Congresswoman Pou Helps Lead Inaugural Hearing on World Cup, Olympics Security
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States, today used the panel’s inaugural hearing to focus on recent tragedies to highlight the importance of preparedness at the upcoming World Cup, Summer Olympics, and America’s semiquincentennial celebrations.
“This Task Force has a deeply important mission as our country prepares to host some of the world’s largest gatherings and celebrations over the next three years,” said Congresswoman Pou. “Events like the 250th Anniversary of America’s Founding, the 78 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games will put American hospitality on display for the world to see.”
Pou also used her remarks to call out the continued withholding of federal security funds by the Trump administration.
Both the FIFA World Cup 2025 and the FIFA World Cup 2026 play several games, including the final matches, in the Congresswoman’s New Jersey district.
Congresswoman Pou is a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, which has jurisdiction over key agencies at the Department of Homeland Security tasked with providing security funding and support for the World Cup. This year, Congresswoman Pou offered an amendment to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee portion of the Trump budget that would provide a fresh stream of funding to help for the planning of transportation options to and from the 2026 World Cup and surrounding areas. Unfortunately, it was blocked by House Republicans.
Text of Congresswoman Pou’s complete opening remarks are below.
Congresswoman Pou Opening Statement
House Homeland Security Task Force Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States
July 22, 2025
Good Afternoon. Chairman McCaul, I am pleased to be leading our bipartisan task force with you today for our first hearing.
Before I start, I want to express my deepest sympathy to the victims of the attack in Los Angeles over the weekend. I pray for everyone’s recovery.
This tragedy – which injured more than 30 people – demonstrates how important it is for law enforcement to have plans in place to prevent, mitigate, and respond to threats, including threats that may arise outside of venues.
This Task Force has a deeply important mission as our country prepares to host some of the world’s largest gatherings and celebrations over the next three years.
Events like the 250th Anniversary of America’s Founding, the 78 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games will put American hospitality on display for the world to see.
I am so excited that the final match of the 2026 World Cup will be held in Bergen County in my district. And our Fan Festival will be right down the road at Liberty State Park.
Congress and the Executive Branch must be ready to roll out the red carpet and ensure our state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners have the resources they need to ensure the safety, security, and success of these mass gatherings.
And as we go forward, we must keep in mind that it’s not just stadiums and parking lots we need to protect – it’s Fan Festivals, entertainment districts, bars, and gathering spaces where people will be celebrating.
I want to thank our witnesses for testifying. Each of you has an important perspective on lessons learned as we examine past security incidents at mass gathering events.
At the 2013 Boston Marathon, terrorists detonated homemade bombs. Three died and over 500 were injured.
In February 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl, and the city turned out for a massive celebration and parade.
Sadly, after the parade, two men began arguing and shot at each other. Within minutes, more shots were fired, one person was killed, and more than 20 people were injured.
During the 2024 Copa America final in Florida, thousands of fans without tickets crashed the gates, jumped barriers, and entered the stadium – bypassing security and police.
And we all were devastated this year when a terrorist rented a pickup truck and rammed through a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing 14 people and injuring dozens. Our committee traveled to New Orleans to hear directly from those involved in the response.
Today’s witnesses are law enforcement officers who faced these tragic events, and they are here to help us apply the lessons they learned to the hundreds of mass gathering events that will unfold over the next three years.
But we also want to take a look forward and hear about what state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners need from us to prepare for the America 250 celebrations, 2026 FIFA World Cup, and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Two of our witnesses today will play leading roles in securing FIFA World Cup Matches next year.
Before closing, I want to point out that while our cities prepare for these wonderful celebrations of sport and global fellowship, the Administration has cut, frozen, and slowed disbursement of DHS and FEMA grants that help cities address terrorism and regional preparedness.
Cities and states needed that money yesterday.
I hope to hear from our witnesses how grants like the State Homeland Security Program and Urban Area Security Initiative keep Americans safe at mass gathering events.
I am also worried that the Administration’s treatment of immigrants has sent a message to the world that “You are not welcome here.”
Tourism is already down across the country, and our state and local economies are suffering.
If the Administration’s visa policies keep people from traveling to the US for the World Cup or Olympics, our communities will suffer. That’s bad policy and bad economics.
Mr. Chairman, I look forward to working with you to make sure that our communities and law enforcement get everything they need – and get it soon. Thank you, and I yield back.
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La Congresista Pou lidera audiencia inaugural sobre seguridad para la Copa Mundial y los Juegos Olímpicos
WASHINGTON, DC – La congresista Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), la principal demócrata del Grupo de Trabajo de Seguridad Nacional de la Cámara de Representantes sobre el Fortalecimiento de la Seguridad en Eventos Especiales en Estados Unidos, utilizó hoy la audiencia inaugural del panel para destacar, a partir de recientes tragedias, la importancia de estar preparados para la próxima Copa Mundial, los Juegos Olímpicos de Verano y las celebraciones del 250º aniversario de la fundación de Estados Unidos.
“Este grupo de trabajo tiene una misión profundamente importante, ya que nuestro país se prepara para ser anfitrión de algunos de los eventos más grandes del mundo en los próximos tres años”, dijo la congresista Pou. “Eventos como el 250º aniversario de la fundación de Estados Unidos, los 78 partidos de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA en 2026 y los Juegos Olímpicos y Paralímpicos de 2028 pondrán en vitrina la hospitalidad estadounidense ante el mundo entero.”
La congresista Pou también aprovechó sus declaraciones para denunciar que la administración Trump continúa reteniendo fondos federales destinados a la seguridad.
Tanto la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2025 como la de 2026 tendrán varios partidos, incluyendo encuentros finales, en el distrito de Nueva Jersey que representa la congresista.
Pou forma parte del Comité de Seguridad Nacional de la Cámara de Representantes, el cual tiene jurisdicción sobre agencias clave del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional encargadas de proporcionar fondos y apoyo logístico para la Copa Mundial. Este año, la congresista propuso una enmienda al presupuesto presentado por Trump, en la sección correspondiente al Comité de Transporte e Infraestructura, con el objetivo de destinar nuevos recursos para planificar opciones de transporte hacia y desde las sedes de la Copa Mundial de 2026. Lamentablemente, la propuesta fue bloqueada por los republicanos en la Cámara.
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