Senators, and Lamar Alexander and I and a couple of 

others established it, about 12 years ago, and I think it is better 

than nothing, maybe not as good as it could or should be. 

But when you get confirmed—and I think you will—who do you 

have to reach out to, to say, ‘‘Now what do I do?’’ Although what 

I did in the Senate when I got here, I knew a bunch of people who 

had served in the other House, and I knew a bunch of folks we had 

been Governors together. Some people I did not know at all, and 

relationships are really important in everything, including the 

work we do. I remember just going and having a cup of coffee with 
19 

the Senators I did not know, and when you come out and say, ‘‘I 

sure would like to learn from you. I would like to have your help,’’ 

people will do that. 

But have you thought at all about those relationships and how 

you might come up to speed to do this job well? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Yes, Senator, and as I mentioned—— 

Senator CARPER. Maybe you will have a New IG School or something. 

Mr. CUFFARI. I look to my mentors, current IGs, Glenn Fine, Michael Horowitz, the Council of Inspector Generals for Integrity and 

Efficiency (CIGIE), and to, quite frankly, this Committee for its 

knowledge, and hopefully you will share your insights and concerns 

with me, and we could do a better job together. 

Senator CARPER. OK. Thanks for visiting with me yesterday. One 

of the things we talked about was force multipliers, and we think 

of force multipliers along the border with Mexico, and we have the 

Border Patrol. But we also have avionics and we have surveillance 

systems. We have boats, we have horses, we have all those force 

multipliers. 

I mentioned to you, I think, the IG offices along with GAO, along 

with us, the oversight Committee in the Senate, the oversight Committee in the House, that we can all be force multipliers. As Governor Scott, also known as Senator Scott, has just said, we do have 

a huge and growing deficit. The deficit last year I just learned was 

$757 billion. This year we are looking at $850 billion. Next year we 

are looking at $1 trillion. That is just unsustainable and unimaginable. And we need to do everything we can in order to address it. 

I mentioned to you the GAO High-Risk List, and I mentioned to 

you specifically the work that Jane Holl Lute did as Deputy Secretary in Homeland Security when Janet Napolitano was the Secretary. And she literally went and met with Gene Dodaro every 

month and said, ‘‘How do we get off of your High-Risk List?’’ And 

ultimately they did in many respects. 

I have one question that is personal and one back to business. 

I understand that you have some members of your family here. I 

got here too late to actually hear you introduce them. But are they 

sitting to your left? 

Mr. CUFFARI. My wife, Lynn, is behind me, and my brother is sitting right next to her—Tony—and then the other—— 

Senator CARPER. Your brother, what is his name? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Tony. 

Senator CARPER. Is he the one who has been rolling his eyes 

when you spoke? [Laughter.] 

I used to have a brother like that. 

Mr. CUFFARI. I suspect he is not the only one doing that. [Laughter.] 

Senator CARPER. Anybody else? 

Mr. CUFFARI. I have cousins, family members, families and 

friends. The whole back of the gallery here is to support me. 

Senator CARPER. Well, that is great. We welcome all of you. 

I think Senator Rosen mentioned that you served as Governor 

Brewer’s liaison to the Arizona Border Security Advisory Committee, and if confirmed, do you pledge to assess, inspect, and in-
20 

vestigate the Department’s border security operations impartially 

and without regard to any political views that you may hold? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Absolutely, Senator. 

Senator CARPER. OK. Thank you. 

As we have discussed, DHS has made progress in recent years 

in improving its management—there is still more to do; there is always more to do—but still faces a number of significant challenges. 

And we talked a little bit about this when we met, but I just want 

to come back to it again. What do you think are some of the biggest 

management challenges at the Department? And how can you, if 

confirmed as IG, help the agency address those challenges? 

Mr. CUFFARI. Senator, from what is available on the IG’s public 

site, challenges relate to management of the Department’s 

stovepiping, cybersecurity concerns, and border security, from what 

I recall. 

Senator CARPER. Talk about the relationship that you would 

hope to have with the leadership of the Department, including the 

Secretary. 

Mr. CUFFARI. I believe, again, if I am confirmed, I will strive to 

have a very professional relationship with the Secretary, the senior 

leaders in the Department, as well as with this Committee and 

other Members of Congress. 

Senator CARPER. When we were down in Central America, the 

Secretary and I—and the Chairman and I have been down to Central America a time or two to visit Honduras, Guatemala, and El 

Salvador, and I was back down there in a codel that I was privileged to lead a few weeks ago during our recess. I said to the countries down there—we talked about something called ‘‘the Alliance 

for Prosperity,’’ which is like a Central American version of Plan 

Colombia, which has actually been quite successful. I described 

both Plan Colombia and the Alliance for Prosperity as ‘‘You can do 

it. We can help.’’ And I think that is not a bad way to approach 

your job and with the Department. I think it is important when 

people screw up, you blow the whistle on them, but also you can 

be really effective by trying to help folks. 

And just like Jane Holl Lute was looking for help at the Deputy 

Secretary—and she got a lot of help from GAO. They just did not 

say, ‘‘We are going to just rip you apart.’’ They said, ‘‘We are going 

to help and help the Department,’’ and amazing things happened. 

Hopefully, that will be of some help to you. 

Mr. CUFFARI. Absolutely. I look forward to meeting her, Senator. 

Senator CARPER. Good. I just want to say to your wife—I can 

barely see your wife back there—thank you for your willingness to 

share this man with our country. Thank you. 

Chairman JOHNSON. Thank you, Senator Carper. You mentioned 

our trip down to Guatemala and Honduras, and we just had Secretary Nielsen at our lunch, and she just made a trip, and the 

Presidents were saying the exact same things they told us. Remember when they said, ‘‘Change the ambiguity in your laws. All these 

children are our future.’’ They basically told her the same thing, 

‘‘Send our kids back.’’ Pretty powerful testimony. 

I was also reminded that when you were talking about the deficit. The namesake of this building was incorrectly quoted, apparently. He never said, ‘‘A billion there, a billion there, you are talk-
21 

1The information referenced by Senator Johnson appears in the Appendix on page 45. 

ing real money.’’ He said, ‘‘A billion here, a billion there,’’ so I was 

kind of thinking the same thing: ‘‘A trillion here, a trillion there. 

We are talking about real money.’’ 

But, anyway, Dr. Cuffari, we are, again, I think, really impressed 

with your background. We truly appreciate your service, your past 

service to this country. I think the letters of recommendation were 

incredibly strong. The people that showed up today for your hearing I think also speak to your integrity, which is exactly what we 

are looking for. 

I do not think there are any further questions, so I do have to 

read the fact that the nominee has made financial disclosures and 

provided responses to biographical and prehearing questions submitted by the Committee. Without objection, this information will 

be made part of the hearing record,1 with the exception of the financial data, which are on file and available for public inspection 

in the Committee’s offices. 

The hearing record will remain open until 5 p.m. tomorrow, 

March 6, for the submission of statements and questions for the 

record. 

Again, thank you for your service. I want to thank your wife, 

your family, and God bless all of you. This hearing is adjourned. 

Mr. CUFFARI. Thank you, Senator. 

[Whereupon, at 3:32 p.m., the Committee was adjourned.] 

(23) 

A P P E N D I X 
24 

U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 

Nomination of Joseph V. Cuffari to be Inspector General, 

Department of Homeland Security 

March 5, 2019 

Senator Gary C. Peters, Ranking Member 

Opening Statement As Prepared for Delivery 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you Dr. Cuffari for being here today and your willingness to take 

on this challenging role. For over 40 years, Inspectors General have acted as independent, nonpartisan 

watchdogs tasked with preventing and uncovering fraud, waste, and abuse in the federal government, 

and promoting efficiency in agency operations. Simply put, the Inspector General makes sure 

government is doing what it's supposed to do. When there are problems- the Inspector General makes 

sure that the agency, Congress, and the American people know. 

I know that Senator Sinema wanted to be here today to help introduce Dr. Cuffari. In a written 

statement, she describes Dr. Cuffari as "an honorable public servant." I ask that her full statement be 

entered into the record. 

We need an honorable public servant in this position. An effective Inspector General must be a partner 

to agency leadership- working together to identify areas at risk and prevent problems before they 

occur. They must also be a partner to Congress -keeping us appraised of emerging issues and 

responding to our concerns as we work to ensure that every taxpayer dollar is spent responsibly. 

An effective Inspector General must be a leader. The Department of Homeland Security Inspector 

General supervises almost 800 investigators, auditors, and other employees - all of whom look to the 

Inspector General for guidance and direction. Most importantly, an Inspector General must be 

independent and impartial, relentlessly following the facts wherever they may lead. 

If confirmed, there will undoubtedly be times when you will have to push back on the Department's top 

officials. The integrity and effectiveness of the Department will depend in part on your fulfilling that 

public trust. 

The Department of Homeland Security is the third-largest agency in the federal government, with over 

245,000 employees and a total budget of $75 billion. As one of our nation's most critical law 

enforcement and national security agencies - the Department is charged with safeguarding our nation 

from threats both foreign and domestic. 

The Department has faced significant challenges including recruitment shortfalls -low morale high 

acquisition costs - and insufficient financial controls. Robust and adaptable oversight is essential to 

ensure that the Department is effectively safeguarding our communities and our tax dollars. 

Last week, I met with Secretary Nielsen to discuss some of the most pressing issues at the Department 

including security and commerce at our Northern Border- cybersecurity challenges in Michigan and 

across the nation- the rise of domestic extremist violence- and ensuring that the Department's actions 

reflect the core values of our country. 
25 

I made it clear that the Department must not discriminate against our fellow Americans because of 

where they are from or where they worship. Secretary Nielsen committed to work on these issues. My 

colleagues and I will rely on the Inspector General to help evaluate the Department's performance on 

these commitments. 

The Office of Inspector General has performed critical work in preventing and rooting out fraud, waste, 

and abuse at the Department of Homeland Security. This has included investigations into reprisal 

against whistleblowers, including the brave men and women who serve in the United States Coast 

Guard. The Inspector General's office has conducted random checks at detention facilities -work you 

yourself conducted at the Department of Justice. 

In 2018, investigations by the Inspector General directly resulted in nearly $36 million in recoveries, 

fines, and restitution to the federal government. It is critical that the Inspector General achieves high 

performance standards, so that this important work can continue. 

When this body created the Department of Homeland Security in 2002, we also established an agency 

Inspector General to hold the Department accountable. As we consider your nomination, I will be 

considering your commitment to independence, integrity, impartiality, and ensuring the Department 

acts as a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars. I look forward to your testimony. 
26 

Statement for the Record 

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema 

March 5, 2019 

Nomination hearing for Dr. Joseph Cuffari to be Inspector General, 

Department of Homeland Security 

Thank you Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member Peters for the opportunity to 

introduce a fellow Arizonan, Joseph Cuffari. 

I have known Dr. Cuffari for several years, and he is an honorable public servant 

with more than 40 years of military and governmental service. 

Joseph is a graduate of the University of Arizona. He served in the Air Force, Air 

Force Reserves and the Arizona Air National Guard, where he retired as a 

Lieutenant Colonel. He also served in the Department of Justice and the 

Department of Defense in the Offices of the Inspectors General. 

He has been honored several times for his inspector general work and is known to 

be an independent and honest broker. Currently, Joseph serves the state of Arizona 

as a policy advisor for Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. 

Now, Joseph is the nominee to serve as the Inspector General of the Department of 

Homeland Security. 

I believe that Joseph Cuffari will carry out the duties of the Inspector General with 

the same integrity and independence that marked his time in the Offices of the 

Inspectors General in both the DOJ and the DOD, as well as the Air Force Office 

of Special Investigations. 

Congratulations Dr. Cuffari on your nomination. I ask all my colleagues to give 

him fair consideration. 

Thank you. 
27 

Statement of Joseph V. Cuffari 

Nominee to be the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security 

Senate Committee on Homeland and Governmental Affairs 

March 5, 2019 

Chairman Johnson, Ranking Member Peters, and distinguished Members of the Committee, I am 

deeply honored to appear before you today to be considered by this Committee as President 

Trump's nominee to be the next Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Homeland 

Security (DHS). 

I am very grateful to the President and to Secretary Nielsen for the confidence they have placed 

in me for this critical position. I thank Senator MeSally for her very kind introduction. Many 

thanks to Senators Kyl, Flake, and Sinema and Governors Ducey and Brewer and their staffs for 

their support. I also thank the Members of this Committee and their staff for meeting with me as 

part of my nomination process. Ifi am confirmed, I pledge to continue our discussions regarding 

matters of mutual interest and concern. 

I thank my wife, Lynn; son Joey; and daughter-in-law, Grace, for supporting me through this 

process. Lynn and I have been married for more than 35 years, having met through the Italian 

Language Department at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. I promised her that we 

would travel and that our life would be an adventure. Rest assured that after a dozen moves, 

with the military and federal service, we went around the world and eventually circled back to 

Tucson. Lynn, it's been a ride! We are blessed to have Joey and Grace as our wingmen. 

