By Cong. Michael McCaul
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. It was great to spend a full week back in Texas touring the district and discussing policy with many of you. I am encouraged that the Mexican government arrested several suspects in the ambush of two US ICE agents but I dont buy their story that the brutal murder was a case of mistaken identity.
ICE Agent
The agents vehicle had diplomatic plates and the surviving agent says they identified themselves as US diplomats just before they were shot. Last weeks nationwide warrant roundup of cartel members in the US was long overdue.
Fortunately the Houston Police Officer who was shot by a suspected cartel member while serving a warrant is going to be okay.
VIDEO:
McCaul: I dont buy mistaken identity
Border Security
I spent two days at the Texas State Capitol meeting with Governer Perry and several committee chairmen to discuss a state-federal cooperative approach to securing the border. The Obama administration has largely ignored Texas in its modest efforts to secure the US border with Mexico.
Now that we are in the majority we have an opportunity to make changes that should have been prioritized long ago such as intensifying southbound checkpoints to confiscate guns and
cash going into Mexico. An estimated $25-30 billion a year flows south across the border.
Confiscating this drug money could pay for other resources we need to secure the border.
VIDEO:
McCaul briefing to TX Senate Homeland Sec Committee
Terror Suspect Arrest
McCauls statement on the terrorist suspect who allegedly plotted to attack former President Bush nuclear facilities dams and Dallas nightclubs:
Unlike the majority of terror suspects who have been apprehended in the United States we cannot rule out the possibility that Khalid Aldawsari may have had direct ties to al Qaeda or other international terrorist networks. Aldawsari was radicalized in the Middle East before coming to the United States. His intent to use baby dolls... Full Statement
VIDEO: McCaul on Terror Arrest
Budget
This week I expect a vote on a Continuing Resolution (CR) that will keep the federal government running for two more weeks until the House and Senate can agree on a longer-term budget for the rest of this fiscal year.
This two week plan cuts $4 billion in spending. Unfortunately the Senate failed to adopt the CR that the House passed last week which saves taxpayers $100 billion compared to the Presidents request.
I will continue to push for deeper cuts in the long-term plan.
