Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Top law enforcement agents from Texas & Arizona testified before a Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing I chaired that spillover crime & violence directly linked to Mexican drug cartels is more prevalent than federal crime statistics or the Obama administration portray. Their testimony was in sharp contrast to that of witnesses from the Departments of Homeland Security & Justice who said they agree with the administrations assertion that the border has never been more secure.
The hearing demonstrated a vastly different perspective between Washington bureaucrats and those on the front lines.
It came the day after President Obama visited El Paso to declare he has done enough to secure the border to justify a renewed debate on comprehensive immigration reform. I continue to urge the President to visit the US-Mexico border but to do more than deliver a political speech.
VIDEO: McCaul Exchange with State Law Enforcement
VIDEO: McCaul Exchange with DHS DOJ
McCaul Opening Remarks: VIDEO Text
DPS Director Steve McCraw Testimony: VIDEO Written Submission
Hearing Press Release
Border Patrol Agents Killed
My heart goes out to the families of U.S. Border Patrol Agents Eduardo Rojas Jr. and Hector Clark who died in the line of duty in southern Arizona. Preliminary reports indicate their SUV was hit by a freight train while they were in pursuit of a group of illegal immigrants.
The loss of these two fine men is a reminder of the risks our Border Patrol agents encounter to keep our nation secure. I pray for their friends families and coworkers at this time of grief.
Support for Offshore Drilling
HR 1231: Reversing President Obamas Offshore Moratorium Act
HR 1229: Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act
At a time when millions of Americans are facing soaring gas prices I joined my colleagues in the House in support of two bills that will reverse President Obamas job-killing moratorium on deep water oil drilling by requiring the Department of Interior to proceed with auction leases for the development of oil and gas resources in the Outer Continental Shelf .
This bill also sets firm timelines for the Secretary of Interior to take action on permits and elevate safety requirements for new permits.
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011
Finally last week I supported the FY2011 Intelligence Authorization bill. HR 754 provides authorization for Americas Intelligence Community for the remainder of this fiscal year. Funding provided by this legislation spans multiple agencies and is intended to provide greater congressional oversight for intelligence spending.
The unsung heroes in our Intelligence Community made it possible for our military to find Osama Bin Laden.
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Top law enforcement agents from Texas & Arizona testified before a Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing I chaired that spillover crime & violence directly linked to Mexican drug cartels is more prevalent than federal crime statistics or the Obama administration portray. Their testimony was in sharp contrast to that of witnesses from the Departments of Homeland Security & Justice who said they agree with the administrations assertion that the border has never been more secure.
The hearing demonstrated a vastly different perspective between Washington bureaucrats and those on the front lines.
It came the day after President Obama visited El Paso to declare he has done enough to secure the border to justify a renewed debate on comprehensive immigration reform. I continue to urge the President to visit the US-Mexico border but to do more than deliver a political speech.
VIDEO: McCaul Exchange with State Law Enforcement
VIDEO: McCaul Exchange with DHS DOJ
McCaul Opening Remarks: VIDEO Text
DPS Director Steve McCraw Testimony: VIDEO Written Submission
Hearing Press Release
Border Patrol Agents Killed
My heart goes out to the families of U.S. Border Patrol Agents Eduardo Rojas Jr. and Hector Clark who died in the line of duty in southern Arizona. Preliminary reports indicate their SUV was hit by a freight train while they were in pursuit of a group of illegal immigrants.
The loss of these two fine men is a reminder of the risks our Border Patrol agents encounter to keep our nation secure. I pray for their friends families and coworkers at this time of grief.
Support for Offshore Drilling
HR 1231: Reversing President Obamas Offshore Moratorium Act
HR 1229: Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act
At a time when millions of Americans are facing soaring gas prices I joined my colleagues in the House in support of two bills that will reverse President Obamas job-killing moratorium on deep water oil drilling by requiring the Department of Interior to proceed with auction leases for the development of oil and gas resources in the Outer Continental Shelf .
This bill also sets firm timelines for the Secretary of Interior to take action on permits and elevate safety requirements for new permits.
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011
Finally last week I supported the FY2011 Intelligence Authorization bill. HR 754 provides authorization for Americas Intelligence Community for the remainder of this fiscal year. Funding provided by this legislation spans multiple agencies and is intended to provide greater congressional oversight for intelligence spending.
The unsung heroes in our Intelligence Community made it possible for our military to find Osama Bin Laden.