Much as things change over the decades, one thing remains finn-the support, friendship, and 

guidance from my parents, Vincent and Connie; my brother, Tony; and my in-laws, Raymond 

and Rosemary Mazza. Equally as important are those same qualities that are given by my 

cousins, friends, and other associates who came from as far as Arizona, Philadelphia, and the 

other territories of the country. I also extend a special thanks to those who keep me looking 

trim-my barbers Tony and Mario. 

I owe all that I have to my family, in particular the determination, foresight, and fortitude of my 

grandparents. By coming to America, they ensured that the generations that followed them 

would have special gifts-that is, to live in the greatest country in the world and to be afforded 

opportunities they did not have. In the early 1900s, my grandfathers took long sea voyages from 

Italy to the United States and settled in Philadelphia. As the United States entered World War I, 

my grandfathers enlisted in the U.S. Army and were part of combat engineering teams on the 

frontlines. Miraculously, they survived and returned to Philadelphia to start families. Now, 100 

years later as I appear before you as a nominee, I thank them and all our veterans for their service 

to our country. 

I have spent my entire adult life in public service. My calling began when I enlisted in the U.S. 

Air Force after graduating from high school in 1977. My parents actually had to sign for me 

1 
28 

since I was not yet 18 years old. Coincidentally, my father served in the U.S. Air Force during 

the Korean War, and we entered active duty on the same date but several decades apart. 

For the past 40 years, I have been honored to have served with the Executive, Legislative, and 

Judicial branches of federal or state governments. My service includes a career in the U.S. Air 

Force on Active Duty, in the Reserves, and in the Arizona Air National Guard. That time has 

been coupled with 20 years of experience with the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the 

Inspector General and a combined 12 years with components of the Department of Defense 

Office of the Inspector General. During that time, I worked with seven Inspectors General and 

am grateful to them for their mentorship, guidance, and support. 

I have been privileged to be part of a team that worked with senior officials to form the 

framework to create an Office of the Inspector General in the Ministry of the Interior for an 

emerging nation. I have also augmented my practical knowledge of the Inspectors General by 

completing advanced academic studies ofthe critical role that office has within government. 

My academic studies support the assertion that government agencies should be self-checking, but 

more importantly, they should also be subject to independent oversight. In creating the Offices 

oflnspector General, I believe Congress recognized the shortfall of permitting agencies to 

exclusively investigate themselves. If I am confirmed, I commit to being an honest broker of 

information and to seek the truth. I am mindful that the powers bestowed upon an Inspector 

General are vast. Therefore, if confirmed, I will ensure that the DHS Office oflnspector 

General is judicious in exercising its power and investigates an allegation and not an individual 

person. It is in that spirit that I will be fair and objective in my undertakings to investigate, audit, 

and inspect departmental employees and operations. 

Since 1789, when the United States Marshals Service was created, numerous federal law 

enforcement agencies have been established to address and respond to the ever-increasing 

number of federal laws and challenges. The Homeland Security Act of2002, which created 

DHS, called for merging 22 distinct agencies under one secretary. Now with more than 240,000 

employees, management challenges remain. 

As Secretary Nielsen has noted, DHS has a long-standing commitment to combating fraud, 

waste, and abuse. Historically, allegations regarding those matters have steadily eroded society's 

confidence in public administration. They cause society to question government's continued 

ability to provide efficient and effective services. Ifl am confirmed, I will work with Congress 

to augment its vital oversight responsibilities. 

I believe Inspectors General fill another equally important role as well-the duty to highlight 

effective and efficient services that are discovered during the course of investigations, audits, and 

inspections. If confirmed, I will highlight those best practices with an equal degree of 

transparency. 

To the dedicated men and women ofthe DHS Office of the Inspector General, I commit to you, 

that if I am confirmed, I will be your advocate and champion the critical work you have done and 

continue to do for the American people. Thank you for your service. 

2 
29 

To the Committee, I sincerely appreciate your consideration of my nomination and I look 

forward to answering your questions. 

3 
30 

HSGAC BIOGRAPHICAL QUESTIONS FOR 

EXECUTIVE NOMINEES 

l, Basic Biographical Information 

Please provid.e the foUowing information. 

1 

REDACTED 
31 
32 

2, Education 

List 1111. post..,second\lcy schoolS attended. 

3. Employment, 

(A) t,ist all of your employmc,mtactlvities, il~cludingunemployment and self~ 

employment, If the employment activity was mllitacy duty; list separate 

e!llployment activity periods to show each cltange ofmili,tacy duty station. Dunot 

Jist employme.ntbefo~ your 18th birthday unle.ss to provide a minimum of two 

years of employment hlstocy. 

3 
33 

Gpveroor 

National Guard ArlzcinaAir 16l.MSG, Pboelibt, AZ E!r 

National Guard DepntyCCLt. 2/2016 lU2017 

Colonel {Retired) 0 

N~ttiilnai Guard .Arizo.n.a Air Joint Fon:es Phoenix, A'!. 

National Guard Air Liaison 

Officer Lt. Col 

412.014 2/2016 

N/A NIA Tucson,AZ 6/2013 712013 

Departillent of Assistant Tueson,AZ tot ... Justice (DOJ), Speeial Agent 712001 6/2013 

Office iiftbe lit. Charge (Retired) p 

Ins eetor General 

Air Fo.rce Reserves Departniellt of Investijfator/ Washington, F.$f Eot 

Defense, Inspector Polley Analyst DC 2/2008 . 4/2014 0 

General 

Alr Foree Reserves AFROTC Assistant Tucson,AZ Eo! Ef-t· 

Detachment.20 Professor of woos 0 4/2014 0 

University of Aer(),Space 

Arizona A Studies 

Non-Government University of Adjunct Tucson, A~ Est E" 

Employment Phoenix Professor 6li007 X 6/2009 x 

Nlln-Governmellt Webster University Adjunct Yuma,AZ ... . .. X 

Outside Jptercst Professor l/1999 6/1999 " 

Other Federal DOJ1 Office ofthc Assistant E!Centro, ... ... EmployJ!lent Inspector General SpecinlAgel'it CA 711997 0 712001 0 

inCb.a~: e 

4 
34 

Other Federal DOJ, Office of the Special Agent EIPaso,TX E1t .... Employment Inspector ·Gener.al 3i1993 a 7/1997 0 

Unemployed N/A. N/A Naples, Italy "" ''" 

(Awaiting 1/1993 0 3/1993 a 

.cleatance & 

DOJ/OIG hiring. 

apprcivai) 

Active Duty Ab· Foree Orfieaof Agent in N a pies, Italy ~· ... Military Station Special Charge/ 2/1'991 a 1/1993 " 

Investi!!ations Commander 

Active Duty Air F11rce Office of Student at . MmveiiAir ... ... Militl\ry .Statio!l Special Squadr11n F()rce)3ase 1/1991 a 2/1991 0 

Investlgatl11ns Officers' (AFB), 

School AL 

Active Duty All' Force Office of Student at MonteFey; E>f ... Military Station Special Defense CA 5/1990 a lll991 a 

Investigations Langu~ge 

Institute 

ActiVe Duty Ait ForceOfl'iee of Agentin England Eot rt.c 

MUitar)' Station Special Charge/ AFBi. 11/1988 " 5/1990 a 

mvestieations Commander LA 

Active. Duty Air Foree Office of Assistant MacDill ... E1it 

Military Station Special Agentin AFB, 1111986 0 il/19!!8 a 

Investigations Charge/Deputy FL 

Commander 

Aetl:veD11ty Air Forc11 O(lice of Sfudenta.t. BoUingAFB, rt.l llJ;I 

Military Station Special AFOSI DC 111986 c 111198.6 a 

l!lvestimttinns A.eademv 

Active Duty Air F!l.ree Ait Student at MatherAFB, ~· En 

Military Station Training Flight School CA 6il985 D 7/1986 0 

C!lm.J1land (ATC) 

MtiveDuty Aii'ForeeATC Student at WIIUams .,, ... Military Station FlightSchool AFB! 2/1985 0 6/1985 c 

AZ 

Noii·Gilvernment Electrical Electrician Tu.!!l!on,AZ Est. ... empl0yniellt Colittactol' 8tl9.84 c 211985 c 

(Awaiting Active (Un~Qlown name. of 

DuM the Coninallv) 

Non-Government Hilton Hotel Lifeguard Pbiladelph,ia, ... "" Employmebt PA S/1981 0 5!l98l c 

(Summer job while 

attending 

'UniverSity of AZ) 

Air Force Res.erves AFROTCUA AFROTC Tucson, AZ Elt Elt 

Detachment 20 Cadtit 1/1981 c !!11984 c 

s 
35 

)\ctive.Duty u.s. Air Fqti:es in F-4 crew chief Torrejon AD., "'' 

MilitaJt Station Europe Spain 5/1980 . 1/1981 

Activ~Duty U.S •. Air Forces ht F-4 erew chief HaltnAB, ·~ Military Station Europe Germany 5/1.1}78 a 5/l980 

Active Duty Air Forc.,ATC St!ldel!tF·4 SltawAFB, ~ 

Military Station aircraft sc 4/1978 0 5/1978 

Active DtttY :Mr F()rce :ATC Student Sheppard "" Mili~ry Station Alrctlift AFB; 3/l'n8 D 4/1978 

Maintenance TX 

AetiyeDuty Air Foree ATC Student Lacldand "" 

Military Stnfl,on Basic Traiping AtB, 1/1978 0 3/1978 

TX 

Unemployed N/A NI:A J'hiladelphla, "" 

(Awaiting Active P:A H/1977 o. 1/1?78 

DuM . 

(B) LiSt imy ndVisory, consultative, honorary or othei· part-timeoservicc or pos!tinns with 

federal, state, or !neal gnvernments, not listed elsewhere. 

AZ Joint Border 

SCcurity Advisory 

Committee 

AZSupreme 

Court Commission 

on Appellate 

Court 

A ointments 

AZ.Supreme 

Court Alt lJispute 

RllSo.lutlon 

·commission 

7/l013 

Public Member .Commissioner 

(un-paid) 6/Z012 

. Public Member 

(un-paid) 1/ZOOl 

4, Potential Conflict oflnterest 

212015 X 

"'' ' ,., ... X X 

"" lot Pre~~ I 

6/2002 X 0 

(A) ])esc~lbe !lnY business relationship, de~ling or financilll transa!ltioil whiCh you have bad 

during .the last IG years, whetber for yourself, on bebalfof a dient, or 1\Ctlng as an agent, 

6. 

l),t 

0 

••• 

0 

... 

0 

·~ o· 

"'' 0 

.,, 

a 
36 

tllllt eo"-ld in liD}' way:e!institute or result In a. possible conflict of interest 'in the. position. to 

which you h:ave been nominated. 

l1i connection with the nominatioit proclisi,l have cOIIsulii.Id witlz tlie: U.s. Office of 

Govefnltirmt Edtfcs and tlte U.S. Dtpartlilent of Homeland Security's Designated 

AgeJtCjl Ethics Official (DAEO) to identify anypotentlalconjlicts of!nter~t. Any 

potent/ill conflicts of illli!restWIJ[. be resolved In accordance witlt tlie terms of the ethics 

agretfmenttllatlsigned andtr(msmlttlfif to the Depattment'!f DAEO, Wllicl•l•as been 

ptovided tD'tli4: Committee. lam ltotaware ofni•Y otlterpoteJrtiat conflicts o/fltferest. 

W) Describe any 1\divity during the ~t 10 year,s in 'vbichyou have engaged.fQr the. 

purpose of directly o.r indirectly ll)tiu\!llcing th!l' passag~ defeat or modlflcatJQn of any 

legislation or affecilngtbe administration or execution of law or public policy, other than 

whUe in a fe4eral government cap!leity, 

I am citrreJJtly Ute Policy Advisor for Militnry 'and Veterans' Affairs for Arizolta GlJVerltor 

Doug Ducey (1015-:('i'eseltt) «ltdjlreviouslyfor.Jan Bte•vitf (2013-1015). J/t that role,i 

ltave revie,wed propOIIedstate/egfslation that concen111 tlwsematters and have.asslsteti in 

providing recom~ltdations to tlte. Gove~·nor. 

5. Honors and Awards 

List all s~holarships, feU(lWJ!hips, hqnorar,y degrees, civilian service Citations, militar,y 

medals, academic or professional honors, h!inorar,y spclety memberships and nl!y other 

speelal recogniti<~~i for outstanding service.or achievell!ent. 

