{"id":8279,"date":"2026-01-21T15:18:36","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T21:18:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/?p=87499"},"modified":"2026-01-21T15:18:36","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T21:18:36","slug":"lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/2026\/01\/21\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions\/","title":{"rendered":"Lawmakers probe CISA leader over staffing decisions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><head> <meta charset=\"UTF-8\"> <meta name=\"viewport\" content=\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1\"> <meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1\"> <!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.5 (Yoast SEO v24.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ --> <title>Lawmakers probe CISA leader over staffing decisions | CyberScoop<\/title> <meta name=\"description\" content=\"Madhu Gottumukkala faced pointed questions from lawmakers Wednesday over CISA personnel decisions and staffing levels.\"> <link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/cisa-madhu-gottumukkala-house-homeland-hearing-workforce-staffing-levels\/\"> <meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\"> <meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\"> <meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Lawmakers probe CISA leader over staffing decisions\"> <meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Madhu Gottumukkala faced pointed questions from lawmakers Wednesday over CISA personnel decisions and staffing levels.\"> <meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/cisa-madhu-gottumukkala-house-homeland-hearing-workforce-staffing-levels\/\"> <meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"CyberScoop\"> <meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/cyberscoop\/\"> <meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-01-21T21:18:36+00:00\"> <meta 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class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section id=\"stickybar\" class=\"stickybar stickybar--newsletter js-stickybar\" readability=\"0.82\"> <button class=\"stickybar__close js-stickybar-close\" aria-controls=\"stickybar\"> <svg class=\"icon icon--close\" width=\"21\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 21 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"m.822.518-.805.805L9.695 11 .017 20.678l.805.805 9.678-9.678 9.677 9.678.806-.805L11.305 11l9.678-9.677-.806-.805-9.677 9.677L.822.518Z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg> <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Close<\/span> <\/button> <\/section>\n<article class=\"single-article content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__container js-single-article-content\">\n<header class=\"single-article__header \" readability=\"26.766151685393\">\n<div class=\"single-article__header-content\" readability=\"36.129533678756\">\n<p> The House Homeland Security Committee grilled Madhu Gottumukkala, the acting director of the agency, over cutbacks both broad and specific. <\/p>\n<p> <!-- Listen to this article section --> <!-- Audio Element --><br \/>\n<audio id=\"audio-player\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-tts-cdn.api.scpnewsgrp.com\/cyberscoop\/87499\/english.openai.mp3\"><\/audio> <\/p>\n<div readability=\"11\">\n<div>\n<p>Listen to this article<\/p>\n<p> <!-- Countdown Timer --> <\/p>\n<p>0:00<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <!-- Tooltip --> <\/p>\n<p> <span id=\"tts-tooltip\">Learn more.<\/span> <span> This feature uses an automated voice, which may result in occasional errors in pronunciation, tone, or sentiment. <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- End of audio player --> <\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__cover-wrap\">\n<figure class=\"single-article__cover\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions.jpg?resize=640%2C426&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"single-article__cover-image wp-post-image\" alt decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-5.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-5.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-5.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-5.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-5.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-5.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-5.jpg?resize=252,168 252w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-5.jpg?resize=506,337 506w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-5.jpg?resize=1013,675 1013w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-5.jpg?resize=1265,843 1265w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1013px) 100vw, 1013px\"><figcaption> Madhu Gottumukkala, acting director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, testifies during the DHS oversight hearing in the Cannon House office building on Jan. 21, 2026. The hearing covered a full oversight into the Department of Homeland Security, CISA, TSA and S&amp;T. (Photo by Heather Diehl\/Getty Images) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"single-article__content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__content-inner has-drop-cap\"> <html readability=\"47.646949711459\"><body readability=\"100.67593880389\"><\/p>\n<p>The acting head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency faced pointed questions from lawmakers Wednesday over CISA personnel decisions and staffing levels.<\/p>\n<p>Members of the House Homeland Security Committee asked Madhu Gottumukkala about a reported attempt to fire the agency\u2019s chief information officer, efforts to push out a large number of staff and whether CISA had enough people to do the job.<\/p>\n<p>Gottumukkala at times sidestepped the questions, with the probing coming from both sides of the aisle. However,&nbsp; Democrats exhibited deeper worries about the agency\u2019s workforce and its ability to do its job.<\/p>\n<p>Cutbacks at CISA after employees were \u201cbullied into quitting\u201d \u2014 among other methods of reducing CISA\u2019s size \u2014 have \u201cweakened our defenses and left our critical systems and infrastructure more exposed, and the American people more vulnerable,\u201d said Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Said Chairman Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y.: \u201cThis committee supports the administration\u2019s goal of aligning department [of Homeland Security] resources towards urgent homeland security priorities. At the same time, workforce continuity, clear leadership and mission readiness are essential to effective cyber defenses.