Ashley Hinson

The Prop 12 ruling, I would say, it--was a poor opinion, in my opinion, simply my opinion, allowing a single state to impose rules on the rest of America.

So we can't let this happen, right? I mean, this is a vulnerability for the safety and security of our country, is it not?

I am extremely concerned about the number of known terrorists and criminals who have come across our southern border as a result of the weakness.

I would rather see those resources go toward stopping forced labor materials from coming into our country, interdicting those drugs.

I think it is a misdirection of priorities to send that much future taxpayer funding, again, to what we consider a manmade crisis at the southern border.

One of my top concerns with the crisis we are seeing at our southern border is that we know that individuals on the terror watch list, sex offenders, some of these transnational gang members, drug traffickers, human traffickers, the list…

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

I think Iowans and Americans deserve accountability here for their tax dollars and for their numbers.

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

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

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

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

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.

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 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.

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.

Is this what CBP is telling you they need to be able to secure the border and provide that operational security?

Your budget request, I believe you have $77.4 million for border management staffing.

We have to control this mass flow of illicit drugs through our systems, and I think some of it is on increasing penalties for traffickers in our homeland.

I think consistency is the biggest challenge here, right. We want to make sure that every veteran can count on the same process, no matter what airport they are flying through.

The FTC serves a very important role in making sure that competitive practices can continue to exist in this country in the marketplace while still protecting consumers.

I just see this as an incredible burden, not only to our dealers who are now going to have to dedicate more additional staff time there, but to the consumer.

I think that congressional intent could not be clearer there.