"OK. You just have them call my office. I will explain to them why."
"Is it too stringent? I mean, could it--could that process be made more flexible?"
"When I talk to Border Patrol they see these kind of things all the time."
"I mean, you know, it is not as if that has gone away, of course. It is just we have fewer numbers than we did in the spring time."
"Thank you, Madam Chairwoman."
"We must ensure CBP has the necessary infrastructure, technology, and staffing to effectively manage our ports of entry."
"Thank you Chairwoman Torres Small for hosting this field hearing and for working with me to find a suitable time so I could take part in this important discussion on ports of entry."
"Thank you, Chairwoman Torres Small, for hosting this field hearing. It has been great--it is great to be in beautiful New Mexico."
"These staffing shortages create risk to National security, delay commerce, and put additional strain on a stressed work force."
"The lengthy hiring process may be part of the problem as it includes 11 steps and a background investigation, medical exam, and a polygraph examination."
"I want to make sure that they have the resources they need to purchase effective technology and update their infrastructure and attract and retaining talent."