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The extent of those CISA personnel reductions was something lawmakers wanted Gottumukkala to be exact about in his answers.<\/p>\n<p>The top Democrat on the panel, Mississippi\u2019s Bennie Thompson, entered a chart into the hearing record that showed the number of personnel had fallen from 3,387 before President Donald Trump\u2019s inauguration to 2,389 by the middle of December, or a loss of 998 people. Those figures aligned closely with the numbers Gottumukkala gave in testimony.<\/p>\n<p>Under questioning from Thompson, Gottumukkala said CISA\u2019s attrition rate was 7.5% last year, a figure he said was lower than most agencies. Gottumukkala said the agency has \u201cthe required staff\u201d to do its work, but Thompson said he was still awaiting an expected letter from Gottumukkala on workforce needs and wanted a more precise number on current vacancies.<\/p>\n<p>Gottumukkala also wouldn\u2019t say whether the agency had carried out a study to determine whether its staffing was sufficient. In response to questions from Garbarino, Gottumukkala said there were no further planned organizational changes at CISA.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cWe recognize that a disciplined mission requires the right workforce \u2014 not a larger one, but a more capable and skilled one,\u201d Gottumukkala said in his opening remarks.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats pressed Gottumukkala repeatedly on whether any CISA personnel had been reassigned to working on immigration enforcement, something he said hadn\u2019t happened during his time at the agency, contradicting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextgov.com\/people\/2025\/10\/hundreds-dhs-staff-face-reassignments-border-security-immigration\/408707\/\">published reports<\/a> to the country and a claim from Gottumukkala that Democrats said was false. The chart Thompson referenced showed 65 employees being reassigned out of CISA.<\/p>\n<p>At times, GOP lawmakers gave Gottumukkala backing on CISA personnel numbers. Rep. Andy Ogles, who chairs the panel\u2019s cybersecurity subcommittee, said, \u201cYou\u2019re doing more with less, and you\u2019re doing it more efficiently.\u201d Republican appropriators recently released a homeland security funding bill that would <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/congressional-appropriators-move-to-extend-information-sharing-law-fund-cisa\/\">cut CISA\u2019s budget<\/a> from nearly $3 billion to $2.6 billion.<\/p>\n<p>Responding to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2026\/01\/18\/acting-cisa-chief-sought-ouster-of-agencys-chief-information-officer-00735826\">a report<\/a> that Gottumukkala had tried to force out Robert Costello, the agency\u2019s CIO, Gottumukkala said individual agency personnel \u201cdecisions are not made in vacuum. It is a leadership-level [decision] at the highest levels, and we work according to how we see the roles fit.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Garbarino told reporters after the hearing that \u201c I don\u2019t know whose decision it is making that personnel [move], but it was stopped, which is probably a good thing.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Asked about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2025\/12\/21\/cisa-acting-director-madhu-gottumukkala-polygraph-investigation-00701996\">a news story<\/a> that he failed a counterintelligence polygraph test, Gottumukkala said that \u201cI do not accept the premise of that characterization,\u201d and any answer would have to be discussed in a closed hearing. Garbarino said he hoped an investigation into the polygraph incident would be settled soon.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats repeatedly expressed frustration about Gottumukkala\u2019s testimony. \u201cYou\u2019ve managed to answer none of my questions,\u201d Walkinshaw said.<\/p>\n<p>Gottumukkala wouldn\u2019t take questions from reporters after the hearing.<\/p>\n<p><\/body> <\/p>\n<footer class=\"single-article__footer\">\n<div class=\"author-card\" readability=\"7.7216117216117\">\n<div class=\"author-card__avatar\">\n<figure class=\"author-card__image-wrap\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"author-card__image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-1.jpg?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Tim Starks\"> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-card__details\" readability=\"10.901098901099\">\n<h4 class=\"author-card__name\">Written by Tim Starks<\/h4>\n<p> Tim Starks is senior reporter at CyberScoop. His previous stops include working at The Washington Post, POLITICO and Congressional Quarterly. An Evansville, Ind. native, he&#8217;s covered cybersecurity since 2003. Email Tim here: <a href=\"mailto:tim.starks@cyberscoop.com\">tim.starks@cyberscoop.com<\/a>. <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__tags-container\">\n<h4 class=\"single-article__tags-title\">In This Story<\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<p> <\/html><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__ads js-single-article-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-5 ad--rightrail_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-4 ad--rightrail_2 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-3 ad--rightrail_3 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"popular-stories popular-stories--single-post\">\n<div class=\"popular-stories__container\">\n<h2 class=\"popular-stories__title\"> More Scoops <\/h2>\n<div class=\"popular-stories__stories\">\n<div class=\"popular-stories__cards\">\n<article class=\"post-item post-item--popular-stories-cards \" readability=\"22.025065963061\">\n<figure class=\"post-item__thumbnail\"> <a class=\"post-item__thumbnail-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/us-offensive-cyber-operations-defense-cisa-workforce-house-homeland-security-committee\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"506\" height=\"337\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-2.jpg?resize=506%2C337&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-ratio-16-9-md size-ratio-16-9-md wp-post-image\" alt decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-6.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-6.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-6.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-6.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-6.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-6.