“Security is our top priority as we welcome the world to North America for this global event. We will leave no stone unturned in our preparations.” — Katie Britt
Prioritize and ensure comprehensive security preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leaving no stone unturned in those preparations.
Occurrences
Britt led a joint hearing and called for fully funding DHS to ensure safety ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Britt, Chair of the DHS Appropriations Subcommittee, led a joint hearing ... to review preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. ... “I want to make sure that we’re doing everything possible to get DHS fully funded, to make sure that the resources are there for each one of you, and the collaboration is at full maximum potential there. ... But in doing that, we want to make sure that those spaces are safe.” ... "our top priority must be ensuring a safe and secure environment for all Americans and visitors" ...
Evidence
Official Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing page lists 'A Review of Preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026' dated April 15, 2026, presiding: Chair Jerry Moran and Chair Katie Britt; witness list includes DHS and FBI officials and downloadable testimony.
News coverage on April 16, 2026 reports Senator Britt led a joint hearing with Sen. Moran, urged that DHS be fully funded ahead of the World Cup, directly questioned DHS witnesses about how a funding lapse hindered planning, and called for increased FBI funding for counter-drone capabilities.
Senator Britt chaired a joint Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing reviewing 2026 FIFA World Cup security preparations, pressed DHS and FBI witnesses, and publicly urged full DHS funding and increased counter-drone capabilities.
Reporting from a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing notes DHS officials told senators the ongoing DHS funding lapse had slowed or hindered World Cup planning and coordination; Senator Britt pressed agency witnesses about these impacts.
Official Committee on Appropriations hearing page documents a joint subcommittee hearing titled "A Review of Preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026," held April 15, 2026, presided by Chairs Jerry Moran and Katie Britt. The page lists the hearing agenda, participating subcommittees, and indicates formal oversight activity (witness testimony) on federal preparations for the tournament.
Senator Britt (as DHS Appropriations Subcommittee Chair) led a joint hearing, questioned DHS witnesses about planning shortfalls, publicly urged full DHS funding and expanded FBI/counter-drone capabilities, and highlighted that a recent DHS shutdown had impeded planning. The press release quotes both Britt and DHS witness remarks from the hearing.
Kansas City is conducting security exercises and will receive National Guard deployments ahead of World Cup matches.
Florida panels approved distribution of $105+ million in federal funds (FEMA and C‑UAS grants) for World Cup security in Miami.
More than 200 law-enforcement officers, local, state and federal agencies participated in a large-scale, real-time World Cup security exercise at the National World War I Museum and Memorial to test communications, rapid-response coordination, and layered screening; Axios notes Kansas City has received $79 million in federal public-safety funding (including counter-drone tech).
Hundreds of law enforcement officers, first responders and emergency-management partners conducted a full-scale exercise on Apr 21, 2026 to rehearse responses to major incidents during the World Cup Fan Festival; officials emphasized regional coordination and testing of communications and command centers.
More than 200 law-enforcement officers ran a large-scale, multiagency World Cup security exercise in Kansas City on April 21, 2026; the story notes federal funding for local security enhancements (including counter-drone tech) and describes testing of communications and rapid-response coordination.
The Senate Appropriations Committee lists the joint subcommittee hearing (April 15, 2026) presided by Chairs Jerry Moran and Katie Britt with DHS and FBI witnesses; the hearing page and linked testimony document formal congressional oversight and Britt's role in pressing agencies on funding and preparedness.
On April 15, 2026, Senator Katie Britt chaired a joint subcommittee hearing to review security preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The hearing included testimonies from officials at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Department of Commerce, focusing on safety planning and interagency coordination efforts for the upcoming tournament.
During the April 15, 2026, hearing, Senator Britt emphasized the critical need to fully fund DHS to ensure the safety and security of spectators ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. She highlighted the impact of the ongoing DHS shutdown on planning efforts and stressed the importance of reopening the department to facilitate effective coordination and preparation.
On April 21, 2026, Kansas City conducted its largest security drill to date in preparation for the upcoming World Cup, involving over 200 law enforcement officers at the National World War I Museum and Memorial. The comprehensive, real-time exercise included local, state, and federal agencies practicing coordinated responses with the help of actors, first responders, observers, and evaluators.
During the April 15, 2026, Senate hearing, DHS Office of Homeland Security Situational Awareness Director Christopher Tomney testified that the ongoing DHS shutdown has significantly impacted planning and coordination efforts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including hindering coordination with state and local agencies and reducing planning efforts.
Senator Jerry Moran, chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science, co-led the April 15, 2026, joint hearing with Senator Britt to review security preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The hearing focused on the need for close coordination across federal agencies and with state and local law enforcement to ensure a safe and successful tournament.
During the April 15, 2026, Senate hearing, lawmakers, including Senator Britt, raised concerns about how the ongoing DHS shutdown is affecting travel, tourism, and safety preparations for the upcoming World Cup, highlighting the need for effective planning and coordination.
On March 4, 2026, Senator Britt questioned DHS Secretary Kristi Noem about the implications of the DHS funding shutdown on various missions, including preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, emphasizing the need to secure funding to ensure effective planning and coordination.
DHS Office of Homeland Security Situational Awareness Director Christopher Tomney testified that the ongoing DHS shutdown has affected planning and coordination for the FIFA World Cup, despite the U.S. government having released all funds allocated for security. He noted that planning efforts have been slowed down due to the lapse in appropriations and individuals being furloughed.
