By introducing such draconian cuts, these proposals could jeopardize our Nation's first responders and firefighters and substantially hinder our National emergency response infrastructure.

I just want you to know that on both sides of the aisle the committee, obviously, our thoughts and prayers go out to them.

I hope that we can work to restore funding and I look forward to working with DHS and my colleagues on possible solutions to address cutting funding for this essential program.

I know President Calderon is in the United States, and it is probably a good time to talk to him about that.

I looked at the--it has CBP decrease the border security fencing, infrastructure, and technology account by $300 million.

I think that is critically important. You know, in my State of Texas there is really almost zero technology down there.

I appreciate that, but on my own behalf I will take the eyewitness account of our agent over the Zetas who have been apprehended any day.

I want to first express my sympathy to the family of Agent Zapata and, as know you do as well, in the survival of Agent Avila, which is nothing short of a miracle, given what happened down there.

These are reasonable things that we should demand and expect of our international colleagues.

Corruption is a daily fact of life in these states.

There is a war going on, as you know, and it seems to me our agents should be armed, if we are going to put them down there in harm's way.

I think we have to impose some twenty-first century levels of management transparency and accountability on this organization.