Departme!tio/Difense MerliorlousServic(l Ml!dal, 20i4 

Air Force Meritorioia Service Medal, 2013, 2016, & 2017 

Air Force Commendqtion Medal; 1980; 1988, 1990, & 1992 

Air Fo1·ce Adlilfventelli Mlfifal, 1990 

Ak Force Good CQmluct Medal; 1980 

NationalDe/e~tse Service Medal; 1990 

Global Wm•liti Teti'Qri&in Service Medal; 2013 

Nuclear Det11rrence OperatipJts Service Medal, 2()16 

Anned Forces Reserve Medal, 1988, & 2008 

Air Force 6fflce of Specfallityqtigatitms' Officer ofthe YearA!Illlrd, 19B9 

Air Foree Reserve Officers' Training Corps Scltofiii'Ship (AFROTC), 1981 

PROTC So!ltltwesiRegion's OuistandingReserve Ofll~ of tile Year ,4wiD'(l, ~fi09 

lnspectOI' General'sSupei'ior Peifol'lllaltce:Award,l994, ZOOI, Z007, 2008, &2010 

Office ofGovemment Etltlcs' J'rQgtam ExceflintCe A•varti,20i 1 

P~esidlmt's C01mcil on :Ti1tegrity MdEfficieJtcj1ExcellenceAward, 2002, 20iO, &.2012 

U.S. Attorney Genel'til's Voltmteer Community ServiceAward, Nomtnee, 2()10 

();S, Attorney Gettero,l';r SpecialAI!ltievemeniAward, 199.7 

U.S. Attol'lli!)I'S Ojjke, District of Arizona, Specia!RecognitiottA:U!aJ'd1 2017 

1 
37 

6; Memberships. 

List aUme111berships thlictyou have held in pt1lfessiol11ll, 8~1. businESS, fratemill, 

scltolarly, civic; or charitable organizaticms in the last lll years. 

Unless rdevant to your nomination, you do NoT need to include memberships in 

charitable organ!ziltions available to the public as a resultofa tax deductibhi donation of 

$1,000 or less, Parenj-Toacher :t\ssociatlons or other organizations eonnectetl tn schools 

attended· by your children, nthleticeiubs orteams,,a~tfom~>bile supf!ort organizations (such 

l;ls.At\.;\.), discounts ci~ti!s (such as Groupon or Sam's Club), or llffinity 

memb~rshipsteonsnmer clubs (such as fi'CIJueni: flyer memberships) • 

Ai:r Force Ass11ciati!ln 

·American Sqciety for Public 

Admhiisftation 

Aerospace Arizona 

Association 

Association of lnspect!li'S 

Gen~ral 

University .of Arizona Eller 

College ofMa!lagement 

Associittes · 

Nat.ional Goverllors' 

Ass~clation Polley Ad.visprs 

Committee 

International AntiCorruption Academy 

ro'nlted N~ttions) · 

tlniversicy of Arlzl:lna 

Alumni Asso.ciation 

Western ~egional 

. Partnership 

Defense and Homeland 

Security C!lmmittile 

Federal Law Enforument 

Officers' .Association 

. :DatesofYgurMenibersblp · • • ' · (You mily approximate.) · 

2001- Presel\t 

2002 - Present 

2014-Pre,gent 

2008-Present 

1997-Present 

2013- Present 

2007-2013 

1997-2013 

2013 -Present 

8 

Chapter Executive C!luncil 

Member 

Member 

Honorary Member 

Member 

Member 

Member 

Member and.Pil$t President, 

Yuma Chapter 

Principal Member 

Member 
38 

7. Political Activity 

(A)Have you .ever bee!l a candid11te for or been elected or appointed to a political ~ffice? 

NO. 

(b):List any ofiiees.lteld in or services rendered to a political party or eleetloil committee 

!!.tiring the lasttf>lt years tM;t yonl1av~> not listw elsew}lere. 

None. 

(C) ftemize ail individual politie.al contributlonuf $200 or more that you have mad¢ in the 

past irve y~rs to any indiVidual, camp;dgn organization, polltieal party, political action 

committee, or similar·entlty. ~lea~e list each individual contribution .and nllt tbe total 

. amou11t .contributed to th.e person or !lntity during the :yeat'. 

None. 

8. Publications and Speeches 

{A) List the titles, publishers and d;ites .of bl!olQI, articles, reports or. other pnbiished 

materials .that yon have written, lnclildlng articles publlsl;ed. on.the Internet• Please provide 

the Committee with copies of all listed pilblii:ations. In li~ of hard copies, electronic copies 

can be provided via e-mail or pth~r digital format. 

"A1i1end Hf)melalid Security 

Aclto build stronger l<'ederal Times Mayl0,2004 

depirrtment" 

"Objective Jm;pectors Will 

Keep Honzelimd O.fflctitls .Fede.ral Times December 16, 2002 

AcC!Jn11table" 

(B) LiSt anY :formal speeches you have delivered durlpg the last five nnn; and provide the 

Committee with copies. of those speeches relevant to the positl(ln .for which yon have been 

.nominated. InClude any testimollf .to Congress or any other legislative or administrative. 

body; These items can be priJVided electronically via ll-mail.or other l!igitai format. 

Nfme. 

(C) List ail speeches and testimony you have delivered iii th.e pastten years, exceptfor 

those the text of which you are prilvlding to the Coinniittee. 

9 
39 

None. 

9. Criminal Historv 

Smce (arid Including) YDll~ l81

h birthday, has any ofthe foUowlng hllppened? 

HilVe yqu bee~ jssued·alummons, citation; or tlokei to llj)pear·ill' court in a criminl!l procccdiQg against yoli? 

(Excluile cltadons·involving.trafflc lnfractlons.whero the fine W® less than$300 and dld not Include alcohol or 

dtitgii,) N.o. 

.• Have.you bein arrosted by any police officer; sherlff,.nuil'Shai or any othet·tyjl• of law enrotcementolticlal? 

NO.. ·• Have you been chaq;(ed, convicted; or ~ntenced of a.crime in 11ny court'l No; 

Hava you been: or are you currently oil probation or parole? No. 

,Are you:curre!llly o.n trial or awaiting a tr.lal on crimino.l:charges? No. 

• To your kno"'ledg~; have you ever been the suQjeci or target of a federal, stale or local criminal investigation? 

No. 

If .the !IIISWer to any of the questions a~ove Is. YllS1 please answ.er the qntl!;tions below fo1· 

e~eb criminal event (citation, <lrrest, fuvestlgatlonj etc.); If the event was an mvestigatlon, 

where. the question below asi(S f11r InfQrmation about the of,fense, please offer information 

about the offense under litvestlgatlon (if known). 

A) Date·ofoffense: 

a. is this an estim~e (Yes!No): 

B) Oesctlptlon of the Sflecifie nature·oflhio offense: 

C) Did. the offense involv<>ilny oftfte followins? 

I) Pomestie·vioience or~.crime ofvtolenee (such as .battery or. assault). against your child, dependent,. 

cohabitant, spouse, fonner SflOUse, or someone wiUt whom You share a child ln common:. Yes/No 

2) Fi~arms .. o;explosives: Ye•l No 

3) Alcoholordrugs: Yes/No 

OJ Location where the offense occuned (city, county, state, zip code,. country): 

E) Were yoit arrested,. $ummoned,. cited or did you.receive.a ticket to appear as a result ofthls.offense by any 

pollee oqicer, sheriff; rttarsh,l.o.r any Qther type of law enfot<:ement official: Yes /No · 

l) Name oftlte Jaw enforcement agency that arrested/clled/summon~d· you: 

·2) location ofthe law enforoemtiitt agency (city, county, state, zip code,.countcy): 

F) As a result ofthis um.t~ were you charged, convicted, currently awaiting trial, and/or ordered to appear in 

court in a criminal proceeding •i!'!instyout Yes/1'/o · 

10 
40 

i)· If yes, provide the name of the <:Pilrt an<! tb~ locatio~ oftltecourt (city; county, state, zip .cc<le, 

country): 

2) Jf')'es, prov!d~ all the.cl1arg.S brOu~•t against yOU for this. offense; and tb\1 outiom" of each charged 

offense (such as fOund guilty, found not-gullly,. charge dropped or "nolle pros;" ete). If you were found 

gliilty Of or pleaded guilty·to a lesser offense, listseporately both the originol charge and the lesser 

of;(ens.e: 

3) If no, prqvideexplanation: 

Cl). Were you sentenced ns a result oflbls ·offense:· Yes /No· 

H) Provide a description oU1e sentelioe: . 

I) Were Y9U sentenced to:imprisonment·ror:.ate.nn exc®dingone year: Yes I No 

)) Were yau·Jncarcerated as a resuii of that sentenc!l for not less than one year: Yes I No 

K) If the ccnvlction resulted in Imprisonment, proVi<!e the daies !hat you actually were incarcerated:. 

L) If conviCtion resulted in probation or parole; provide thirdates of probation or parole< 

Ml Are .yeQ· ~~rreotly on tria~ ·a wailing ·a trial, or awaiting ~teli<:ing on criminal charges for this offense: YliM 

No · 

N) Provide explanation: 

10 .. Civil Litigation and Administrative or Legislative Proceedings 

(A) Since (l!nd inchuling} :jroilr 18th birthday, have you been a party to ~tny publi~; re¢!1rd 

civll.courhctlon or adminiStrative .or legislative proceeding of any kind that resu~ted In (1) 

~t finding of wrongdoing ~tgainst you; or.(2) a settlement agr~ment for yon, or S!lme ot.her 

penon or enilty, to maktl a paymentto settle11Uegations against you, or for you to take, or 

refrain from taldng, some.actlon. Do NOT include.sriinll.claims proceedings, 

!Vo. 

(B) In addition to those Jist'l)d above,-have.you or any business of whlchyou were an 

officer, director or owner ever been.invo!Ved as a party onnterest in u,ty administrative 

age!lcY proce~ing or civil litigation? Plea~ ldentlf]r and provide o:(etails for any 

proceedings or civil litigation tha~ involve acti.ons taken or onlitted. by you, or alleged to 

have been.tak,cn .or om.rtted by you, w!tlle serving in your official capacity. 

No. 

(C) For responses to the previous question, please Identify and ptovlde detail& f9r any 

proceedings or ciVil litigation that involv11actiona taken oronlitted by you, or aUeged to 

have boon taken or omitted by you, while serving In your offici11l capacity.· 

N/A; 

l1 
41 

11. Breach of Professional Ethics 

(A) Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breaeb .ofethics or unprofessional conduct 

by, or lJe!ln the subject of a cpillplaint to, any cour(, administrative agency, pn)f11$Sional 

assoClilfinn..dlsclpHnary .committee, or other professional group? Exclude.cases and 

proceedines already lis.ted. 

No. 

(B} Have you ever .been fired ftom a jl)b, quifa job after being told you wo.!dd be fired, ieft 

a job by mutual agn11ment following ·cltarges. or allegations .of misConduct, left a job by 

mutu)l) agreement f'olloWilig notice of unsatisfactory perform110ce, or ,received .a m:itten 

warning, been officially reprimanded, suspended, ol' disciplined for misconduct ill tbe 

worlqJJaee, sii.cli as violation ofa security policy? 

No. 

12• Tax Compliance 

(Tiiis iii formation Will Mt be published ·1n the record of the.hearinl!' on your nomination, 

but it will be retained in· thl? Committee's files and will· be available for pu,blic inspection.) 

REDACTED 
42 

REDACTED 

13. Lobbying 

In the past ten years, hliVe you registered as ca lobbyist? If so, please indicate the state, 

federal,o .. .lo.cal bodies with which you have registered (e.g'! House, Stnate, Califoiilla 

Secretary of Statii). 

Yes, I am registered with tlteAri;;ona Secretary of State htisedoll eiiljJloyment witli tlte 

State of Arlt.ona as the Policy Advisor.for the Arizona· .Governor (2fJ13-Pi'eseilt). 

13 
43 

14. Outside Positions 

X See OGE Foin1278. (If, for your nomination, you have completed Ill! OGE Form 278 

Executive Biliilcli Personn~l PUblic Finllllciai Disclosure Report, you may check the box here to 

complete thi~ section and then proceed to the next section;) 

For the preeedlng ten calendar years and thllcunelit calend11r year, report any pos'if;ions 

held, whether compensated or not. Positions include but are not limited tQ those ohn 

officer, director, trustee. ·general partner, propt·ietor; representatl.ve,. employee, or 

consulillnt ofany co~poratlon, finn, partnel"flffip, o.- other buslnes~r ente.-prise or any nonprofit o~anjzation or· educational instifqtion.~ positions with religious, social, 

fraternal, or politicaLentitles and those solely ofa!l honorary nature. 

15. Agreements or Arrangements 

X See OGE Form 218. (U', f9r your nomination, Yill! ijave coinplirteil an OGE Fonn278 

:Executive Branch I'ersonne! Public Financial Disclom.tre Report; yo\! may che.ck the box here to 

complete this section arid then proceed to ihe. neX:tsection.) 

,As of the date ofiiling your OGE Form 2781 repo11 your agreements or arrangements for. 

(1) continuing participation in an empl()yeebenefit filan. (e.g, pension, 401k; deferred 

colilplmsation); (2) continuation ofpa:yment by a former employer (Including severance 

payments); (3} ieaves of.absertce; and (4) future employment. 

Provide informatipn rega1•d!ng nny agreements or arrangements you have.concerning (1} 

futurl' employment; (2) a leave of absence during your period of Government serylee; (3) 

continuation of payments by a forme•· employer other than the United Stlltes Government; 

and (4} continuing partl~ipation .in a11 employee welfare or benefit plan m!lintained by a 

former employer oth~r than.United States Government retirement benefits. 

16. Additional Financbil Data 

All 111fonnation requested under this b.cading must be proVided for yourself, your spouse, 

and your dependents. (This information will n()t .be published In the record of the hearing 

on your nomination, but it will. be retained in the Committee'$ files and will be available fot 

public inspection.) 

