A heated Senate hearing turned explosive as Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche acknowledged serious staffing shortages across the federal prison system, warning lawmakers that the crisis is worsening due to low pay, overtime pressure, and recruitment failures.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen pressed Blanche over conditions at FCI Berlin, where staffing levels reportedly dropped to nearly 58% of authorized levels. Blanche admitted correctional officers are leaving for higher-paying local jobs and said the DOJ is seeking additional funding to address retention and recruitment problems.
The hearing also expanded into concerns over DEA staffing shortages, delayed funding for domestic violence organizations, and criticism surrounding canceled federal grants tied to violence prevention programs. Senators accused the administration and DOGE-linked budget cuts of disrupting critical services for survivors and public safety operations.
#ToddBlanche #ToddBlancheTestimony #ToddBlancheSenate #ToddBlancheLive #ToddBlancheSenateHearing #ToddBlancheSenateTestimony #ToddBlancheOversightTestimony #ToddBlancheTestifies #ActingAttorneyGeneralToddBlanche #ActingAGBlanche #AttorneyGeneralBlanche #Blanche #CongressTestimony #CapitolHillTestimony #SenateHearing #CongressLive #USPolitics #BreakingNews #CapitolHill #DOJ #JusticeDepartment #PoliticalNews #LiveHearing #WashingtonDC #SenateLive
~HT.410~PR.152~ED.194~GR.506~VG.MX~
