Kevin Brady: “I rise to make two points: one, to be in strong support of this conference report. Homeland security in this country is…”

“I rise to make two points: one, to be in strong support of this conference report. Homeland security in this country is a massive challenge. This is a huge Nation, with so many risks. Yet we have put billions of dollars, unprecedented dollars, toward those risks. There is no question we are safer, we are, or more prepared, more focused on homeland security than ever before, and I support the chairman's efforts, which have just been dedicated to making our country safer. This bill moves that forward. My second point is in support of that raised by my colleague from Houston (Mr. Green). We are having a serious problem of understaffing of the port of entry at the Bush Intercontinental Airport. It is not simply inconvenient. It is an intolerable line through Customs. It is a disruption of trade. We are losing jobs and business in the region as a result. This bill helps provide the resources. I thank the chairman for the help to address those problems. We are meeting with the agency again tomorrow to focus their attention on this important need. We are hopeful they will listen carefully.”