14 
44 

REDACTED 

SIGNATIJR&AND DATE 

I hereby state· that I. have-read the fOfegOfDg Statemen• on Bio~p.hfcal and F'manejal·tnformation ad that the information 

provided therein is, to the beSt of my·knowledge; eurr.ent, aecurate, and complete. 

This21"day of-November,:I018 

18 
45 

February 13; 2019 

HOliorableRonald H. Johnson 

Chairman: 

Committee on Homeland Security 

and Govet11mental Affairs 

SD-340 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washingtt:~n. DC 2051 0 

Honorable Gary C. Peters 

Ranking Member 

REDACTED 

Committee on Homeland Seeurity 

and. Governn:iental Affairs 

SD-340 .Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

1111.: Supplemental Information for the nomination oj'Joseph V.. Cztffati, Ph.D., ln;~p~ctor General, United States Department ofHotnelaiidSecuriiy 

Dear Chairman Johnson, Ranking Member Peters and Honorable Members of the·CtimrrthteiH 

11le following are updates since the Comrrtittec received Illy signed Bit:~gi'aphical Questionnaire 

on November21, 2018; 

)> I have resigned IllY membership in those otganizatjons listed. in Part 6 of the 

Questionnaire. However, I have retained my membership on.the Arizona Appellate 

Court Commission listed in Part 3B ofthe Questionnaire. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

Very Respectfully; 
46 

UNITED STATES OFFICE OF 

GOVERNMENT ETHICS 

REDACTED 

*--------------------------------------

The i1onorable Rolf Johnson 

Chairman 

Committee on Homeland Security 

and Governri)eJiial Affail's 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 205 J 0 

Dear Mr. Chairman: 

January 22, 2019 

hi accordance. with the Ethics in Govemment Act ofl978, J, enclose a copy of the 

financial disclosure report filed by Joseph Vhtcent Cuffari;. who has been noritinated by 

President Trump for the.position ofinspector General, DepartmeM of Homeland Security. 

We have reviewed the report and have obtained advice from the agency concerrtiug a11y 

possible conflict in light of its functioris.aUd the nominee's prop<)sed duties, Also enclosed is an 

ethics agreement outlining the actions that the nominee will undertake to avoid conflicts of 

intereSt. Unless a date for compliancejs indicated in the ethics agreement, the nominee must 

fully com,p!y with.in three.montlls of confirmation with any action specified in the ethics 

agreement. 

B.Sed thereon, we believe that this nominee is in compliance with applicable laws and 

r~gu!"tions goveming c.o.nflicts of interesL 

Enclosures REDACTED 

DavidJ.Apol 

Gerieral Counsel 

(201 NEW YORK AVENW·SUrm 500'WASH!NGTON DC•20005 * * * * 
47 

Joseph B. Maher 

Designated Agency EthicS Offielal 

U.S, Department of,Homeland Secw:ity Wa~ington,P.C. 20528-0485 

D¢ar M~· Maher: 

The p~qiol!e oft)lis letter is. to describe the steps ~t I will take to avoid .arty actual ot 

app11rent conflict of interest in the event that lam confirmed for the position .of Iilsp<;ctOl'G¢neral 

of the U.S. DepartmentofHomeland Security. 

As requil·ed.by 18 u.s. c.§ 208(a), !Will notparticipate pet$onally and $Ubstanti~lly i,n 

any p$rlieulai' matter in which t know that r have a financial interest directly and predictably 

affected by the imittet, o£ in wllich J know that a pel'$on whose· interests are imputed .to me has a 

financial interest di~dy and predlctably affected by the matter. unless. I first obtain a W!itten 

waiver, pursUIIIi.tto 18 U.S.C. § 208(b)(l), or qualify rora ~gl.ilato,ry exemption, pursuantto 18 

U.S: C.§ 208(b)(2). I imder~tand that the hiterellts of the following persons are imputed to me: 

any :;pqus!'l o~ minor child of mine, any general partner of a partner!lhip ~n which I am a.lfmited 

or general partner, any o.rgaruzation in which lS!'Irve as a~ officer, djr¢or, tru~e, general 

partner, or employeei and any pel'$0n 9r organization with which I am negotiating or have ali 

!ll'rangeme!lt c;onceming prospective einpl()yment 

~riO.i' to appoint111ent, I will resigr;.from my position.witb.State ofAriwna1 Offi~;o qfthe 

GOvernor; .I hold .an UllVested interest m a; defmed benefit pension plan with tlte :A:ci~onaState 

Retirement System (ASRS). For a period of one year after my resignation, I wlll not p$rticipate. 

personally imd substantially in any particular matter involving specific parties in whjoh I know 

t.he State ofArizon~.ls a party or represents a party, un:less I am first autho!.'ized to participate, 

1)\JJ"SUant to 5 C:.F.R. § 2635;S02(d). 

J retired frOm the Arizona National Gi!lird on Octo~r 31, 2017. For a period of one year 

after my retjrementfrom this entiiy,I wiU .not participate persol)lllly llild substantially in any 

particular matter involving' specific parties in which tknow the Arizona National Guarli is a 

party or represents a party, unlesS I ain firSt authorized •o participate, pU1'Sui1fitto 5 C.F;R, 

§ 2635;502(d). . 

My spouse is employed by St. AugtlStine CittltoUc High School fu a position for which 

she receives'a fiXed annual salary ~~d a bQnus.tied to her perfonnance. Fqr as long as my spbuse 

continues to work for S~ Augustine Cafholie High School, I will not participate personally and 

. subst!!ntlally in any partiCular tnatter inilolvirtg speaific paiiie{l in wli,ioh Ikuow St. Augustine 

Catholic fl:ish SchOol, i!l a party or rep1'8Sents a party,l!Ille$s I am ftrstauthorized to patdcipate, 

pursuantto sq?;R. § 2635.502{d). 

1 will retain my uncompensated position as a.tru~tee of my revocable family tl1lst. I will 

not receive .~y fees for the serVices t!latl proVIde as a trustee during my appointment to the 

position of)l).~tor General. ! will not participate personally and subs~ially in any particplar. 
48 

matter tha~to m:Y knOWledge lt~ a diteclll!ld pte(iict~~;ble effect.op the. financi~l interests of my 

rey9(lable fan1ily trust, unlel!s I ijr.st obtiWI .a. written waiver, pursuant to 18 U.S, C. § 208{b )( 1 ), or qualify for a regulatory exemption, pursuant to 18 U.S;C .. § 208{b)(2); · · · 

J:t'lha.ve a map.aged a~ountor oth~nvise l!$e the serviees ofan Investment prof'es$ional ~urlng my appoi.ntment,J Will ensure tliatthe account manager c>r investm~t profes~ional 

obtaiilS my prlor approval. on a c:ase-py-ease basis for the purchase ofany .assets other than cash, 

cash equivalents; investmenUunds thatqualitj( for the exemption at 5 C.P.R. § 2640!201(a), 

obligations of the United States, or muniCipal bond. ·· · 

I will meet in person with you dudng the first week of my service in the positi01tof 

Inspector Generai ih order to compl!lte the initial ethics briefing required l.!llde.r 5 Cli .R. 

§ 2638.3:05. Within .go ~ys of my con{timation, l will also documennny compliance with this 

ethics agreement by notlzying you in Wrlting when I have completed the steps des(lribed in this 

ethics agreement. · · · 

I understand that as an appointee I will be required to sign the Ethics Pledge (Exec, Order 

no. 13770) and that I will.be bound by the requirements imd.restrlctions therdn in. additiort to die 

commitments r h;tve nia({e in.thisethics. agreement 

I have been a<ivised that this ethiC$ agreement will be posted publicly, .consistent with 

5 U;S.C •. § 552; on the website of the U.S. Office ofGovernlnent Ethics with ethics agi'eementl) 

of othe( Ptesiderttial non1inees whO file public financial di!iclo8ure reports. 
49 

U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security aud Governmental Affairs 

Pre-bearing Questionnaire 

For the Nomination of .Joseph V. Cuffari to be 

Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security 

I. Nomination Process and Conflicts of Interest 

I. Did the President give you specific reasons why he nominated you to serve as the 

Inspector General of the Department ofHomcland Security (DHS)? 

No. 

2. Were any conditions, expressed or implied. attached to your nomination? lf so. please 

explain. 

No. 

3. Have you made any commitments with respect to the policies and principles you will 

attempt to implement as Inspector General'? If so, what are they. and to whom were the 

commitments made? 

:Vo. 

4. Are you aware of any business relationship, dealing. or limmcial transaction that could 

result in a possible conflict of interest tor you or the appearance of a contlict of interest? 

If so, please explain what procedures you will use to recuse yourself or otherwise address 

the conflict. And if you ;vil! recuse yourself: explain how you will ensure your 

responsibilities are not a11:ected by your recusal. 

In connection with the nomination process. I have consulted with the U.S. Oflice 

ofGovernmenl Ethics and th<? U.S. Deparlmenl <>!Homeland Security ·s Designated Agency Ethics q[!icial (DAEO) 10 identify anyporentiul contlicrs <!l 

interest. Any potemial conflicts <~/imerest will be resolved in accordance with the 

terms <Jf'the ethics agreement thai 1 signed and transmitted to the Department's 

DAEO. which has been provided to this Commiltee. I am not aware olany orher 

potential conflict.\· ofinreres/. 

II. Background of the Nominee 

5. What specific background. experience. and attributes qualify you to be the DHS 

Inspector General? 

1 hal'e more than 40 years of experience and accomplishments as a leader in rite 

U.S. Air Force. the U.S. Department 11/Justice (DOJ). the U.S. Depctrtmem of 

Delense ( DODJ, and the :C,"'tale olAri;ona. l spent approximately 35 years 1~1' that 

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Page 1 
50 

lime working in mrious Ujfices (l{tht• Inspector General (0/Gs; conducting or 

supervising sensi1ive criminal. fraud. counterintelligence, anti~lerrorism. and 

administrative investigations. 

My lime in multiple O!Gs has been characterized by integrity and independence. 

I am an honest broker r~lil?formation. For example, I rebuilt and dramatically 

improved mission execution of'a previously underperji>rming 0/G invesTigalive 

unif and was selected as a DO.! team member 10 assist in creating an OJG in 1he 

Ministry ofthe lnteriorfi>r an emerging naTion Also. my professional experience 

is coupled wilh advanced a<·ademic research into the roles (If' !n1pectors General 

(/Gs) in federal and state gorernments. 

6. Please describe: 

a. Your leadership and management style. 

I am a committed team builder. Although I am adaptable. my primw:r s~vfe is 

"Intervention by Exception" This is not to say, hawel'er, that 1 have a lai.uejaire attiiUde, Rather, it means I lead by active participatian. interacting with 

members of my team. I do not micromanage personnel. but I listen elicit. and 

analyze evenls and actions to seleclthe best people .for position~ based on 

individual skill sers. strengths. and weak1wsses. I provide subordinate.\' with the 

jramework within which they can do their best work. I ensure that my team 

members receive the proper training and resources 10 e,{ticient~)' and <:ffectiw!ly 

accomp/i.~h their tasks. 

b. Your cxp~'ficncc managing pcrsonnd. 

I have 35 years of commander and supervisor C?xperience in the DOD, the DOJ. 

and the State (1/A.ri:zona. My experience derivesjhmz having servedji·om an 

entry-level position through senior management. 1 am a f!li!long Ieamer. ami 

each tier (I{ experience has provided me with spec[f/c insights regarding 

recruiting, memortng, and inspiring.fiuure leaders within various .federal and 

state organizations. Foremost. as a supervisor and leader. il is vital thaT l inspire 

employees to k11ow their work is important and valued by their cusmmers. 

My management experience is broad and diverse. l have worked in each branch 

(lfgovernment the Executive (Air Fi1rce, DOD, DOJ. (/nd the Suue ofAri::ona;; 

the Legislative (augmemed Congressional Intelligence Commitlees review of 

sensilive intelligence mailers),' and JudicimJ rappoinlmell/10 two Arizona 

Supreme C'ourt commissions}. I under.mmd and appreciate the separation ol 

powers amongst these branches and as a manager and leatkr am mim{/i1! t~(ihe 

interph~y between their respective responsibilities. 

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Page 2 
51 

c. What is the largest munber of people that have worked under you? 

The lmxe:sl number ofpeople: who have work.:d under me is approximately 800. 

while 1 was assigned as the Depury Mission Support Group Commander in the 

Arizona Air National Guard 

7. You served as a member of the Inspector General community in nwnerous agencies. 

What lessons have you learned from working in the Air Force Otlice of Special 

Investigations, at the Department of Defense Ofiice of Inspector General (OKi), and the 

Department of Justice Oftlce of Inspector General that prepar~'tl you for the role of 

Inspector General at DHS? 

I am fortunate to have worked with many /Gs and senior DepaNments olDe{ensc 

and Justice o.fficials. They have mentored me and provided me with a unique 

combiTUition of experiences. insiglus inw human nature, knowledge. and the need 

for deTermined attetllion to delail. 

