Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that we are considering the DHS Joint Task Force Reauthorization Act of 2024. Right now, DHS operates one joint task force in the southeastern U.S. and Caribbean called Joint Task Force East. Every day, Joint Task Force East combines the efforts of the U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and other agencies to share intelligence and counter bad actors who may bring negative elements to our Nation. This joint task force also works hand in hand with the Department of Defense and our international partners. We must ensure that they continue to detect and dismantle cartels across the world. Just this calendar year alone, coalition efforts under Joint Task Force East have resulted in the interdiction of hundreds of migrants, over 55,000 kilos of illicit cocaine valued at almost $2 billion, illegally harvested fish valued at over $900,000, over 350 illegal firearms, and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition. Again, that is nearly $2 billion worth of illegal narcotics that have been kept off our American streets and over 350 guns not going into the hands of cartels or gang members around the world. For the joint task force's work to continue, we need to reauthorize the joint task force authority. At the same time, Congress needs more information on the resources the joint task force needs to be successful.…”