On the recordMay 17, 2016
The gentleman from Texas says that the MQ-9 Reaper is not specifically addressed in this amendment. However, UAVs are--unmanned aerial vehicles--and the MQ-9 is one of them. The point that I am trying to make is that we do not need to further militarize the border at a time when it is safer than it has ever been and when, in fact, U.S. cities on the U.S. side of the U.S.-Mexico border are far safer than the average city in the interior of this country. If we need to send surplus military equipment elsewhere, let it be prioritized based on need, based on known threat. When we send security resources where we don't have proven threats, we take them away from where we do. That makes this country less safe. I urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
