St. Louis Cardinals Submit Testimony as Part of McCaskill-Led Hearing on Responding to Terrorist Threats Posed by Drones

Statement

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, the top-ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, helped lead a bipartisan Senate hearing today on emerging threats caused by unmanned aerial vehicles, otherwise known as drones, after receiving a classified briefing on the subject from top government officials yesterday. As part of the hearing, the St. Louis Cardinals submitted testimony for the record highlighting their concerns about this emerging threat and the significant work they have undertaken to protect Cardinals fans.

McCaskill had previously written a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) praising the Cardinals for their increased safety efforts and supporting the Cardinals' application with DHS under the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act (SAFETY Act).

"I would like to place into the record testimony that has been provided by the Director of Security and Special Operations to the St. Louis Cardinals," McCaskill said. "I'm really proud the Cardinals are one of only four Major League Baseball teams to achieve the safety designation and distinction from the Department of Homeland Security by working countless hours to make sure that their stadium facility is secure and they have proper procedures and training in place for the personnel there to keep the best fans in baseball happy and secure and having a wonderful time with their families."

The hearing, entitled S. 2836, The Preventing Emerging Threats Act of 2018: Countering Malicious Drones, focused on the authorities federal agencies need to respond to possibly malicious drones attacks after intelligence officials have indicated that terrorist organizations have increasingly considered drones as part of targeted strikes.

Under the SAFETY Act, sports teams, entertainment venues, and other groups can apply for Designation or Certification if they put in place anti-terrorism measures. The Cardinals submitted their application with DHS under the SAFETY Act in July 2017, and have continued to increase security at Busch Stadium through various measures, including background checks on all staff and outside vendors, creating a new K-9 program, and updating their current security technology. They received "Designation' under the SAFETY Act in December 2017, which is a first step toward being granted Certification.

McCaskill has made combatting terrorism a priority since taking over as the top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee earlier this year, working to emphasize the importance of DHS's counterterrorism programs, and successfully introducing and passing a bipartisan bill requiring DHS to help protect livestock, limit the spread of contagious diseases, and keep food from being contaminated in the event of terrorist attacks and/or natural disasters.

Read the Cardinals testimony online HERE.

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