Ted Poe: “I appreciate Chairman King's work on this bill showing that it is a national security issue and not just a problem that…”

“I appreciate Chairman King's work on this bill showing that it is a national security issue and not just a problem that we have in the Southwest. Many in this Congress have been following what they believe to be the absurd anti-American prosecution of two Border Patrol agents, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, who were doing their jobs to protect the U.S. border and protect drugs from entering America. Instead they were improperly put on trial for what the U.S. Attorney who prosecuted this case said was the unlawful pursuit of an illegal invader into this Nation who was bringing 800 pounds of dope into this country. One part of the bill that I wish to highlight is section 5. This portion directs the Border Patrol to make clear the policy on pursuit and whether the authority should even be expanded. The Border Patrol lists among its objectives to detect, apprehend and deter drug smugglers. Our Border Patrol agents in the field need a clear, all- inclusive pursuit policy to show that we are serious about defending the border. This bill will show our Border Patrol agents we are more concerned about them and border security than we are about drug smugglers. Anything less makes our Border Patrol nothing more than highly specialized and trained Wal-Mart greeters. I urge adoption of this bill.”