Failure is not an option.

I have introduced legislation requiring the State Department to classify drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.

It is time for the United States to show a serious commitment to this war that is right in our backyard and on our doorstep.

Before I yield back my time I would like for all of us today here to remember Special Agent Jaime Zapata.

The shooting of Special Agents Zapata and Avila is a game-changer which alters the landscape of the United States' involvement in Mexico's war against the drug cartels.

Given this intensified violence--more than 35,000 killings in the past 5 years since President Calderon declared this war and the increase in spillover crime into the United States--I believe it is time for the United States to take…

In my judgment, the Mexicans are losing this war and so are we.

Mexico could become a safe haven for terrorists who we know are attempting to enter the United States.

What is our plan? What is our strategy in dealing with Mexico?

Cartels kidnap, kill, and mutilate innocent civilians, elected officials, and law enforcement officers.

We must also secure our borders. We must intensify southbound inspections to seize weapons and cash that arm and fund Drug Trafficking Organizations.

Our focus must remain on common sense strategies that will aid Mexico in responding to this very serious problem...

I think we need more of this down there, and I think we had a crisis situation down there and it is not getting any better.

I look forward to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address that issue.

Are we going to help them win this war or not? It is a war, and President Calderon calls it a war.

But with only 25 percent--you know, my judgment, the Department of State has not implemented this plan.

While not driven by religious ideology, Mexican drug cartels operate in the same manner as al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or Hezbollah each sharing a desire, and using similar tactics to gain political and economic influence.

I am disappointed, frankly, here today that a representative from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms did not make themselves available to testify.