WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today voted to approve the nomination of Kirstjen Nielsen to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Roberts plans to host Nielsen for a visit to the construction site of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) and the Biosecurity Research Institute (BRI) at Kansas State University.

“I am looking forward to working with Secretary Nielsen to ensure DHS is doing all it can to secure our nation’s food, agriculture and veterinary systems against both naturally occurring or intentional threats,” Roberts said. “I am eager to show Secretary Nielson the NBAF construction site and the BRI. We have talked and she has a standing invitation from me to see these critical research facilities firsthand.”

In June, President Trump signed a bipartisan bill introduced by Senator Roberts to ensure the Department of Homeland Security made the safety of the U.S. food supply a top priority, that it takes key precautions and increases preparedness to mitigate potential risks.

Senator Roberts is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.