Mike McCaul

Thank you, Mr. Roberts. Let me, too, associate myself with your remarks regarding the Navy SEAL operation to kill bin Laden.

Denying safe haven to terrorists is an essential component of the U.S. strategy to defeat al-Qaeda and its affiliates.

I look forward to hearing from both panels and receive their recommendations on strategies on the best approach for addressing terrorist safe havens, and I yield back my time.

I applaud our Government's efforts, but more has to be done.

Eliminating the terrorist's base of operations where they have the ability to recruit, train, and plan their operations is the key to preventing future attacks on American soil.

I want to do everything to ensure this college library of intelligence gets to the State and locals

I think it is absolutely critical that the American public understand that we have a clear and present danger.

I would like to first take this moment just to publicly commend the Navy SEALs, the intelligence community, particularly the analysts in both NSA and CIA for a job well done in bringing him to justice.

I always said the death of bin Laden marked the beginning of the end. Because we couldn't truly win the war on terror until we killed bin Laden.

I want to thank all of you for your service. I want to thank you also for your suggestions.

This problem needs an answer. That is what I have suggested along the ideas of creating a border financial crimes task force.

I agree with the Ranking Member, as well.

My view is, we ought to call them what they are. Their tactics are certainly like terrorists.

I suggest that the violence in Mexico and the threat it poses to Mexico and to our communities, requires a September 11 type of response from our country.

We have failed the States, the Federal Government has.

It is a Constitutional obligation, not a political obligation, to protect the border.

When the U.S./Mexico border is finally secured the Mexican Cartels will no longer have access to the billions of dollars they use to undermine the domestic security of Mexico and the safety and security of the citizens of Texas and the…

The Federal Government needs to stand up with you.

There cannot be homeland security without border security.

It is refreshing to hear--the reason for calling the second panel is to get people who are on the ground, down on the border, who understand it and have seen it up close and personal.

We are not happy with the fact that our border is not secure, because we know it can be secure, if the Federal Government commits sufficient resources to do it.

Clearly, the numbers I submitted in my written testimony are accurate--18.9 percent referral rate for drug felonies, and we have 9.4 percent of the population in our border region.

My intent is to help Mexico.

I just want an accurate assessment of what is the level of crime.

I would certainly like to see a large percentage... goes back into, to pay for these border security operations.