Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, as the chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I am happy to remind our colleagues of the provisions in this bill that will enhance border security. The Obey amendment will add money for urgent needs, to address the alarming level of violence attributable to Mexican gangs and drug cartels. It will increase the presence of critical Border Patrol and Customs personnel at the border, and it will strengthen the protection of jeopardized communities. There are four critical aspects of these border provisions: First, the Obey amendment will strengthen enforcement between ports of entry to deter and apprehend smugglers and illegal crossings. That means 1,200 new Border Patrol agents. It means up to three additional forward operating bases, and it will provide two new unmanned aircraft systems for CBP to patrol the border. Second, the Obey amendment will tighten enforcement at ports of entry while aiding legitimate travel and commerce. It will sustain hundreds of critical CBP officer positions at risk of being cut because of declining fee collections. It will add 500 CBP officers for inspection and enforcement at ports of entry, inbound and outbound, to crack down on drugs, weapons, cash, and alien traffickers.…”