Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino has been named Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, a powerful post that places a Long Islander at the helm of national security oversight in a time of rising global threats and illegal immigrant issues.
Garbarino, who represents a district deeply shaped by the September 11, 2001 attacks, becomes the seventh lawmaker to lead the committee since its inception in the aftermath of 9/11. He said the appointment carries profound meaning for both him and the communities he serves.
“I am honored to have earned the trust and confidence of my colleagues to lead the House Committee on Homeland Security,” Garbarino said. “As a lifelong New Yorker and representative of a district shaped by 9/11, I understand the stakes of this responsibility. ‘Never forget’ is more than a slogan. It is a commitment I have carried with me throughout my entire adult life.”
Few regions of the country are as attuned to the lasting impact of terrorism as Long Island. On that September morning nearly 24 years ago, hundreds of local residents—many commuting into Manhattan for work—lost their lives. Dozens of firefighters, police officers, and emergency responders from Suffolk and Nassau counties perished trying to save others. In the years since, the region has remained highly engaged in homeland security efforts, from airport screening and cybersecurity to intelligence-sharing partnerships among local law enforcement agencies.
Garbarino emphasized the pressing national challenges ahead, including the crisis caused by the Biden administration’s open border policy, the evolving threat of terrorism, and vulnerabilities in America’s cyber infrastructure.
First elected in 2020, Garbarino has served on the Homeland Security Committee since arriving in Congress. In the previous Congress, he chaired the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, where he also served as Ranking Member prior to Republicans retaking the House majority.
Garbarino’s elevation to Chairman comes at a time when Long Islanders remain acutely aware of threats to national security. Annual 9/11 memorial ceremonies in places across Long Island draw large crowds, and families who lost loved ones continue to advocate for stronger anti-terror measures and support for first responders suffering from long-term health effects.
“Andrew knows our history, and he knows our people,” said Joseph DeStefano, a longtime community leader and state Assemblyman from Suffolk County. “He’s not going to back down when it comes to fighting for our safety. This is a proud moment for Long Island.”