Noem’s National Security Testimony Unpacked

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is scheduled to testify before a U.S. House committee on national security threats, according to a public hearing notice posted on the committee’s website docs.house.gov. The Republican governor has elevated her profile on security issues in recent years, pushing state-level responses on cyber, border-connected fentanyl, and foreign ownership of land near military installations.

For readers in the Red River Valley, the testimony comes as Grand Forks remains attuned to the intersection of local development and defense readiness, from UND’s UAS research to mission changes at Grand Forks Air Force Base. That context gives weight to any state-focused proposals Noem brings to the table.

Live coverage: The hearing will stream on the committee’s site and is typically carried by C‑SPAN Live. Streams generally begin a few minutes before the gavel; check the posted agenda for the official start time in Central Time and we will update this page with the embedded player once the feed goes live.

The Context of Noem's Testimony

The session comes amid heightened attention to how states respond to transnational threats that touch local communities—cyber intrusions on public systems, supply-chain vulnerabilities, fentanyl trafficking, and foreign investment near sensitive facilities—topics that have drawn bipartisan interest in Congress, according to recent committee agendas and hearing schedules on docs.house.gov. Governors have increasingly been asked to describe how federal policy translates on the ground and where gaps persist.

For Upper Midwest readers, the timing also resonates with the 2023 decision by Grand Forks leaders to halt the proposed Fufeng corn-milling project after the U.S. Air Force warned it posed a “significant national security concern” because of proximity to Grand Forks AFB, as reported by regional outlets and acknowledged by city officials; the Air Force’s assessment was conveyed in a letter to North Dakota’s congressional delegation later cited by national media. The episode sharpened local focus on how federal reviews and state or municipal actions interact when development abuts defense assets.

Committee scope: House panels tasked with national security have zeroed in on critical infrastructure, cyber resilience for state and local governments, foreign malign influence, and risks tied to land purchases near bases—areas likely to shape members’ questioning, based on recent hearing dockets posted to docs.house.gov.

Key Issues on the Table

What to expect today: Noem has previously emphasized restricting foreign ownership of agricultural land near military sites, bolstering state cyber defenses, and coordinating with federal agencies on border-adjacent threats like fentanyl trafficking, according to past statements from her office and legislative updates on South Dakota’s newsroom site. House members are also likely to probe how states use federal grants for cyber and emergency preparedness and how information-sharing with DHS and DoD is working.

Why it matters nationally: These topics touch day-to-day governance—keeping school districts, hospitals, and city networks safe; protecting water and power systems; and ensuring economic development doesn’t introduce new vulnerabilities. Analysts at nonpartisan research groups have noted that state actions can complement federal tools by closing local loopholes and speeding response, while cautioning against unintended trade or civil-liberties impacts (see overviews from organizations like CSIS and Brookings).

Local Impact: Grand Forks and UND

• Grand Forks Air Force Base: Any discussion of land-use buffers or critical infrastructure protections has immediate relevance for GFAFB and surrounding townships; the base’s public affairs office regularly posts mission and security updates at grandforks.af.mil.

• UND and UAS research: UND’s nationally known aerospace and UAS programs interface with federal partners on training and research; state or federal cyber standards and funding decisions can affect labs, internships, and tech transfer pipelines. Program updates are available via UND News.

• City and business planning: After the Fufeng decision, local officials and the Grand Forks Chamber have emphasized early, transparent federal consultation for major projects near sensitive sites; residents and developers can track notices and public meetings at grandforksgov.com and the Chamber’s site.

A Spectrum of Perspectives

Supporters of tighter state action argue local governments are first responders to cyberattacks and infrastructure incidents and need clearer federal guidance plus flexible funding, a point echoed across recent congressional hearing summaries on docs.house.gov. Critics warn that broad state restrictions on foreign investment can chill capital and invite legal challenges if not narrowly tailored to security risks, as policy briefs from institutions like Brookings have noted.

On the specific question of development near bases, the U.S. Air Force has publicly labeled certain projects close to installations a “significant national security concern,” citing proximity and potential surveillance risks in its 2023 correspondence regarding Grand Forks AFB—language that continues to inform local debates. Meanwhile, economic advocates say predictable rules and early federal screening can help communities avoid costly reversals and maintain growth.

What Comes Next?

If today’s hearing yields concrete proposals, expect draft legislation or committee letters to agencies outlining requested actions, followed by additional witness panels in the coming weeks, based on standard House practice described on docs.house.gov. Governors often supplement testimony with written statements; those are typically posted within 24 hours and can clarify priorities or provide data appendices.

For residents and stakeholders, watch for agency guidance on critical infrastructure security, updates to federal grant programs supporting state and local cyber teams, and any bipartisan movement on land-use buffers around military installations. Local leaders can monitor the City of Grand Forks’ meeting agendas, UND research news, and GFAFB public releases for concrete changes.

What to Watch

• The committee’s official start time and livestream link on docs.house.gov and C‑SPAN Live.

• Whether members signal next steps on foreign land ownership near bases, state cyber funds, or information-sharing with DHS/DoD—and any follow-up letters or bill drafts in the coming days.

• Local implications for Grand Forks: city briefings, UND program adjustments, or GFAFB public advisories if federal guidance shifts after the hearing.