The Senate Committee on Appropriations lists a joint subcommittee hearing titled "A Review of Preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026" for April 15, 2026, with Chair Jerry Moran and Chair Katie Britt presiding. The page shows formal congressional oversight of federal preparations for the tournament and identifies DHS/FBI witness participation.
Senator Britt's office says she led a joint hearing to review preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and argued that DHS should be fully funded to ensure safety and security. The release also says she asked how the DHS shutdown hampered coordination and organization for an event of this magnitude.
The senator's official video page lists a video entry for April 15, 2026 titled "Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) Joins Hearing on Security Preparations for the 2026 FIFIA World Cup," confirming her public participation in the oversight hearing on that date.
Assessments
Britt took clear same-term oversight actions as a sitting U.S. senator and DHS Appropriations Subcommittee chair: she co-led a formal April 15, 2026 Senate hearing on 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations, questioned DHS/FBI officials, pressed DHS funding and coordination issues, and highlighted counter-drone and security needs. That satisfies the 'prioritize' portion and shows serious effort. However, the evidence does not show that she actually ensured comprehensive security preparations were completed or that identified DHS funding/planning shortfalls were resolved. Later local drills and grant allocations show broader preparedness progress, but they are not enough to credit Britt with full delivery of the promised national-level outcome.
Senator Britt chaired oversight hearings, publicly pressed DHS officials, and advocated for full funding and capability enhancements, directly prioritizing World Cup security. Local security preparations and coordination at the state/federal level are well-documented, and Britt demonstrated substantial legislative effort. However, multiple sources—including testimony from DHS officials—affirm that planning and coordination were impeded by a DHS shutdown, and there is no documented evidence that Britt or Congress 'ensured' all comprehensive national-level security preparations were fully completed by the deadline. Thus, the promise was prioritized and significant effort was made, but full delivery (total assurance and comprehensive completion) is not evidenced.
Evidence shows Senator Katie Britt actively prioritized World Cup security in-term: she chaired/led an April 15 subcommittee hearing with DHS and FBI witnesses, publicly pressed agencies about funding and counter-drone capabilities, and urged full DHS funding. Federal grants and counter-UAS/FEMA funds were routed to host cities (Miami, Kansas City) and large multiagency security exercises and National Guard deployments were conducted, demonstrating concrete preparedness steps. However, witnesses and reporting indicated planning was hindered by a DHS funding lapse and remaining shortfalls; there is no evidence Britt (or Congress) "ensured" completion of comprehensive, national-level preparations. Therefore the claim is only partially fulfilled.
Sen. Katie Britt clearly prioritized World Cup security within the same term: she chaired and led an April 15 hearing with DHS/FBI witnesses, publicly pressed agencies about planning shortfalls, urged full DHS/FBI funding and counter‑drone capabilities, and her oversight coincided with federal grant distributions, National Guard deployments, and large multiagency drills in host cities. However, record evidence shows agency testimony that a DHS funding lapse had hindered planning and there is no documentation that Britt (or Congress) resolved all identified national‑level shortfalls or “ensured” comprehensive, nationwide preparations. Because she made substantial, formal oversight and advocacy efforts but did not demonstrably secure completion of comprehensive preparations, the claim is not delivered.
Sen. Katie Britt took concrete oversight actions—chairing a joint Appropriations subcommittee hearing (Apr 15, 2026), publicly pressing DHS and FBI witnesses about planning shortfalls, and urging full DHS funding and expanded counter-drone capabilities—which demonstrates prioritization and tangible effort. State and local preparations (FEMA/C-UAS grants in Florida, National Guard deployments and exercises in Kansas City) show security preparations progressed. However, witnesses reported planning was hindered by a DHS funding lapse and there is no evidence Britt directly 'ensured' all comprehensive national-level preparations were completed. Thus the promise was partially fulfilled (strong oversight and advocacy, but not a complete guarantee of comprehensive readiness).
Senator Britt took concrete, formal oversight actions—cochairing a joint Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on April 15, 2026, pressing DHS and FBI witnesses, publicly urging full DHS funding and expanded counter-drone capabilities, and documenting planning shortfalls. Those actions show clear prioritization and substantial effort. However, witnesses and reporting stated a DHS funding lapse had hindered planning, and the sources provide no evidence that Britt (or Congress/federal agencies) fully remedied the documented shortfalls or "ensured" comprehensive security preparations were completed. Therefore the promise was partially fulfilled (prioritization and oversight achieved, but not full assurance of completed preparations).
Senator Britt led and chaired an April 2026 Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing reviewing World Cup security preparations, pressed DHS and FBI witnesses, and publicly urged full DHS funding and expanded counter-drone capabilities—demonstrating clear prioritization and active oversight. However, hearing records and agency testimony indicate planning was hindered by a DHS funding lapse and other shortfalls; the evidence documents advocacy and oversight but does not show she "ensured" that all comprehensive security preparations were completed or that identified gaps were fully resolved. Thus the promise was partially fulfilled (strong effort and prioritization, but not demonstrable complete delivery).
Senator Britt chaired and led a Senate Appropriations Homeland Security subcommittee review of 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations (hearing dated April 15–16, 2026), pressing DHS and FBI officials, urging full DHS funding, and calling for increased counter-drone capabilities. These actions demonstrate clear prioritization and substantive oversight, but the record shows oversight and advocacy rather than proof that she "ensured comprehensive security preparations" were completed or that all planning shortfalls were resolved. Therefore the promise was partially fulfilled (strong effort and oversight, but not demonstrable complete delivery).