These 1>{ficials taught me the needji>r organizmions 10 he subject to independent, 

outside review by an OJG. One argument agailm "self-policing'' is !hat 

organizations have a vested interest in prol!:cting their rl!;mtationsjh>m outside 

criticism. Since thefailure by an individual runs the n:~k r~f'heing simultanl!misly 

a "mana{4ementjailure, "public disclosure ofinternal misconducr poses a threat 

m the retnttation ofthe organizarion As a result, organizations are pro11e to 

either hiding or understating the true nature ami extetlt of individual misconduct 

and i!f'minimizing their responses. Only an effective system 1?/'e:r:ternal oversight 

can overcome this inherent liability 

I have learned that with a demanding hut proftssional, carin;.: auitude. one can 

succe.l'.~fUlly promote m:eountahility, imegrity. and ef!iciency in ,;overnmelll 

operations. 1'\.(v mentors taught me that these attributes cun be accomplished even 

when dealing with complex and often competing interests. 

8. Please briefly describe what experience you have perthrming or overseeing audits. 

investigations, inspections, and evaluations. 

I haw conducted or supervised a multitude ofaudits, investigations. inspections. 

and evalualions. They have included audits t?la multi-million dollar ha!t:way 

house federal contract and a DOJ travel reimbursement program.· investigations 

oflwmicide and the disproving of'allegations againsljederal employees: 

invpections of federal detention facilities; and emluations tdDOD 's compliance 

with criminal investigations guidelines and procedures. 

l have beenjimrwl(v recognizedti:w my accomplishments ·with receipt 11fthe Air 

Force Of}ice ofSpeciallnvesligatioll 's qtjicer 1(l the Year Award DOJ 0!0 

Superior Performance Awtmls. the US. Auorney General's Special Achievement 

Award, and se>•eral other honors 

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Page3 
52 

I recognize that the OJG's work is not confined 111 a single discipline or rigid 

management st)1e. Its [<reatesr accomplishments are achieved with a blended 

approach to meeting and resolving challenges. 

9. Please brietly describe what experience you have in either directly managing or 

overseeing the core management functions of an organization (human capital. 

acquisitions, information technology. and financial management), 

As a member of the Arizona Air i\ational Guard. I was ihe Depu(y Mission 

SupporT Group Commander ahefimctional Deputy City A1anager)j(Jr an aerial 

refueling wing. The wing is comprised ofapproximately 800 personnel. eight 

rejueling aircraft, a S25 million budget. and has a strategic mission supporling 

DOD :s worldwide operations. J~v core managemenrjimctions included oversight 

and review o{persormel!humanresources. contracting, communications.: 

infbrmation technology, supply. logistics. transportation, securi!yjilrcl:'s, 

environmental management. fire suppressiom. and civil engineeringfimctions. 

l 0. At any point during your career, has your conduct as a federal employee ever been the 

subject of an OIG. Government Accountability Oftice (GAO), Of1ice of Special Counsel 

(OSC), Otlice of Government Ethics (OGE), Equal Employment Opportunity 

Commission, or federal law enforcement investigation? Please explain. 

While l was working in the DO.! OIG. members ofan IG stqffinterviewed me 

about concerns expressed by the U.S Attorney's (Jtfice ji:Jr the Disrricl ofArizona 

(DlAZJ stemming from my participation as a criminal investigator in afederal 

civil rights case. wherein two federal corrections (!ificers were alleged to have 

physical(v assaulted a federal inmate who was in their cusmdy . .I answered the 

!G sta,[fs questions trutJ!fu/ly and compl!!tely. 

The matrer stemmed.from an underlyingfi:deral criminal inwstigmion wherein/ 

complied with my statu/or.;' obligation and U.S Allorney General Guidelines Ia 

inform/he crime victim {the federal imnalej of his rights asprovidedfor in the 

Crime Victims' Rights Act. The victim later retained legal counsel andfiled a 

notice <!f claimfi:Jr a civil fort case against the US. Governmem based on 1he 

corrections officers' alleged physical abuse. Ajler the no/ice <!t'claim was .filed 

I he D/dZ declined to proceed with prosecution in the under(ving criminal 

im·estigation 

I was subsequently subpoenaed 10 appear as a fad witness at a deposirion and at 

a.fi;/low-up hearing befbre the US. Magistrate .Judge, who was presiding over the 

civil TOrt case. I answered the judge ·s atld the aTiomeys ·questions truthfiti(v and 

complete(y. The civil case was subsequemly set/led between the parties. No 

adverse action was proposed against me. 

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Page4 
53 

Ill. Policy Questions 

11. If coniirmed. how do you plan on ensuring the independence and impa1tiality of your 

office? 

!{confirmed, 1 will work with The Secretary and senior Department leadership to 

josle; a professional reiationshipthar recognizes and encourages mutual respect 

.fiw the independence oft he O!G. I will also seek to establish em opc•n and 

prr!ti:ssional relationship with Congress and with this Commillee. 

12. What do you anticipate being the greatest challenges you would lllce as the DHS 

[nspector General? If confinned. how would you prepare for those challenges? 

Since !he .formation afthe IGs. there exists a necessary tension between effective 

oversight and uccountabilityfiir public· service. 

As a nominee. I am not fully in/(1rmed r~fthe exlent of the current management 

and other imernal!external challengesfiJdng DHS !{confirmed, 1 imend Ia work 

with the Secretary and Department senior leaders to better understand such 

challenges and offer insights and recommendations/or addressing /hem. i/lhe 

OIO 's work supports so doing. 

With regard to the IG Qtfice itself. if confirmed. and as I have done in o1her 

circumstanc·es, I wouldjirs/ ensure that/he employees are suffident(v trained. 

equipped. and dedicated w idem(~ving and recommending resolutions to decrease 

DHS' liabiliries and 10 minimize its risk I \>'ill assess the managerial and 

operationallandl'cape to ident{fy the challenges that need to be addressed and 

proceed 

13. If confirmed. what will be the immediate highest priority issues at DHS 010 that you 

expect to address and how will you go about addressing them? 

flcm?firmed. my key priority is to assure the unquestioned quality and intet,rrity of 

the OIG 's work product. I commit to using my communi~v and coalilion building 

skills to .fi>rge alliances with strategic partners and to tran~form and cement 

crllical relationships with stakeholders. Once those relationships ha\'1! been 

fimned. this will provide a solidfoundarion f(w a befler-infimned strategy to 

address high priority issues. I will discuss any concerns wilh the appropriate 

senior managers and strive to make sure all members of' The DHS 0/G staJrare 

likew·ise committed to excellence in JH!(/iJrmance o{their duties. 

14. What longer-term goals would you like to achieve in your tenure as the DHS Inspector 

General? 

lfconfirmed. my lonf(-term goal isfi>r the DHS O!Ci 111 hove a repwarion as a 

leading fight in the pe~/iJrmance ()/10 responsibilities. 

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee PageS 
54 

15. DHS faces a number of management challenges. lfconfimlcd, hmv will you \\ork with 

the Secretary to help mitigate and fully address these challenges? 

As a nominee. lam not ful{v injrHmed q{rhe extent '1t'Ihe current management 

and other imemal!exrernal cha!lengesfaciny; DHS. (f co11firmed I intend to work 

with the Secrewry and Departmem senior leaders lo heuer undersTand such 

challenges and (Jfler insights and recommendatiomfilr addressing 1hem. !lthe 

OJG :;· work supports so doing. 

{f confirmed, l will have.freque/11 in-person discussions wilh the S;:cretary and 

senior leaders to encourage an open. .fi·ank, and continuing dialogui! concerning 

ongoing or new~)' idenJfjied challenges. I would ask them to share their insights 

regarding lhese challenges so we can hetrer understand their impac/ an puhlic 

sf!Jety and the Department's operatiom. I would also ensure tlull our s/alutory 

roles. to include I he independence q{lhe IG. are respecJed 

As the overall "manager" oft he !Gfimction. I think it is crilically imporrant thai 

my senior staff fully understand what is required ({/'them and that they are 

committed to meeting those requirements. 1 also recognize that d{fferent 

challenges require difli:rem solwions, and 1 will .tlrive to keep an open mind 10 

the ways and means of' dealing wilh thent 

16. If contirmed as Inspector General. how would you handle disciplinary issues? 

/fconfirmed. I would nm turn IJW(~yfi·om the difficult decisions that haw ro he 

made. nor wi!J 1 iy;nore or walk pa~t mistakes or lapses in professionalism 

because doing so would set a lower standard.f(Jt accowuabiliry. Any discipline 

would he based on I he sign(/icance c<lthe inji·acrion and mu.w be infi<ll 

compliance with applicable laws. regulations and policies. 

a. How would you respond to underperfbrming individuals withit1 your oftiec and the 

agency at large? 

Underperj(mnance by otherwise qualified employees is usually a function ol 

under-expectation on the part ol/eaders. l would therefim; place a major 

emphasis on leadership responsihility. I am mindful olthejacr thor "whatever 

you expect, you will get. " For that reason. I beliet•e if is ImporTant to stress to all 

memhers of I he DHS OJG communitv and the agency at large that my 

expectations are hiy;h and !hat I expect rhe same }rom them. 

b. Please explain your views on putting an employee on paid administrative leave 

pending an investigation or disciplinary action. 

Paid administrmin: leave can be used to pro/eel b01h employees and the of/ices in 

which they work lt'hether or not an employee should be phlL'Itd on paid leave 

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Page6 
55 

depends on the nature. facts. <md seriousness <?lthe maller under investigarion or 

the proposed administrative rem1'dy. 

17. Do you believe there is any tension between the need to issue high quality reports and the 

need to issue those reports in a timely manner so a'i to ensure findings and 

recommendations remain relevant? If so. how would you seek to balance those 

potentially contlicting requirements? 

Absolutely:' However, 1 believe there is no sharleul to quality and that sometimes 

timeliness must suj}er when the two come into cm1tlict. In some cases. interim 

reports may solve the problem. or perhaps oral briefings can be used to bridge 

the gap. Each situation is unique and must be handled in its mvn right. lfowever, 

no repon should ever be inaccurate or misleading because f!frhe demamlJbr 

timeliness. 

18. If con!irmcd, how do you foresee your working relationship with the Secretary? 

Our working relationship must be dose, prr>tessional, and open bw will adhere to 

the letter and the overarching inli!nt oj'independence delinemed in 1he JG Act. 

a. How would you plan to keep the Secretary informed about issues identified by your 

otlice? 

The Secretary is the primary customer oft he OfG 's work product. Periodic 

briefings and case summaries must be provided Since the Secretary is also 

accountable to Congress. it is essential that I k<:ep herfitlly and currently 

injilrmed qf'issues that are (I( inlcrestto ( 'ongress. 

b. In addition to discussing longer-tenn audits and evaluations. how would you plan to 

alert the Secretary to time-sensitive issues that arise during the course of the OIG's 

work? 

(f cm1firmed, 1 plan to moke iT a priority to have open and honest communication 

with the Secrewry, which will he built on trm1 and mutual respect. In addition to 

regularly scheduled in-person discussions. it is imperative that an IG immediately 

inform the Secretary about critical or looming matters I hat are idem(fied during 

the O!G 's work. The JG is an impartialfact:finder and reports itsjindings to rhe 

appropriate leadership and to Congress. II would be irresponsible to shroud 

valuable information in secrecy or to intentional(v withhold su"h in.f(mnafion. In 

addition to providing such inf(mm.llion. hrould also {~ITer insights regarding 

recommendation~ for comideration. if'the office's work supports so doing. 

19. In addition to uncovering waste. fraud, and abuse within the executive branch, inspectors 

general can play an important role in helping agencies avoid problems or identify 

efficiencies rather than just auditing for mistakes ailer the fact. 

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Page? 
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a. Do you believe an inspector general should take this more pro-active role? 

Yes. 1 have learned that the most important type <>{accountability available to 

OJGs is their monitoringfunction. which is proactive and occurs atthe.fi·ont end. 

b. If confirmed, how would you balance the mo approaches"? 

Jdentifjiing mistakes ajier they have been made is important and provides the OIG 

the opportunity to recomnwnd improvements lo the Department to correct existing 

weaknesses. Haw ever. analyzing operations on the .fiYmt end a/sofil(fi/ls I he /G 's 

important role in detecting and prel'lmtingjraud, waste. and ahn~e within the 

Deparrment 's current programs and operations. A{v goal would he to halance 

these tensions by weighing accountability.fi:~r immediate public safety with 

minimizing adverse impacts on !he Deportmem·s mission 

20. Inspectors general are required by law to report their findings to the Congress. as well as 

to executive branch officials. Inspectors general also routinely provide testimony at 

hearings on key issues of concern. 

a. If confirmed, what additional methods. if any. would you take to ensure timely and 

efH:ctivc communications with the Congress'? 

(f'confirmed, 1 will develop o11going liaison with CommitTee members and staff 

This actil'ity is esselllial. 

b. More generally, what kind of relationship would you envision between your office 

and tl1e Congress, and specitlcally this Committee? 

