Hearing Report: Senate Holds Hearing for CBP Commissioner Nominee Rodney Scott
Senate Holds Hearing for CBP Commissioner Nominee Rodney Scott
April 30, 2025
The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing to consider Rodney Scott's nomination as the next U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner. President Trump nominated Scott in January. Scott served for over 29 years in the United States Border Patrol, which is part of CBP. Before retiring, he was the 24th Chief of the Border Patrol from February 2020 through June 2021.
During the hearing, members of the Committee were mixed about Scott’s nomination. While Republicans were supportive, Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) repeatedly raised concerns about Scott’s character, pointing to the death of an immigrant in the San Diego Border Patrol sector where he was the acting deputy chief, alleged threats by him to other CBP personnel, and his lack of experience in Customs enforcement. Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) highlighted findings from multiple investigations about the death of the immigrant that found the level of force was within existing policy and noted that Scott was not charged. This issue dominated the initial round of questions.
No Senator raised any specific airport issues during the hearing. However, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) highlighted the recent decline in the number of international travelers coming to the United States, estimated at -9.4 percent for 2025, and raised concerns about CBP’s practices, which are discouraging visitors from traveling to the United States. Scott committed to expediting the flow of trusted travelers and legitimate trade to the United States so that officers can focus on threats.
What’s Next?
The Senate Finance Committee must vote on Scott’s nomination to be the next CBP Commissioner. At this time, it is unclear when that will occur. This step is necessary to advance his nomination to the full Senate for consideration.
Here is a link to the Senate Finance Committee’s nomination hearing for Rodney Scott.
April 30, 2025
The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing to consider Rodney Scott's nomination as the next U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner. President Trump nominated Scott in January. Scott served for over 29 years in the United States Border Patrol, which is part of CBP. Before retiring, he was the 24th Chief of the Border Patrol from February 2020 through June 2021.
During the hearing, members of the Committee were mixed about Scott’s nomination. While Republicans were supportive, Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) repeatedly raised concerns about Scott’s character, pointing to the death of an immigrant in the San Diego Border Patrol sector where he was the acting deputy chief, alleged threats by him to other CBP personnel, and his lack of experience in Customs enforcement. Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) highlighted findings from multiple investigations about the death of the immigrant that found the level of force was within existing policy and noted that Scott was not charged. This issue dominated the initial round of questions.
No Senator raised any specific airport issues during the hearing. However, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) highlighted the recent decline in the number of international travelers coming to the United States, estimated at -9.4 percent for 2025, and raised concerns about CBP’s practices, which are discouraging visitors from traveling to the United States. Scott committed to expediting the flow of trusted travelers and legitimate trade to the United States so that officers can focus on threats.
What’s Next?
The Senate Finance Committee must vote on Scott’s nomination to be the next CBP Commissioner. At this time, it is unclear when that will occur. This step is necessary to advance his nomination to the full Senate for consideration.
Here is a link to the Senate Finance Committee’s nomination hearing for Rodney Scott.
