The U.S. Congress on Wednesday began its investigation into the entry of a man with a dangerous form of tuberculosis into the country, which several lawmakers claim exposed loop holes in the nation's security.

The House Homeland Security Committee, chaired by Bennie Thompson, conducted the hearing after 31-year-old Andrew Speaker from Atlanta caused an international health scare.

Border officials testifying in Congress pointed to a lone officer as the culprit of allowing Speaker into the country after receiving a computer alert to detain him and contact health authorities.

Thompson (D-Miss.) said at the opening of the Congress hearing, "We dodged a bullet."

Thompson expressed skepticism over explanations given by the homeland security and public health officials, which he said do not explain why Speaker was able to travel to Europe in May to get married, have a honeymoon, and return to the U.S.

He said, "We should have connected more dots. Better - or at least more complete - policies and procedures may have made a difference in preventing Andrew Speaker from coming across the border."

Several officials from the Department of Homeland Security told members of the committee that the gaffe was caused by only one officer.

Following the incident, border officials issued changes in their internal rules limiting an officer's discretion on such matters.