A vital component <!lthe IG 's independence is irs direct. honest commw1icmion 

with Conf{ress. ll confirmed. I commit to establishing robusT communicalions 

with Congress 'md this Committee in panicular. 

c. What role should the Congress play in setting priorities l\.>r the O!G'? 

!Gs and their responsibilities are mandated by Congress. How those mandares 

are interpreted by hoth !he JG and Congress requires a close and continuinx 

relationship, and !fully support that approach 

21. Inspectors general are required by Section 5 of the Inspector General Act of !978, as 

amended, to report "serious or t1agrant problems. abuses, or detlciencies" to the 

Congress through ··seven-day letters." 

a. Do you view this as an impottant tool at an inspe~:tor general's disposal? Why or 

why not? 

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee PageS 
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Yes. l would not dt:lay reporting an urgent matter to the Secret my I would also 

follow the .lpectlic requirements o{Section 5 of the JG Act and ensure !hat 

Congress was also apprised olthut matter. 

b. If contirmed as Inspector General. how would you define "serious or llagrant 

problems?" 

Serious andflagrant problems are those that have an immediate adverse intemcll 

or public impact on the Department or the nation and cause a decelerll/or ".tJi:ct 

on operations and program1·. 

22. Under Section 6(a) and (b) of the Inspector General Act of 1978. as amended in 2016. 

O!Gs are entitled ''to have timely access to all records, reports, audits, reviews. 

documents. papers. recommendations, or other materials available to the applicable 

establishment which relate to programs and operations with respect to which that 

Inspector General has responsibilities under this Act". and to have such access 

''notwithstanding any other provision of law. except pursuant to any provision oflaw 

enacted by Congress that expressly (i) refers to the lnspi.>ctor General; and (ii) limits the 

right of access of the Inspector General . . :· If DHS denied the OIG access to 

documents during your tenure as Inspector General. how would you address the denial 

with DHS, with the Congress generally. and specifically with this Committee? 

if cmJ{irmed. I imrmd to jill·ge a pn!fi:ssional. collaborative relationship with the 

Secretary and other Depar/ment senior leaders. 1/'DIJS denied rhe O!G access to 

{JUrticular documems. l wou!djirst enmre those documents are a nccessmy 

component for the O!G to adequately complete its audil, invesJigation. or 

evaluation. (f'l ascertain that access to such material is necessary. 1 Kould 

personally speak direct(v with the Secretary or mher senior leader m remove 1he 

prohibition of' the release. lf'l could not resolve the issue within Df!S: I would 

exercise the reporting procedures 10 Congress that are outlined in the JG Act. 

23. Please explain yom views on the importance of transparency in the DHS OIG. 

U.S'. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said il best: ·'Sunliglu is said robe the 

best (!l disinfectants. " Clearly. some in.formation mus/ be kept con.fidemial when 

required by law. but except in those cases transparency is essential. 

24. Inspectors general often make recommendations to the agency as a part of their report, 

audit, ()r investigation. 

a. If confirmed, would you ensure thai all such recommendations are provided dirt.'Ctly 

to the Secretary? 

Yes. 

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Page9 
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b. How would you handle a situation where DHS has not responded to, or implemented 

your recommendations within a reasonable period of time'? 

({conjirmed, 1 wouldfirsl ensure thmthe recommendations are still valid. 

would work with the head ofthe respective Department Component to determine 

why the recommendafion(s) have no/ been imphzmented If that does not work. 1 

would reserve the OlG ·s right to report such mailers to Congress. 

25. As the Inspector General, what measures would you use to determine whether your 

ollicc is successful'? 

The hest metric would be the complicmcc rate with recommendations stemming 

from completed audits and evalualiom and resolved investigations. ~fwc are 

doing a goodjob, and if'our work products meet my expectations. compliance 

with re,·ommendations ought to be an eflecti•·e measure. in addition. high 

employee morale and retention are key indicators of' the effectiveness and success 

of' an t~fficc. {f' confirmed, l would ensure that leadership .from the from ojl/ce 

wam becomes lhe mode/for the DHS DIG .field offices throughowthe country. 

26. Please describe how you believe the DHS OIG should interact with the GAO, the OGE, 

and theOSC. 

in a way. all o.lthese organizations are a .family 1~{ cousins. they each play a 

d!tforent role, but they all work loward the same goals. Frequem meclings and 

though{/ill coordination amongst these organizarions goes a long way to;;.·ard 

e.fjeclive interaction. 

27. Protecting whistleblow<:r confidentiality is of the utmost importance to this Committee as 

whistleblowers provide an invaluable service to rooting out waste. fraud, and abuse 

w>ithin the Federal Government. 

a. How do you plan to work with DHS to encourage implementation ofpolicy within 

the entity to encourage employees to bring constructive suggestions forward 

without the fear of reprisal? 

EncouraKing employees to came forward with complaints or allegations is one 

means ofmaking sure the !G can meet its obligations. (/confirmed. I would insisl 

on a clear and concise writ/en policy encouraging li'mployees to bring 

constructive suggesrions to our attention wit hour the .fear of'reprisal. 

b. Do you commit without reservation to work to ensure that any whistleblower that 

comes forward to DHS OIG does not face retaliation? 

res. 

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c. Do you commit without reservation to take all appropriate action if notified about 

potential whistleblower retaliation'? 

Yes. 

IV. Relations with Congress 

28. Do you agree without reservation to comply with any request or summons to appear and 

testify before any duly constituted committee of the Congress if you are contirmed? 

Yes. 

29. Do you agree v.i.thout reservation to make any subordinate official or employee available 

to appear and testify before, or provide intormation to, any duly constituted committee of 

the Congress if you are confirmed? 

Yes. 

30. Do you agree without reservation to comply tully, completely, and promptly to any 

request for documents. communications. or any other agency material or information 

from any duly constituted committee of the Congress if you are confirmed? 

Yes. 

V. Assistance 

31. Are these answers your own? Have you consulted with DHS. DHS OIG. or any other 

interested parties? If so, please indicate which entities. 

These are my own answers. I wrote my resrmnses to the best (~lmy ahility. 

presented them lo the DHS (}f}ice tJ{ Legislcuive .~f}airs. which pmvided guidance 

to ensure the answers were responsiw and melt he iJmmt. I was free to accept or 

reject their guidance. A.s a nominee. I received briefingsfrom the DHS OJ(J stq{f 

I. Joseph Vin!;ent Cyffari, hereby state that I have read the foregoing Pre-Hearing Questionnaire 

and that the information provided therein is, to the best of my knowledge, current, accurate, and 

complete. 

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Page 11 
60 

Ranking Member Gary C. Peters 

Post-Hearing Questions for the Record 

Submitted to Joseph Cuffari 

Nomination of Joseph Cuffari to be Inspector General of the 

Department of Homeland Security 

Tuesday, March 5, 2019 

1. In March 2018, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General 

(OIG) rescinded 13 Emergency Management Oversight Team (EMOT) reports and removed 

them from its website after an internal review found that they contained findings and 

conclusions that were not supported by evidence. These reports were issued between 2012 

and 2016, and their serious flaws were only uncovered after concerns were raised by a 

congressional investigation. It also appears that these lapses were the result of systemic 

problems within OIG management. Supposedly, these reports- which evaluate FEMA's 

response to federally declared disasters- were required to be "feel good" reports, and OIG 

management pressured staff to disregard auditing standards and avoid making negative 

findings or making recommendations to help FEMA improve its response to disasters. 

a. If confirmed, what specific steps will you take to ensure the integrity and 

accuracy of all reports or products issued by the DHS OIG? 

It is essential that the Inspector General (IG) be an independent, nonpartisan 

fact finder. It is critically important that all reports contain accurate 

information that is fair, objective, and placed in context. It is unacceptable for 

management personnel to pressure staff to report matters otherwise. 

If confirmed, I will ensure that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office 

of the Inspector General (OIG) senior staff and other DHS OIG employees 

understand that the DHS DIG's reputation is based on providing fair and 

accurate reports. My expectations are that the DHS OIG employees are held 

accountable and uphold that responsibility in undertaking and completing their 

work. 

b. What steps would you take to identify and address deficiencies in reports and 

products previously issued? 

If confirmed, I would seek to understand what lapses in the DHS DIG's 

internal oversight of its work product enabled inaccurate reports to be 

published. Based on that review, I would take appropriate actions to correct 

that shortfall and to strengthen the internal review process. 

If I discovered that other previously issued reports contain deficiencies, I would 

notifY the Secretary and this Committee and remove those publications from the 

DHS DIG's public website. 
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c. How would you ensure that all OIG staff are able to express concerns regarding 

report integrity without fear of retaliation? 

I place a major emphasis on leadership responsibility. While organizations 

have an identified chain-of-command, if confirmed, I will draw on my previous 

experiences and ensure that OIG staff understand that they can report matters 

of concern directly to me without fear of retaliation. 

2. On February 11,2019, the Department of State ("State") OIG and DHS OIG provided a 

briefing to several House and Senate Committees regarding a senior DHS official who had 

declined to comply with a State OIG interview request over the course of several months. 

This interview request pertained to allegations from the official's time as a senior official at 

State. This briefing was followed by a February 13, 2019 memorandum from the DHS 

Acting IG, which recommended that the official's supervisor "take appropriate disciplinary 

action" under Management Directive 0810.1 due to the official's refusal to comply with the 

interview request. 

a. Do you agree with the DHS OIG's actions, made in response to a request from 

the State OIG? 

As a nominee, I have read a publicly available news report about this matter. 

However, since I do not currently work for either the State OIG or for the DHS 

OIG, I am not fully informed of all the facts in this case. 

Section 6(a)(3) of the IG Act empowers an IG to request information or assistance from any 

governmental agency or unit. Further, under section 6(c) of the IG Act, a federal agency is 

directed to comply with requests for assistance made by any IG, including those from other 

agencies. 

b. What alternative actions do you believe the DHS OIG could or should have 

taken in this case while remaining in compliance with the IG Act? 

Since I do not currently work for either the State OIG or for the DHS OIG, I 

am not fully informed of all the facts in this case. Therefore, I do not know 

what alternative actions were available for consideration. 

c. If confirmed, if you were approached by another IG seeking assistance with 

interviewing a current DHS employee, what steps would you take to comply with 

theiGAct? 

If confirmed, I would comply with the IG Act while ensuring that applicable 

laws regarding an individual's due process and other rights are protected. 

d. If confirmed, if an investigation required information or assistance from another 

agency, what steps would you take? 

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If confirmed, I would review the DHS OIG's current policies and practices 

about making such a request. I would also seek guidance from the Council of 

the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, and other IGs on best 

practices in this area. 

3. Despite the progress DHS has made since its creation in 2002, serious management 

challenges continue to plague the Department. In fact, DHS Management has been featured 

on GAO's high-risk list every year since 2003. Considerable shortcomings from recruiting 

challenges at Customs and Border Protection to inappropriate hiring practices at FEMA - not 

only waste millions of taxpayer dollars- they put our country's national and economic 

security at risk. If confirmed, how would you ensure that DHS's Office of Inspector 

General devotes sufficient resources to DHS's ongoing struggles with key management 

functions - in particular acquisition and financial management? 

The IG has a duty to identifY fraud, waste, and abuse in Departmental 

programs and operations and make recommendations to correct identified 

deficiencies. If confirmed, I will review the DHS OIG's current and planned 

workload to ensure that sufficient oversight is conducted of acquisition and 

financial management programs. 

4. In your pre-hearing· questionnaire, you stated that you believe IGs should take a proactive 

role in helping agencies avoid problems and identify efficiencies. What are some of the 

ways that the DHS OIG can work proactively with the Department? 

If confirmed, I intend to work with the DHS Secretary and senior Department 

officials to better understand the internal and external challenges they face. I 

also intend to work with this Committee and your staffs to obtain your current 

and institutional observations. These two avenues, coupled with internal DHS 

OIG senior staff inputs, will provide a better-informed strategy to identifY what 

areas of DHS operations/programs would be best served by a proactive audit, 

inspection, or evaluation approach. 

5. DHS OIG issues multiple reports every year identifying improper or questionable spending 

by FEMA grant recipients. In fiscal year 2017, for example, DHS OIG identified over $2 

billion in improper grant spending that it recommended FEMA recover from recipients. 

However, in many cases these taxpayer dollars are never retrieved by FEMA. Do you believe 

it is important for FEMA to collect the funding DHS OIG deems should be recovered? 

How can DHS OIG help FEMA to ensure that grant funds are spent properly on the 

front end in order to avoid having to try and recoup billions of dollars in improper 

spending after the fact? 

Since I am a nominee, I do not have the all the facts that the DHS OIG relied 

upon to make its recommendations in that FEMA matter. However, I do 

believe civil servants have a fuluciary responsibility to he good stewards of the 

American taxpayers' money. 

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If confirmed, I intend to work with DHS OIG senior staff to better understand 

their current grant auditing and evaluation process. Based on that review, I 

would consider conducting audits and evaluations during the grant initial 

disbursement process in addition to conducting such matters after the fact. 

I would also encourage FEMA 's senior officials and other employees to timely 

report any suspected, questionable activity to the DHS OIG for immediate 

consideration. 

