"This starts with proper funding for Customs Officers, Border Patrol Agents, and Local Law Enforcement so they can keep our communities safe.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Texas Insider Report) — Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) offered three amendments to increase Border Security Funding for Customs & Border Protection (CBP), plus up funding for the Operation Stonegarden grant program, and prohibit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from engaging in transactions with certain Chinese military companies during the House Homeland Security Appropriations Committee Markup.
“My district spans more than 40% of the Southern Border, including the El Paso, Del Rio, and Big Bend Sectors of the Border Patrol.
"In Congress, we have a responsibility to equip law enforcement at the border with the technology and infrastructure that is needed to support their mission. This starts with proper funding for Customs officers, Border Patrol Agents and Local Law Enforcement so they can keep our communities safe,” said Congressman Gonzales.“Furthermore, it is critical the United States continue to counter national security threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)."
Details on the three amendments are:
- Provision in the Manager’s Amendment Against Chinese Military Companies: Prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from entering into agreements with or procuring equipment from Chinese military companies.
- Amendment to Increase Border Security Funding: Increases the “Procurement, Construction & Improvements” (PC&I) account for Customs & Border Protection to FY22 levels, which were higher overall for this category.
- The P,C & I account funds essential border security technology, drones, and the renovation of Border Patrol stations, many of which are run down and in desperate need of modernization.
- Amendment to Increase the Operation Stonegarden Grant Program: Increases funding for Operation Stonegarden by $30M, to bring program funding to a total of $120M.
- This grant program allows Local Law Enforcement to partner with Customs & Border Protection (CBP) to counter Drug & Human Trafficking at the border.
- Since FY19, funding has remained level at $90M, despite record levels of smuggling activity at the Southern Border.
