the American people understand that border security is national security, and this is a failure.

I am very concerned when you say you are addressing the cartels in unprecedented ways.

I see it as a lack of meaningful work to address the retention challenges.

I think that when you look at that added stress and anxiety-inducing situation, I think that there may be room for improvement there.

I guess my biggest question is, when you look at 19,000 staff Border Patrol agents, which is what we have right now, funded for 19,800, 800 of those positions are currently open.

It is zero. It is zero, Mr. Secretary.

When the Chief of the Border Patrol is telling us that the border is not secure and that men and women at the border feel disrespected by the policies of this administration, it is very clear to me, sir, that there is a lot more work to be…

I think one of the biggest concerns is a clear lack of communication between CBP and ICE.

one of the biggest errors was in the establishment of Medicare, Medicare having different reimbursement for different States rather than a single reimbursement for a single procedure or a single visit

So when you are coming to us and saying you need more Border Patrol agents, the policies of this administration have truly affected retention for CBP.

I see this as a complete failure. What will it take?

I think it would certainly help if we didn't have defund-the-police rhetoric around the country as well, because law enforcement is struggling.

I do not understand your equivocation over whether or not these agreements ought to be submitted to Congress.

When you were in Iowa, you heard about how concerned Iowa farmers are about Mexico's ban on biotech corn.

This is unfair, it is unjustified, and yet President Biden made no mention whatsoever that I know of about the new tariff when he had the chance.

If you do not let the Mexican Government know right now that you are going to institute that, you are going to continue these conversations for the 2 years that they have already gone on.

I do not understand your equivocation over whether or not these agreements ought to be submitted to Congress.

When you were in Iowa, you heard about how concerned Iowa farmers are about Mexico's ban on biotech corn.