6. In your written testimony you stated: "I believe Inspectors General fill another equally 

important role as well-the duty to highlight effective and efficient services that are 

discovered during the course of investigations, audits, and inspection." If confirmed, do you 

plan to task your staff with finding efficient or effective services at DHS and, if so, how 

would you balance that directive with the DHS OIG's responsibility to detect fraud, 

waste, and abuse? 

If confirmed, I plan to task my staff to continue to conduct its vital functions of 

investigations, audits, inspections, and evaluations to detect and to deter fraud, 

waste, and abuse in DHS operations and programs. The DHS OIG will report 

its findings and any recommendations to the Secretary and to this Committee. 

However, due to its significant oversight role, DHS OIG's activities frequently 

horizontally cut across agencies and/or internal "stovepipes" of 

communication. Therefore, if confirmed, I plan to task my staff to also identifY 

any best practices that they discover while conducting those important oversight 

functions. The DHS OIG will report such information to the Secretary and to 

this Committee for consideration of exporting those best practices throughout 

the DHS enterprise, where appropriate. Those best practices should enhance 

the efficiency and effectiveness for DHS operations and programs. 

7. DHS OIG does important work examining the FEMA's efforts preparing for, and responding 

to, natural disasters. Other OIGs of federal departments such as the Department of Housing 

and Urban Development, the Small Business Administration, the Department of Health and 

Human Services, and the Department of Defense, also examine federal disaster preparation, 

response, and recovery activities. 

a. What role do you envision for DHS OIG working with other OIGs on disasterrelated issues? 

Through my professional and academic experiences, I have learned that a 

multidiscipline approach may be best to meet and resolve mutual challenges 

facing many agencies. If confirmed, I plan to conduct such joint reviews of 

disaster events with other OIGs, when warranted. 

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b. If confirmed, will you commit to examining the current state of coordination and 

collaboration among IGs with respect to disaster-related programs and 

spending? 

Yes. 

c. If confirmed, will you prioritize efforts to increase the effectiveness of disasterrelated oversight? 

If confirmed, I commit to examining the existing effectiveness of disasterrelated oversight. I would also seek to identify any disaster oversight 

responsibilities that may be resident within the OIGs that exist in various states 

and local governments. 

8. After major disasters, Congress typically authorizes billions of dollars in supplemental 

federal appropriations to support response and recovery efforts-much of which is 

administered by FEMA. However, the DHS OIG typically does not receive a commensurate 

increase in resources. Do you see this as a problem for DHS OIG's oversight work? 

As a nominee, I have reviewed publicly available information, which identified 

that the dedication of resources to the DHS OIG has been reduced in recent 

years. Since I do not work in the DHS OIG, I do not know how that decrease 

has impacted current DHS OIG oversight work. 

9. During your testimony, you stated multiple times that you would need to review internal 

DHS OIG policy and operations before commenting on, or committing to, certain actions if 

you were confirmed as DHS IG. Will you commit, if confirmed, to meet with this 

Committee's majority and minority staff to answer questions that you said could not be 

answered because of your lack of visibility into OIG policies and procedures? 

Yes. 

10. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) routinely conducts warrantless searches of electronic 

devices at the border - a practice that implicates serious constitutional concerns. In 

particular, CBP does not appear to have proper safeguards in place to prevent officers from 

targeting individuals for searches based on religion, race, ethnicity, or political views. 

a. What do you see as the DHS IG's role and responsibilities with respect to 

ensuring that the Department does not violate individuals' civil liberties? 

The DHS OIG has a responsibility to follow the IG Act and to coordinate such 

matters with the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. 

In your testimony, you stated that you would prioritize the investigation of matters that have 

an immediate impact on public safety or national security. 

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b. If confirmed, how will you ensure that the DHS OIG places sufficient emphasis 

on investigating possible civil rights violations? 

I take allegations of civil rights violations very seriously. During my career 

with the Department of Justice OIG, I conducted or supervised several federal 

criminal investigations of such matters. If confirmed, I will draw on my 

previous experience concerning those matters and provide a significant degree 

of due consideration to determine if the DHS OIG's work supports further 

action. 

11. In recent years, several journalists have reported being subjected to mistreatment by CBP 

officers at the border, including invasive questioning, threats, and harassment. If 

confirmed, how would you respond to similar complaints regarding mistreatment of 

journalists and others? 

If confirmed, I will ensure that such complaints are properly evaluated and 

receive due consideration to determine if the OIG's work supports further 

action. 

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Senator Kamala Harris 

Post-Hearing Questions for the Record 

Submitted to Joseph V. Cuffari 

Nomination of Joseph V. Cuffari to be Inspector General, 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security 

Tuesday, March 5, 2019 

Policy Advisor Work for Arizona Governors 

In 2013, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer hired you as a policy advisor. You reported to staff of 

this Committee that in this role, you initially advised Governor Brewer on public safety 

concerns, including law enforcement and criminal justice, then shifted to focus on advising her 

on military and veteran's affairs. 

1. Would you describe this job as serving in a political advisory role? Please explain. 

No, I do not view my duties as a Policy Advisor to be one of a political advisor. I have 

served as Governor Brewer's Policy Advisor for Public Safety and as Governor 

Ducey's Policy Advisor for Military and Veterans Affairs. 

2. Did you ever advise Governor Brewer on issues relating to border security or 

immigration? If yes, please explain in detail. 

No. To the best of my memory, as Governor Brewer's Public Safety Advisor, I provided 

her and staff with information concerning state and local law enforcement, 

corrections, military, veterans, emergency management, and related matters. 

3. Did you ever work on projects or participate in meetings with Governor Brewer's 

policy advisors who advised her on border security and immigration? If yes, please 

explain in detail. 

No, to the best of my memory, I did not work on any projects regarding border security 

and immigration. However, I may have attended internal meetings when those topics 

were discussed. 

4. Please explain why you believe Senator MeSally described your role as working on 

homeland security issues for Arizona governors? 

I believe that Senator MeSally described my role as working as the Arizona governors' 

Policy Advisor for veterans and public safety issues. 
67 

You reported to this Committee that from July 2013 to February 2015 you served as the Arizona 

Governor's Office Liaison for the Arizona Joint Border Security Advisory Committee. This 

Advisory Committee was created, in part, to raise private funds to build 82 miles of border wall 

on private lands in Arizona using state prison labor. An Advisory Committee webpage 

(https://www.azleg.gov/jbsac/) includes a link to the Federation for American Immigration 

Reform, a group the Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled a hate group. 

5. Why do you think Governor Brewer appointed you to serve as her liaison to this 

Advisory Committee rather than one of her border security policy advisors? 

The state Boards and Commissions staff listed me as the Governor's Office Liaison. 

Governor Brewer appointed Gilbert Orrantia, Director of the Arizona Department of 

Homeland Security, to serve on the Joint Border Security Advisory Committee. 

6. Did this Advisory Committee's work relate to border security or immigration? Please 

describe your understanding of the purpose and activities of this Advisory Committee. 

To the best of my knowledge, this Advisory Committee did not meet while I was the 

Governor's Office Liaison. The enabling Arizona statute generally describes its 

purpose as to: (1) meet on the call of the co-chairs; (2) analyze crime and border 

statistics; (3) hear testimony from witnesses; (4) make recommendations to increase 

border security; and (5) seek assistance from Arizona legislative staff. 

7. Please describe in detail what you did in your role as the Governor's Office Liaison to 

this Advisory Committee, including any communications, meetings, or other activities. 

To the best of my knowledge, my role was limited to internally routing, within the 

Governor's Offzce, two applications for consideration of appointment to this Advisory 

Committee. 

a. If the role did not entail any action on your part, please explain why you listed this 

position on your HSGAC Background Questionnaire in the section requesting you 

list "advisory, consultative, honorary or other part-time service or positions with 

federal, state, or local governments, not listed elsewhere." 

Please refer to my responses to Questions 5, 6, and 7 above. 

In Governor Doug Ducey's July-December 2017 and January-June 2018 appointment reports on 

state boards and commissions, you are listed as the executive contact for the Arizona Joint 

Border Security Advisory Committee. 

8. When did your role as the Governor's Office Liaison to this Advisory Committee end? 

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I was the Governor's Office Liaison to this Advisory Committee from July 2013 until 

approximately February 2015, when a new colleague was hired and assumed that duty. 

I have asked the Executive Director of the state Boards and Commissions to update the 

appointment report. 

Your former employer Governor Brewer has been well-known supporter of extreme state and 

federal immigration policies. Most notably, she supported S.B. 1070 (20 1 0), a broad state 

measure targeting undocumented immigrants. During your tenure as her policy advisor, she 

championed a policy to deny DACA recipients access to driver's licenses, with Arizona being 

the only state to take this position. Arizona also joined Texas-led litigation to oppose President 

Obama's late 2014 executive action to expand DACA and create a Deferred Action for Parents 

of Americans (DAPA) program. The state also brought litigation to enforce state immigration 

criminal laws parallel to federal laws. 

9. While you worked for Governor Brewer, were you aware of her efforts to restrict 

DACA recipients' access to driver's licenses? 

Yes. 

10. Were you aware of her efforts to oppose expanded protections from deportation for 

Dreamers and parents of American children? 

Yes. 

11. Were you aware of her efforts to advance state and local enforcement of immigration 

laws? 

Yes. 

12. Did you support any of these efforts in any way? 

As part of my duties as a Policy Advisor for Public Safety, I did not work on these 

efforts. 

Commitment to Continue Immigration Detention Oversight Work 

The DHS OIG provides transparency about abuses and deficient conditions at ICE and CBP 

facilities where immigrants are detained. ICE has failed to comply with its own detention 

standards and conduct accountable facility inspections. In a June 2018 report, the DHS OIG 

concluded that ICE's inspections, follow-up processes, and onsite monitoring of detention 

facilities do not ensure adequate oversight or advance systematic improvements in conditions. In 

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a January 2019 report, the DHS OIG found that ICE does not fully use available tools to hold 

detention facility contractors accountable for failing to meet standards. 

During your nomination hearing on March 5, 2019, you committed to continuing the DHS OIG 

detention oversight program, which conducts unannounced inspections ofDHS detention 

facilities to determine agency compliance with detention standards. 

13. Will you commit to publicly report on all inspections from DHS OIG's program of 

unannounced inspections of CBP and ICE facilities? 

If confirmed, I commit to providing all reports that are legally publicly releasable. 

14. Will you commit to expand DHS OIG's program of unannounced inspections of CBP 

and ICE facilities and publicly report on these inspections? 

If confirmed, I commit to thoroughly evaluate the Department of Homeland Security 

(DHS) Office of the Inspector General's (OIG) on-going and planned inspections of 

those facilities and ascertain if any enhancements to that process/program are needed. 

15. As Inspector General, what tools would you use to hold ICE and CBP to stricter 

standards of accountability for complying with detention standards? 

If confirmed, I will ensure that DHS OIG's work in this area thoroughly evaluates 

ICE's and CBP's compliance with existing standards. Based on that assessment, I 

would report the findings and make recommendations for strengthening that program 

of compliance, if warranted. I would provide that report to the Secretary and to this 

Committee for review and consideration. 

The DHS OIG has uncovered particularly alarming violations of ICE standards at California 

immigration detention facilities. In a September 2018 report focused on the Adelanto ICE 

Processing Center, the DHS OIG found untimely and inadequate detainee medical care, improper 

and overly restrictive segregation of detainees from the general population, and inadequate 

attention to detainee safety and self-harm. One disabled detainee was discovered to have been 

"inappropriately held" in solitary confinement for 9 days, with his file not indicating that facility 

staff ever moved him from his wheelchair, even to sleep in his bed or brush his teeth. In a 

December 2017 report, the DHS OIG identified undocumented strip searches and undocumented 

and inappropriate segregation, delays for urgent medical care, and verbal abuse by staff at the 

ICE-contracted Santa Ana City Jail. In a March 2017 report, the DHS OIG identified foulsmelling lunch meats, mildew and mold in detainee shower stalls, unusable telephones, and 

inappropriate mixing of high-risk and low-risk detainees at the ICE-contracted Theo Lacy 

Facility. 

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16. In light of these findings, will you commit to expand the DHS OIG's efforts to 

investigate and report on conditions at California immigration detention facilities? 

If confirmed, I commit to thoroughly evaluate the DHS OIG's on-going and planned 

inspections of those facilities and ascertain if any enhancements to that 

process/program are needed. 

On March 1, 2019, the Daily Beast reported that miscarriages in ICE custody increased under the 

Trump Administration. In December 2017, ICE issued a directive ending a presumption that 

pregnant women not be detained. On July 13,2018, I wrote to the DHS OIG to request a 

thorough investigation of the treatment of pregnant women in ICE detention, including 

allegations of malnutrition, inadequate bedding, and insufficient access to medical care. On July 

20,2019, the DHS OIG informed my office that it was considering my request. 

17. Will you commit to fulfill my July 13, 2018 investigation request for a thorough 

investigation of the treatment of pregnant women in ICE detention and publish the 

resulting report? 

If confirmed, I will ascertain the DHS OIG's current workload. I commit to being 

responsive to your concerns and to providing all due consideration of your pending 

and future requests. 

