Rep. Gimenez Seeks Homeland Security Chair Amid Transition

Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.), a former Miami fire chief, mayor, and current congressman, has formally announced his candidacy to chair the House Homeland Security Committee as current chair Mark Green (R-Tenn.) prepares to leave Congress. Gimenez emphasizes his extensive experience in public safety, crisis management, and executive leadership as qualifications to lead amid growing domestic and international threats. Representing the southernmost district in the continental U.S., Gimenez highlights unique security challenges related to border and maritime issues. If selected, he pledges to address threats from unmanned aerial systems and cyberattacks, drawing on his experience overseeing critical infrastructure in Miami-Dade County. While supportive of Trump-era border policies, Gimenez advocates for a nuanced approach to immigration, particularly for communities from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Haiti. The House Republican Steering Committee will decide the next committee chair, with several Republicans expressing interest.