PHOTOS: Committee Members Visit Ground Zero to Commemorate 9/11, Tour MetLife Stadium Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

WASHINGTON D.C. -- On Thursday, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) led a bipartisan delegation to visit Ground Zero on the 24th anniversary of the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, which took 2,977 lives. It remains the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil.

The bipartisan group visited Ground Zero to reflect on the day that changed our nation forever. Members honored the memories of the innocent lives lost in the World Trade Center, in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon, laying roses on their names at the 9/11 Memorial. Afterwards, members toured the 9/11 Memorial Museum. The Memorial is open every day for free to the more than 10 million people who visit it each year. The Museum is always free to 9/11 family members, those who have lost loved ones to 9/11 related illness or participate in the World Trade Center Health Program, 9/11 rescue and recovery workers, active-duty and retired military, all New Yorkers on the first Sunday of each month, and to the general public every Monday evening.

Twenty-four years later, "Never Forget" is a call to action that guides the Committee's bipartisan work and the work of our nation as we endeavor to prevent another tragedy like 9/11. The Department of Homeland Security, and subsequently the House Homeland Security Committee, was established in the aftermath of the attacks and the critical intelligence failures that led to that day. The recommendations laid out in the 9/11 Commission's report still warrant continued oversight to protect the homeland more than two decades later.

Members had the opportunity to thank first responders for their continued commitment to protecting the homeland and honor the lives of those who served on that fateful day.

Not only were nearly 3,000 innocent lives taken on 9/11, but the illnesses caused by the toxins released that day have killed even more first responders and survivors in the years since the attack. Today, more than 83,000 first responders and survivors are facing ongoing battles with 9/11-related cancers and other serious health conditions.

On Friday, members of the Committee's Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States, led by Task Force Chairman McCaul, conducted a site visit to MetLife Stadium. Chairman McCaul was joined by Task Force Ranking Member Nellie Pou (D-NJ), as well as Committee Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), in assessing the security preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Members met with officials from MetLife, the New Jersey State Police, FIFA, and Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA World Cup 2026 Task Force.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest sporting event to date. As the world watches, it is vital that athletes and spectators are safe amid increased threats. The World Cup is an opportunity to showcase American exceptionalism on the world stage, with potentially five million fans traveling to the United States for matches.

At MetLife Stadium, members and officials discussed the current threat landscape on U.S. soil and globally, highlighting the security preparations underway to stay ahead of the evolving tactics of malign actors. This discussion focused heavily on the threat to mass-gatherings posed by unmanned aircraft systems, or drones. Members and law enforcement discussed the need to update the authorities for all levels of government to mitigate threats posed by this emerging technology. Strong partnerships between every level of law enforcement and the public and private sectors will be essential for securing the World Cup, as well as the 2028 Olympics and the 250th anniversary of the United States next year.

To understand the threats that stadiums must be prepared to mitigate, attendees discussed previous attacks on mass-gathering events, such as the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris. They also discussed the need to stay vigilant for copycat attacks in the wake of the heinous political violence that has taken place on U.S. soil recently.

Large-scale entertainment events can also become a hub for illicit activity like human trafficking. Members discussed preventative measures such as intelligence sharing and private sector outreach to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.

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