On March 5, 2019, you committed to examine the availability of specialized medical care for 

infants and pregnant women at ICE facilities. 

18. Will you please elaborate on this statement? 

If confirmed, I will ensure that the DHS OIG's evaluations of those facilities includes 

a review of all available medical care for infants and pregnant women. 

Commitment to Continue Family Separations Oversight Work 

On September 26,2018, I sent the DHS OIG a letter with Representatives Nadler and Lofgren 

requesting an investigation into allegations ofiCE and CBP employees' coercion and abuse of 

detained immigrant parents who were separated from their children at the border. On December 

3, 2018, the DHS OIG informed my office that it was pursuing the investigation with a modified 

scope. 

19. Will you commit to publicly report the fmdings of this investigation? 

If confirmed, I commit to providing all reports that are legally publicly releasable. 

5 
71 

On February 13, 2019, the administration reported that it had separated 245 children from their 

parents at the southern border since the June 2018 Ms. L v. ICE court order, arguing that these 

separations fall within court order exceptions. 

20. Will you commit to investigate the circumstances, policies, and procedures surrounding 

these separations and publicly report on the findings? 

If confirmed, I will ascertain the DHS OIG's current workload. I commit to being 

responsive to your concerns and to providing all due consideration of your pending 

and future requests. 

A January 2019 Department of Health and Human Services OIG report confirms that the 

administration may have separated up to thousands additional children from their parents since 

2017, who not accounted for in the Ms. L v. ICE case relating to the "zero tolerance" policy. 

Media sources report that the administration ran a "pilot program" that separated families in El 

Paso, Texas, during 2017. 

21. Will you commit to investigate the circumstances, policies, and procedures surrounding 

these separations and publicly report on the findings? 

If confirmed, I will ascertain the DHS OIG's current workload. I would also 

coordinate with the Department of Health and Human Services OIG to better 

understand the facts and their findings in this matter. I commit to being responsive to 

your concerns and to providing all due consideration of your pending and future 

requests. 

6 
72 

~upreme <Court 

FROM THE CHAMBERS OF 

SCOTT BALES 

CHIEf JU~rli:;f; . ' 

Honorable Ronald H. Johnson 

Chairman 

Committee on Homeland Security 

and Governmental Affairs 

SD-340 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg. 

Washington, DC 20510 

STATE OF ARIZONA 

February 6, 2019 

1501 WEST WASHINGTON STREET 

SUlTE427 

PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85007-3231 

(602) 452-3534 

FAX (602) 452-3906 

SBales@courts.az.gov 

Honorable Gary C. Peters 

Ranking Member 

Committee on Homeland Security 

and Governmental Affairs 

SD-340 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg. 

Washington, DC 20510 

Re: Nomination of Joseph V Cuffari, Inspector General, United States Department of 

Homeland Security 

Dear Chairman Johnson, Ranking Member Peters, and Honorable Committee Members: 

Iwt:ite to support the confirmation of Joseph V. Cuffari as Inspector General for the U.S. 

Department of Homeland Security (DHS). My views reflect both Joe's some twenty-year's work 

with the Office oflnspector General for the U.S. Department of Justice (1993-2013), culminating 

with his serving as the Special Agent in Charge of the Tucson Office, and his work as a member 

of the Arizona Commission on Appellate Court Appointments (2012-present). I believe that he 

has the integrity, experience, and commitment to effectively lead the Inspector General's Office 

forDHS. 

My knowledge of Joe's character, leadership skills, and strong work ethic largely comes 

from his having served on our appellate court nominating commission since 2012. Since 2014, I 

have chaired the commission in my role as Arizona's chief justice. In Arizona, a fifteen-person 

commission nominates candidates for our Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Joe, by 

gubernatorial appointment with state senate confirmation, has served as one of the ten non-lawyer 

members of this commission. When a judicial vacancy occurs, the commission reviews 

applications, conducts due diligence, interviews selected candidates, and ultimately submits a slate 

of nominees to the Governor. Since Joe joined the commission in 2012, it has considered 

applications for several vacancies on our Court of Appeals and three vacancies on our state 

Supreme Court. 
73 

Chairman Johnson, Ranking Member Peters, and Committee Members 

February 6, 2019 

Page 2 

As a commission member, Joe has greatly impressed me with his conscientious work in 

reviewing potential candidates, discussing their qualifications with other committee members, and 

exercising careful judgment in identifying nominees. Fairness and thoroughness have 

distinguished his tenure on the commission. 

My support for Joe's nomination also reflects my great respect for the role of Inspectors 

General in the federal government. From 1995-1999, I served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for 

the District of Arizona and was twice detailed to the U.S. Department of Justice, including working 

as a special investigative counsel for the Department's Office of Inspector General. From that 

work, I well understand that because an Inspector General oversees investigations of misconduct 

within an agency, it is critical that this person be deeply committed to upholding the law, to doing 

so in a non-partisan and fair manner, and to exercising courage and persistence in overseeing 

sensitive investigations. 

Based on my work with Joe on Arizona's appellate court nominating commission and our 

other interactions over the years, I think he has the qualifications and experience to be an 

outstanding Inspector General for DHS. If! can provide any additional information, please contact 

me. 

Sincerely, 

Scott Bales 

SB/mk 
74 

January 22,2019 

l!()llt)rable Ronald H. Johnson 

Chainnan 

Committee on Homeland Security 

and Governmental Affairs 

SD-340 Dirksen Senale Office Building 

Washington. DC 20510 

Honorable Gary C. Peters 

Rankin& Member 

Committee on Homeland Security 

and Oovemmc:ntal Affairs 

SD-340 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Re: Nomination of Dr. Joseph V. Cuffuri 

ln.~pectur General, United States Department of Homeland Security 

Dear Chairman Johnson, Ranking Member Peters. and Honorable Members of the Committee: 

We highly recommend 0(1(:tor Joseph Cutlilri for the position of Inspector General for the 

Department of Homeland Security. 

We have known Joe for 39 years. At the time. he was an F-4 crew chief at Torrejon Air Base. 

Spain and expressed interest in serving with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations 

(AFOSl). He subsequently was awarded an AFROTC scholarship, earned his undergraduate 

degree, and was commissioned an Air Foree officer. We then recruited him into a special duty 

assignment as an AFOSI officer and are very proud to have played an essential part in doing so. 

Joe excelled while in AfOSI, where he was the commander at three diverse assignments. 

During those assignments, his units provided critical criminal, fraud, and counterintelligc:m:e 

investigative support to major U.S. Air Foree fighter wings and to the U.S. Central Command 

and the U.S. Special Operations Command's missions. He also served in a NATO/Allied Joint 

Forces Command assignment in Italy, where he provided anti-terrorism and counterintelligence 

threat assessment support to Air Force elements operating throughout the: MediteiTIIIlean region. 

His outstanding perfonnance while in AFOSI was recognized by his competitive seleetion as the 

Officer ofthe Y.:ar in 1989. 

We have worked with numerous lnspectors General throughout our collective multi-decades of 

military service. Joe's honest. straightforward demeanor. and proven kadersbip perfectly 

embody the vital essence for an Inspector General. His loyalty and integrity are unquestionable. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

Very Re:speetfully, 

/~/~ / " ,/ 

.. · 1:t.r;r./...t•1/ C.~.~ 

l.L Colonel E'H~·s. Rogan (USAF, Ret) 

AFOS! Special Agent (R.n) 

,.· ' c .... i.ttf 

. . ' 

L~ Cillonel Josqih V. Rogan (USAF, Ret) 

1 AFOSI Special Agent (Ret) 
75 

McDermott 

Will Emery 

Botton Brusnls Chicago Dallas DUsseldorf Frankfurt Houston London L.os Angeles M!aml 

MUan Munich New York Orange County Paris San Franclaoo Seoul Smcon Valley Washington, DC 

Strategic alliance with MWE China Law Offices (Shanghai) 

December 14,2018 

The Honorable Ronald H. Johnson 

Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security 

and Governmental Affairs 

SD-340 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Re: Nomination of Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D. 

Stephen Ryan 

Attomeyatlaw 

sry.anOmwe.com 

+ 1 202 756 8333 

to be the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security 

Dear Chairman Johnson and other Members of the Committee, 

I write in strong support of the nomination of Dr. Joseph Cuffari to be the Inspector General of 

the Department of Homeland Security and urge your colleagues to support him as well. I have 

known Dr. Cuffari professionally for several decades, and I am unreserved in my praise for 

him. 

Joe is a person of quality and sound judgment. Last week our nation buried and celebrated 

President George H. W. Bush. I assure you that Joe also has the right stuff required of 

a leader. He has a well-developed sense of right and wrong, and knows how vital it is for the 

Inspector General to assist his agency to succeed by drafting factually accurate and well thought 

out reports. Because of his personal skills he has supervised the plethora of investigations and 

has made tough calls on which have merit and which do not. He is the type of non-partisan 

government servant who will have credibility with Congress, answer its questions fully, and gain 

the confidence of the leaders ofDHS's many components. 

Dr. Cuffari's professional qualifications equal or exceed most Inspectors General. 

First, Lt. Colonel Cuffari's dedicated service as an active duty, reservist, and national 

guard member led to his capping his career after four decades of accomplishments. 

Second, his full time Federal law enforcement career in the Inspector General 

community, which is where I met him, provides him with the best possible preparation to 

manage a major IG office. 

US practice conducted through McDermott Will & Emery tLP. 

The McOtrmott Building 1500 North Capitol Street, NW Woohlngton DC 20001·1631 Telephone: +1 202 758 8000 Fecelmlle: +1 202 758 8087 

www.mwe.com 
76 

December 14, 2018 

Page2 

Third, his more recent work for the State of Arizona provides him a unique and 

expanded view of how Homeland defense activities involve and require cooperation with 

other federal, state, and local governmental agencies. 

I know the Senate takes very seriously its advise and consent responsibilities since I served as 

General Counsel of the Governmental Affairs Committee years ago. If I can provide any 

additional information I would be happy to do so. Thank you for your consideration. 
77 

JOHN BEL EDWARDS GOVERNOR 

STEPHEN B. STREET,JR. STATE INSPECTOR GENERAL 

&tate of Iout•tana 

Office of the Governor 

Office of State Inspector General 

Honorable Ronald H. Johnson 

Chairman 

Committee on Homeland Security 

and Governmental Affairs 

SD-340 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, DC 205!0 

January 11,2019 

Honorable Gary C. Peters 

Ranking Member 

Committee on Homeland Security 

and Governmental Affairs 

SD-340 Dirksen Senate Office Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Re: Nomination of Joseph V. Cuffari. Ph.D. 

Inspector General. United States Department of Homeland Security 

Dear Chairman Johnson, Ranking Member Peters and Honorable Members of the Committee: 

1 am writing to express my enthusiastic support for the nomination of Dr. Joseph Cuffari 

as Inspector General for the United States Department of Homeland Security. 

I have served as Louisiana's State Inspector General for eleven years, and recently began 

my third term as President of the National Association of Inspectors General (AIG). In those 

capacities, I have had the opportunity to meet and serve alongside many talented people of character 

and integrity. Joe Cuffari is among the very best. 

Joe and I first met in 2015 when he was a Policy Advisor for Arizona Governor Doug 

Ducey. We became friends immediately, and as I got to know him, it became clear that Joe 

possessed exceptional qualifications, knowledge and experience that would make him a viable 

candidate for any Inspector General position. Since 2015, we have worked together regularly on 

issues of concern to the Inspector General community. 

Joe Cuffari's stellar professional background, which includes decades of service in both 

the military and federal Inspector General communities, is already a matter of public record. But it 

is who Joe is as a man that makes him special, and in my opinion uniquely qualified, for this 

Inspector General nomination. Joe has the character, integrity and steadfast courage to pursue the 

truth, whatever it is, without regard to partisan politics, allegiances, status or influence. He 

understands the vital importance of fairness, objectivity and independence - essential 

characteristics for any effective Inspector General. These will allow Joe to make good decisions 

and maintain the trust and respect of members of Congress from both sides of the aisle. In short, it 

is hard to imagine any IG candidate with a better combination of high character and professional 

qualifications than Joe Cuffari. 
78 

Honorable Ronald H. Johnson 

Chairman 

Honorable Gary C. Peters 

Ranking Member 

Committee on Homeland Security 

and Governmental Affairs 

January 11,2019 

Page Two of Two 

I truly appreciate the serious work of this Committee to carry out its Advise and Consent 

responsibilities. If I can provide additional information, please do not hesitate to reach out. My 

contact information is below: 

SS/ss 

Stephen B. Street, Jr., C.!. G. 

Louisiana State Inspector General 

President, National Association oflnspectors General 

602 N. 5th Street, Suite 621 

P.O. Box 94095 

Telephone: 225-342-4262 

Cell: 225-978-9348 

Facsimile: 225-342-6761 

E-mail: stephen.street@la.gov 

Thank you for your consideration. With Kindest Regards, I remain 

Very Respectfully, 

Stephen B. Street, Jr., C.!. G. 

Louisiana State Inspector General 

President, National Association of Inspectors General 
79 

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