(File Photo of Senator John Fetterman)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Washington, D.C.) Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) recently sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to request a heightened federal security designation ahead of the 2026 NFL draft in Pittsburgh. The Department of Homeland Security initially designated that draft as a Level 3 Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) event. Fetterman requested that the Department elevate it to a Level 2 SEAR event because of the changing threat environment in the wake of war in Iran. This designation would provide coordination and deployment of federal, state, and local law enforcement that are greater, as well as counter-drone support, K9 units, and intelligence analysis and sharing. Fetterman stated in the letter: “Increasing the SEAR designation for the draft will help ensure that additional resources are deployed to keep participants and fans secure and able to enjoy the draft without fear.”