Richard B. Nugent: “I thank Mr. McCaul for yielding me 1 minute. Mr. Chairman, I understand the opposition to this amendment is based on a…”

“I thank Mr. McCaul for yielding me 1 minute. Mr. Chairman, I understand the opposition to this amendment is based on a misconception that it expands eligibility for surplus military equipment to include border security. Customs and Border Protection is already authorized to receive this equipment. It would just elevate their priority to where Justice Department is in allowing them to receive the equipment that they need. I was a sheriff in a 1033 program that provided equipment as it would exactly to Customs and Border Protection. It does not--it does not-- provide armed drones. Everything that they receive is demilitarized in regard to the fact they aren't receiving tanks, no military equipment that fires a rocket, or given rockets. That is a misconception that others have tried to move forward. Mr. Chairman, border security activities are the front lines of counternarcotics and counterterrorism before those threats hit American airspace, American waters, and American soil, and I support this amendment.”