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-6.jpg?resize=252,168 252w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-6.jpg?resize=506,337 506w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-6.jpg?resize=1013,675 1013w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-6.jpg?resize=1265,843 1265w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 506px) 100vw, 506px\"> <\/a><figcaption class=\"screen-reader-text\"> Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., speaks to reporters before attending an afternoon Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on Sep. 29, 2023. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla\/Getty Images) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<header class=\"post-item__meta\" readability=\"2.030303030303\">\n<h3 class=\"post-item__title\"> <a class=\"post-item__title-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/us-offensive-cyber-operations-defense-cisa-workforce-house-homeland-security-committee\/\"> Hill warning: Don\u2019t put cyber offense before defense <\/a> <\/h3>\n<p> A House hearing weighed the pros and cons from the Trump administration and some lawmakers to step up cyber offensive operations. <\/p>\n<div class=\"post-item__byline\"> <span class=\"post-item__author\"> <span>By <\/span> <a class=\"post-item__author-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/author\/tim-starkscyberscoop-com\/\"> Tim Starks <\/a> <\/span> <\/div>\n<p><!-- .byline --> <\/header>\n<p><!-- .post-item__meta --> <\/article>\n<article class=\"post-item post-item--popular-stories-cards \">\n<figure class=\"post-item__thumbnail\"> <a class=\"post-item__thumbnail-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/congress-cybersecurity-information-sharing-act-extension-2025-andrew-garbarino\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"252\" height=\"168\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-3.jpg?resize=252%2C168&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-ratio-16-9-sm size-ratio-16-9-sm wp-post-image\" alt decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-7.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-7.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-7.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-7.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-7.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-7.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-7.jpg?resize=252,168 252w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-7.jpg?resize=506,337 506w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-7.jpg?resize=1013,675 1013w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-7.jpg?resize=1265,843 1265w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px\"> <\/a><figcaption class=\"screen-reader-text\"> Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security U.S. Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., talks to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem prior to a hearing in the Cannon House Office Building on Dec. 11, 2025. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker\/Getty Images) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<header class=\"post-item__meta\">\n<h3 class=\"post-item__title\"> <a class=\"post-item__title-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/congress-cybersecurity-information-sharing-act-extension-2025-andrew-garbarino\/\"> Key lawmaker says Congress likely to kick can down road on cyber information sharing law <\/a> <\/h3>\n<div class=\"post-item__byline\"> <span class=\"post-item__author\"> <span>By <\/span> <a class=\"post-item__author-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/author\/tim-starkscyberscoop-com\/\"> Tim Starks <\/a> <\/span> <\/div>\n<p><!-- .byline --> <\/header>\n<p><!-- .post-item__meta --> <\/article>\n<article class=\"post-item post-item--popular-stories-cards \">\n<figure class=\"post-item__thumbnail\"> <a class=\"post-item__thumbnail-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/sean-plankey-cisa-nomination-stalled-senate-holds\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"252\" height=\"168\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-4.jpg?resize=252%2C168&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-ratio-16-9-sm size-ratio-16-9-sm wp-post-image\" alt decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-8.jpg 4000w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-8.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-8.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-8.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-8.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-8.jpg?resize=2048,1366 2048w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-8.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-8.jpg?resize=252,168 252w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-8.jpg?resize=505,337 505w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-8.jpg?resize=1012,675 1012w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/lawmakers-probe-cisa-leader-over-staffing-decisions-8.jpg?resize=1264,843 1264w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px\"> <\/a><figcaption class=\"screen-reader-text\"> Sean Plankey, of Pennsylvania, responds to questioning during Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearings to examine his nomination to be Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, of the Department of Homeland Security, in the Dirksen Senate office building, in Washington, DC, on Wednesday July 24, 2025. (Mattie Neretin\/CNP\/Sipa USA) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<header class=\"post-item__meta\">\n<h3 class=\"post-item__title\"> <a class=\"post-item__title-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/sean-plankey-cisa-nomination-stalled-senate-holds\/\"> Sean Plankey nomination to lead CISA appears to be over after Thursday vote <\/a> <\/h3>\n<div class=\"post-item__byline\"> <span class=\"post-item__author\"> <span>By <\/span> <a class=\"post-item__author-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/author\/tim-starkscyberscoop-com\/\"> Tim Starks <\/a> <\/span> <\/div>\n<p><!-- .byline --> <\/header>\n<p><!-- .post-item__meta --> <\/article>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- .popular-stories__stories --> <\/div>\n<p><!-- .popular-stories__inner -->\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- .popular-stories --> <\/p>\n<section class=\"latest-podcasts\">\n<h2 class=\"latest-podcasts__title\"> Latest Podcasts\t<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"top-categories\">\n<div class=\"top-categories__container\">\n<h3 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