Jeff Duncan

The fundamental answer is that Al Qaeda's most important accomplishment was not to hijack our planes, but to hijack our political system.

This may be for the next Congress, but we ought to have an operational control hearing to delve more into what that looks like.

We are wasting a heck of a lot of money with structured technology and personnel.

That is low-hanging fruit for enforcement.

But the issue is exacerbated, Madam Chairman, by all the other things we have talked about.

I think there needs to be discussion and I am asking questions, what are some alternatives we could do instead of taking Agents that have been trained that have a National security mission, should be on the front line.

But we all know that a taller fence just means a higher ladder or a higher fence means a taller ladder and elements are going to cross over that fence.

I believe in more fencing. I believe it works because I believe there are areas--I know there are areas you can't fence.

I will tell you, in South Carolina, we are not very happy about that, about folks that have crossed our border, broken our laws, violated American sovereignty--we are a sovereign Nation--and they are let go.

We have illegals coming in this country. We have another element coming into this country illegally, walking across our border, and that is a DHS term of OTMs, other than Mexicans.

I have done a lot of radio interviews and I have told folks that I don't know that we are any safer today by combining all these agencies under DHS, and our border is still insecure.

Thanks for this hearing as well.

I apologize that there is not more active participation today.

The export of natural gas is critical to the American energy sector.

Energy is a passion of mine, and American energy independence, the energy renaissance that we have experienced is something that I have advocated for.

Should it be a crime to report a crime? Many top officials in Washington seem to think so, at least in the case of Edward Snowden.

I think there is great opportunity. I talk about jobs, energy, and the founding fathers all the time.

We have adjourned for the August recess break and we wanted to continue.

I look forward to hearing from our witnesses on how the U.S. efforts in the Caribbean can improve.

To me it is a win-win situation.

I believe it is critical to work with our neighbors to mutually promote economic growth through trade liberalization.

I want you to know that I have heard you.

But I will say that what we see in this country with these acts in San Bernardino and Fort Hood is radical Islamic jihad, radical Islamic terrorism.

To ignore their struggles--our struggles--does not make them disappear; it simply leaves you blind and the American family very vulnerable.

I don't believe all the solutions we need start in government, but we need people doing things that only individuals can do.