Rep Sanchez statement following crasher hearing

December 4, 2009

Rep Loretta Sanchez Statement Following House Homeland Security Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) today questioned U.S. Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan during a House Homeland Security hearing on the recent security breach at the White House state dinner.  Sullivan was called to testify about how a northern Virginia couple, Michaele and Tareq Salahi, was able to gain admission to the event without an invitation.  Following the hearing, Rep. Sanchez released the following statement:

While I appreciate the Secret Service’s willingness to accept responsibility for the security lapse at the White House state dinner, I am still concerned about the implications of the breach.  The Salahis were able to get past not one, but two security checkpoints staffed by the Secret Service.  There is no room for error when it comes to the security of our President.  I hope the agency’s investigation into the couple and this situation will be resolved quickly, so the appropriate safeguards can be put in place to ensure this kind of breach does not happen again.