Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem diverted about $150 million in federal funding approved to counter national security threats posed by China and instead used it for security at sporting events. The other $15 million was used for Coast Guard communications technology and a Merchant Marine credentialing system. Republican Ted Cruz had secured the diverted funding. Generally speaking, federal agencies cannot divert congressionally approved funds unless lawmakers explicitly grant them transfer authority, according to the Congressional Research Service. It wasn’t immediately clear if the necessary approval had been given for the expenditures, which Noem would have personally signed off on.